It is pretty safe to assume that the modern tech user is drowning in a sea of cables. From older ones with “that little prongy thing” to newer accessories, there is a lot to keep track of. More than once I have heard, “You mean there is more than one type of USB?” Yes, yes there is.
Check out these descriptions to untangle your ball of cable confusion.
Cable Types
USB-A
USB-A (Universal Serial Bus) is the typical USB plug that is used to transfer data. It is used to connect standard computer equipment like keyboards and a mouse.
USB-B
USB-B (Universal Serial Bus) is the typical USB plug that is used to connect to printers and scanners. It has more of a square shape than the USB-A, which is more of a rectangle.
USB Mini-A & Mini-B
Mini-A and Mini-B are types of a USB port that is typically used to connect smaller media devices like phones and cameras.
Firewire
Firewire is used to transfer data at high speeds. It is similar to a USB, but it has some notable differences. Firewire allows two devices to transfer information between each other (peer-to-peer) without connecting to a computer. Firewire can also transfer incoming and outgoing data at the same time, making it extremely fast. Firewire 400 is used to transfer data at speeds varying between 100-400Mb/s. Firewire 800 is used to transfer data at around 786Mb/s.
PS/2
PS/2 (IBM Personal System/2) is an older port that is used to connect old keyboards and mice. This has widely been replaced by the USB port.
Ethernet
Ethernet is used for connecting to computer to local area networks (LANs) for access to the internet and other networks.
VGA
VGA (Video Graphic Array) is used for connecting to external monitors and some TVs to display video.
DVI
DVI (Digital Video Interface) transmits video for high quality digital display like computer screens and TVs.
HDMI
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) transmits both audio and video in a high quality uncompressed format.
S-Video
S-Video (Separate Video) is used to connect video information in two separate signals. One for luminance and one for color. Since the signals are separate it produces a higher quality video output than other cables that mix the signals, like a composite cable.
Composite A/V (RCA)
A composite A/V cable is the red/white/yellow cable cluster that is used to transmit video and audio. The Red and white cables transfer the audio and the video signal is transferred through the yellow cable. There is only one cable for the video to transmit the brightness/contrast and the color. Because of this, the signals can become mixed which lowers the quality of the video. Composite cables are widely used for TV’s and other A/V devices.
Component (RCA)
A component cable is the red/green/blue cable cluster that is used to transmit video data. This is used to connect devices like your DVD player or other device box to your TV. It is important to note that component cables are used only for video and it doesn’t support any audio.
Coaxial
Coaxial cables are used to send both audio and video over one connection. It is used to transfer data between devices like radio transmitters, cable television and computer networks.
Parallel Port
Parallel Port is an older port that is used to connect printers and scanners. It allows data to be sent and received simultaneously on multiple channels. This has widely been replaced by the USB port.
Display Port
DisplayPort is used to transfer video and audio to display devices like computer screens and home theatre systems.
* Photos from Wikipedia
Media Basics 