This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
A comprehensive source for identifying 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 (e.g., computer cables) and power. Examples of physical connectors (along with pinouts and contextual uses for each kind of cable/connector combination) are provided in buttons, nested within descriptions of signal types, wiring, interfaces and protocols!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Images pulled from the web are reused here under principle of fair use - they have all been downloaded and uploaded to the GitHub repository for the sake of stability, but original URLs are provided in mouse-over text.
Page created by Ethan Gates
Code adapted from the amazing ffmprovisr project!
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Used primarily with consumer equipment (e.g., Betamax, VHS, DVD).
Audio: no
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A WWII-era connector design originally intended for video connections in radar applications. Used with late-period 1/2″ open reel decks (e.g., Sony AV decks) and some early 3/4″ U-matic players. Characterized by a threaded outer shell.
Audio: no
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Originally developed for manually switching signals in radar installations; now commonly used for patch bays in production and preservation workflows.
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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
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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 standard.
Audio: no
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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)
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Employed starting with HDMI Version 1.3 - designed for smaller, portable equipment such as laptops.
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Released starting with HDMI Version 1.4, intended for use with cell phones/smart phones.
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Another brand of modular, adaptable connectors. Similar in appearance and use to Phoenix. Available in various configurations.
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A D-sub connector used by Apple for Parallel SCSI connections on their early desktop computers.
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An "upstream" connection intended for use on USB-compatible peripheral devices (thus, the majority of USB 2.0 connections require a Type A-to-Type B cable).
"SuperSpeed"
In 2013, with the release of the USB 3.1 protocol, USB 3.0 was retroactively stylized as "USB 3.1 Gen 1". The two names refer to the same thing.
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Introduced: 2008
Max bit depth and rate: 5 Gb/s
Connectors and ports:
@@ -2382,7 +2382,7 @@From Type A to Type N, the IEC website provides descriptions, images, and supporting countries to plugs and sockets used around the world.
-The Museum of Plugs and Sockets is another resource with images, regional support, and descriptions.
+The Museum of Plugs and Sockets is another resource with images, regional support, and descriptions.