A comprehensive guide to cables and connectors potentially used for audiovisual/media preservation. Cable types and connectors are organized by the primary purpose of the signal being transferred - video, audio-only, data (i.e. computer cables) and power. Examples of physical connectors, pinouts and contextual uses for each kind of cable are nested within descriptions of signal types, wiring, interfaces and protocols!
Please feel free to clone this repository or create a new branch with your own additions of signal types, interfaces or connectors you think we're missing (there's a lot!). There are already some checklists under the [Issue] (https://github.com/amiaopensource/cable-bible/issues) page that show what at least needs to be filled in from the current TOC. Submit a pull request so that someone can review your changes and make sure that everything remains at least somewhat orderly - or if you're not so comfortable with github but have photos or information that you think should be added, please submit an issue and I'll update when I can!
- [Video] (README.md#video) đź“ş
- [Analog] (README.md#analog) 1. [Composite] (README.md#composite) 2. [Component YPbPr] (README.md#component-ypbpr) 3. [S-Video] (README.md#s-video) 4. [RGBS] (README.md#rgbs) 5. [RGBVH] (README.md#rgbvh)
- [Digital] (README.md#digital) 1. [SDI] (README.md#sdi) 2. [FireWire (IEEE 1394)] (README.md#firewire) 3. [DVI] (README.md#dvi) 4. [DisplayPort] (README.md#displayport) 5. [HDMI] (README.md#hdmi)
- [Integrated] (README.md#integrated) 1. [DVI-I] (README.md#dvi-i)
- [Audio] (README.md#audio) 🔉
- [Analog] (README.md#analog-1) 1. [Balanced] (README.md#balanced) 2. [Unbalanced] (README.md#unbalanced)
- [Digital] (README.md#digital-1)
1. [AES-3 (AES/EBU)] (README.md#aes-3)
- [Balanced] (README.md#balanced-1)
- [Unbalanced] (README.md#unbalanced-1) 2. [S/PDIF] (README.md#spdif)
- [Optical] (README.md#optical)
- [Unbalanced] (README.md#unbalanced-2) 3. [MIDI] (README.md#midi)
- [Balanced] (README.md#balanced-2) 4. [TDIF] (README.md#tdif)
- [Unbalanced] (README.md#unbalanced-3) 5. [ADAT] (README.md#adat)
- [Optical] (README.md#optical-1)
- [Data] (README.md#data) đź’» đź’ľ
- [Parallel] (README.md#parallel) 1. [PATA] (README.md#pata) 2. [Parallel SCSI] (README.md#parallel-scsi) 3. [IEEE 1284 ("Parallel Port", "printer port", "Centronics port")] (README.md#ieee-1284)
- [Serial] (README.md#serial)
1. [RS-232 ("the serial port")] (README.md#rs-232)
2. [RS-422] (README.md#rs-422)
3. [SAS (Serial SCSI)] (README.md#serial-scsi)
4. [SATA] (README.md#sata)
5. [Apple Desktop Bus] (README.md#apple-desktop-bus)
6. [PS/2] (README.md#ps2)
7. [USB] (README.md#usb)
- [USB 2.0] (README.md#usb-20)
- [USB 3.0] (README.md#usb-30)
- [USB 3.1] (README.md#usb-31) 8. [FireWire] (README.md#firewire-1)
- [FireWire 400] (README.md#firewire-400)
- [FireWire 800] (README.md#firewire-800) 9. [ThunderBolt] (README.md#thunderbolt)
- [ThunderBolt 1 and 2] (README.md#thunderbolt-1-and-2)
- [ThunderBolt 3] (README.md#thunderbolt-3) 10. [HDBaseT (network)] (README.md#hdbaset)
- [Power] (README.md#power)
In composite cables, all video information (including both luminance and chrominance) is encoded on to a single channel/wire.
Introduced: 1956
Max resolution: Standard Definition (typically 480i or 576i)
Connectors and ports:
RCA
Used primarily with consumer equipment (e.g. Betamax, VHS, DVD)
Audio: no
BNC
Used in professional broadcast and some consumer equipment
Audio: no
F-type
Found in North American television antenna, cable and satellite television installations; some older VCRs
Audio: no
Video patch (MUSA)
Originally developed for manually switching signals in radar installations; now commonly used for patch bays in production and preservation workflows.
Audio: no
8-pin EIAJ
Monitor cables designed specifically to carry both input and output signal between a video deck and monitor over the same cable. Seen on 1/2" open reel decks (the only available output on Sony CVs), 3/4" U-matic, and contemporary monitors.
Audio: yes, stereo, unbalanced
SCART
European 21-pin connector designed to be capable of carrying both input and output of multiple signal standards, including composite video (see also: [S-Video] (README.md#s-video), [RGBS] (README.md#rgbs), [YPbPr] (README.md#component-ypbpr)).
