Table to help with recognition of various types of cables for connecting to peripheral components.
In progress…
- Identify the cable or connector.
- Identify primary use (data transfer, video output, networking, etc.).
- Note key features (shape, size, number of pins, color coding, etc.).
- Identifying characteristics.
| Cable Type/Family | Image | Primary Use | Key Features | Identifying Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet |  |
Evolved from telephone twisted-pair cables and primarily used in network connections | fast and universal with support for fair distances | plastic tab on square/rectangular housing with six pins/wires |
| HDMI |  |
Digital audio and video | Fast digital transfer compressed and uncompressed. Compatible with DisplayPort. | Near-rectangular end connected by two quarter-curves to a shorter long side, like a dragon mouth |
| DisplayPort |  |
Long distances with very little loss | Digital audio and video. Compatible with HDMI. | Asymmetrical end - a rectangle with one corner sliced out. |
| USB (All standards) |  |
Power and data over moderate immediate distances | Ubiquitous and universal | rectangles, squares with roofs and little flat things, some un-keyed. |
| VGA |  |
Legacy analog audio and video transfer | Relative universality for a long time | Plastic handled attachment screws |
| DVI (All standards) |  |
Legacy digital audio and video | Superceded by HDMI and DisplayPort | Lots of pins in varying rectangular configurations with plastic-handled connection screws |
| Fiber Optic Connectors |  |
Long distances with very little loss | Transmits data with light. More expensive than many other connection types. | Small footprint, small cylindrical ends. |
| Surround Sound |  |
All images are from Wikipedia.