Audio and video connector
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[edit] Audio
Audio connectors are electrical connectors designed and used for audio frequencies. They can be analogue or digital. Common audio connectors include:
- Single-conductor connectors:
- Banana connectors
- Five-way binding posts and banana plugs for loudspeakers
- Fahnestock clips on early breadboard radio receivers.
- Multi-conductor connectors:
- DB25 is for multi-track recording and other multi-channel audio, analog or digital
- DIN connectors and mini-DIN connectors
- RCA connectors, also known as phono connectors or phono plugs, used for analog or digital audio or analog video
- Speakon connectors by Neutrik for loudspeakers
- TRS connectors (tip-ring-sleeve jack plugs), including the original 6.35mm (quarter inch) jack and the more recent 3.5mm (miniature or 1/8th inch) and 2.5mm (subminiature) jacks, all in both mono and stereo (or balanced) versions.
- XLR connectors, also known as Cannon plugs, used for analog or digital balanced audio with a balanced line
- Digital audio interfaces and interconnects:
- ADAT interface (DB25)
- AES/EBU interface, normally with XLR connectors
- S/PDIF, either over coaxial cable or TOSLINK (optical fiber).
- TOSLINK
[edit] Video
Video connectors carry only video signals. Common video-only connectors include:
- Component video (3 RCA or BNC)
- Composite video (1 RCA or BNC)
- DB13W3 ("13W3" computer video connector)
- Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
- DMS-59, single connector carrying two DVI and two VGA
- Musa, British connector used in broadcasting and telecommunications
- PAL connector, formerly common in Europe
- S-Video (1 mini-DIN)
- SDI - Broadcast grade digital interface over BNC cables
- VGA connector found on most video cards
[edit] Multiple signals
Some connectors can carry both audio and video signals simultaneously:
- DisplayPort digital connector
- F connectors are used with RF modulators for televisions without direct inputs
- HDMI and HDCP are new digital standards
- SCART, now the most common in Europe
- TRS connectors with more than one ring, or Sony's hybrid RCA with a TRS pin
Other composite connectors carry video, power, and USB:
- ADC, now-defunct Apple Display Connector
Audio and video connectors |
---|
Single conductor: Binding post | Banana plug | Fahnestock clip |
Audio: RCA | Jack plug | XLR | DIN / Mini-DIN | BNC | DB25 | Speakon | TosLink |
Video: DVI / Mini-DVI / UDI | RCA | VGA / Mini-VGA | DFP | P&D | BNC | DIN / Mini-DIN | 13W3 | D4 | DisplayPort |
Multi: ADC | HDMI | TRS | SCART | F | Belling-Lee | DisplayPort |