2. 7
Connectors

3. Objectives
Explain how connectors and adapters are used in the broadcast industry.
Identify the types of connectors used in the broadcast industry.

4. Classifying Connectors
Connectors are devices that attach cables to equipment or other cables and can be classified as:
Chassis mount connectors
Cable end connectors
Adapters

5. Classifying Connectors (Cont.)

6. Connector Relationship
Male=plug
Female=jack

7. BNC Connector
Female BNC
Male BNC

8. DIN Connector
Four or more pins or holes

9. Male F-Connector

10. Phone Connector and Mini Connector

11. Phono Connector
Also known as RCA connector

12. PL259 Connector
Male PL259
Female PL259

13. Y/C Connector
Same as S-VHS connector

14. XLR Connector
Also known as a cannon connector

15. FireWire Connector
Also known as IEEE 1394 connector

16. USB Connector

17. HDMI Connector

18. Adapters Used to connect two different types of connectors
Use as few adapters in cable run as possible to avoid signal loss

19. T-Connector

20. Y-Connector

21. Barrel Adapter

22. Identification Rules Always indicate female end first, then male end
Format: sex, type, “to”, sex, type
Examples:
FRCA to MXLR
FRCA to FRCA to MRCA y-connector
FBNC to MPL259
FBNC to FBNC barrel

23. Review Question
When using adapters, what is the best way to avoid signal loss? Use as few adapters as possible.

24. Review Question
Identify the three types of connectors. Chassis mount connectors; cable end connectors; adapters

25. Review Question
Female = Jack Male = ______
Plug

26. Review Question
Why is it important to know all the names and uses of connectors and adapters? Not knowing could mean significant time lost in production if the proper cabling is not available, or poor overall recording quality.

27. Review Question
What connects to different types of connectors? Adapters

28. Review Question
What is the most common connector used in television production? The BNC connector

29. Review Question
What does FBNC to MPL259 mean? What does FRCA to MXLR mean? Attach female BNC connector to male PL259 connector. Attach female RCA, or phono, connector to male XLR connector.

30. Review Question
Which connector is made of copper, carries digital signals, and is available in 4-pin, 6-pin, and 9-pin? FireWire

31. Review Question
Which connector has four tiny round pins, connects video inputs and outputs, and is also referred to as an S-VHS connector? Y/C connector

32. Review Question
Which connector is used for carrying high definition video and audio, and is commonly found in Blu-ray DVD players? HDMI connector

33. Review Question
Which adapter allows two short cables to be connected to make one long cable? Barrel adapter

34. Review Question
What are the alternate names for the 1/4 and 1/8 connectors? The 1/4 are called phone connectors. The 1/8 are called mini connectors.

35. Glossary
adapter: A connector that changes the type, or connector end, of an existing connector.
barrel adapter: A type of adapter that has the same type of connector and connector end on both sides.
BNC connector: A type of connector commonly used in television production. The female and male versions lock together securely with a simple 1/4-turn twist.

36. Glossary
cable end connector: A connector found on the end of a length of cable.
chassis mount connector: A connector that is built into a piece of equipment.
connectors: Metal devices that attach cables to equipment or to other cables.
DIN connector: A term that refers to any type of connector with four or more holes/pins.

37. Glossary
F-connector: A type of connector that carries an RF signal and is commonly found on the back of consumer VCRs and televisions.
FireWire connector: A type of connector designed to carry digital signals and available with 4-pin (audio and video only) and 6-pin (audio, video, and power) connections. This connector is also known as IEEE 1394.

38. Glossary
HDMI connector: This connector is designed to carry high definition video and audio, as well as power. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.
jack: A connector with one or more holes designed to receive the pins of a male (plug) connector. Also called a female connector.

39. Glossary
mini connector: A connector that is 1/8 in diameter and single-pronged. It is most commonly found on headsets used with mp3 players and other personal audio devices. Also called a 1/8 connector.
phone connector: A connector that is 1/4 in diameter and single-pronged, with a little indentation near the end of the prong. This type of connector is commonly found on the cord used with large stereo headphones. Also called a 1/4 connector.

40. Glossary
phono connector: A connector commonly found on the back of quality home entertainment system components. The female phono connector is usually a chassis mounted connector. The male phono connector is usually a cable end connector with a single, center prong surrounded by a shorter crown. Also called an RCA connector.

41. Glossary
PL259 connector: A connector that is similar to the F-connector, but much larger. The male end has a single prong with a large nut to tighten.
plug: A connector with one or more pins that are designed to fit into the holes of a jack (female connector). Also called a male connector.
S-VHS connector: The consumer term for a Y/C connector.

42. Glossary
T-connector: A connector that is shaped like the capital letter T and is made entirely of metal. The three ends of a T-connector are used to split one signal into two signals, or to combine two signals into one.
USB connectors: A durable digital connector for video, audio, and power. The electrical contacts are enclosed in a metal housing and buffered by a plastic plate.

43. Glossary
XLR connector: A connector for microphones that usually has 3-pins, but can have 4-pins, 5-pins, and other pin configurations. The male and female ends lock together with a hook. Also called a cannon connector.
Y/C connector: A video input and output connector that is characterized by four tiny round pins and a rectangular plastic stabilizing pin.

44. Glossary
Y-connector: A connector that has three wires with a connector on the end of each. All the wires are tied together in the middle. The three ends of a Y-connector are used to split one signal into two signals, or to combine two signals into one.