Audio and video interfaces and connectors: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|electricalElectrical or optical connectors for carrying audio and video signals}}

{{RefimproveMore citations needed|date=February 2009}}

'''Audio connectors''' and '''video connectors''' are [[electrical connector|electrical]] or [[optical fiber connector|optical connectors]] for carrying [[audio signal|audio]] and [[video signal]]s. '''Audio interfaces''' and '''video interfaces''' define physical parameters and interpretation of signals. For [[digital audio]] and [[digital video]], this can be thought of as defining the [[physical layer]], [[data link layer]], and most or all of the [[application layer]]. For [[analog audio]] and [[analog video]] these functions are all represented in a single signal specification like [[NTSC]] or the direct [[Loudspeaker|speaker]]-driving signal of analog audio. Physical characteristics of the electrical or optical equipment includes the types and numbers of wires required, voltages, frequencies, optical intensity, and the physical design of the connectors. Any data link layer details define how application data is encapsulated (for example for synchronization or error-correction). Application layer details define the actual audio or video format being transmitted, often incorporating a [[codec]]s not specific to the interface, such as [[PCM]], [[MPEG-2]], or the [[DTS Coherent Acoustics codec]]. In some cases, the application layer is left open; for example, [[HDMI]] contains an [[Ethernet]] channel for general data transmission.

'''Audio connectors''' and '''video connectors''' are [[electrical connector|electrical]] or [[optical fiber connector|optical connectors]] for carrying [[audio signal|audio]] or [[video signal]]s. '''Audio interfaces''' or '''video interfaces''' define physical parameters and interpretation of signals. Some connectors and interfaces carry either audio only or video only, whereas others carry both, [[Audiovisual|audio and video]].

Some types of connectors are used by multiple hardware interfaces; for example, [[RCA connector]]s are defined both by the [[composite video]] and [[component video]] interfaces, but [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]] is the only interface that uses the DVI connector. This means that in some cases not all components with physically compatible connectors will actually work together.

For [[digital audio]] and [[digital video]], this can be thought of as defining the [[physical layer]], [[data link layer]], and most or all of the [[application layer]]. For [[analog audio]] and [[analog video]] these functions are all represented in a single signal specification like [[NTSC]] or the direct [[Loudspeaker|speaker]]-driving signal of analog audio.

Some of these connectors, and other types of connectors, are also used at [[radio frequency]] (RF) to connect a radio or television receiver to an antenna or to a cable system; RF connector applications are not further described here. Analog A/V connectors often use [[shielded cable]]s to inhibit [[RF interference|radio frequency interference]] (RFI) and [[noise]].

'''Audio connectors''' and '''video connectors''' are [[electrical connector|electrical]] or [[optical fiber connector|optical connectors]] for carrying [[audio signal|audio]] and [[video signal]]s. '''Audio interfaces''' and '''video interfaces''' define physical parameters and interpretation of signals. For [[digital audio]] and [[digital video]], this can be thought of as defining the [[physical layer]], [[data link layer]], and most or all of the [[application layer]]. For [[analog audio]] and [[analog video]] these functions are all represented in a single signal specification like [[NTSC]] or the direct [[Loudspeaker|speaker]]-driving signal of analog audio. Physical characteristics of the electrical or optical equipment includesinclude the types and numbers of wires required, voltages, frequencies, optical intensity, and the physical design of the connectors. Any data link layer details define how application data is encapsulated (for example for [[synchronization]] or [[error-correction]]). Application layer details define the actual audio or video format being transmitted, often incorporating a [[codec]]s not specific to the interface, such as [[PCM]], [[MPEG-2]], or the [[DTS Coherent Acoustics codec]]. In some cases, the application layer is left open; for example, [[HDMI]] contains an [[Ethernet]] channel for general data transmission.

For efficiency and simplicity, the same codec or signal convention is used by the storage medium. For example, [[VHS]] tapes can store a magnetic representation of an NTSC signal, and the specification for [[Blu-ray Disc]]s incorporates PCM, MPEG-2, and DTS. Some playback devices can re-encode audio or video so that the format used for storage does not have to be the same as the format transmitted over the A/V interface (which is helpful if a projector or monitor cannot handle a newer codec).

Some types of connectors are used by multiple hardware interfaces; for example, [[RCA connector]]s are definedused both by the [[composite video]] and [[component video]] interfaces, but [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]] is the only interface that uses the DVI connector. This means that in some cases not all components with physically compatible connectors will actually work together.

