The Cable Guide Know Your Computer And Tv Wires

Cat 5eMedia Platforms Design TeamThis cable connects every device to your home network, allowing you to distribute movies, music and photos from PCs to HDTVs. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;background-color:#CCC”>HDMIMedia Platforms Design TeamThe current king of AV cables, HDMI carries an uncompressed 1080p video signal and up to eight channels of digital audio.USBMedia Platforms Design TeamThe standard wire for connecting PC peripherals is also used for game-console controllers. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;">ComponentMedia Platforms Design TeamThis three-plug analog technology can carry HD video up to 1080p, but cannot handle audio.iPod ConnectorMedia Platforms Design TeamMany home theater receivers integrate iPod docks or USB inputs that interface directly with iPods. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;background-color:#CCC”>S-VideoMedia Platforms Design TeamBack in the days of DVDs, S-video was the highest quality video connector you could get, but it is limited to an analog signal of 480i.DVIMedia Platforms Design TeamSome PCs now have built-in AV connectors, but DVI, a video-only screen output, is still the most common way to get HD images out of a computer. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;">CompositeMedia Platforms Design TeamThis video cable can only carry a standard-def image, but it is common on older equipment. SPDIFMedia Platforms Design TeamThis optical cable transmits a purely digital audio signal from components and computers to receivers. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;background-color:#CCC”>RCA AudioMedia Platforms Design TeamTwo-plug analog RCA jacks are still the most common way to connect audio components.MinijackMedia Platforms Design TeamMost commonly used for headphones, this analog stereo audio connection is also the default audio output for portable devices. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;">CoaxialMedia Platforms Design TeamNot to be confused with coaxial audio, this is the “cable” behind the cable industry. It carries both multichannel video and Internet into your home.Coaxial AudioMedia Platforms Design TeamLike optical SPDIF audio cables, coaxial audio cables carry pure digital audio signals from components to AV receivers. align=“right” valign=“top” style=“font-size:10pt;padding:2px;background-color:#CCC”>Speaker WireMedia Platforms Design TeamGreat big spools of this traditional wire need to be run throughout a room to carry sound from an AV receiver to surround-sound speakers.