On either end of a balanced analog cable, you will find 1 of 3 connectors. Ill let you figure out where the terms originated from. Ranking video cables from lowest to highest picture quality. Xlr, trs, ts, rca and midi, mini jacks, 14 inch jack cables. Mar 11, 2006 any set of cables or connectors that link av equipment of all kinds, however, most commonly the term designates lowlevel rca audio and video connectors rather than speaker cables. Xlr aka cannon, xlr combo phone, aka ts, trs, 14, 6. Nov 07, 2011 mx rca cables and connectors mx 2 rca cables and connectors composite audio mx ep stereo cables and connectors mx ep stereo female cables and connectors mx ep mono cables and connectors mx ep. Monster cable audio video cable how to choose video and audio cables how to choose video and audio cable for vcr, dvd, tv, hdtv. This is essential reading for every new dj pass it along and share your own mustknow knowledge in the comments. Learn about audio cable types for your home recording studio. A guide to cables and connectors used for audiovisual tech. Compact devices like smartphones, cameras, and camcorders use mini hdmi type c, or micro hdmi type d because of their small form factor. Individual or grouped cables with rcatype plugs and jacks are also used for other types of audio connections, such as multichannel analog hookups, and are also the design model for coaxial digital audio cables.
We will also look at how to solder the various connectors to the cable, such as xlr to xlr, xlr to rca and xlr to 14 phone plugs. Below, i present a digest of important information about coaxial connectors. Audio cables and connectors this tutorial explains the different types of audio cable and connectors. Universal serial bus typec cable and connector specification.
Male connector types male 1280 x 720 hd 720 1920 x 1080 hd 1080 2560 x 1600 wide quad xga 3840 x 2160 quad full hd. They can be used as a line level cable from balanced inouts. Uses of rca connectors the rca cables are usually used for connecting your dvd player, stereo speakers, digital camera and other audio video equipment to your tv. This video will give you all the detail you need on analog audio types. In many cases, digital gear uses cables that resemble their analog xlr or rca counterparts.
The spdif connection is actually a type of digital audio format and not a specific cableconnector type. So heres an illustrated audio cable guide i wish this was around when i was learning. They carry audio and video data along with control signals, lowvoltage power, ethernet, and copy protection. Audio connectors and video connectors are electrical or optical connectors for carrying audio. Yeah i know, audio connectors might not be the most exciting part of your music studio setup but recording a clean and loud enough signal from guitars, synths, drum machines, and mics into your daw has a lot to do with the audio cable types you choose. We havent forgotten about professional users, however. A complete guide to audio cable types for home recording studios. Cable connector reference chart computer video audio male older tvsmonitors. The cable is unusual in that it cant be plugged into itself each end has a different type of connector. Many coaxial connector types are available in the audio, video, digital.
They are used on almost all pro audio equipment to carry balanced audio signals. To carry digital audio signals in a way that is accessible to the average consumer. Mar 20, 2017 it might be a bit terrifying to older djs, but many new djs dont know anything about audio cables, wiring, and preamps. There must be 50 different random audio connectors on the market today and many are designed for special markets. S service, o oilresistant jacket, j junior service 300 volts. Audio connectors are only a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands of types of connectors in the world of audio connectors, most of us only have to be concerned with the four shown above stereo connectors allow the hookup of 3 wires left, right and ground mono connectors only all the hookup of 2 wires signal and ground. Cable types and connectors are organized by the primary purpose of the signal being transferred video, audio only, data i. Whether as microphone connector, on lighting applications or any kind of sound equipment, the xlr is. Matt compares microphone, instrument, and speaker cables with 14 ts and trs connectors, xlr connectors, and other plugs and jacks. Component video uses three separate cables to send red, green and blue signals to provide the. Whether as microphone connector, on lighting applications or any kind of sound equipment, the xlr is all over the entertainment industry. Some types of connectors are used by multiple hardware interfaces.
