Pure Fi (Santa Clara, CA), a provider of premium consumer and professional A/V connectivity products, this week unveiled its new Pure Fi USB Type-C Active Optical Cable (AOC) product line.
Among the first USB-C active optical cables offering speeds of up to 40 Gbps at distances up to 30 feet, the new cable is optimized for applications that require high-speed connectivity between devices not located in close proximity to one another.
The Pure Fi USB-C AOC is billed as highly versatile, offering bi-directional connectivity across a wide range of current and legacy USB devices.
Value proposition
Compatible with the latest USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 and 4 devices, the company says the new cable offers plug & play simplicity for applications that demand a reliable, high-speed connection.
As noted by Bill Huang, CEO of Pure Fi:
“The USB Type-C connector has become a de facto standard in consumer tech and professional applications, so we developed a solution to suit even the most demanding connectivity needs across a very broad range of devices and applications. Delivering an active optical solution that takes advantage of the USB-C form factor gives our customers the ideal connectivity solution to suit virtually any need.”
Pure Fi’s new USB-C active optical cable serves a range of connectivity needs, and excels in specialty applications that require high-speed connections over long distances.
As explained by the company, these may include the following:
Virtual Reality applications
While many consumer-grade virtual reality solutions can function “untethered,” certain VR applications benefit from the ability to connect to a PC via USB-C. Connecting directly to a computer is preferable for VR games that require significant processing power to render fully immersive experiences. Similarly, professional VR applications across a growing number of fields also benefit from hardwired VR connectivity to ensure a seamless VR experience.
With a cable diameter of just .2 inches, the Pure Fi USB-C AOC’s sleek form factor ensures connectivity without being encumbered by thicker cabling options. The ability to deliver up to 60W of power over USB-C is ideal for VR applications, as the cable delivers a steady charge for hours of uninterrupted use.
Peripheral placement flexibility
Most computing peripherals ship with a standard USB cable that’s adequate for connecting a device on one’s desktop, giving the user limited flexibility in where peripherals are placed. In the case of an SSD, for example, most ship with a 2- or 3-foot cable suitable only for desktop use.
Pure Fi’s new USB-C AOC frees customers to place peripherals up to 30 feet away from the desktop. This gives users the freedom to place external drives and other peripherals in a closet or in another room, moving noise and heat production away from the workspace. Because the new AOC delivers power via the cable itself, there’s no need for an additional power source.
Pricing and availability
Pure Fi USB Type-C Active Optical Cables product line available now. The new cables come in lengths of 3 meters (10 feet), 5 meters (15 feet) and 10 meters (30 feet). Suggested retail pricing for the Pure Fi USB Type-C AOC is $99, $129 and $199, respectively.
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