1. Audio Video Production
Cables
and
Connectors
Trade & Industrial Education

2. Cables and Connectors
A basic job skill in the audio and video production industry is being able to identify the common cable and connector types.

3. Four Basic Cable Types
Straight Pair
Twisted Pair
Coax
Fiber Optic

4. Straight Pair Cable
Speaker Cable 4

5. Multiple Channel Cable
Twisted Pair Cable
Microphone Cable
Single Channel
Multiple Channel Cable 5

6. Twisted Pair Cable
Networking Cable
Four Twisted Pairs 6

7. Twisted Pair Cable
Telephone Cable 7

8. Coax Cable
Cable TV Cable 8

9. Coax Cable
Video Cable
Professional Video
Amateur Video 9

10. Coax Cable
Digital Audio Cable 10

11. Coax Cable
Digital Video Cable 11

12. Fiber Optic Cables
Digital Video Cable 12

13. Fiber Optic Cables
Optical Digital Audio Cable 13

14. Connector Types
Video
Audio 14

15. Connector Gender Notes:
A MALE connector is also referred to as a PLUG.
“MALE” = “PLUGS”
A FEMALE connector is also referred to as a JACK.
“FEMALE” = “JACKS”
These words are interchangeable. 15

16. Video Connectors: BNC BNC Male BNC Female
The BNC connector is used for professional video signals. The two connectors twist lock together to form an industrial strength connection. 16

17. Video Connectors: RCA Male Female
The RCA connector is used for amateur and “Prosumer” video signals. The RCA is also used in audio. 17

18. Video Connectors: S-Video
S-Video Male
S-Video Female
The S-Video connector is used for industrial and higher quality “Prosumer” video signals. The S-Video connector actually has two coax video cables inside. One cable is for brightness information (Y) and the other is for color information (C). It is also called a “Y/C” connector. 18

19. RCA Female to BNC Male Adapter
Video Adapters
An adapter is a small two-sided connector that coverts one type of connector to another. They are also referred to as “Inter-series adapters”.
RCA Female to BNC Male Adapter 19

20. BNC Female to RCA Male Adapter
Video Adapters
BNC Female to RCA Male Adapter 20

21. RCA Male to S-Video Female Adapter
Video Adapters
RCA Male to S-Video Female Adapter
Some adapters actually covert one signal type into something else. This adapter coverts a “Y/C” signal into a “composite” video signal. 21

22. BNC Male Barrel (or Gender Changer)
Video Adapters
BNC Male Barrel (or Gender Changer)
Adapters that have the same connector type and gender on both sides area called Barrels or Gender Changers. 22

23. RCA Female Barrel (or Gender Changer)
Video Adapters
RCA Female Barrel (or Gender Changer)
There are numerous Adapters and Gender Changers. 23

24. Audio Connectors: RCA Male Female
The RCA connector is used for line level audio signals. The RCA is also used for consumer video. 24

25. Audio Connectors: 1/4” Mono
¼” Male Mono
¼” Female Mono
The ¼” connector is used for headphones, microphones, and other signals. The mono version is also called “TS” for “Tip/Sleeve.” 25

26. Audio Connectors: 1/4” Stereo
¼” Male Stereo
¼” Female Stereo
The ¼” connector is used for headphones, microphones, and other signals. The stereo version is also called “TRS” for “Tip/Ring/Sleeve”. 26

27. Audio Connectors: XLR XLR Male XLR Female
The XLR connector is primarily used for professional microphones and balanced microphone level signals. The locking mechanism helps make good electrical connections. 27

28. Audio Connectors: 1/8” Mini’s
Mini Male Stereo
Mini Female Stereo
Mini Male Mono
Mini Female Mono
The 1/8” connector, or Mini, is used for headphones, consumer microphones, and other signals. 28

29. (1/4” stereo) Male Adapter
Audio Adapters:
XLR Female to TRS
(1/4” stereo) Male Adapter
Again, an adapter is a small two-sided connector that coverts one type of connector to another. 29

30. Audio Adapters: RCA Female to TS (1/4” mono) Male Adapter
There are numerous Adapters and Gender Changers. 30

31. 1/4”Male to XLR Female Impedance Matching Transformer
Audio Adapters:
1/4”Male to XLR Female Impedance Matching Transformer
Some adapters actually covert one signal type into something else. This adapter coverts a Balanced Low Impedance audio signal to an Unbalanced High Impedance audio signal. This lets you use a professional microphone with consumer microphone inputs. 31

32. Digital Audio and Video
HDMI is an all-digital connector that can carry high-definition video and several digital audio channels all on the one cable.
HDMI delivers digital sound and vision without risking quality loss due to the conversion or compression of the video or audio signal. 32