Audio Cable Types: XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm
XLR, TRS, TS, RCA and 3.5 mm audio cables compared: what each carries, balanced vs unbalanced wiring, line levels, TRRS pin orders and which adapters work.
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Audio, coax and power cords
XLR, TRS and RCA, optical and coaxial digital audio, speaker wire gauge, RG6 and RG59 coax, BNC and SDI, analogue video and IEC power cords.
BNC Connectors and SDI Video Cables: 50 vs 75 Ohm
BNC connectors come in 50 and 75 ohm versions. Learn which to use for SDI video, CCTV and test gear, the SDI data rates, and how to convert BNC to RCA.
Composite vs Component Video: RCA Cables Compared
Composite and component video both use RCA plugs, but carry different signals. Compare resolution, connectors, S-Video and SCART, and adapters for old gear.
IEC Power Cord Types: C13, C5, C7 and C19
IEC 60320 couplers explained: C13 vs C14, C5 cloverleaf, C7 figure 8 and C19/C20. Ratings, plug ends, and how to pick a safe replacement cord.
Optical vs Coaxial Digital Audio: TOSLINK and S/PDIF
TOSLINK and coaxial S/PDIF compared: what each carries, cable limits, connector types, and when HDMI eARC is the better choice for surround sound.
RG6 vs RG59: Which Coax Cable to Use
RG6 and RG59 are both 75 ohm coax, but they differ in centre conductor gauge and shielding. Learn which to use for TV, antenna, CCTV and MoCA networking.
Speaker Wire Gauge: Choosing the Right AWG
How to choose speaker wire gauge by run length and speaker impedance, plus in-wall CL2 vs CL3 ratings, connectors and polarity. 14 vs 16 AWG explained.