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June 9, 2006
Nothing dampens the anticipation of getting a new HDTV or multimedia projector more than sorting out which analog or digital connectors/cables to use and where they go. It’s worth making the right choices because not all connectors are as good as others.
Digital connections always provide the best picture/sound quality so they should be the connections to use as a first option.
Video Connectors
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HDMI (High-Definition Multi-media Interface)
HDMI is a relatively new digital connection with HDMI v1.3 being the latest version. It has a huge bandwidth and can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats (resolutions). It’s a handy, convenient connector because you only need the single cable.
HDMI is used for devices such as STB’s (Set Top Boxes), receivers and display devices such as HDTV’s, LCD’s, projectors and plasmas.
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DVI-D (Digital Video Interconnect)
DVI-D (D for Digital) is a video connector suitable for HDTV signals. Some connectors with similar names are not suitable for example, DVD-I is an analog video cable for connecting video cards and PC monitors.
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FireWire (or i.LINK)
Firewire is another digital connector which will transmit both video and audio signals. An important distinguishing feature is that it will transmit them in both directions (two-way). It’s a connector commonly associated with HDTV recording consumer electronics devices.
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Component Video (YPbPr)
Component video is the only analog cable connection type which will carry HDTV. It is actually a set of three analog cables; Y (green) carries a luminance (or brightness) signal while Pb (blue) and Pr (red) share the chrominance (or color) signal.
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S-Video
S-Video is only suitable for transmitting standard definition video. It’s a twin cable connection system with one cable carrying luminance (brightness) and the other chrominance (color).
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Composite Video
Composite Video is a legacy video connection type identified by the RCA connectors used by most audio cables. It’s used for standard definition signals such at NTSC or PAL. They are usually color coded with Yellow for video, and Red for right audio, and White for left audio.
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VGA (RGB connector, D-sub 15, mini sub D15 and mini D15)
Video Graphics Array (VGA) is an analog connection used for computer to a display device connections. The typical configuration is male-to-male with three rows, 15 pins.
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Coaxial Cable
This is the video and audio signal carrying antenna connection. Being digital makes it near to immune from interference.
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Audio Connections
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Digital Coaxial
Digital coaxial cables have very different construction and materials than analog audio cables despite looking like them externally (thicker though). The significantly higher price will distinguish them when you go to buy one. An aluminium foil wrap protects the core copper wire from interference. A digital coaxial cable has a 75-ohm impedance and a wider frequency bandwidth than the thinner, unshielded analog RCA audio cables.
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Toslink
TOSLINK is a fibre optic, digital audio connection/cabling system. The audio signal is transmitted as packets of light rather than electrons. Toslink audio cables are prized for their immunity to electronic interference which is worth considering if you have to run cables long distances or close to video or power cables.
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RCA Cables
RCA cables are the legacy analog audio cables which are still prevalent the consumer electronics market. Use digital cabling in preference if possible as these cables are unshielded and audio quality will be compromised. If connecting a surround sound system you should be using digital cabling.
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TRS Connector (PC Audio, 3.5mm Jack, mini-jack, phone plug or audio jack)
Standard connector used for analog audio signals for devices including including headphones and microphones.
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