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Maximum usable length of an optical cable
This thread has 12 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 18:17
tomciara
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Was going to run a long optical cable from a television back to a rack location. I see Monoprice sells 50, 75, maybe even longer optical cables. Is there degradation over distance?

In a conversation with Sonos, they tell me not much over 15 feet works.

Wikipedia seems to confirm. So who would sell a 75’ cable?

Last edited by tomciara on March 14, 2019 18:25.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 2 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 18:40
buzz
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I have a 45' TOSLINK cable from Blue Jeans Cable that works fine. My only pause is that the plugs are large and may not fit in all applications.

In many respects the small plastic ends on cheap cables are easier to deal with, but I'm reluctant to use them for longer runs.
Post 3 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 18:46
SammPX
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I'm about to try a Vanco converter that sends digital audio over cat5/6

[Link: vanco1.com]

Not because I need to go a great distance but all I have is a spare cat from the TV back to the rack. Not thrilled it's a powered device as it is another thing that may need to be power cycled...
Post 4 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 18:56
ShaferCustoms
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I would use this

[Link: metrahometheater.com]
Post 5 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 19:21
TAAVS
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[Link: muxlab.com]
Post 6 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 19:31
IRkiller
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Been using a 50' monoprice to pull audio from a TV back to a rack for some time now. It runs through an attic that reaches ~140* in the summer. Zero issues with no discernible dropoff. It's used everyday.
how in the hell does ernie make money?
Post 7 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 20:31
roddymcg
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I've used the Muxlab version many times and Gefen's version as well. I forgot about the Ethereal option. Do you already have CatX ran?
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 8 made on Thursday March 14, 2019 at 20:48
SB Smarthomes
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I've got a bunch of the Gefen units in place for years without a single failure.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
OP | Post 9 made on Friday March 15, 2019 at 00:17
tomciara
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On March 14, 2019 at 20:31, roddymcg said...
I've used the Muxlab version many times and Gefen's version as well. I forgot about the Ethereal option. Do you already have CatX run?

I have a whole herd of cats run. Well, a few. I had to use that phrase because I have read it here a few times recently.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 10 made on Friday March 15, 2019 at 02:44
pilgram
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On March 14, 2019 at 19:31, IRkiller said...
Been using a 50' monoprice to pull audio from a TV back to a rack for some time now. It runs through an attic that reaches ~140* in the summer. Zero issues with no discernible dropoff. It's used everyday.

I'm using the same in my own house.
Three TV locations for local inputs to the rack amps.
Zero issues for over eight years.
Every day is a good day.......some are just better than others!

Proud to say that my property is protected by a high speed wireless device!
Post 11 made on Friday March 15, 2019 at 09:21
highfigh
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On March 14, 2019 at 18:17, tomciara said...
Was going to run a long optical cable from a television back to a rack location. I see Monoprice sells 50, 75, maybe even longer optical cables. Is there degradation over distance?

In a conversation with Sonos, they tell me not much over 15 feet works.

Wikipedia seems to confirm. So who would sell a 75’ cable?

Don't kink it or coil any excess tightly (<4" diameter coil). I had a TosLink connected to an AVR from a TV and it was intermittent, so I disconnected it and saw that the red light at the end wasn't very bright. I cut the wire ties and uncoiled it- came back to normal and it worked when I reconnected it. I would have thought that such a small diameter fiber would be OK with that.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 12 made on Friday March 15, 2019 at 09:47
buzz
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If you get a chance to work with one of the "transparent" fibers (no signifigent jacket) you normally don't see any "leaks" along the way -- the fiber will appear "dark". However, if you create a too sharp bend, you will be able to see leaks at that point. You can also see this if you strip away some jacket on a regular fiber, then kink the exposed fiber. You'll be able to see leakage at the kink.
Post 13 made on Friday March 15, 2019 at 10:26
highfigh
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On March 15, 2019 at 09:47, buzz said...
If you get a chance to work with one of the "transparent" fibers (no signifigent jacket) you normally don't see any "leaks" along the way -- the fiber will appear "dark". However, if you create a too sharp bend, you will be able to see leaks at that point. You can also see this if you strip away some jacket on a regular fiber, then kink the exposed fiber. You'll be able to see leakage at the kink.

Every light path through some kind of medium has a critical angle and bending fiber optic is no different.

If you have a laser pointer or gun sight, aim it downward in a glass of water, then change the angle at the surface. It's interesting to see it change.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."


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