Projector connectors and cables, different types, different uses

Not sure what the difference is between a component cable and a composite cable? Wondering what a DVI cable is and if you even need it? Here is a quick guide to composite, s-video, component, DVI, and HDMI cables and connectors:

Composite (RCA) cables

Composite cables are the most common type of connector between any two media. You will probably recognize them from connecting your VCR, DVD player, or audio equipment to your television. Most composite cable sets are color-coded red, white, and yellow and the jacks in your television are similarly coded. The red cable is for right channel audio, white for left channel audio, and yellow for video. Although this is the most common type of video connection, it is also of the lowest quality because the entire video signal is carried over one cable. Use this cable to connect the RCA composite video output from your DVD player, VCR, or other source device to your projectors RCA composite video input.

S-Video Cables

S-Video cables work in relatively the same way as composite cables in that they use a singular cable to send video signals. S-Video Cables are for extending the distance between your projector and your computer - allowing you to place the projector at a convenient position such as a DVD player or VCR to your  projector. Where S-Video cables differ is that within the cable there are separate wires to transmit the signal. These wires separate the video signal into color and brightness. By separating color and brightness, a cleaner image is achieved.

Component Cables

Component cables look just like composite cables. The difference is that, where a composite cable carries the entire video signal on a single cable, whereas composite and S-Video cables use only one cable for video, component cables separate the video signal into three separate signals. This connection gives a superior image over composite or S-video connections. These signals are designated blue, red, and green to show how in the video world color is represented by these three colors or a combination of them. Doing this enables better color and video representation with less distortion.

DVI Cables

There are three different types of DVI cable connections: DVI-A, DVI-D, and DVI-I. DVI-A (the A stands for Analog) allows a high resolution analog video signal to be sent from a digital source. DVI-D (the D stands for Digital) allows for a digital-to-digital connection between components without having to convert the source signal to analog and then changing it back to digital when it gets to the receiver. This Cable provides a connection for a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) to a digital flat-panel display (DFP) with a micro-density ribbon (MDR) for connecting HDTV tuners to a plasma tv or video projector. DVI transmits an uncompressed digital video signal to a plasma display, lcd or video projector.

This eliminates the plaguing problem of signal degradation that was associated with obtaining a digital-to-digital connection previously. DVI-I (I stands for Integrated) enables sending either a digital or analog video signal on the condition that both the source and the receiver are either either digital or both analog.

HDMI/DVI Cables

This cable connects DVI devices to HDMI devices such as DVD, satellite boxes, LCD, projectors, plasma and HDTVs. HDMI provides an interface between any HDMI-enabled source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver, video monitor, and projector for Video only.

HDMI is very similar to DVI in that both are concerned with sending digital signals. Whereas DVI only sends video signals, HDMI will send video as well as audio signals. Since HDMI cable transfers multichannel audio along with video in the same cable, the need for multiple audio cables and then also the need for a large number of ports on the rear or side of your projector or flat screen is eliminated. Although a relatively new (just a couple of years) technology, HDMI is increasingly being found and demanded as a connection type.