PC Learning Center
Support & Drivers
Introduction
With so many different types of cables and ports used for today’s electronics, figuring out how to connect everything can be overwhelming. Use this guide to quickly identify the cables needed for your PC, TV and other electronics.
Cable | Port | How it's used | |||
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Transmits data at various speeds. |
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Transmits data and delivers power (USB 1.0 does not deliver power). Commonly seen on devices with permanently attached cables. |
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Transmits data and delivers power to peripherals. |
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Transmits data and delivers power to smaller devices. Mini-A has been superseded and is no longer being used for new devices. |
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Transmits data and delivers power to smaller devices. |
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Transmits data and delivers power to portable devices. Similar width to mini USB but approximately half as thick. |
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Transmits data and delivers power to portable devices. Similar width to mini USB but approximately half as thick. |
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Transmits high-speed data. A branch of the Serial ATA interface. Faster than FireWire and USB 1.0 and 2.0. |
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Transmits high-speed data. The six-pin version delivers power; the four-pin does not. FireWire is also called i.LINK and IEEE1394. Faster than USB 1.0 and 2.0. |
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Transmits high-speed data on local area networks (LANs), including Internet and intranet networks. |
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Transmits faxes and data on local area networks via phone line. Much slower than Ethernet. |
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Transmits and protects copyrighted digital video and audio at speeds up to 4.9GB/second, with a refresh rate fast enough for 1080p video. |
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Transmits and protects copyrighted digital video and audio at speeds up to 10.2GB/second, with a refresh rate fast enough for 1080p and 3D video. |
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Transmits and protects copyrighted digital audio and video with bi-directional communication. |
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Transmits and protects copyrighted digital audio and video with bi-directional communication for smaller devices. |
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DVI-D transmits digital video without audio. |
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Transmits video and comes in standard definition and high definition (HD). Higher quality than S-video and composite. |
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Transmits video as two separate signals: lumen (luminance) and chroma (color). Higher quality than composite but cannot deliver HD video. |
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Transmits analog video. Cannot be used for HD or digital video. |
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Transmits analog video from a PC to a monitor or TV. |
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Transmits digital audio. |
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Transmits digital audio. |
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Transmits up to six specific audio channels (such as left, right, center, left surround, etc.) from your DVD player to an external device. |
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Transmits left and right channel audio. |
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Transmits analog audio. |
Some of these cables are included with products; others must be purchased separately. Check product specs to see what’s in the box.
Video connection comparison
Good | Better | Best | ||
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HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) |
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DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort |
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DVI (Digital Visual Interface) |
Video connection comparison
Good | Better | Best | ||
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Coaxial digital audio |
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Toslink optical digital |