Indentifying the correct video and audio cable connectors to use can be difficult for many people.

In fact, home theater cabling can be one of the most difficult things about putting together a home theater system.

You could have put in all that precious time looking into the high definition TV, the av receiver plus the speaker system – followed by additional hours locating the best place to purchase all of it from.

Yet, your difficulties can actually start when you get everything back home and unpack all the boxes…so what now? Unless you happen to be quite knowledgeable with the connectors and cables that come with your equipment it can be quite a difficult task to put everything together.

So let us consider the most important connection and cable types you might find and briefly explain just what they are for.

1. HDMI

The best method for interfacing modern audio-visual pieces of kit. This can transmit the sound and video signals between your gear.

2. DVI

A digital interconnection for sending picture data. Far less widespread on high-definition televisions but pretty common on projectors and PCs.

3. Component Connection

This connection type transmits analog video data between devices and you will identify this by the blue, red and green RCA connectors on the back of your piece of equipment.

4. S-Video

This is an interconnection for sending analogue picture information. However it lacks the high quality of a component interface.

5. Composite Connector

Yet another analogue interconnection for video data. Compared to the other types it offers the most rudimentry video quality, but continues to be popular because it is quick to configure.

6. VGA

You may find this kind of input at the rear of your television for connecting a personal computer or laptop and lots of computers include this specific interconnection type. It can be a useful option to the sorts of connections a television offers.

7. Optical Audio Connection

A way of transmitting digital sound information between pieces of kit. You should use this when it comes to transmitting 5.1 surround sound as well as 2-channel audio audio.

8. Coaxial Audio Connection

Like the optical option previously mentioned, its a different way of sending stereo and surround sound digital audio signals.

9. Stereo Sound Connector

These are the red and white phono connectors which give you a rudimentary means of sending the sound from your gear.

10. Loudspeaker cable or Speaker Wire

A contrast with the connection methods already mentioned, but an essential area of your home theater cabling. This interconnection sends the sound from your av receiver into the loudspeakers and this type of connection normally consists of two separate electrical wires to transport the audio signal to each speaker.

So that is certainly quite a long list.

It is no surprise it can get confusing with regards to wiring together our home cinema system. The main thing to consider is always that even though there are several sorts of connections there for you – you aren’t supposed to utilize them all simultaneously!

The thing you want to do is to look at the video cable and audio cable Connectors you have to choose from on your devices, and then select which will be the most effective ones that you can use.

Every one of the interface types you might have with your gear are only there to give everybody enough possibilities when they hook up their technology – or maybe to let you attach several pieces of equipment at the same time.

Quite often, you just won’t need many of the connectors that the equipment comes with.

Author Bio: Pete Bradshaw is a contributor to the-home-cinema-guide.com, a resource about your home theater system setup and audio-visual equipment. Go to the website for more information and advice about wiring your home theater, FAQ for HDMI connections and much more…

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: video and audio cable connectors, home theater wiring, home theater connections