Audio: yes, stereo, unbalanced
YPbPr signal is often referred to, imprecisely, simply as "component" video, although there are actually several standards of component video (any signal standard that splits video information into multiple channels is component, including S-Video and the multiple RGB standards). In YPbPr, the video signal is split into three channels: Y (containing luminance and sync), Pb (the difference between blue and luma), and Pr (the difference between red and luma). The remaining (green) chrominance information is derived from the relationship between these three signals. YPbPr cables are sometimes referred to as "yipper" cables and are connectors are usually color-coded (Y=green, Pb=blue, Pr=red); however YPbPr cables are fundamentally wired the same as composite cables and can be used interchangeably as long as the corresponding ports are properly connected.
Introduced:
Max resolution: High Definition (up to 1080p)
Connectors and ports:
RCA
Used primarily with consumer equipment
Audio: no
BNC
Seen with professional broadcast and production equipment, some consumer electronics
Audio: no
SCART
European 21-pin connector designed to be capable of carrying both input and output of multiple signal standards; a YPbPr pinout is possible with a SCART connector but extremely rare as European monitors generally did not support YPbPr input.
Audio: yes, stereo, unbalanced
S-Video (sometimes known as "separate video") cables carry video over two synchronized signal channels: Y (luma) and C (chroma, including saturation and hue). It can achieve better image quality than composite but lower color resolution than component RGB or YPbPr video. Most often associated with S-VHS but found with many other consumer deck formats as well.
Introduced:
Max resolution: Standard Definition (generally 480i or 576i)
Connectors and ports:
Mini-DIN 4-pin
The most common type of S-Video connector. The exact same mini-DIN connector is used for the [Apple Desktop Bus] (README.md#apple-desktop-bus) data protocol and these cables are interchangeable.
Audio: no
BNC
Generally for use in some S-Video patch panels.
Audio: no
SCART
European 21-pin connector designed to be capable of carrying both input and output of multiple signal standards; an S-Video pinout is possible with a SCART connector but rare, as European monitors generally did not support S-Video input.
Audio: yes, stereo, unbalanced
A component video standard in which luminance and chrominance information is encoded into three channels (red, green and blue) and a fourth is used for composite sync (vertical and horizontal sync encoded together on the same wire). RGBS utilizes no compression and has no particular limit on color depth or resolution, but requires a high bandwidth as the three channels carry much redundant information (i.e. the same black-and-white luma information repeated three times). Extremely common in European equipment (especially monitors), rare elsewhere.
Introduced:
Max resolution: Generally up to 1080p (HD), but can go beyond
Connectors and ports:
SCART
European 21-pin connector designed to be capable of carrying both input and output of multiple signal standards. RGBS cables most frequently have SCART connectors and vice versa.
Audio: yes, stereo, unbalanced
A component video standard essentially the same as [RGBS] (README.md#rgbs), except the sync signal is split into vertical and horizontal sync on separate wires. Most frequently employed in the context of the Video Graphics Array (VGA) display standard.
Introduced:
Max resolution: Generally up to 1080p (HD), but can go beyond
Connectors and ports:
VGA (DE-15)
A 15-pin D-sub connector commonly offered on modern computers for display connections.
Audio: no
Mini-VGA
Used to adapt VGA/RGBVH signals input and output for laptop computers.
Audio: no
BNC
Found with some high-end monitors and video cards. Wires are usually color-coded, though the colors used for the two sync signals sometimes varies: e.g. yellow (H) and white (V), yellow (H) and black (V), gray (H) and black (V).
Audio: no
DVI-A
Much more frequently found in its [DVI-D] (README.md#dvi) and [DVI-I] (README.md#DVI-I) flavors, Digital Video Interface (DVI) is designed to transmit uncompressed digital video information, but can be compatible with analog RGBVH video through the VGA interface. DVI-A (analog) cables and connectors are essentially the same electrically as VGA cables and connectors.
Audio: no
Mini-DVI
Used on certain Apple computers, especially laptops, to accept a DVI-A/VGA connection.
Audio: no
Serial Digital Interface (SDI) actually refers to a family of SMPTE interface standards designed for the transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals. The original standard ("SD-SDI"), defined for 480i and 576i standard definition video, has been periodically updated (e.g. HD-SDI, 6G-SDI) to allow for steadily increasing bit rates, frame rates, video resolutions, etc. Because SDI is an unencypted digital signal, it has generally been restricted from use in consumer equipment, and is usually found in professional, broadcast-grade production and preservation environments.
Introduced: 1989
Max resolution and data rate: As of 2015, the 12G-SDI standard allows up to 2160p60 video at 12 Gb/s
Connectors and ports:
BNC
SDI-compatible equipment almost always employ BNC connections, especially in broadcast/production environments.
Audio: yes
Video patch (MUSA)
Video patch connections can be used to transfer SDI signals through a patch bay.
