InfoZone


What are the Different kinds of Audio and Video Cables I Can Buy?


Before you begin purchasing cables you will need to know what kinds there are and what they are used for.

There are four major kinds of audio cables and three major video cables. They are HDMI, composite, component, mimi, S-video, composite, and VGA.

HDMI which stands for “high definition multimedia interface” looks similar to a USB computer cable. It uses the newest cable technology and if for high end electronics.

Composite audio cables are red and white. You will find these inputs available on most DVD, VCR and television units.

Component audio cables are green and blue and are about the size of the head of a pen. You will find these inputs available on higher end televisions, DVD players and home theater receivers.

Mini audio cables are similar to composite cables but are smaller and are used on mp3 players, laptops, and on a walkman.

S-video cables have five male prongs, with black casings and are often used on Plasma televisions, LCD televisions and projection televisions.

Composite video cables are small round and yellow. Most televisions, both older and newer units support this type of cable.

VGA video cables are blue and have 15 male prongs. Most flat panel televisions support VGA ports.

How much will the average cable cost?

The price of a cable is determined by the length of the cable and the materials of the cable. The better quality cables use gold or platinum receptors because they transfer (conduct) the audio and video signal better than other materials.

Should I buy conversion cables to go from composite to S-video?

While there are cables that help you convert S-video to composite we do not recommend this option. When you convert video signals from the original source you often will lose picture quality. Which defeats the purpose of watching your DVD on the big screen and we strongly advise against it.