Audio/Visual Connectors

4-Pin Mini Din

Very common on consumer audio/video gear. Carries an S-video signal (also referred to as S-VHS on older VCRs. The cable consists of twin coaxial cables in a common sheath.

Belling Lee

(see PAL)

BNC

Used for video signals and labeled similarly to RCA. Used to carry Composite video (one connection), S-video (two connections), Y/Pb/Pr (three connections), or one of the RGB variants.

DVI

There are 3 types of Digital Video Interface connector (DVI-A, DVI-D and DVI-I) as detailed below. DVI-D and DVI-I are available in either single-link or dual-link types. In the pictures below, the single-link socket is shown on top of the corresponding dual-link socket. Most manufacturers make their female plugs with all available pins to prevent pin damage if an incorrect cable is inserted.

DVI-A

Carries signals to an analogue display only. Has two pins above and two pins below the flat-bladed pin (shown on the left-hand side of the picture) that are used for the analogue signal. The right- hand side has 8-pin & 4-pin separated pin-sets.

DVI-D

Used for digital signals only. Has three rows of 6 pins or three rows of eight pins on the right-hand side and no pins above or below the flat-bladed pin on the left-hand side.

DVI-I

Refers to a connector type which combines DVI-A and DVI-D with pins provided to carry either an analogue or digital video signal. A DVI-I cable can therefore be used either for a digital signal (in a DVI-I socket) or for an analogue signal (in a DVI-A socket). Because of the extra pins, they cannot physically fit into a DVI-D socket. Has three rows of 6 pins or three rows of eight pins on the right-hand side with two pins above and two pins below the flat-bladed pin on the left-hand side.

EIJA OPTICAL

Commonly called "TOSLINK" (Toshiba Link). These cables/connectors are used for digital audio using light from an LED "transmitter" as the source.

EURO CONNECTOR

(see SCART)

F-CONNECTOR

Used for most antenna and cable TV connections being rarely used for anything other than RF with one notable exception when they were used as digital audio connectors on some laser disk players.

FirewireT

(see IEEE1394). Apple's^® trademarked name for the IEEE1394 standard.

HD15 / mini Dsub 15 / VGA

As used on LCD and Plasma displays and computer monitors for RGBHV signals. Also used for RGBS, RGB sync-on-green, and Y/Pb/Pr Component video.

HDMI

Used exclusively for HDMI (High Definition Media Interface) connections between the audio/video source and the audio/video monitor or equipment, combining a digital audio and a digital video cable into a single connector. Found on the latest (2006) up-market generation of DVD players/recorders, Plasma & LCD displays and digital surround-sound amplifiers & receivers.

IEEE1394

Widely used for digital video and audio for DV (Digital Video) in cameras, DVD recorders and PCs. The 6-pin connector has twin separately shielded twisted data pairs for transmission/reception of data signals plus two power conductors. The smaller 4-pin connector has only two data pairs and is used primarily with battery-powered devices.

I-Link

(see IEEE1394). Sony's^® proprietary name for the IEEE1394 standard.

PAL

PAL (Belling Lee) connectors are a push-on connector that have been traditionally used for TV antenna wall plates andconnections. With the exception of TV/VCR hook-ups, PAL connectors are being replaced by F-Type connectors as required for CATV, SATV and DTV. PAL connectors are specified by IEC standard IEC60169-2.

PERITEL

(see SCART)

PHONO JACKS/PLUGS

Common stereo (3-wire tip/ring/sleeve) connectors providing a balanced circuit for analogue audio such as inputs/outputs to equipment and peripheral devices like headsets. There is also a mono (2-wire tip/sleeve) version which is used for unbalanced circuits. Standard sizes are 6.3mm, 3.5mm (mini phono) and 2.5mm (sub-mini phono).

RCA

The RCA is the most common connector type on consumer gear for composite and component video, as well as for both digital and analogue audio. RCA jacks color-coded yellow on a device usually are composite video inputs or outputs.

SCART

SCART (Sydicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs) connectors are used to connect audio and video equipment using the Composite Video signal format

S-VHS

(see 4-pin Mini Din)

S-Video

(see 4-pin Mini Din)

TOSLINK

USB Type-A, USB Type-B

Is a 4-wire cable terminated with type-A, type-B or a combination of A and B USB connectors.(See EIJA Optical)

XLR

A three-pin balanced audio connector. Typically used for microphone cables. Use our audio/video cables reference page identify the type of cables commonly used for audio/video applications. Our suggested color code for audio/video interconnects that identifies the role of a particular cable, is based on common industry practice.
Our signals reference page explains the different audio/video signal protocols in common use.