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Video, Audio, Phone, and Network Cable Descriptions

 

Introduction

 

Resolution Steps

Video + Audio

Cable name Used for Image Quality
HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface

 

  • 100% Digital Video and Audio signal in 1 cable

  • Supports Dolby 5.1 Surround sound, but also can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio

  • Most HDMI cables support 4K

  •  

Best Possible Signal
Component Video
w/Composite Audio
  • Five wires standard

  • Video: Red, green and blue bands on white connector for HD Video

  • Audio:  Red and white bands on black connectors for audio
    • Audio cables support stereo and (analog) Surround Sound
    • Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround not supported
    • Does not support 4K
    • A Digital audio connection is needed for Dolby Digital 5.1

    •  

Video:  Very Good

Audio: Functional

Composite Video + Audio
  • Audio/Phono: two cables

  • Video: one cable

  • Jacks are color-coded
     
    • Yellow = Video (Not HD)
    • Red = Right Audio
    • White = Left Audo 

Functional
3.5mm to Composite +
phono R/L cable


A.K.A. "Breakout" Cable
  • Used with some versions of TiVo Minis that only have one output port for all three signals
     
    • 3.5mm (1/8 inch) jack on one end (yellow)

    • Color-coded jacks on the other end
       
      • Yellow = Video (Not  HD)
      • Red = Right Audio
      • White = Left Audi 

      •  

Functional
Coaxial

RG-6 dual-, tri- or quad-shielded

  • Audio

  • Video

  • Internet (cable modem)

Functional

 

 Video Only: separate audio jack needed

Cable name Used for Image Quality
DVI / DVI-I / DVI-D

Digital Visual Interface

Video: one cable
  • Used for LCD monitors and video cards

  • Does not support 4K

  •  

Very Good
VGA / DB15 / HD15

Video Graphics Array
Video: one cable
 
  • Used for PC monitors, HDTV, plasma TVs, DVD players

  • Does not support 4K

  •  

Very Good
Component Video / YPbPr Video: three cables
 
  • Jacks are color-coded

  • Red, green and blue ends or colored bands

  • Does not support 4K

Very Good
3.5mm to Component cable
A.K.A. "Breakout" Cable
Video: three to one cable
 
  • Used with some versions of TiVo Minis that only have one output port for all three color video signals
    • 3.5mm (1/8 inch) green jack on one end

    • Color-coded jacks on the other end
       
      • Red
      • Green
      • Blue

      •  
    • Does not support 4K

    •  

Functional
S-Video / Y/C Video / SVHS Video

Short for Super-Video
Video: one cable
 
  • Video signal is split into two pieces, one for color or chrominance, and another for brightness or luminance

  • Splitting the signal produces sharper images

  • Does not work for HD Signal

  •  

Functional

 


Audio Only

Cable name(s) Used for Image Quality
HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface

 

  • 100% Digital Video and Audio signal in 1 cable

  • Supports Dolby 5.1 Surround sound, but also can pass higher-resolution audio, including the formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio

  • Can be used for audio only passthrough to a surround sound device, etc. if the device is so equipped

  •  

Best Possible Signal
Optical SPDIF

aka Digital SPDIF, Toslink

Sony/Philips Digital Interface

Audio (1 cable)
  • Supports Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound

Excellent
SPDIF/ Digital Audio /
Coaxial SPDIF

Sony/Philips Digital Interface
Audio: one cable
  • Analog connection

  • Supports Dolby 5.1 Surround sound

  •  

Very Good

 

Voice / Data Connections

Cable name(s) Used for Image Quality/Speed
Ethernet cables

a.k.a.

Category 5 / Cat5

Category 5E / Cat5E

Category 6 / Cat6
(GigEthernet)

  • Can be used for Voice or Data

  • 4 pairs of wires

  • More twists per foot (the more twists, the less interference)

  •  

Cat5: Good /100Mbps

Cat5E: Excellent /1000Mbps

Cat6: Excellent /1000Mbps

Category 3 / Cat3
  • Voice or DSL only

  • May have either 2 or 4 pairs of wires

  • Less twists per foot than Cat 5 cable

  •  

Good

10 Mbps

 

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