Custom Design Cables Ltd » Cable Manufacturers UK

Developing countries' broadband growth drives demand for cable solutions

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Further research has recently indicated how demand for cable solutions is likely to grow in the months and years to come, thanks to the global broadband market. Last week we reported a presentation from Integer Research that predicted “sustained growth” in several different types of cable solutions, from Fibre to the Home to coaxial cables. Now ABI Research has echoed that forecast, putting figures in place for the future growth of cable broadband for fixed-line subscribers. This is in part due to the need for higher bandwidth, capable of supporting formats such as 4K video and 3DTV, and emerging faster protocols like DOCSIS 3.0. But it’s also partly down to growth in developing areas of the world – such as in the Asia-Pacific region, where 57% of all fixed-line broadband subscribers can currently be found in China. “Chinese government investment and cable digitisation initiatives, in an effort to promote interplay between TV broadcasters, telecom carriers and internet operators, have been instrumental in this development,” ABI Research reports. With this in mind, the analyst expects that one in four fixed-line broadband subscribers will be using cable broadband connections by 2017. In the UK, where triple play TV, broadband and telephony services are already a feature of the market, it seems sensible to expect similar growth in cable broadband as connection speeds continue to grow, in order to carry all of the necessary information to subscribers’ homes.

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'Wi-Fi woes' good news for cable manufacturers

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Cable manufacturers are likely to be celebrating new research from Broadband Choices, a consumer site that compares broadband packages and works for improvements in internet access in the UK. That is because the site has uncovered evidence of significant “Wi-Fi woes” for many internet users – and suggests a return to direct cable connections as an alternative. In 62% of cases, Wi-Fi broadband users have had problems with their connection, usually due to slow data speeds while streaming video or music, or even when on a social network. The good news for cable manufacturers is that Broadband Choices’ first suggestion is to plug the computer directly into a wired network connection on the router. “You need to find out what broadband speed you’re getting first,” the company explains. “Do this by using a free speed tester using both wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections to see if you really are losing speed by going wireless.” In some environments, cable shielding and braided cables can help to overcome any magnetic or electrical fields that might distort a wireless signal. Cable shielding can help to cut down on the disturbances these fields can cause to the data signal, while braided cables can minimise electromagnetic interference – making sure any slowing in the data transfer is not caused by environmental factors.

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UK cable manufacturers could help retrofit thin hybrid HDDs

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Thin hybrid HDDs could help not only to kickstart the hard disk drive market, but also give UK cable manufacturers a new kind of custom cable design to work on. Measuring just 5mm thick, thin hybrid HDDs have been tipped by electronic components analyst iSuppli as one way notebook manufacturers can claw back some market share, compared with tablets. “Since their appearance on the market two years ago, tablets – with their slim profile and fast ‘instant-on’ capabilities – have eaten mightily into the sales of notebook PCs,” iSuppli reports. This has left even relatively thin HDDs – with a 7mm profile – appearing slow in comparison to tablets, whereas 5mm hybrids could perform better in comparison. However, the most important aspect of 5mm thin hybrids for UK cable manufacturers could be their ability to replace existing hard drives. This is likely to lead to a new market for custom cable designs that are able to connect these new devices into existing laptops and notebooks, and allow owners to benefit from faster performance as a result.

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Military Cables: Keeping the Army Connected

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

The British Army has troops deployed all over the world, from well-reported warzones such as Afghanistan to lesser-known locales in Africa. With so many troops deployed in so many locales, communication is as essential to the successful operation of the nation’s military as weaponry and transport. However, maintaining reliable and strong communication and data connections in areas with conditions as diverse (and adverse) as Afghanistan, Kenya and Canada is an extremely difficult task. Not too difficult, however, for the military’s secret crack squad of cable designers – including CDC! Over the years, we’ve provided cables for a multitude of military purposes, all of which have required intensive research and some innovative thinking to bring to fruition. Here are some of the ways custom cables are keeping the military connected.

Communication between Bases and HQ

When deployed to nations as vast as Afghanistan, the military will set up numerous bases, some of which will be based in locations where you’ll be more likely to find a camel than a reliable phone signal. However, reliable and clear communication between bases – and military HQ – is required for co-ordinating operations and relaying vital information. This is where custom cables come in. Building cables incorporating data, power and cable shielding to withstand the rigours of a combat environment, cable designers ensure that the military have reliable connections across the world, regardless of the environment in which they are operating.

Communication between Troops

Of course, it isn’t just bases that need to communicate; ground troops need to be able to communicate with their superiors back at their base as well as each other when deployed in the field. Headphone microphones are the principal method of doing this and custom cables play a big part in their design. Cables used in headphone mics need to be durable as well as providing crystal clear communication. Some mics make use of acoustic limiting devices, with the variable levels built into a down cable, in order to make sure that speech quality is as clear as possible while also offering protection from high signal levels for the user. Reducing interference is also a crucial part of the design process; we have used the star quad formation in the past to minimise any potential interference hampering clear communication. Practical considerations also have to be made, such as the weight and durability of the cable.

