Video Cables

Office tasks and activities at home alike frequently require users to have more than one window open on their computer screen. Clicking back and forth between these windows on one screen is an option, but that becomes tedious rather quickly. Setting up a desktop or laptop with multiple displays makes multitasking much easier. It may sound simple to set up additional monitors, but there is a bit of forethought that goes into the process.

How Do I Connect Multiple Monitors?

Start by checking the back of the computer and look for the ports to see what kind of video connections the machine has. This could include HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, and more. On a desktop, one of these should already be in use for the existing monitor. Laptops frequently feature an extra video port for dual monitor set-ups. If you do not have an extra video port, a USB adapter can be used instead.

There are a variety of different cables that can be used for video connections. While there have been industry efforts at streamlining, even today there are multiple options on the market. Each type of video cable is easily identified by its unique size and shape, but there are also differences when it comes to the quality of each cable signal. Knowing these differences can enable users to make educated choices when selecting cables for electronic devices.

Hooking up a computer monitor is not terribly complicated but there are a few different types of cables that can be used to get the job done. Before even purchasing a monitor, start by checking the computer itself. Look at the back to the machine to see what kind of video ports are on there. Ideally, you will want the same type of connection on the monitor and computer. If you find yourself with a mismatching monitor and computer, you can use an adapter or converter to change one type of connection to another.

When making your selection, there are five main types of connections built onto modern monitors: VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB.

VGA

VGA (also called HD15) is an older type of video-only connection. Many used or outdated monitors will have this type of connection while newer models probably will not. VGA is the old standard for monitors and has since been replaced with newer formats. Out of all the monitor connections still in use today, VGA is the only one that is purely analog. This means VGA has a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, a far cry from the 1080p quality available with digital connections. Generally, users only want to use VGA if any of the newer, digital options are not available.

DVI

Every type of cable has a maximum distance. These distance limits can vary greatly from one type of cable to the next. Along with determining whether a cable will work, distance limits will also determine how well a cable works. Knowing the fundamentals behind cable distance limits is the first step in selecting the best cable for your needs.

Cables will always have some sort of “maximum signal” rating, depending on the type of the cable. For ethernet cables, it will be the maximum upload/download speed. For HDMI, it will be the maximum resolution of the video. And so on and so forth for other cables. Any type of “maximum” rating should be taken with a grain of salt.

Those ratings are the best possible rating the cable is capable of under theoretical, perfect conditions. For example, modern HDMI cables are all rated for 4k. But if the HDMI cable is running through a coupler, users will almost certainly not get 4k. Each time a signal passes through a connection, even just connecting a cable to something like a TV or computer, the signal quality degrades a little. Using devices like extenders and couplers will make the signal weaker; for example, coupling a 10’ cable to a 5’ cable will result in a weaker signal than just using a single 15’ cable.

Another key factor for signal quality is the distance of the cable. The further a signal has to travel, the more it will degrade by the time it gets from Point A to Point B. Going back to our HDMI example, a 15’ cord will give a clearer image than a 50’ cable. It is possible to get around this issue using an extender/booster. Some cables are also more subject to this issue than others, so doing a little research before running a particularly long cable never hurts.

Audio and video cables go hand-in-hand, often being paired together. Some cables can even transmit audio and video on just one line. Over time a lot of new audio and video cables have been introduced, so the cable you need will often depend on the age of the equipment you are using. Most TVs, computers, and other devices can use multiple types of audio and video connections, so it is good to be able to identify them and know your options.

Audio-only cables include:

• 3.5mm
• 2.5mm
• ¼”
• Optical Toslink
• XLR
• SpeakOn
• MIDI

Video-only cables include:

• S-Video
• DB9
• VGA cables
• DVI

Audio/video cables include:

• F-type
• BNC
• RCA cables
• Component
• HDMI
• DisplayPort

Audio-only

3.5mm

3.5mm, also called ⅛” cables, is one of the most common audio cables. They are sometimes called “headphone jacks”, being the type of connection used for headphones. These ports are frequently found on cell phones, computers, and televisions.