Analog A/V connectors often use [[shielded cable]]s to inhibit [[RF interference|radio frequency interference]] (RFI) and [[noise]].

== Interfaces and their connectors ==

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| rowspan=5| '''Audio only'''

| rowspan=2 |'''Analog'''

| Often unmarked on consumer audio equipment since it is so common, or labelled with [[headphones]] symbol or as "line out". Computers and other equipment sometimes use [[PC_System_Design_GuidePC System Design Guide#Color-coding_scheme_for_connectors_and_portscoding scheme for connectors and ports|Microsoft-Intel color coding scheme]], especially when there are multiple input/output plugs.

| [[Phone connector (audio)|3.5&nbsp;mm TRS minijack]]<br/>[[RCA connector]]

|-

| [[Balanced audio]]

| 6.35&nbsp;mm [[Phone connector (audio)|TRS audio jack]] (shielded twisted pair),<br/>[[XLR connector|XLR]] (shielded twisted pair)

|-

| rowspan=3 |'''Digital'''

| [[S/PDIF]] (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format). Via coaxial or optical cables.

| [[RCA Jackjack]] (coaxial),<br/>[[TOSLINK]] (optical),<br/>[[BNC connector|BNC]] (rare)

|-

| [[AES3]] (also known as AES/EBU)

| [[RCA Jackjack]] (coaxial),<br/>[[XLR connector|XLR]] (shielded twisted pair),<br/>[[TOSLINK]] (optical),<br/>[[BNC connector|BNC]]

|-

| [[MADI]]

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| [[Mini-DIN connector|Mini-DIN]] 4-pin

|-

| [[Component Videovideo|Component]]. In popular use, it refers to a type of analog video information that is transmitted or stored as three separate signals. Either [[Component video#RGB analog component video|RGB interfaces]] or [[YPbPr]]

| 3 [[RCA Jackjack]]s

|-

| [[Composite Video|Composite]], [[S-Video]], and [[Component Videovideo|Component]]

| [[Video In Video Out|VIVO]] = [[Mini-DIN connector|Mini-DIN]] 9-pin with breakout cable.

|-

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|-

| rowspan=4 |'''Digital'''

| [[High-Definition Multimedia Interface]] (HDMI), BNC

| HDMI connector

|-

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=== S/PDIF ===

TheS/PDIF is an audio-only format carried over electrical coaxial cable (with [[RCA Jack|RCA jacksjack]]s) or optical fibre ([[TOSLINK]]).

Note that there are no differences in the signals transmitted over optical or coaxial [[S/PDIF]] connectors—both carry exactly the same information. Selection of one over the other rests mainly on the availability of appropriate connectors on the chosen equipment and the preference and convenience of the user. Connections longer than 6 meters or so, or those requiring tight bends, should use coaxial cable, since the high light signal attenuation of [[TOSLINK]] cables limits its effective range.

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=== DisplayPort ===

[[File:DisplayPort Connector.svg|left|200px|pinout_caption=External connector (source-side) on PCB]]

[[DisplayPort]] is a digital display interface standard (approved May 2006, current version 1.4 published on March 1, 2016). It defines a new license-free, royalty-free, digital audio/video interconnect, intended to be used primarily between a computer and its display monitor, or a computer and a home-theater system.

The video signal is not compatible with [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]] or [[High-Definition Multimedia Interface|HDMI]], but a DisplayPort connector can pass these signals through. DisplayPort is a competitor to the HDMI connector, the [[de facto]] digital connection for high-definition consumer electronics devices.

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Single-wire connectors used frequently for analog audio include:

* [[Banana connector]]s

* [[SpadeElectrical connector#Ring and spade connectors|Spade connectors]]s

* [[Binding post|Five-way binding posts]] and [[Banana connector|banana plugs]] for [[loudspeaker]]s

* [[Fahnestock clip]]s on early [[breadboard]] radio receivers.

* [[Euroblock]] "European-style terminal block" or "Phoenix connectors", screw terminal connectors used for audio and control signals

* Multi-conductor connectors:

** [[D-subminiature|DB25]] is for [[multi-track recording]] and other multi-channel audio, analog or digital

** [[DIN connector|DIN]] connectors and [[mini-DIN]] connectors

* [[DIN connector|DIN]] connectors and [[mini-DIN]] connectors
* [[Euroblock]] "European-style terminal block" or "Phoenix connectors", screw terminal connectors used for audio and control signals

** [[RCA connector]]s, also known as ''phono'' connectors or ''phono plugs'', used for analog or digital audio or analog video