Vehicle Interfaces and Data Transmission

Reconnaissance plays a big part in military operations and data recovered from reconnaissance missions needs to be transmitted in a secure and reliable manner. Custom cables designed specifically to reduce interference and combine data, power and other aspects into as little cabling as possible – such as multicore cables and screened cables – are frequently used in military vehicles. These cables need to be able to stand up a vast range of operation conditions so durability is another key aspect to consider during the design process. For more information on military cables, get in touch with CDC via our contact us page or by calling 01204 658 784.

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How Custom Cables Could Improve Your Gaming Experience

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Over the past few years, the popularity of video gaming has exploded. Whereas gaming was once considered the preserve of children and teenagers, the past few years have seen everyone from your dad to your Gran picking up a pad, with family-friendly consoles such as the Wii and mega-franchises such as ‘Call of Duty’ breaking into the mainstream. It’s estimated that the gaming industry is now worth an astounding $78million (almost £50million)! Part of the reason for this popularity is the ever-decreasing cost of games consoles and gaming PCs, with one able to pick a console for as little as £50 second hand. However, while most gamers will be happy to stick with the equipment and cables that come bundled with their console, they may not necessarily be getting the best out of their machine.

Building Gaming PCs

Hardcore gamers have been turning to custom cables for their gaming needs for years. Custom cables are most commonly used in self-built gaming PCs, with dedicated gamers drawing up the exact specifications for what they require and passing it on to a cable designer, such as Custom Designed Cables, to complete. These cables usually consist of high-powered coaxial and data cables, with cable shielding sometimes included to negate the effects of interference and provide the ultimate gaming experience. Custom cables can also save on space in a crowded PC tower, combining data, power and communication into a single cable and thus allowing more space for other performance-boosting equipment.

Custom Cables for the Everyday Gamer

It isn’t just hardcore gamers who could benefit from custom cables, however. A great deal of games are now designed to be played on HD widescreen televisions, but the HDMI cables included with some consoles can leave a lot to be desired. A custom designed cable complete with cable shielding can strengthen data transmission between console and television, providing gamers with a crisp, clean picture as they embark on another epic quest. The composite cables that come bundled with consoles can also be improved with a custom cable designed specifically for your needs. Whether the cable you’re using isn’t providing a strong enough signal or simply isn’t long enough, a custom cable solution could be the answer to your problems.

Going Retro

But what about when you get bored with modern games and fancy a go on your old SNES or Mega Drive, only to dig it out of the attic and find that the all-important AV cable is missing? Not a problem. Not only can these now out-of-production cables be replicated, they can be built in a manner which improves performance way beyond the original cables. Pretty cool, eh? So next time you get home from a hard day’s work and stick on your games console, consider whether your gaming experience is as good as it could be…then get in touch with Custom Designed Cables on 01204 658 784 for more information on how to improve it!

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How Custom Cables Are Fuelling The Renewable Energy Revolution

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Since the industrial revolution, civilisation has been reliant on fossil fuels to provide us with energy. In the modern age, energy is required for more or less everything we do; charging the batteries in our phone, fuelling our cars and even powering the computer on which we’re typing this blog post. Unfortunately, energy isn’t infinite. In fact, many scientists have suggested that we have already reached ‘peak oil’, the level at which global production of oil has peaked and will only fall from now on. Demand, however, will not fall at the same rate, leading to energy shortages and all kind of potentially catastrophic effects. All is not lost. If society can reduce its reliance on oil and other fossil fuels to generate energy, then we could avoid the widespread power outages that may result from oil running out. Nevertheless, reducing our dependence on oil is only the first step. Demand for energy will keep on rising as we as a society continue to rely on more and more gadgets to go about our daily lives. Conversely, reducing the amount of oil we use will mean less energy is being produced. This deficit is what is driving continued research into renewable energy, energy sources that will never run and will ensure that society never has to face the kind of energy fears it is currently facing again. The most widely-used renewable energy sources include wind power, solar power and hydroelectric energy. All of these energy sources are relied upon to some degree already, but our reliance on them will increase further in the future as our dependence on fossil fuels decreases. The ways in which these sources generate energy is unique; rather than burning fuel, natural elements such as the wind, the sun and the sea are used to create kinetic or solar energy. This energy is then stored and transported to a station where is distributed to homes and businesses. But how is this energy transferred from the original source to a station? And how is it taken from a station to a home? Custom cables are widely used in the renewable energy industry; in fact, some cable designers focus solely on creating cables for renewable energy purposes. Without the services of a cable designer, it’s unlikely that renewable energy would as widely used as it is today. Cable designers will also be at the centre of future developments in the renewable energy sector. Over the next few decades, the demand for energy created by renewable sources will increase substantially. This is partly because of the increased onus on ‘clean energy’, but also because of an enforced move away from fossil fuels. As such, the designs of the cables currently used to transport energy from source to station to home will need to be altered in order to facilitate a great energy load. It’s a challenge that cable designers, including Custom Designed Cables, are relishing!

