Shorten Long Cords with This Dead-Simple Technique [Fix]

For more details, see lifehacker.com/5890538/shorten...

[@simonskoglund9782]

I gotta stop and thank you. Videos like this usually last for 15 minutes. I really appreciate the short easy tip

[@billeybop]

I saw this on myth busters and yes it really works for you die-hard skeptics! Thanks Adam for wanting to share the idea!

[@GutterColin]

Isn't the first rule of cables, especially audio cables, not to loop them? You're creating a magnetic coil that produces EMI whenever you coil any kind of wire. Unfortunately it will also be an interference source

[@VladOnEarth]

Guttercolin dude he is very far from understanding electromagnetics obviously 😄

[@NicholasGreen91]

You can do this with audio all you want. Its high voltage power you gotta look out. Those you need to leave in a figure-8 pattern, otherwise it creates a massive EMI and a high-heat situation that can be dangerous.

[@pristavni]

Except that's this exact same cord is carrying the positiv and negativ signal at the same time which even out the electro magnetic field

[@DavidEasthope]

The microphone he is using has a USB connector, meaning that the audio is being converted to digital information in the base of the mic before being communicated. Digital connectors aren't subject to signal degradation in the cable, aside from total signal loss (if the cable is broken). And in the case of most audio cables, unless they have poor shielding, they are fine to wrap up. I've often wound up too-long headphone cables when I'm at the computer and don't need the full length; there is no quality loss.

[@TheKomentor]

This is so simple, yet so useful. Thanks a lot.

[@Th3Harbinger]

Why is everyone leaving negative reviews? This was helpful tip, I wouldn't have thought of it if Adam hadn't posted about it.

[@Princeton_James]

Wow.

[@toshikokelly5539]

how are we not seeing this more lol best one ive seen so far

[@RCRobio]

@MythOfEchelon Yes, buy a longer cable. Or use a cable you might already have.

[@iwatchtvwithportal5367]

Good idea but I believe you can improve it to make it thinner i.e. not circular shape may be a oval shape ?

[@okay.....675]

Thank you very much. I needed this ❤❤

[@herbie747]

@masakomasako how do you know what's in the video before you watch it? Must be a lifehack I'm not aware of. Maybe you can share.

[@antonismichael1575]

well that's a nice little trick, might come handy

[@aidencullip6273]

This actually helped thx

[@RCRobio]

@CrixMakin What product promos? I didn't see any. This is a life hack. Not a geek hack. Simple and to the point.

[@phat_gunpla_etc]

or increase the length of the cable?

[@alexvkcr]

LOVE IT

[@pdmmdk]

Did they stop making the lifehacker show? Where can i watch it ?

[@kittychan6251]

really! "face palm"

[@marciahickey7382]

Hears to simp[e brilliance, more plz.

[@dunkninddonuts]

I showed a 5th grader this and he just laughed.

[@kittychan6251]

im laughing too

[@samwolaski1369]

Must be in college now

[@baileyrenshaw3451]

who's here 6 years later and still face palming

[@reversofy6470]

I'm here 8 years later and face palming

[@shouldigetit]

8 years later

[@doloresberry3144]

9 years..

[@krumtle]

I’m here 10 years ago and still face palming

[@krumtle]

@@reversofy6470 I’m here 10 years and still face palming

[@simonskoglund9782]

Why so many dislikes. If your cable cant handle that, stop buying cables from ebay

[@SamAldtn]

this made my life so much easier

[@shubhamnaik8824]

Doesn't it damage the cable or sumthing

[@DavidEasthope]

There is no way this could damage the cable, unless it is pulled on too tightly, cinching the knot in on itself. Doing this with high-voltage cable could cause issues due to magnetism between the wires, but for everyday cords (audio and data), there is virtually no risk whatsoever.

[@viiikalendasjulii4649]

Oh wow I never though a video from 2012 would save me so much bloody time

[@bogan619]

@Mrcanonball19 UMAD??

[@rubai7]

thanks lh

[@misterk7_-]

Has it been patched yet

[@TotalyFree2BMe]

make full length episodes again

[@Fredo5227]

Um, thank you LH, I actually did not know about this one. So many haters....just unsub.

[@vicanddionne]

i use bread ties

[@MythOfEchelon]

Is there a dead simple technique for lengthening short wires? :|

[@okay.....675]

😂

[@narc440]

Why do people not like this?