Audio: No
IEEE 1394, referred to as "FireWire," was developed by Apple as an interface for high-speed data transfer (see: [FireWire] (README.md#firewire-1) section under Data signals). However the FireWire interface was also employed by digital cameras recording to tape media with the DV (Digital Video) protocol (e.g. MiniDV, DVCAM, DVCPRO). Some camcorders were also able to directly output a DV signal to a digital video recorder or computer via a FireWire cable/interface. When used with digital video, the FireWire interface operates at a slower data rate than in most of its data transfer applications.
Introduced: 1994
Max resolution and data rate: Standard Definiton, 100 Mb/s
Connectors and ports:
4-pin
The smallest type of FireWire connector - found on DV cameras.
Audio: yes
Digital Video Interface (DVI) was designed to transmit uncompressed digital video while also supporting analog video modes (see [DVI-A] (README.md#rgbvh), [DVI-I] (README.md#dvi-i)). This broad compatibility led ot widespread adoption in consumer electronics/computers.
Introduced: 1999
Max resolution and data rate: Single Link: 1920x1200, 4.95 Gb/s, Dual Link: 2560x1600, 9.90 Gb/s
Connectors and ports:
DVI-D Single Link
Employs a single transmitter to support 1920x1200 resolution digital video. Notably missing the 4 pins present in DVI-A and DVI-A to carry analog video signal.
Audio: no
DVI-D Dual Link
The same as DVI-D Single Link connectors, except with six additional pins in the center of the connector/port to increase bandwidth and support higher resolutions.
Audio: no
Mini-DVI
Used on some laptops, especially Apple products, to accept a DVI-D signal.
Audio: no
Micro-DVI
Employed for a very brief time by Apple specifically on its 2008 MacBook Air line of laptops. Smaller than Mini-DVI connectors but can only accept DVI-D signals (incompatible with DVI-I or DVI-A) and almost immediately replaced by the [DisplayPort] (README.md#displayport) standard.
Audio: no
A digital display interface standard developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). Can be used to carry audio and packeted data transmissions, but most frequently employed to connect video sources to display devices. The development of succeeding versions of the DisplayPort standard (from 1.0 to the latest 1.4) have allowed for increases in display resolution, data rate, color depth, etc. "Dual-Mode DisplayPort" ports and connectors (also known as DisplayPort++) are also compatible with single-link DVI and HDMI output with the use of adapters; active converters are also available to make DisplayPort compatible with dual-link DVI or DVI-A/VGA signals.
Introduced: 2008
Max video resolution and data rate: 1.0/1.1: 1.62 Gb/s, 1.2: 2.7 Gb/s, 1.3: 8K UHD, 5.4 Gb/s, 1.4: 8K UHD, 8.1 Gb/s
Connectors and ports:
DisplayPort (20-pin)
The full-size, 20-pin DisplayPort connection used for external connections on desktop computers, graphics cards, monitors, etc.
Audio: yes, optionally (use of channels for audio signal will limit bandwidth, resolution available for video)
Mini DisplayPort
Miniaturized version of the DisplayPort connector developed by Apple. Used on Apple products, especially laptops, from 2008 to the present (from ~2011 on, paired with the DisplayPort-compatible [ThunderBolt] (README.md#thunderbolt) protocol). Licensed out to many PC manufacturers as well.
Audio: yes (if used in conjunction with an audio-capable DisplayPort or HDMI cable)
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a proprietary interface for transferring uncompressed digital video and audio signals. HDMI was developed in order to provide an integrated, increased-bandwidth interface capable of carrying very high video resolutions and an audio signal while maintaining backwards compatibility with DVI. As with DisplayPort, succeeding versions (from 1.0 to current 2.0) have allowed for increases in resolution, frame rate, data rate, etc.
Introduced: 2002
Max video resolution and data rate: 1.0/1.1/1.2: 1920x1200p, 4.95 Gb/s, 1.3/1.4: 2560x1600p, 10.2 Gb/s, 2.0: 4096x1600p, 18 Gb/s
Connectors and ports:
Type A ("Standard","Full Size")
Generally used for HDMI input/output on television/computer monitors and desktops.
Audio: yes
Type B ("Mini")
Employed starting with HDMI Version 1.3 - designed for smaller, portable equipment such as laptops.
Audio: yes
Type C ("Micro")
Released starting with HDMI Version 1.4, intended for use with cell phones/smart phones.
Audio: yes
There is no such thing as a signal that combines analog and digital data in the same channel. However, The DVI interface allows for both analog and digital signals to be passed through the same cable and connector, creating something of a unique case.
DVI are backwards-compatible to allow for the transmission of analog RGBVH data via the VGA standard. The cable is the same as that employed by [DVI-A] (README.md#rgbvh) (analog-only) or [DVI-D] (README.md#dvi) (digital only), the difference with DVI-I is merely in the compatible connectors and ports.