Nov 30, 2017 the use of cat5e ethernet audio cables is becoming more and more common in todays audio world. With so many different types of cables and ports used for todays electronics, figuring out how to connect everything can be overwhelming. This guide outlines network cable types and the types of wiring connectors used for data, video and audio cables. Audio cables transmit sound signals between components of a home entertainment system. This guide highlights the different types of audio formats, cable types and connector types that are available.
Hooking up all about connectors, cables and adapters. Rather than male and female varieties of the same connector like rca or 14inch, usb cables have a connectors at one end and b connectors at the other. This means that in some cases not all components with physically compatible connectors will actually work together. Xlr male xlr female xlr xlr audio cables are also balanced, thus reducing noise. Simplex, half duplex and full duplex media interference. Xlr connectors are widely used in various applications of the professional audio world.
Rcatype plugs and jacks are also used for other types of audio connections, such as multichannel analog hookups, and are also the design model for coaxial digital audio cables. Those special connectors are most often used with multipair cables there is. Mildtl55116 radio connectors and cables selection guide series 152 hiper 55116 audio connectors pg. But you will also find out about 3 very common digital audio cables too midi, usb and thunderbolt cables. In the recording studio, there are 2 types of analog cables. Headphone connectors and other 18 plugs are also trs connectors, where the. From audio and video connectors, to adapters learn the most essential info by joining chet davis in these video lessons. Provided below are explanations of the different types of available video and audio cable connections. Audio and video interfaces and connectors wikipedia. Whether you are repairing old cable terminations or creating your own custom interconnections from scratch, youll find the best connectors here and at the best price. Use this guide to quickly identify the cables needed for your pc, tv and other electronics. Computer inputoutput ports and interfaces 7 port or interface name data width data transfer rate typical use comments connector appearance or port icon type a receptacle on a computer host or a hub type a plug above to a host or hub, and a type b plug below to a device on the ends of a typical fullsize connector cable. In the professional broadcast and audio industry the 2pole connector is used in combination with unbalanced cables for short and interferenceinsensitive transmittals guitar cable.
The first section contains several items on recentlydeveloped flat conductor cable fcc technology, the second section describes a number of new electrical connectors, and the third section contains several additional articles on cables and connectors. Male connectors plug into things, while female connectors have things plugged into them. The terms male and female in regards to cables and ports refers to the type of connectors of the cables. Hooking up all about connectors, cables and adapters so you spring for a brand new, super high quality soundcard. In order to get full surroundsound performance, the right cables must be utilized. Cables, connectors and analog audio signal types explained. In stock and readytoship pro connectors in our inventory include xlr, 14, speakon, din, and banana plugs. This article will help you sort out the various types of audio cables and connectors. Cables and connectors offers a wide range of products from standard pc products, network cables, and hdmi cables to custom cable assemblies and wiring harnesses, we also offer a large salection of electronic parts and accessories. This added complexity is because, along with carrying data, usb cables supply power, and the different connector types keep two devices supplying power from being connected to one another.
Types of audio connectors and adapters digitalaudiowiz. Introduction to network cables and network cable types. Shop online for digital audio cables and connectors from the top brands at best buy. There are several different types of cables ranging from cables used in construction and the erection of suspended bridges to those that can transmit electricity and other telecommunication signals. Cabling and connectors michigan technological university. In todays article, guest contributor dj soo shares a backtobasics guide on audio cables.
A visual guide to computer cables and connectors digital. External thermal conditions such as ambient temperature, proximity of other cables, adjacent sources of heat, thermal conductivity of soil, etc. Not only do they have the ability to transmit multiple audio signals over very long distances, they are also capable of supplying power at the same time. Confused about which audio cables and connectors you need. Yeah i know, audio connectors might not be the most exciting part of. Now its time to demystify the most common types of audio connectors. Singlewire connectors used frequently for analog audio include. Find an optical or rca audio cable to deliver amazing home theater sound.