** [[Speakon connector]]s by [[Neutrik]] for [[loudspeaker]]s

** [[Phone connector (audio)|Phone connector]] also known as tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) or tip-sleeve plug, phone plug, jack plug, mini-jack, and mini-stereo. This includes the original 6.35mm (quarter inch) jack and the more recent and standard 3.5mm (miniature or 1/8&nbsp;inch) and 2.5mm (subminiature) jacks, both mono and stereo (balanced) versions.<ref>[{{cite web |url=http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021807&p_id=4637&seq=1&format=2 |title=2.5mm Audio Cables] {{webarchive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926064343/http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021807&p_id=4637&seq=1&format=2 |archive-date=September 26, 2013 }}</ref>

** [[XLR connector]]s, also known as ''Cannon plugs'', used for analog or digital [[balanced audio]] with a [[balanced line]].

* Digital audio interfaces and interconnects:

** [[ADAT]] interface (DB25)

* [[ADAT]] interface (DB25)
* [[AES/EBU]] interface, normally with [[XLR connector]]

** [[S/PDIF]], either over electrical [[coaxial cable]] (with [[RCA connector|RCA jack]]s) or [[optical fiber]] ([[TOSLINK]]).

=== Phone connector ===

{{Main|Phone connector (audio)}}

[[File:Photo-audiojacks.jpg|thumb|left|150px|2.5 &nbsp;mm (3/32") mono (TS), 3.5 &nbsp;mm (1/8") mono and stereo (TRS), and 6.3 &nbsp;mm (1/4") stereo (TRS) phone connectors]]

A [[Phone connector (audio)|phone connector]] (tip, ring, sleeve) also called an audio jack, phone plug, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-jack, or mini-stereo. This includes the original 6.35mm35&nbsp;mm (quarter inch) jack and the more recent 3.5mm5&nbsp;mm (miniature or 1/8&nbsp;inch) and 2.5mm5&nbsp;mm (subminiature) jacks, both mono and stereo versions. There also exists 4.4&nbsp;mm [[Pentaconn connector]]s.

{{clear left}}

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[[File:BNC connector.jpg|thumb|left|Male 50 ohm BNC connector]]

The [[BNC connector|BNC]] (Bayonet Neill Concelman)<ref>https://www.techopedia.com/definition/727/bayonet-neill-concelman-connector-bncconnector</ref> connector is a very common type of RF connector used for terminating coaxial cable.

{{clear left}}

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* [[TV Aerial Plug|PAL connector]], common in [[Europe]] as an antenna connector

* [[S-Video]] (1 [[Mini-DIN]])

* [[Serial Digitaldigital Interfaceinterface|SDI]] - Broadcast grade digital interface over [[BNC connector|BNC]] cables

* [[VGA connector]] A type of [[D-sub]] connector standard on most video cards

* [[Mini-VGA]] Found on some laptop computers

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VIVO is found predominantly on high-end [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] video cards, although a few high-end [[NVIDIA]] video cards also have this port. VIVO on these graphics cards typically supports [[Composite Video|Composite]], [[S-Video]], and [[Component video|Component]] as outputs, and composite and S-Video as inputs. Many other video cards only support component and/or S-Video outputs to complement [[Video Graphics Array]] or [[Digital Visual Interface|DVI]], typically using a component breakout cable and an S-Video cable.

{{clear both}}

=== DVI Connector ===

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* '''DVI-I''' (integrated, digital & analog)

* '''M1-DA''' (integrated, digital, analog & [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]])

</blockquote>

The connector also includes provision for a second data link for high resolution displays, though many devices do not implement this. In those that do, the connector is sometimes referred to as '''DVI-DL''' (dual link).

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|rowspan=3 align=center |analogue audio, left channel;<br> also [[Monaural|mono]] (RCA/TS), [[stereophonic|stereo]] (TRS only),<br> or undefined/other

|-

|style=color:white;background:black |

|black RCA/TS/TRS

|-

|style=color:white;background:gray |

|grey RCA/TS/TRS

|-

|style=color:black;background:red;color:white|

|red RCA/TS

| analogue audio, right channel

|-

|style=color:black;background:darkorangeorange |

|orange RCA

| [[S/PDIF]] digital audio

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:{| class=wikitable

|-

|style=color:black;background:lightgreengreen|

|green TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| stereo output, front channels

|-

|style=color:white;background:black|

|black TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

|stereo output, rear channels

|-

|style=color:white;background:gray|

|grey TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| stereo output, side channels

