A/vCable
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Zune AV cable dissected, just like iPod's
AnythingButiPod took a look at the Zune's AV Cable and surprise, surprise... found it to use yet another unique pinout configuration for pumping audio and video out to the TeeVee. However, this time you don't have to get locked into the vendor-specific accessory game since the Zune AV cable shares the same ground location of both the iPod (video) AV Cable and better yet, those off-the-shelf camcorder cables you probably have sitting around the house. As a result, you can use the other cables as long as you route the cable colors correctly for AV-hookup to your TV: iPod AV cable, swap left and right audio; el cheapo camcorder cable, swap video and right-audio. Unfortunately, in yet another drubbing for PlaysForSure devices, the AV cable which works interchangeably between Archos devices, the Zen Vision Series, Cowon iAudio, and even Toshiba's other DAP -- the Gigabeat -- won't work with the Zune. Not without the help of a Xacto knife, anyway.
Atlona's Flat HDMI cable, available soon
As HDMI continues to make inroads into all things A/V, we find Atlona prepping to drop their first flat HDMI cables into the mix. Using a flat "twisted pair" construction with high-density triple shielding said to reduce crosstalk better than traditional round cables, these new Flat HDMI cables feature 24k gold plated connectors and your choice of 28/26/24 AWG High-Purity Oxygen Free Copper conductors for cable runs as long as 20-meters when choosing the latter. True, they bring down the thickness of the cable, however, unlike Atlona's claim that these will be "barely visible" on the wall, the new ribbon appears to have spread about twice as wide as before which should make it even more visible for "on the wall" runs dontchathink? The Atlona Flat HDMI cable is UL/CL2 certified for in-wall installations but come now, we know you're gonna just run 'em under the carpet. At least until wireless HDMI hits these tough HD streets. Available in black or white and "available soon" at an "affordable price." We'll see.