Xlr the xlr connector is primarily used for professional microphones and balanced microphone level signals. No matter what kind of connection you are trying to set up, there is sure to be an audio connector or adapter that is perfect for the job. Cable matters 3pack polarized grounding adapter 3 prong to 2 prong adapter allows a 2 prong outlet to accept 3 prong plugs. Voltage drop special conditions, such as the presence of corrosive agents, flexibility and flame resistance 6. Cabling and connectors general media considerations broadband versus baseband basebandtransmissions use digital signaling and time division multiplexing tdm broadband transmissions use analog and frequency division multiplexingfdm dialog modes. A comprehensive source for identifying cables and connectors potentially used for audiovisualmedia preservation. Audio connectors there are a variety of different audio connectors available. It is true that an increasing amount of effects processing and post production work is being done itb inside the box computer, however a lot of musicians still prefer to be actually creating music on real instruments and microphones.
If you dont know your cables yet, by the end of this post you will. Well cover them hear for you and youll find it easy. The speakers have one type of connector on them and the new soundcard has a. Fivepin xlr connectors are used for some stereo microphones, like the shure vp88. In this post, i cover all the important audio cables to know for home recording, including. Even your home can have many types of connectors and cables for telephone service, cable television, internet routers and security cameras. You can plugin an rca cable to the computer via a video capture card and this will let you transfer video from an old analog camcorder into your computers hard drive. Below are some of the most common digital audio cables and connectors required for linking digital mixers, recorders, preamps, and daws digital audio workstations. S pdif can be hooked up using rca, xlr, bnc, and even optical toslink. Home audio enthusiasts will appreciate our comprehensive selection of rca, 3. In this post, the main focus is on analog audio cables xlr, trs, ts and rca. Audio and security cables unshielded multiconductor. These cables share the same physical characteristics as other types of network cables except that patch cables tend to be a shorter length. Connection types digital audio connections optical.
These different cables use special connectors and a good tech should recognize the different cables and their connectors. The video adapter features an ftype jack and a quickconnect type plug to adapt male ftype cable ends to quickconmect plugs. Pro audio cables and connectors an overview youtube. Most of these are for rf and microwave frequencies, but a few of the more common ones used for lower frequencies are included for completeness. What are the different types of audio cables and connectors. There are different types of video connections for your vcr, dvd, tv and hdtv equipment. Reliable and robust easy to assemble, simple to use excellent cable protection and retention. Other variations of xlr connectors include fourpin versions, which are used as the standard for 12volt power in the broadcast, film, and television industries. Analog connections are the foundation of a digital studio.
This is where only one channel of audio can run over a single xlr cable. Guide to cables, connection and ports hp official site. Sep 29, 2015 this video covers what i feel are the most commonly found cables and connectors in the pro audio industry as of late 2015. L3pole male female xlr cable connector with integrated capacitive shield to shell connection to avoid rfinterference. The ultimate guide to audio cables for home recording ive compiled an indepth look at all the mustknow facts of this important subject. Jack any female receptacle of an audio or video connector into which the plug, or male connector, is inserted. Powerline network systems utilize a homes standard electrical wiring for data communication using special adapters plugged into wall outlets. Coaxial rf cable, which is the most basic type that can transmit a dualchannel stereo signal with an analog video signal, dual rcs cable, which is the standard audio option and comes with a white plug for the left speaker and a red plug for the right. Cables and connectors sourceload when you connect two devices, one is the source and one is the load. Audio cables are the necessary thing you need to connect up all your recording gear and interface. The locking mechanism helps make good electrical connections. Type i, class a cable, special purpose, electrical, low tension. Types of cables and connectors in networking the home depot. Analog av connectors often use shielded cables to inhibit radio frequency.
1519 1035 335 854 497 1453 1013 141 479 1116 243 1406 9 69 1221 189 1233 1127 1125 721 257 645 1440 1375 964 165 1272 382 1163 677 1530 6 1510 30 587 862 333 914 1384 975 123 479 235 1049 1476 386 971 261