Cable connectors are audio and visual connectors used to carry audio and/or video signals. These signals are either digital or analog. Cables and connectors are necessary to unite outputs and inputs, and the quality of the signal varies with each connector. Asia and Europe utilize different electronic standards, so here are common audio and visual cable connectors prevalent to North America
RCA
RCA connectors are generally used for audio, composite and component cables. They allow analog video and stereo audio signals to be transmitted. They are also color-coded: red and white for the audio cables, yellow for a composite video cable, and red, green, and blue for component video cables.
Mini-DIN
Mini-DIN connectors are cylindrical in shape and feature between three and nine pins, each compatible with various audio and/or visual devices. Four-pin mini-DIN connectors are used to carry a separate video (commonly called S-video) signal. While still an analog signal, it is of a higher quality than video signals carried by composite cables.
VGA
Also called DE-15 and HD15 connectors, VGA connectors feature three rows of five pins each, with two screws on each end to hold the connector into the unit. They are commonly used with computer monitors and high-definition televisions and carry analog RGBHV (red, green, blue, horizontal sync, vertical sync) video signals. Smaller mini-VGA connectors can be used for laptop computers.
HDMI
HDMI connectors are used for cables combining an uncompressed digital video signal with an uncompressed digital audio signal. Smaller than most other high-definition connectors, HDMI is used for optimal audio and visual quality with high-definition televisions, computers, Blue-ray players and high-end gaming consoles.
F-Connector
The F-connector is a type of radio frequency connector commonly used for cable television, antenna and satellite connections. It was created in the 1950s as cable television was being developed. Featuring a single peg, the male connector generally screws onto the corresponding input connector on the receiving device.
Computers
Other audio/visual connectors are used solely for computers, although computers are now becoming increasingly more compatible with other home entertainment devices such as high-definition televisions, Blue-ray players and receivers. Common computer connectors include USB, DVI and IEEE 1394 (also called FireWire) connectors.