An active USB cable looks exactly what it is – a cable. From the outside, it is like any other cable you’ve seen – it has a wire and a rubberised exterior for protection. But there’s much more to active USB cables than that. It has a boosted signal to help maintain the integrity of the data it’s carrying over longer distances. Such a cable has small electronic circuits that enhance the intensity of the data being carried by the cable at one or both ends. Active USB extension cables effectively ward off signal degradation due to attenuation. In short, it goes a further step ahead than passive cables by repeating the signal and extending it to preserve quality from one end to another.
Where should you use active USB extension cables?
While active USB cables are highly effective and offer great quality service, not everyone or every application needs them. They are somewhat specialised tools that come with great shielding and active processing chips at the ends of the connection. While these make them effective, they also make them fairly expensive compared to passive cables. So, if your requirement is for a shorter USB cable irrespective of the speed, it might be wise to stick to a passive cable.
However, if you need a long cable to cover a large distance, or if your business cannot compromise on the quality of the connection, it is better to go for an active USB cable. Generally, it is preferable to use an active USB cable if the data transfer quality is of paramount interest to you. So, it is a great choice for a business with special data needs and can perform efficient data transfer.
Furthermore, active USB cables are known to be best suited for devices such as virtual reality headset, or a high-quality display or monitor. If you buy a high-quality display unit (head-mounted or otherwise), there is no point in using a poor-quality cable that is incapable of delivering high-quality images. In such cases, you need active USB cables.
In short, the location and use to which the cable is put to determine the type of USB cable that you require. For most of the residential and non-work setups, a passive cable will do the job. But for any specialised environment such as a workplace or one with high-end devices, it is preferable to use active USB cables. That way, you can ensure faster and reliable data transfer without losing out on data quality.
Benefits of active USB cables:
- Active USB cables facilitate the carrying of more information per second (12 MB/second). This means faster data transfer.
- As the USB cable port is smaller than the parallel cable port, manufacturers can come up with thinner and compact laptops and handheld devices.
- USB cable hubs enable you to connect two or more devices to your computer or laptop.
- Active USB cables can be used to charge devices such as mobile phones and tablets.
Thus, there is much more to an active USB cable than what meets the eye. If you are looking for high-quality USB extension cables at affordable rates, click here. You will find a wide range of choices at prices that suit you.