Network Cables

[doggitz]

Hello! I am new to the forum.

I do a fair bit of streaming and chanced upon some discussion/ads regarding network cables (e.g. CAT 5/6, etc). I have seen some of Gene's videos on digital cables and believe that he makes sense. That said, there are network cables out there for thousands of dollars. That doesn't make sense to me. The network signal needs to come to the house, through my modem, router, cable in the walls, and finally to my player. I do not see how spending a lot of money on a boutique network cable can make any difference at all. The ads seem to have typical subjective claims, without any objective data..

Is there a consensus of opinion? I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

Fred

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

Follow Gene's suggestions.
You certainly don't need expensive cables. But it sells, so they stay in business.
You are correct about the cables in your house and to the router. Is your streaming working? If your run is short to the router that you have control over, Cat 5e is enough. If you don't have that cable and need to get one, get Cat6, should not be much more.
Enjoy.

 

[lovinthehd]

Those proposing the multi thousand dollar cables are called charlatans, and peddle snake oil. Not much to it other than bullshit.

 

[dolynick]

Unless you're network or Internet service is capable of passing through more that 2.5 Gbps, then you're fine with good old Cat 5e. Any reasonable quality cable will do (Amazon Basics has a nice selection). If you want to go up to 10 Gbps, then you need to look at Cat 6e or better.

If Cat 6e is not dramatically more than the Cat 5e cable, then it's probably smart to go with the 6e just for future considerations

Unless you have a very high end motherboard or have invested into a 10G network card, it's probably not something you have to worry about right now. 10 Gbps switching gear is still expensive enough that it's not widespread as a standard for most home users yet either.

 

[rajsingh]

Fred, you’re right boutique Ethernet cables won’t improve streaming. A solid CAT6/6a from a reputable brand with proper termination is all you need.

 

[everettT]

Invest in a crimper, by the bulk cable you need (cat5/6 grounded or ungrounded) and make your own. It's cheap and you will always have the right lengths, that's if you need more than a few cables.

 

[highfigh]

Thousands of dollars for cables that do what, improve audio while streaming? That sounds like FraudioQuest. They say their HDMI cables with batteries improve audio, too. Then, there's the gold plated shielded RJ-45 ends- yeah, that makes a lot of sense, especially when the other devices don't have gold plated port shields.

 

[highfigh]

Invest in a crimper, by the bulk cable you need (cat5/6 grounded or ungrounded) and make your own. It's cheap and you will always have the right lengths, that's if you need more than a few cables.

I would add that some kind of tester would be a good idea- it's not always easy to see the ends of the wires and how far into the end they go or if they're aligned correctly. Nothing like setting the pairs and having one wire go on a field trip into the wrong hole, then not knowing why the network connection doesn't work.

If someone wants to save a lot of money on the cable, go to Habitat ReStore- I just bought a box of CommScope Cat5e with more than 750' of cable for $5 a couple of days ago. Most mid-large cities have these stores and proceeds go to Habitat For Humanity. They often have great deals on lots of interesting items- I bought a new Broan 80cfm bathroom vent fan for $35 and two pairs of 6' long full extension drawer slides ($10/pair). If they don't have something at one location, there's a good chance they have it at another, or may have it soon- they don't know when things will come in, but I have seen Category cable frequently.

 

[dolynick]

Learning to crimp RJ-45 cables is a handy skill, especially if you need custom lengths. I'm betting that for standard lengths, it's probably as cheap (or less so if you only need a few) to just buy premade cables.

 

[highfigh]

Learning to crimp RJ-45 cables is a handy skill, especially if you need custom lengths. I'm betting that for standard lengths, it's probably as cheap (or less so if you only need a few) to just buy premade cables.

Cables are cheap, foreign labor keeps the cost down but for a DIYer, making cables is a good way to have them at the length needed without lots of "OK, where do I put the excess?". Cable cost has risen with the metal market changes but still, a 500' or 1000' box costs about $100 vs $1 for a 1' cable- that box is looking pretty good.

One difference between a box of cable and premade- the boxed cable is silid conductors and pre-made are usually stranded, so they're more flexible.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Cables are cheap, foreign labor keeps the cost down but for a DIYer, making cables is a good way to have them at the length needed without lots of "OK, where do I put the excess?". Cable cost has risen with the metal market changes but still, a 500' or 1000' box costs about $100 vs $1 for a 1' cable- that box is looking pretty good.

One difference between a box of cable and premade- the boxed cable is silid conductors and pre-made are usually stranded, so they're more flexible.

The other consideration is how many cables will one be making in the foreseeable future and the cost of tools.