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What are the best cables for your TV?

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

If you plan to buy a new TV these days, chances are you’ll end up with an all-singing all-dancing HD ready flat-screen number like most modern models are. And although these usually make for an awesome viewing experience, the countless number of cables needed can make the set up quite daunting- especially if you have lots of other devices to attach to it. So we’ve put together a guide to the main cables you’ll need for your new TV, guaranteed to make the install easier and the viewing better.

HDMI Cables (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

Perhaps the most common way to connect your HD TV to devices like your Blu-ray player, HDMI cables deliver high quality audio and visual signals to your screen. The cable itself consists of four shielded twisted pair cables with an identical connector on either end. There are five different types of connector, each differing in size and power, but most TV models require a standard connector. Since the first use of the technology, the design of HDMI cables has been adapted to take into account the advances in technology in the years since its conception. For example, newer versions of the HDMI cable include features enabling 3D, an Ethernet data connection and an improved audio and visual capacity which improves the overall performance of the cable.

SCART Leads (Syndicat des Constructeurs d’Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs)

As the full form of the abbreviation suggests, the SCART lead originated in France and is used to connect audio visual equipment. It carries analogue, standard definition content and for years was the most common method of doing so, widely used to connect equipment such as DVD players to TV systems. With the introduction of the HDMI cable however, which caters for the now more common digital high definition content, the SCART is becoming more and more obsolete. Since many televisions promise HD quality resolution, the HDMI cable is the best option to ensure this quality is met. The SCART lead has a single cable, which gathers all analogue signal and distributes it using a unique 21 pin connector. Most TVs will still have at least one SCART port, so perhaps use this to connect your DVD player and save the image quality of the HDMI cable for your Blu-ray player or HD games console.

Component and Composite video cables (AV)

Although both of these cable types are similar in terms of looks, they fulfil different purposes in terms of audio and visual connections. Component: A component cable consists of five cables. Three of them are for video (green, red and blue) and the other two are for audio purposes. They are more commonly used with HD TVs. Composite: Often called RGB cables (red, green, blue) a composite cable consists of three cables-one for video and two for audio. They are most commonly used to connect games consoles to your TV.

Digital Audio Output

Digital audio output (also known as SPD/IF) cables, are used to connect TVs to home-theatre and surround-sound systems because of the high quality audio signal they transmit. Nowadays, it’s more common to use a HDMI cable for this purpose though, as they carry both audio and visual digital signals through the one cable. But if your home cinema system doesn’t have a HDMI port, then the digital audio output cable is the one to use. Alternatively, if your requirements differ from the services the above mentioned cables provide, why not speak to the experts? Here at Custom Designed Cables we have over twenty years’ experience in providing the best custom cable design services in the UK, and can manufacture the perfect cables for your needs and budget.

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New Website

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

CDC Ltd have been working tirelessly over the previous few weeks to create a more professional new website and a blog to help you the customer even more. On our new website, you will find detailed information about the construction of cable’s, cable designinformation and all about our products and services. We have broken down all of the major processes involved in custom cable design and provided a wealth of information about our ever expanding capability. We have also setup this blog so that over the coming months, we can keep you fully up-to-date on all the latest developments at CDC Ltd and also throughout the cable Industry. Our aim was to improve the overall user experience and we hope that you find our new website helpful, informative and hope that it will help you to source all of your cable requirements.

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Broadband demand good news for UK cable manufacturers

cgoodram — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Continued growth in broadband demand may be good news for UK cable manufacturers and their continental European counterparts during the recent turbulent economic period. A recent presentation from market insight provider Integer Research looks at the different factors currently affecting cable manufacturing across the EU-27 group of countries. On a national scale, some countries are seeing greater levels of turbulence than others, due to economic factors. But across the continent, it is broadband that offers a bright spot – something UK cable manufacturers have already seen in recent years. Integer’s director of research Philip Radbourne presented the analysis at the recent Europacable 2012 General Assembly in Brussels. His presentation notes “sustained growth in broadband demand – FTTH (Fibre to the Home), wireless, coaxial”. The demand for cables capable of supporting streaming media at high-definition resolutions is a further growth area for Europe as a whole, it adds. Overall, this leads Mr Radbourne to predict further investment in several types of cable solutions through until 2015, including high-bandwidth broadband, FTTH, cable solutions for electric vehicles and RF coaxial cables.

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