Cables play a vital role in connecting our devices and enabling communication and data transfer. This article will provide an expert-level overview of 12 major cable types, from the common HDMI cable used to connect TVs and media devices, to the more specialized coaxial cables used for satellite and cable TV connections.
For each cable, I will cover its history and intended purpose, key capabilities and specifications, typical use cases, and provide recommendations on the best cables to purchase. Diagrams, comparison charts, and answers to frequently asked questions will help summarize the key differences and help you select the right cable for your needs.
Brief History of Cable Technology
Cables as we know them today trace their origins back to the 19th century and the early days of the telegraph and telephone industries. Some key developments include:
- 1830s – First commercial electrical telegraph systems developed using copper wiring
- 1880s – Telephone systems adopt copper cables to transmit voice calls
- Mid 20th century – Coaxial cable introduced, allowing long distance transmission of television signals
- Late 20th century – Fiber optic cables developed, enabling ultra high speed data transmission via light signals
- Early 21st century – Higher bandwidth cable types like HDMI, Ethernet Cat 6/7/8 widely adopted
As consumer technology has evolved, cabling solutions have increased speed, bandwidth, connectivity options and overall functionality dramatically. Understanding modern cable capabilities helps craft seamless wired connectivity.
HDMI Cable
HDMI or High Definition Multimedia Interface cables are now the standard for connecting high definition A/V components like Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, PCs, receivers and TVs.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: Type A/Type C
- Year Introduced: 2003
- Maximum Resolution: Up to 8K
- Audio Support: Yes
- Max Length: ~15 meters passive
HDMI supports ultra high definition video formats up to 8K resolution and bandwidth up to 48 Gbit/sec. It also transmits digital audio signals, making separate audio cabling unnecessary in most use cases.
With uncompressed 4K video requiring over 17 Gbit/sec bandwidth, the 48 Gbit/sec total capacity leaves ample room for future needs. Higher resolutions, HDR video and more audio channels should be supported for years to come with the current specification.
Backward compatibility and simple connector design also means you probably already own HDMI cables for current entertainment systems and displays. Look for "High Speed HDMI cables" or better for 4K video needs.
Ethernet Cable
Ethernet cables are used primarily for wired computer networking and telecommunication installations.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Year Introduced: Early 1980s
- Maximum Speed: Cat 5 – 100 Mbps, Cat 6 – 1 Gbps, Cat 7 – 10 Gbps
- Audio Support: No
- Max Length: 100 meters
While largely supplanted by WiFi in many home applications, Ethernet continues to provide faster, more reliable and secure connectivity for wired networks.
Successive category updates like Cat 5, Cat 6 and Cat 7 boast improved transmission speeds and noise rejection, with Cat 8 now reaching 40 Gbit/sec speeds. Ethernet cable length is limited to just 100 meters between connections however. durability, shielding protection and connector quality also vary greatly between cable builds.
Look closely at those specifics when purchasing Ethernet patch cables and longer runs of bulk cable for wiring offices, NAS storage or entertainment centers into a high speed wired network.
VGA Cable
VGA or Video Graphics Array cables were long the standard for connecting PCs and monitors.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: DE-15 / HD-15
- Year Introduced: 1987
- Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1200 (lower for long cable runs)
- Audio Support: No
- Max Length: ~10 feet
The analog VGA interface has now largely been replaced by digital alternatives like HDMI and DisplayPort. But many projectors and even modern TVs include VGA input options on them, making these cables still handy for connecting laptops or older video sources.
Monitors over 20” however may require dual-link DVI or HDMI cables to correctly display maximum resolutions. With no audio capacity, a separate audio output and cabling solution is also required. Strict length limitations also constrain placement options.
For those legacy needs however, this simple 15-pin connector continues to deliver.
DVI Cable
DVI or Digital Video Interface cables bridge analog VGA and modern all-digital interfaces like HDMI.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: DVI-I, DVI-D
- Year Introduced: 1999
- Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (single link); higher (dual link)
- Audio Support: No
- Max Length: ~15 feet
This interface supports both digital and VGA analog video signals to accommodate either display type on the other end. However audio transmission capabilities are still absent.
Support for very high WQHD resolutions make these cables most relevant for high-end PC gaming and monitors. HDMI supersedes DVI capabilities otherwise, garnering broader device support and inclusion of audio. As older gateway products however, DVI cables can come in handy making modern sources compatible with aging monitors.
3.5 mm Audio Cable
The ubiquitous 3.5mm audio jack and associated cables connect headphones, speakers, microphones and other analog audio devices into computers, phones, tablets, audio receivers and similar host devices.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: TRS / TRRS
- Year Introduced: 1964
- Maximum Channels: 2
- Audio Support: Yes
- Max Length: ~10 feet
Often referred to as a “headphone jack”, “aux input” or “mic jack”, the iconic 3.5mm audio port is found on practically every audio/video component and mobile device. Available in both analog and digital transport options, these tiny cables deliver big connectivity.
Look for gold plated connectors with beefier than normal cabling for home and recording studio usage where cable durability is paramount. Pay particular attention to TRS vs TRRS requirements for input vs output devices as well.
MIDI Cable
MIDI or Musical Instrument Digital Interface cables link electronic musical instruments like synthesizers and controllers to computers and iOS devices for playing, editing and recording audio.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: 5-pin DIN
- Year Introduced: 1983
- Maximum Channels: 1
- Audio Support: No (control data only)
- Max Length: ~15 feet
This one cable provides 16 available channels of simultaneous instrument communication. Synthesizers and other MIDI devices require both In and Out connections via separate cables. Extenders can be employed for runs over 15 feet.