 

[Teetertotter?]

My Cat 5e cables[internet] are from my Cat 5e modem outputs, to my TV, Satellite DVR, and Denon AVR, purchased from Cable Wholesale. My HDMI cables are ZesKit Certified, purchased from Amazon. Picture and sound quality, could not be better + speed.
No mess, no fuss, as they say.

 

[dolynick]

Cable cost has risen with the metal market changes but still, a 500' or 1000' box costs about $100 vs $1 for a 1' cable- that box is looking pretty good.

You're leaving out the cost of the crimpers and cable ends, tester, etc, but even so, that sort cost analysis only makes sense if you're actually going to use all 500 or 1000 feet of the cable. The vast majority of people aren't, even if they wire most of their house and I seriously doubt the OP is going to need that kind of bulk supply.

If he's actually looking to re-wire his place (in-wall, etc) then learning how to make the cables makes sense. It is a useful skill. If he's just looking at replacing a few 6-20' patch cables from modem to router to PC, it only makes sense if he just wants to learn.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My Cat 5e cables[internet] are from my Cat 5e modem outputs, to my TV, Satellite DVR, and Denon AVR, purchased from Cable Wholesale. My HDMI cables are ZesKit Certified, purchased from Amazon. Picture and sound quality, could not be better + speed.
No mess, no fuss, as they say.

Do you have any more cable stories?
I like no mess, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

You're leaving out the cost of the crimpers and cable ends, tester, etc, but even so, that sort cost analysis only makes sense if you're actually going to use all 500 or 1000 feet of the cable. The vast majority of people aren't, even if they wire most of their house and I seriously doubt the OP is going to need that kind of bulk supply.

If he's actually looking to re-wire his place (in-wall, etc) then learning how to make the cables makes sense. It is a useful skill. If he's just looking at replacing a few 6-20' patch cables from modem to router to PC, it only makes sense if he just wants to learn.

Maybe he can have a new hobby with cable making?

 

[highfigh]

You're leaving out the cost of the crimpers and cable ends, tester, etc, but even so, that sort cost analysis only makes sense if you're actually going to use all 500 or 1000 feet of the cable. The vast majority of people aren't, even if they wire most of their house and I seriously doubt the OP is going to need that kind of bulk supply.

If he's actually looking to re-wire his place (in-wall, etc) then learning how to make the cables makes sense. It is a useful skill. If he's just looking at replacing a few 6-20' patch cables from modem to router to PC, it only makes sense if he just wants to learn.

A crimper can cost less than $15 for the plastic one and it actually works. Thrift stores often have these and other parts, as I mentioned. A tester can be cheap, too.

I mentioned that I bought a box of cable for $5- that wasn't an isolated incident and EVERYONE knows someone who will need long cables, at some point.

Any unused materials can be sold.

 

[highfigh]

Maybe he can have a new hobby with cable making?

Ya gotta have a hobby. Beats drinking.

 

[highfigh]

You're leaving out the cost of the crimpers and cable ends, tester, etc, but even so, that sort cost analysis only makes sense if you're actually going to use all 500 or 1000 feet of the cable. The vast majority of people aren't, even if they wire most of their house and I seriously doubt the OP is going to need that kind of bulk supply.

If he's actually looking to re-wire his place (in-wall, etc) then learning how to make the cables makes sense. It is a useful skill. If he's just looking at replacing a few 6-20' patch cables from modem to router to PC, it only makes sense if he just wants to learn.

I mentioned a tester, the crimper and ends should be an assumption.

Make note of today's date and when you hear that someone is building or remodeling, note that, too- I doubt it will be much more than a few months.

In some circles, having the parts/materials/tools for making cables can be similar to being a 20-something with a pickup truck or van- it used to be "Hey, can you help me move?".

 

[everettT]

A crimper can cost less than $15 for the plastic one and it actually works. Thrift stores often have these and other parts, as I mentioned. A tester can be cheap, too.

I mentioned that I bought a box of cable for $5- that wasn't an isolated incident and EVERYONE knows someone who will need long cables, at some point.

Any unused materials can be sold.

Definitely cheap solutions available
Tester

Crimper

For just a few dollars more you can get some premium products. My tester wasn't cheap, but it is multi function including tone out.

 

[highfigh]

Definitely cheap solutions available
Tester

Crimper

For just a few dollars more you can get some premium products. My tester wasn't cheap, but it is multi function including tone out.

Mine does voice and data with a ladder LED display to indicate proper wire assignment but I also have a toner with a phone plug pigtail and to make noise sniffing easier, a 3.5mm jack for headphones.