There are a few different versions of 3.5mm: TS, TRS, and TRRS. TS cables will have one ring, dividing the metal sections into two conductors and are most often used for mono connections like microphones. TRS has two rings to give it three conductors, allowing them to be used for stereo connections such as speakers. TR

HDMI: The New Standard

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are the new standard for audio/video cables on modern televisions, computers, video game consoles, and more. The majority of new electronics today are built with at least one HDMI port. HDMI is excellent at what does, being able to transmit digital audio and video through a single line.

While HDMI is fantastic, many older devices that predate HDMI are still around and in use. Some newer devices are also built with only alternatives to HDMI, although this is much less common. When either of these scenarios come up, the easiest solution is to use an HDMI adapter. There are different types of adapters (as well as converters) that you may need depending on what you want to convert to HDMI.

HDMI to RCA

Converting HDMI to RCA is one of the more common problems that you can run into, with RCA being the old standard for televisions. Devices such as VCRs, older DVD players, and older video game consoles will only have RCA connections. RCA cables have mostly been phased out of modern devices. When using older electronics with a newer TV or vice versa, going between RCA to HDMI usually becomes an issue.

Because RCA is analog and HDMI is digital, the device is called a converter instead of an adapter. Converters, unlike adapters, are one-way. If you convert RCA to HDMI, something like an old VCR to a new TV, you would need this converter. If you need to go for an HDMI RCA converter instead, something like a new DVD player to an older TV, you would need this

This is the HDMI Male to Female Swivel Adapter It features a right angle HDMI Male connector on one side. And an HDMI female connector on the other side. The adapter utilizes a swivel form factor that will allow you to correctly orient your cable and reduce strain on the connector. The adapter features gold plated contacts and can support resolutions up to 1080p. The HDMI Male to HDMI Female Right Angle Adapter is a quick and easy solution for your video projects. For more information on our products, you can give our customer service department a call at 888-519-9505.

P# 25-261-105 This is the Premium RG6 HD-SDI Video Cable HD-SDI cables transmit broadcast quality signals at a rate up to 3 gigabytes per second. They are the standard for high definition, professional video distribution and transmission. Our premium cables feature a locking BNC male connector on each end so the cabling does not accidently get unplugged. We also use the highest-quality digital coax cable to ensure perfect data transmission. All of our cables are tested for performance and reliability. Available in standard lengths from 6 inches to 200 feet and custom lengths up to 300 meters, HD-SDI cables from ShowMeCables are the right choice for your next video project. For more information on our products please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505 For all your cable and connector needs choose Show Me Cables.

P#29-130-015 This is the RCA Plenum-Rated Component Audio/Video Cable The cable includes five separate color-coded 24K gold plated connectors to ensure proper installation. It allows you to run component video and stereo audio through a single cable. Red, Green and Blue transmit hi-def video up to 1080p. The dark red and white cables are separate from video for easy visual confirmation of left and right audio. This makes it easy to interconnect your TV and devices. Plenum component video and audio cables are designed to meet the strictest of electrical codes; our plenum cable meets or exceeds many common cable standards. They are safe to run in schools, offices, return air spaces and anywhere where local electrical dictate the use of plenum cables. . Internally this cable is protected from EMI and RFI interference by a 95% copper braid and 100% aluminum foil shield. The RCA Plenum-Rated Component Audio/Video Cable is a quick and easy solution for your Audio Video projects. For more information on our RCA cables please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505. For all your cable and connector needs choose Show Me Cables.

P# 25-220-006 This is the Python 3 BNC to 3 RCA Component Video Cable - 6 FT. The cable includes six separate color-coded 24K gold plated BNC connectors to ensure proper installation. It allows you to run component video and stereo audio through a single cable. Red, Green and Blue transmit hi-def video up to 1080p. This makes it easy to interconnect your TV and devices. This cable is made from flexible RG59 coax cable. Internally this cable is protected from EMI and RFI interference by a 95% copper braid and 100% aluminum foil shield. The Python 3 BNC to 3 RCA Component Video Cable - 6 FT is a quick and easy solution for your Video projects. For more information on our products please contact our customer service department at 888-519-9505. For all your cable and connector needs choose Show Me Cables.