Digital Video + Audio
(& Ethernet v1.4)

HDMI is the latest commercial standard for high-definition digital video and audio signals in the one connection.

v1.3 cables are capable of current-generation high-definition and 3D output, while v1.4 will cater to the next-gen 2k x 4k super-high definition and even better 3D signals along with wired network support.

Type C
(Mini HDMI)
10.42mm x 2.42mm

Digital Audio

TOSLINK is a compact and convenient method of carrying high-quality digital audio signals over fibre optic cable. Digital Optical connections are a popular auxiliary output for when quality matters.

Mini-TOSLINK
(3.5mm Digital Optical)
14.5mm x 3.5mm

Analogue Video

Although largely replaced by DVI, VGA inputs and outputs are still common on laptops and TVs.

Digital or
Analogue Video

Signals are compatible with both VGA (analogue) and HDMI (digital) for easy conversion.

This is the only common standard that includes both digital and analogue signals. Connectors can range from 12+5 to 24+5 pins.
The flat pin on a DVI-I male connecter is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector.

Personal Computers, Monitors & Televisions.

Personal Computers, Monitors & Televisions.

Personal Computers, Monitors & Televisions.

Analogue Audio
(Stereo or Mono)

TRS stands for 'Tip, Ring, Sleeve', and describes the three-part construction that carries the stereo left, stereo right and ground currents respectively.

They have been the ubiquitous audio connection for most of the last century, and offer high audio quality for head-phones and small stereo speakers.

TRS, TRRS and Mini-TOSLINK ports can be easily confused (especially on Apple products), and are not always compatible with each other.

High Definition Analogue Video

Supports up to 1080p video, and is typically combined with Left & Right RCA Audio.

Standard Definition Analogue Video

Supports up to 480i (720 x 576) video, plus stereo (L&R) audio.

High Quality Digital Audio

Supports Dolby Digital and DTS Audio up to 7.1 surround sound.

Dedicated Subwoofer Channel

For linking amplifiers/receivers to subwoofers with 2 RCA Inputs

Digital Video

Designed to replace DVI and VGA

Standard Definition Video and Audio

Common in European devices and some Foxtel units.

Analogue Video

S-Video is still found as an auxiliary input or output on many types of AV Equipment.

Data Transfer & Gadget Charging

USB cables are everywhere these days. There's a size and a type for everything, from flash drives to external sound cards, and from printers to camcorders. If it has data on it, or can be charged at low voltage, it's likely going to have at least one USB port!

Data Transfer & Gadget Charging

Designed to be backwards compatible where possible, USB 3.0 can be identified by the blue plastic spacers and sometimes by additional connector pins attached to common USB 2.0 shaped sockets.

Speaker Audio

Speaker wire terminals are typically optional, with bare wire to a binding post offering one less 'link in the chain' between devices. Banana plugs may appear tidier and are easier to remove and replace on equipment that is moved or changed regularly.

Speaker Wire &
Push-Terminals
(Grip Connector)

Analogue Video & Networking

Largely replaced by RCA and digital alternatives.

Radio Frequency
& Data Transfer

Cable Internet and Terrestrial Television can run over F-Type connections.

Radio Frequency
& Data Transfer

European & Australian standard for Terrestrial Television antenna connections.

Internal Hard Drive I/O Data

Has largely replaced IDE cables for internal computer hard drive data access.

Internal Hard Drive Power

Replaces 4-pin Molex connectors (below) on newer hard drives.

External Hard Drive Data I/O

High speed data transmission (3Gb/s) for external devices.

Internal Disk Drive Data I/O

Max 133 MB/s data rate for optical and hard disc drives.

Internal PC Peripheral Power

Ubiquitous power feed between PSUs and PC components.

Direct Digital Audio

This cable facilitates music playback on ROM drives that don't feature Digital Audio Extraction.

Real-Time High-Speed Data Transfer

Also known as i.LINK and Lynx, the Firewire standard is typically used on digital audio, digital video and data storage devices for PC and Apple computers.

Potential speeds range between 400 and 3200 Mb/s. Plug types can be converted using adapters, and run at the rate of the slowest port capacity.

Mouse and Keyboard I/O

Now replaced by USB on new computers and laptops.

Mains Power

Also common in an unearthed version with only two angled pins.

Mains Power

S-Video is still found as an auxiliary input or output on many types of AV Equipment.

Network Data Transfer

Capable of speeds up to 100 Gbit/sec for local area networks
Cable colours vary.

Telephone

Slowly being phased out and replaced by RJ12 sockets (below).

Older model Telephones and Fax machines.

Telephone

Found on all modern home and office telephony equipment including faxes.

ADSL & Dial-Up Modems, Telephones, Faxes and other telephony equipment.

Balanced Audio Connector

High quality microphone connection.

High Current Professional Audio

For connecting microphones to loudspeakers and amplifiers.

Microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers and performance music equipment.

Musical Instrument Communications

Allows synchronisation between instruments and computers.

Keyboards, synthesizers, audio controllers, mixers and other specialised computer hardware.