Guide to cables, connection and ports

  USB (Universal Serial Bus)

  USB

  Transmits data at various speeds.

  USB 1.0 @ up to 12MB/second

  USB 2.0 @ up to 480MB/second

  USB 3.0 @ up to 5GB/second

  USB cables are backward compatible, but a 3.0 cable is required to get 3.0 speeds.

  Standard USB Type A

  USB type A-port

  Transmits data and delivers power (USB 1.0 does not deliver power). Commonly seen on devices with permanently attached cables.

  Example: A keyboard to a PC.

  Standard USB Type B

  USB-port

  Transmits data and delivers power to peripherals.

  Example: A printer to a PC

  Mini-A USB

  Mini-A USB or Mini-AB USB

  Transmits data and delivers power to smaller devices. Mini-A has been superseded and is no longer being used for new devices.

  Example: A digital camera to a printer

  Mini-B USB

  Mini-B USB or Mini-AB USB

  Transmits data and delivers power to smaller devices.

  Example: A digital camcorder to a PC

  Micro-A USB

  Micro-A USB or Mircro-AB USB

  Transmits data and delivers power to portable devices. Similar width to mini USB but approximately half as thick.

  Example: A smartphone to a PC

  Micro-B USB

  Micro-B USB or Micro-AB USB

  Transmits data and delivers power to portable devices. Similar width to mini USB but approximately half as thick.

  Example: A PDA to a PC

  eSATA (External Serial ATA)

  eSATA

  Transmits high-speed data. A branch of the Serial ATA interface. Faster than FireWire and USB 1.0 and 2.0.

  Example: An external hard drive to a PC

  VFireWire

  FireWire

  Transmits high-speed data. The six-pin version delivers power; the four-pin does not. FireWire is also called i.LINK and IEEE1394. Faster than USB 1.0 and 2.0.

  Example: A digital camcorder to a PC

  Ethernet/RJ45/8P8C

  Ethernet/RJ45/8P8C

  Transmits high-speed data on local area networks (LANs), including Internet and intranet networks.

  Example: A PC to a router

  Modem/RJ11

  Modem/RJ11

  Transmits faxes and data on local area networks via phone line. Much slower than Ethernet.

  Example: A PC to a fax machine.

  Standard/Category 1 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

  HDMI 1.0-1.2

  Transmits and protects copyrighted digital video and audio at speeds up to 4.9GB/second, with a refresh rate fast enough for 1080p video.

  Example: A DVD player to an HDTV.

  High-Speed/Category 2 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

  HDMI 1.3-1.4

  Transmits and protects copyrighted digital video and audio at speeds up to 10.2GB/second, with a refresh rate fast enough for 1080p and 3D video.

  However, HDMI 1.3 will display 3D content in 1080i and 1.4 will display 3D in full 1080p.

  Example: A 3D Blu-ray player to a 3D-capable HDTV.

  DisplayPort

  DisplayPort

  Transmits and protects copyrighted digital audio and video with bi-directional communication.

  Example: A PC to an HD monitor

  Mini DisplayPort

  Mini DisplayPort

  Transmits and protects copyrighted digital audio and video with bi-directional communication for smaller devices.

  Example: A laptop to an HD monitor.

  DVI (Digital Visual Interface DVI-D (Digital)DVI-I (Integrated)

  

  DVI-I (Integrated)

  ” border=”0″>

  DVI-D transmits digital video without audio.

  DVI-I transmits digital and analog video without audio.

  Example: An HD tuner to an HDTV

  Standard/Category 1 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

  HDMI 1.0-1.2

  Transmits video and comes in standard definition and high definition (HD). Higher quality than S-video and composite.

  Example: A DVD player to an HDTV

  S-video (Separate video)

  S-video

  Transmits video as two separate signals: lumen (luminance) and chroma (color). Higher quality than composite but cannot deliver HD video.

  Example: A video game console to a TV

  Yellow RCA (Composite video)

  Yellow RCA (Composite video)

  Transmits analog video. Cannot be used for HD or digital video.

  Example: A DVD player to a TV

  VGA (Video Graphics Array)

  VGA

  Transmits analog video from a PC to a monitor or TV.

  Example: A laptop PC to a monitor

  Coaxial digital audio

  Coaxial

  Transmits digital audio.

  Example: Stereo speakers to a receiver

  Toslink optical digital

  Optical

  Transmits digital audio.

  Example: A video game console to a receiver

  5.1 Channel outputs (analog)

  5.1 Channel outputs (analog)

  Transmits up to six specific audio channels (such as left, right, center, left surround, etc.) from your DVD player to an external device.

  Example: A DVD player to a receiver

  Composite/stereo (RCA stereo)

  Composite/stereo (RCA stereo)

  Transmits left and right channel audio.

  Example: Stereo speakers to a receiver

  RCA mono

  RCA mono

  Transmits analog audio.

  Example: A subwoofer to a home theater system

  Some of these cables are included with products; others must be purchased separately. Check product specs to see what’s in the box.

Leave a Comment