[@Wasabs]

Arkillik because look at the top comment

[@LSMNGTA]

I cant understand what are you showing

[@STIZO99]

I pretty much come here to read the comments....some funny stuff! :P

[@dinosoup]

Maybe you should've used the microphone instead of making me turn my volume up to 500.

[@MoPoppins]

Lifehacker, you might consider devising some kind of rating scale (4-star scale?) to note the "quality level" of a tip. I'm new to the blog and youtube channel, but longtime users seem to be dissatisfied w/ the way the content has shifted. If you guys are trying to appeal to more of the DIY novice ("dumbed down" tips that a more experienced DIY might consider to be "obvious"), the rating scale would be a nice "warning."

[@JoshEastwell]

My cable is 6 meters and I only need like 2 inches...

[@MoPoppins]

@herbie747 Wow, you're so witty and clever, herbie... You're right, there's no way you would know what the contents of the vid are. I ran out of characters for my first comment, but I did append it (I think it's right above the one you just commented on) by suggesting some sort of rating system to essentially "warn" people that it's going to be a simple hack, and nothing sophisticated or wow-worthy for more seasoned DIY'ers. Hope my response was helpful to you, herbie. :)

[@murve33]

{Checks to see if upload date was April 1st} "March 5" Huh.

[@dontdocrack9]

Wrapping your cords together like this can actually do more harm than good. Cords together create a looooooooot of heat.

[@DavidEasthope]

Power cords, yes. USB and audio cords, no.

[@JennyY8S]

This is why I love lifehacker, pointing out obvious techniques that 90% of us have been doing for years. Most of the time it's like "Oh I do that already" but just occasionally you find a real gem. This one wasn't a gem.

[@okay.....675]

I didn't know this technique. This video really helped me.

[@bogan619]

@Mrcanonball19 U just jelly!!!

[@herbie747]

@Th3Harbinger That's because you're slow.

[@Chewy427]

problem is it's semi permanent, if u want it longer you have to unravel each and every loop

[@alanjames3795]

Exactly

[@colinboyd4371]

this guy for real, talk about stating the obvious

[@PCgamer-xy3nd]

Otx

[@jyxiaa]

i lost 20 seconds of my life, thank you

[@MrBenjijake]

*How to break your cord.

[@EnactionStudios]

KONY 2012

[@BrendanLedwell]

doing it since i was a kid :/

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

Wtf

[@marciahickey7382]

lol

[@bogan619]

@Mrcanonball19 U sound very mad

[@airbornepizza]

lol remember when monoprice was cheap

Looks a bit fuckin' daggy. :) I would have cut the cable and soldered on a new 3.5mm connector.... but I guess wrapping the excess in a big ugly ring is reversible at least.

[@fr8fiends]

AND THEN U GET A -LOSS ON UR DATA TRANSFER THX TO HIM !!

[@JohnPaulBuce]

joke videos from 2010s

[@mdgnys]

That is horrible for the wires inside.. its like coiling a chord around your elbow.

[@kingtutt880]

Let's not exaggerate, and say, "horrible". I bet you anything whatever electronic cable you're using this method with isn't going to die on you right away if you use this method, and doubt it will affect it even 5% more in the long run. Let's settle the F down now, children.

[@MoPoppins]

Lifehacker, you guys should/could just disable the comments...so much unconstructive shYt from people who have no f'n lives. If they don't find a tip useful, they could just not watch the vid, OR if they've already "wasted" a few minutes of their lives (minutes I'm inferring they have MANY of) watching the vid, just NOT comment. I'm surprised that there are so many trollers, as I would've expected most subscribers or viewers to seek to be resourceful and constructive...even in their comments.

[@bogan619]

FIRST????

[@BinaryLinux]

Or just fuckin' deal with it...

[@MoPoppins]

@masakomasako Even if people watch the vid after seeing the warning, at least they knew to expect it. I think it's the element of surprise that's leading to greater feelings of disappointment.

[@herbie747]

@Th3Harbinger not really. Only someone really slow would never have thought of crossing over a cable to shorten it. It's kinda obvious, and covered under 'common sense'. If you're impressed by that, I've an awesome lifehack tip you: for shorter travel times, try to avoid rush hour. Bet you never would have thought of that, eh? You're welcome.

[@Packers23456]

Seriously?!?! Thanks for wasting my time Captain Obvious! You didn't shorten the cord. And to think that there are comments left that this was "so useful"? Wow! Btw, your technique will cause noise and interference for many shielded and unsheiled cables. Your advice is not good.

[@Sara-xi2ug]

get a job