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From: vermilye@Oswego.EDU (Jon R. Vermilye)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Fiber Optic Sound Cables ...
Keywords: NeXT, CD (music) Player.
Message-ID: <1990Oct9.001232.18516@oswego.Oswego.EDU>
Date: 9 Oct 90 00:12:32 GMT
References: <2553@lectroid.sw.stratus.com> <10596@goofy.Apple.COM>
Reply-To: vermilye@oswego.Oswego.EDU (Jon R. Vermilye)
Organization: Instructional Computing Center, SUNY at Oswego, Oswego, NY
Lines: 25

In article <10596@goofy.Apple.COM> mackenzi@Apple.COM (Steven MacKenzie) writes:
>
>My question is ... why would any one want to use fiber optic to transmit
>digital data 6 feet or so?  The difference in  error rate of fiber vs. wire 
>for such a small distance must be negligible.  Sounds like a very expensive
>solution for a non-problem.
>
>Steve MacKenzie, mackenzi@apple.com
>#include disclaimer.std


I didn't catch the original article, however there are a few reasons for
using fiber over wire...

 One of the reasons is to prevent EMI/RFI problems.  Even though it is a 
short distance, there is no need for shielding.  Longer fiber optic cables
are sometimes used for sound reinforcement systems to prevent problems with
electrically noisey lighting dimmers.  If security is a problem, another 
advantage is the difficulty tapping into fiber.


Jon R. Vermilye                          		         315 341 2138
Department of Theatre, Tyler Hall                  vermilye@oswego.oswego.edu
SUNY Oswego                                 ..rutgers!sunybcs!oswego!vermilye
Oswego, NY 13126                                     vermilye@snyoswva.bitnet