I read the faq and it stated that the max length of an audio cable is 30 feet. Is a headphone cable consider a audio cable? What happens if I try to go over 30 feet? Will I still get sound?

I want to hook my computer up to my home theater system and I will need a cable that is around 50 feet. If this isn't possible using a headphone cable through the speaker out on the sound card, then it there another way?

The two primary problems you encounter on long, unbalanced runs such as this one are signal loss and susceptibility to interference. Because this is an analog (vs. digital) signal the signal loss can take on many forms like reduced volume and something akin to distortion.

On the interference side you can get hum or static or maybe some high pitched squealing.

Basically it's a crap shoot. You can make the run and you may not encounter any problems short of having to turn the volume up a bit more than you would if it were closer. But then again, you may encounter some of the above symptoms.

I have done a hundred feet with minimal problems... just becareful of power lines to lessen chance of interference.

krisbee, when you say problems, do you just mean that the volume was lower or was there static?

I don't see where you would have much of a problem. I'd expect a minimal amount of signal loss and perhaps a bit of a loss of quality. Those would depend on the gauge and quality of the wire.

But the level of static or other interference picked up by the wire should be way lower than the level of the signal driving the headphones. After all, you're not amplifying the signal again, it's an output level signal.

Well, the minimal problems was that occasionally I would hear a snap, crackle, or pop... like once an hour... Or pickup noise from the dimmer in the kitchen.. but other than that, it was fine.

--Kris