Single-Link DVI-I
Contains pins that allow for an analog VGA signal or digital video at up to 1920x1200 resolution.
Audio: no
Dual-Link DVI-I
The same as Single-Link DVI-I, but adds six pins in the middle of the connector for increased digital video resolution up to 2560x1600.
Audio: no
Mini-DVI
Can connect either an analog or digital signal to an Apple laptop, as long as the proper adapter is used in conjunction with a DVI cable with DVI-A, DVI-D or DVI-I connectors.
Audio: no
Unlike analog video, analog audio signals are essentially only ever transferred over one channel (i.e. one-track monaural/"mono") or two (two-track mono, or stereo). Analog audio cables, generally speaking, thus only had to carry one channel of audio and two cables would simply be employed for recording or reproducing two-track mono or stereo (in contrast to the proliferation of standards and cables for video - composite, S-Video, RBG, etc). The most critical characteristic in regard to analog audio cabling, then (beyond connector types), regards balanced vs. unbalanced wiring, a method employed to reduce noise interference in audio cables.
Balanced coaxial audio cables contain three wires: "earth" (electrical ground), "hot" (positive audio signal), and "cold" (negative audio signal). The audio signal is transferred on both the hot and cold lines, but the voltage in the cold line is inverted (i.e. signal is negative when the hot line's is positive, and vice versa). When the cable is plugged into an input, the hot and cold signals are mixed together, but the cold signal is also inverted again. This has the effect of strengthening the original, recorded audio signal (doubling the number of wires it was carried on) while also canceling out the signal of any unintentional noise in the signal picked up as the audio traveled over the cable. (Since that noise was essentially "recorded" positively on to both the hot and cold lines, flipping the polarity of the cold line at input gives you exact opposite noise signals, which cancel each other out)
Reducing analog audio noise is an issue primarily with longer cables, or in professional/broadcast or preservation environments, where the absolute integrity of the audio signal is more highly valued than on consumer equipment.
1/4" TRS jack (mono)
Also known as a "phone connector" for its use for many years to patch telephone connections. TRS stands for "Tip-Ring-Sleeve", referring to the three contacts on the jack (for the three wires, earth, hot and cold, present in balanced wiring). Often found with speakers, amps, some video equipment that produces monaural audio.
1/8" TRS "mini" jack (mono)
Essentially the same in design as the 1/4" jack, just smaller. Used sometimes for balanced mono audio with computers or portable devices.
Tiny Telephone (TT)/Bantam jack
TT (also called bantam) jacks are smaller than 1/4" but larger than 1/8" jacks (approx 4.40mm). Frequently employed with patch bays in professional audio recording and preservation environments. TT jacks are most commonly found with TRS design on balanced mono cables, but unbalanced or stereo versions are possible.
XLR
A three-pin connector favored for long balanced cables in pro audio equipment.
Phoenix
A modular, adaptable brand of connectors for crafting one's own multi-channel, balanced or unbalanced cables and connections. Generally used to make connections on the back end of patch bays, distribution amplifiers, etc. Available in various configurations.
EDAC/ELCO
Another brand of modular, adaptable connectors. Similar in appearance and use to Phoenix. Available in various configurations.
Unbalanced audio cables contain only two wires for any one audio channel: "earth" (electrical ground) and "hot" (the audio signal). These are employed with short cables, internal cables or components (inside sound equipment), or consumer-grade equipment where noise is considered less of an issue.
RCA
By nature unbalanced connectors as they only have one pin/contact point. Frequently used for the two-channel (left and right) audio output of video decks, especially consumer-grade equipment (in such cases, often color-coded white and red, where white = channel 1/left, red = channel 2, right).
1/4" TS jack
TS (Tip/Sleeve) jacks are exactly the same in appearance as balanced 1/4" TRS jacks, except missing the "ring" contact point and cold wire. Often used for the output on musical instruments such as electric guitars.
1/8" TS "mini" jack
Smaller version of the unbalanced 1/4" TS jack. Seen with [???]
1/4" TRS jack (stereo)
By all outward appearance, the same as the 1/4" TRS jacks used for balanced mono cables, except in the case of unbalanced stereo the three contact points are used for ground and two channels of audio, rather than ground and hot/cold versions of one audio channel. Often seen with professional headphones, and stereo microphone/monitor connections on professional video decks.
1/8" TRS "mini" jack (stereo)
See above. Frequently used for stereo output on portable audio devices - also on computer sound cards for line-in/line-out connections (to/from headphones, microphones, speakers, etc).
DIN 5-pin
Similar to the purpose of the 8-pin video monitor cable/connector, DIN 5-pins were used to carry both the audio input and output of a piece of equipment over the same cable/connection. Could carry mono or stereo signal.