Coaxial cable alternative?

[Laro]

There is little I dislike more than stiff unmanageable coaxial cable when connecting a cable box, TV, modem, etc! Seems it has been around for decades without any improvements being made! Does anyone know of a highly flexible round or better yet, flat coaxial cable alternative that perhaps comes in say 3 foot increments that is much easier to deal with? I suppose it should be RG11? If not, please enlighten me!

 

[Eppie]

A little research shows that RG6 handles higher frequencies but RG11 can handle longer runs (1,100m vs 600m). RG6 is thinner and more flexible so for short digital TV or internet runs RG6 is better. RG11 is intended for outdoor use or long runs and is not generally used indoors because it is thicker and requires special connectors. RG59 will be more flexible but it has higher loss and does not handle satellite signals well (used mainly with outdoor antennas). It may be ok for short 3 ft runs.

I've never come across any truly flexible TV cable. Due to the high frequencies that digital TV and internet operate at, it requires a specific di-electric material surrounding the centre wire, so it's always been on the stiff side. If you don't like the pre-made cables you can buy bulk cable or maybe find a store that sells by the foot and then make your own. That requires finding connectors to match the gauge of cable and using the proper crimping tool (which is not cheap).

 

[BMXTRIX]

I will just say that while I agree completely with what you are saying, RG6 cables are almost the standard of all standards when it comes to meeting the frequency support specifications that cable providers have. It's always one of the first questions I hear if I am having cable/internet issues in my home, which have never been my fault. But, they ask every single time, and they sometimes replace my connections with their own just to be sure of things.

Most recently though, I ran into an installation where they were using HDSDI cable instead of RG6 coaxial cable. It was a bit thinner, and more akin to RG59 cable. Thin and lightweight, but being used for the DirecTV receivers in the equipment rack and at other locations. I believe the runs were really long.

What I don't know, and couldn't tell you, is if a cable like a mini RG59 cable would be enough to carry a digital signal from the wall to your cable box or to your modem.
Mini coax cable is all I use for audio and when I was using component video, it is what I used. So, not that I am saying to buy this, but this is similar to what I used everywhere in my home system, at runs up to 100 feet, and carried 1080i video without issue along with digital audio and/or analog audio...

12G Rated HD-SDI BNC Cable with Belden 4855R Mini RG59 - 23 AWG - 4K UHD

Belden's 4855R Mini RG59 cable is a 12 GHz, 4K UHD precision video coaxial cable. 12G-SDI coaxial cable maximizes 4K signal transmission distance on a single coax, minimizing weight and space compared to dual- or quad-link configurations. Single link runs of Belden 4855R are capable of driving...

customcableconnection.com

I might reach out to Blue Jeans cable and see if they can make you a mini cable to test with. Heck, if I have time, I may be willing to give it a try tonight in my home as I do have several leftover leads of mini hires cable laying around that I could throw some F connector to BNC adapters onto and see if they work.
Blue Jeans uses Belden 1855A and 4855R for their mini RG59, and they may have a LOT more insight than what I can offer, I will only be able to tell you if what I try works or doesn't work.
Worth adding that a 6' BNC to BNC cable from Blue Jeans is less than $25 and you will still need BNC to F connector converters for it.
PM me to see if I tried it out on my Verizon boxes or not if I forget to return to this thread.

SDI Cables at Blue Jeans Cable

 

[Speedskater]

There are many different coax cables that meet the obsolete generic RG6 classification. Some are designed for lower frequencies and some for high frequencies.
Cable TV channels are at the high end of the scale and approach 1 Gigahertz. Only cables designed for cable TV are going to work well. They all will have a solid center conductor and will be stiff.

 

[Laro]

While we are talking about wiring . . . I bought 14 gauge speaker wire for my SVS satellite speakers as they were going to have a 40' run. Will it be fine to use 16 gauge on the front speakers that are just 3' to 6' max. from the receiver? Is it ok to mix the gauge to speakers? Thanks!

 

[slipperybidness]

While we are talking about wiring . . . I bought 14 gauge speaker wire for my SVS satellite speakers as they were going to have a 40' run. Will it be fine to use 16 gauge on the front speakers that are just 3' to 6' max. from the receiver? Is it ok to mix the gauge to speakers? Thanks!

Speaker Wire

 

[Eppie]

While we are talking about wiring . . . I bought 14 gauge speaker wire for my SVS satellite speakers as they were going to have a 40' run. Will it be fine to use 16 gauge on the front speakers that are just 3' to 6' max. from the receiver? Is it ok to mix the gauge to speakers? Thanks!

That's a long article slipperybidness.
Short answer, yes you can mix gauges. I'll read the whole article later, but the one thing I don't see mentioned is high current amplifiers. 16 gauge is fine for your average home receiver (though I personally prefer 14 all around). That may not be a heavy enough gauge, though, if you are running high current mono-block amps into a pair of Magnapans. You can go lower gauge (thicker wire) with no issues, but you should not go too thin. If you have enough 14, go 14 all around, but if you only have 16 left it will likely be enough. Wire is cheap, so you can always replace them later. Just use good connectors that are properly fitted.

 

[Laro]

Thanks for that link slipperybidness, although much of it was over my head, it was very informative! And thanks also to you Eppie. I have taken your advice and ordered 2 spools of 14 gauge speaker wire from AMZ. I had mistakenly ordered 14 gauge "burial grade" but it was so thick and bulky it would have made it difficult to feed through my walls, top plates and attic. SVS said it wasn't necessary, so I returned it! Now do either of you have an answer for my thread about connecting my wife's Karaoke?