|-

|style=color:black;background:gold|

|gold TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| dual output, center and [[subwoofer]]

|-

|style=color:black;background:lightblueblue|

|blue TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| stereo input, [[line level]]

|-

|style=color:black;background:pink |

|pink TRS† 3.5&nbsp;mm

| mono [[microphone]] input

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Older [[sound card]]s had no common standard color codes until after [[PC System Design Guide#PC 99|PC&nbsp;99]]. The [[PC System Design Guide]] (also known as the PC&nbsp;97, PC&nbsp;98, PC&nbsp;99, or PC&nbsp;2001 specification) is a series of hardware design requirements and recommendations for IBM PC compatible personal computers, compiled by Microsoft and Intel Corporation during 1997–2001. PC&nbsp;99 introduced a color code for the various standard types of plugs and connectors used on PCs.

The color codes for audio plugs follow:<ref>[{{cite book |url=http://wwwdownload.microsoft.com/whdcdownload/archivewin2000pro/pcguidesPCG/1.mspx0/NT5/EN-US/pc99v1a.exe |title=PC&nbsp;99 System Design Guide], |publisher=Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, |date=14 July 1999. |access-date=5 February 2009 |chapter=Chapter 3: PC&nbsp;99 basic requirements ([|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216004214/http://download.microsoft.com/download/win2000pro/PCG/1.0/NT5/EN-US/pc99v1a.exe PC&nbsp;99|archive-date=16 SystemFebruary Design Guide (Self extracting .exe)].2007 |quote=Requirement 3.18.3: Systems use a color-coding scheme for connectors and ports. Accessed|format=EXE |archive-format=EXE}} ([[Self-extracting archive|Self-extracting]] zipped [[Microsoft Word|Word]] file)<!-- Other downloads: https://web.archive.org/web/20090201100401/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/archive/pcguides.mspx 2009-02-05></ref>

:{| class=wikitable

|-

|! style="background-color:darkorange #e68699;" | &nbsp;

! [[Pink]] / 701C

| Orange TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| Analog [[microphone]] audio input (†mono or stereo).

| Output, [[subwoofer]]

|-

|! style="background-color:black #6cace4;background:lightblue" | &nbsp;|

! Light [[blue]] / 284C

| Blue TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| Input,Analog [[line level]] audio input.

|-

|! style="background-color:black #a9c47f;background:pink" | &nbsp;|

! [[Lime (color)|Lime green]] / 577C

| Pink TRS† 3.5&nbsp;mm

| Analog line level audio output.

| [[microphone]] input

|-

|! style="background-color:black #eca154;background:palegreen" | &nbsp;|

! [[Orange (colour)|Orange]] / 157C

| Lime TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| Analog audio output for the center speaker and [[Subwoofer]]

| Output, front channels

|-

|! style="background-color:white #ad7c59;background:saddlebrown" | &nbsp;|

|! [[Brown]] TRS/ 3.5&nbsp;mm4645C

| Output,Analog 'Rightaudio output for "right-to-left" speaker'speakers.

|-

|! style="background-color:black #cc8a00;background:gold" | &nbsp;|

! [[Gold (color)|Gold]] / 131C

| Gold TRS 3.5&nbsp;mm

| [[Musical Instrument Digital Interface|MIDI]]/game

|}

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:{| class=wikitable

|-

|style=color:black;background:yellow|

|yellow RCA/BNC

| composite video

|-

|style=color:white;background:red|

|red RCA/BNC

| red or Pr/Cr chrominance

|-

|style=color:white;background:green|

|green RCA/BNC

| green or luminance

|-

|style=color:white;background:blue |

|blue RCA/BNC

| blue or Pb/Cb chrominance

|-

|style=color:black;background:white |

|white BNC

| horizontal sync

|-

|style=color:white;background:black |

|black BNC

| vertical sync

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Newer connectors are identified by their shape and not their colour.

==Storage==

For efficiency and simplicity, the same codec or signal convention is used by the storage medium. For example, [[VHS]] tapes can store a magnetic representation of an NTSC signal, and the specification for [[Blu-ray Disc]]s incorporates PCM, MPEG-2, and DTS. Some playback devices can re-encode audio or video so that the format used for storage does not have to be the same as the format transmitted over the A/V interface (which is helpful if a projector or monitor cannot handle a newer codec).

==See also==

* [[Audio interface]]

* [[:Category:Telecommunications standards]]

* [[Computer port (hardware)]]

* [[Speaker wire]]

* [[Speakon connector]]s

* [[Video interface]]

* [[Y-cable]]