Types of Connector
In the broadcast world, there is a lot of cables. Though a majority cross over to day to day life, some of these might not be so familiar. So, when someone scream nonsense, usually in a stream, or even if you want to prepare for a stream or video shoot, this list might be of help.
Please note that this list might not contain all connectors, if for some reason a franken or ancient connector is of question, do not hesitate to consult your technical manager, head of live, head of training or any older members in general, sometimes they know things we don’t! That’s the beauty of having a community; or leave a comment!
The first thing to get your head around is that the signal being carried by a cable is not the same as the type of connector. For example the same cable with the same connector could carry an audio feed, a video feed, a lighting control feed or an internet connection; possibly all at the same time!
Video
>Industrial level<
Cable name: BNC (Bayonet Neill–Concelman) connector
Common name: SDI cable
Signal transmitted: SDI (Serial digital interface), Video data only
About BNC cable: Coaxial cable
Secure
Maintain signal integrity over long distance
About SDI signal: Video signal
Retain high video quality over long distance (200m)
Up to 4K60p
Recommended to be end signal for any video feed
Application: Most used video feed cable in StagTV
Staple camera to stream deck cable
>Consumer level<
Designed for shorter range, often have features that does not fit the industrial standard.
DisplayPort
Signal transmitted: LVDS, passive Video and Audio data
About DisplayPort (DP): Backwards compatible to HDMI and DVI
Up to 4K60p video but only 5m
Embedded audio
Mini DisplayPort
Signal transmitted: Passive Video and Audio data
About Mini DisplayPort (mDP): Share connector with thunderbolt cable (Active), though transmit different signals
Up to 4K60p video
Special feature
for DisplayPorts: “Handshake” – A check that make sure the devices at each end are valid and that they work. Often viewed as an inconvenient in broadcast set-up, as it is prone to error and delay precious set-up time.
Application: Cool before HDMI, some monitors still needs it
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable
Signal transmitted: Video and Audio data
About HDMI: Most common version (v1.4) support up to 1080p60 and 4k30p
Reach up to 20m, though temperamental at that length
Not the best with ATEMs
“Handshake” mechanism
Application: Most common embedded video and audio cable in StagTV
Use with monitors and cameras with convertors
Mini HDMI & Micro HDMI
Signal transmitted: Video and Audio data
Application: Canon XA25 & Panasonic GH4
VGA (Video Graphics Array) Connector
Signal transmitted: RGB video signal plus option H and V sync
About VGA: Old computer analogue video connector
Signal tend to strip as the package size increase and output loss
Commonly acknowledged limit is 1080p
Application: poppin’ in the boomer’s generation
Some old monitor still needs it
DVI-D (Digital Visual Interface – Digital) Connector
Signal transmitted: Video Only, single link or dual link
About DVI-D: Basically HDMI but no audio
Single link max resolution is 1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz
Dual link* max res is 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz (Basically two single link but one cable)
“Handshake” mechanism
DVI-I (Digital Visual Interface – Integrated) Connector
Signal transmitted: Video and Analogue signal, single link or dual link
About DVI-I: Adaptable to VGA/HDMI output
There are a few other older types of video connectors that I haven’t mentioned but you can read up on them with following links: Component, Composite, SCART, S-Video and HML
Audio
Warning: Audio hardware could be overwhelming as there is an annoying amount of subtype under the same connector, which could cause detrimental result if used incorrectly. Not all details are listed below, so for any questions, please consult a Tonmeister as this is their profession. For further information about audio level, click here.
>XLRs<
XLR3 connector
Signal transmitted: Analogue and Digital audio
About XLR3: Industry standard for balanced audio signals
Carry AES/EBU audio
Could be mono and stereo (Sometimes require two feed)
Carry low-voltage power – Phantom powering
Application: Most common audio cable in StagTV
Use for mics, stream audio in general
Also could be used to power lighting and related controlled equipment (DMX512)
XLR4 connector
Signal transmitted: Analogue and Digital audio
About XLR4: Two pins are used for mono signal and the other two is used for unbalanced mic signal
Can carry DC power on the fourth pin
Application: COMs box headsets in collab streams
DC for the JVC we often borrow
Scrollers (colour changing devices for stage lighting)
AMX analogue lighting control (now obsolete)
Some pyrotechnic equipment.
XLR5 connector
Signal transmitted: Analogue and Digital audio
About XLR5: Two sets of pins carry balanced signal and a ground
Carry stereo audio
Can carry DC power
Standard for DMX512 digital lighting control
Application: Stereo microphones
Crew has them, we don’t use it that much
XLR6 connector
Signal transmitted: Analogue and Digital audio
Pins function: 1-mic high ; 2-mic low ; 3-common ; 4-left headphone ; 5- right headphone ; 6-ground*
Application: Stage lighting
*Professional stereo headset with balanced microphone
XLR7 connector
Signal transmitted: Analogue and Digital audio
Application: Connect valve (tube) condenser microphones to power supply
Used by several models of Le Maitre and Ultratec fog machines
Analogue lighting control signals
Wired intercom in broadcast studios (Ward-Beck intercoms)
>Jacks<
Jack plug (6.35mm/ ¼”)
Signal transmitted: Analogue audio
About
Jack plugs: Standard audio connector
Application: Instrument and amps
Scarlet 2i2 USB audio interface in crew
Mini jack plug (3.5mm)
Signal transmitted: Analogue audio
About
Jack plugs: Consumer version of the jack plug
Only need one for stereo audio
Application: Phones – laptops – personal electronic device
Sub-mini jack plug (2.5mm)
Signal transmitted: Analogue audio
Application: Remote control
Zoom control on our Sony camera
Not cool anymore
> AES/EBU <
Cable used: BNC/XLR cable
Signal transmitted: Digital audio format
About AES/EBU: Carry multiple feed in one signal
There’s also Toslink and MIDI but we have input interfaces for either at the time of writing.
Computer
Ethernet cable
Connector name: RJ45 (8P8C)
Signal transmitted: Internet
Anything you can convert with the right adaptor
Revision: CAT5e, CAT5, 6, 7, 8
About Ethernet cables: 4 twisted pairs of copper wires
Hard to repair
Revision improve speed of signal
CAT6 onwards contains a cross shaped plastic to aid high data throughput
Speed: 5e – 1Gbps; 5 – 100Mbs; 6 – 10Gbps (33m)/1Gbps (100m);
7 – 10Gbps (100m, 4 channels); 8 – 25-40Gbps (30m, 2 channels)
USB (Universal Serial BUS)
Signal transmitted: Power and data in general
About USBs: It is a data bus, google will help you with the rest
Application: Most computer peripherals
Thunderbolt
Connectors: 1&2 – same with mini DP; 3 – same with USB C
Signal transmitted: Majority of computer signals
About Thunderbolt: Computer connection
About Thunderbolt 3: Can carry and be split via adaptors
Display-port (so by extension HDMI, DVI and VGA), Ethernet, USB, 3.5mm Jack, PCIe and it can even power whatever it’s plugged into (Up to around 40W)
Application: Computer peripherals
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