Cables

Composite Cables:
These carry only one signal and this is in standard definition- (480i/ 576i) , This is a very low quality in comparison to HD. The main uses for these cables are for SECAM, PAL and NTSC. They don't carry audio as it only carries a coloured video because they can carry only one signal. These are usually connected to an RCA jack, that are normally yellow.These cables unlike S-Video and component video cables only carry 1 signal.

S- Video:
This is an analogue cable that carries standard definition (480i and 576i). These wires separate the black and white colour signals therefore improving the image quality compared to the composite cable but has a lower resolution compared to component video. Each pin has it's own ground pin, this is why there are four pins, the fifth pin is just to hold the wire in place. These S-Video cables (Super-video) separate black and white colouring signals to get a better image quality.

Component video:
The red, green and blue wires distribute the colours 3 different ways corresponding to the wires colours.The original imput signal is split up into several component signals. This wire allows use for full HD resolution, but not all tv outputs support this, so it may be limited to
1080i.


VGA:
These wires are typically used for computer monitors, video cards, HDTVs, Laptops, net-books and a load more pieces of equipment. These use the same red, green and blue method as the Component wires do. These allow for higher resolutions, from 640x400 to 2048x1536. Higher resolution cables like this often require coaxial wiring.

DVI Cable:
A DVI Cable is a digital cable meaning no loss in quality, These are found on HDTVs and video cards. There are three different types of these wires, DVI-D, DVI-A and DVI-I. These cables can reach
resolutions up to 3840x2400. These do not transfer audio and these wires come in signal and dual links. These were made by Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) and are used a lot in computers to transfer the image from the monitor to the computer tower. These cables were specifically used to set a standard for the transfer of digital content due to the fact they had no loss in quality.


HDMI Cables:
HDMI Cables are used in may different devices, ranging from computers, cameras, monitors, games consoles and Blu-ray players. HDMI is a single cable that carries video and audio signals digitally, and since its digital there is no loss in the quality. There are several different versions of these wires Version 1.0, that allows 1920x1080p, Version 1.4, that supports Ethernet, 3d and also 3840x2160p at 60fps. Finally version 2.0 supports 3840x2160p at 60fps.

Jacks:
These are used mainly depending on legnth to connect electric guitars- 1/4 inch jacks or commonly used for headphone wires-3.5mm, for phones and also speakers that are meant for a mobile device. These depending on what jack it is have two, three or four contacts, these with all 3 are called TRS connecters,  the T standing for tip, R for ring and S for sleeve. Devices that are compatible with these cables include televisions and phones that both have slots for these wires due to popular usages of headphones. In the media industry these are also used when editing and transferring foley sound, that is a large part of a films soundtrack.


XLR Connector:
These are commonly used for microphones and are used a lot on stage for speakers and amplifiers, They use 3 pins, and is similar to the connection of a jack.There are two sides to these wires, female and male. The female side is usually source and the male side is input, and due to the shape and size of the design, it will never disconnect on it's own accord. In film a common use for these cables are the use of recording sound through a shotgun mic that would be plugged into the camera through this cable. These are similar to smaller and older DIN connecter, but are not compatible with each other.