Durability and connector quality are again important considerations for studio usage. Gold plated connectors help avoid corrosion for pristine signal transfer between devices.
USB Cable
USB or Universal Serial Bus cables provide wired connectivity between computers/devices and peripherals like printers, phones, flash drives and more.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: USB-A, USB-B, USB-C
- Year Introduced: 1996
- Maximum Speed: USB 2.0 – 480 Mbps, USB 3.0 – 5 Gbps, USB 3.1 – 10 Gbps, USB 4 – 40 Gbps
- Audio Support: No (data transfer only)
- Max Length: 16 feet
As a near universal connectivity standard found on virtually every modern computing device, USB cables offer simple plug-and-play installation of accessories and peripherals.
Higher speed generations up to USB 3.0/3.1 and now USB 4 provide ever increasing data transfer rates. At up to 40 Gbit/sec, the latest USB 4 cables approach Thunderbolt 3 speeds. USB-C connector versions offer smaller, reversible plug orientation as well.
With such ubiquitous use, keep USB cable length, speed rating and build quality in mind for optimal device support possibilities now and into the future.
PS/2 Cable
PS/2 connector cables link keyboards and mice with desktop computer motherboards in older IBM PC-compatible systems.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: 6-pin Mini-DIN
- Year Introduced: 1987
- Maximum Speed: 20 MHz
- Audio Support: No
- Max Length: ~8 feet
This legacy interface paired well with serial and early USB ports, linking input devices with desktop PCs. Color coded green and purple connector variants ensured proper device pairing.
Lacking audio capacity, strictly bound to input device communication and with length restrictions, the PS/2 interface ultimately gave way to USB as the preferred option. But with simple and proven legacy support, keep a PS/2 keyboard or mouse adapter handy for potential older motherboard conflicts.
Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic cabling connects networked devices using light through glass or plastic fibers rather than traditional metal wire electrical signaling.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: LC, ST, MTRJ, SC
- Year Introduced: 1970s
- Maximum Speed: 1Tbps+
- Audio Support: No
- Max Length: Hundreds+ meters
Immune to electromagnetic interference and electrical current issues, Fiber optic data transmission provides instaneous cross country and global communication. Fibers support staggering bandwidth, with current fiber backbone and interconnect systems transmitting over a Terabit per second.
While fiber cannot directly connect to consumer devices designed for electrical inputs, fiber to copper media conversion bridges this last mile gap. Gradually replacing metal connections to link cell towers, computer networks and even continental internet backbones, the glass pipeline fuels global communications.
RCA Cable
RCA or Radio Corporation of America cables carry analog stereo audio and composite video signals between home A/V components.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: RCA jack
- Year Introduced: Early 1940s
- Maximum Resolution: 480i
- Audio Support: Yes
- Max Length: ~15 feet
Color coded red and white plugs transmit left and right stereo audio channels, while yellow carries standard definition composite video sources like VCRs or older video game systems.
Superseded by digital HDMI interconnection in most applications, RCA cables still deliver adequate SD video and stereo audio transfer between older A/V devices. Just don‘t expect HD support through this legacy analog interface.
Gold plated plugs and contacts maintain optimal signal transfer between devices in fixed installations. Flexible thin gauge cabling suits most standard A/V racks and furniture access needs.
Thunderbolt 3 Cable
Thunderbolt 3 cables provide high speed, flexible device connectivity and power delivery to compatible USB Type-C host ports.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: USB-C
- Year Introduced: 2015
- Maximum Speed: 40 Gbps
- Audio Support: Yes
- Max Length: 2 meters
Blending ultra-fast USB 3.1 data transfer, DisplayPort 1.2 video output, PCI Express device expansion and power over a USB Type-C connector, Thunderbolt 3 elegantly links everything from storage drives to interfaces and displays over a single compact cable.
Daisy chaining permits connecting up to six peripherals through hubs off a single host port as well. This allows decluttering workstation setups by removing separate power and video cables for a clean, single connection workflow.
With a major caveat being the 2 meter length restriction. Ensure your Thunderbolt 3 hosts and devices are appropriately adjacent for productive linking.
Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cables carry antenna, cable TV, satellite and CCTV signals within metal conductor shielding protections.
Key Details:
- Connector Type: F-type, BNC, RCA
- Year Introduced: 1920s
- Maximum Speed: ~10 Gbps
- Audio Support: Yes
- Max Length: ~100 meters
Coax provides noise and interference rejection across long cable runs where external signals could diminish quality. This makes the medium ideal for carrying signals down from rooftop antennas or from distant network infrastructure like cable TV plants.
Connecting modems, set top boxes, televisions and connecting components is made simple with ubiquitous F-type screw threads or push-click BNC and RCA connectors. RG-6 grade shielding presents a happy medium between signal strength, transmission distance, flexibility and cost.
Final Thoughts
That covers the primary wired cable options for effectively linking devices and components together in 2023 and beyond. While wireless and cloud connectivity garners more consumer attention, quality cabling remains critical to enabling those higher technologies and workflows.
With the overview of cable categories and capabilities detailed above, you can now better match cables to intended uses, ensuring reliable device interoperability and future-proof installations. For mission critical connections like data and power transmission, never compromise on cable quality and rating to guarantee solid stability.
While new transfer protocols and connectors continue to emerge, proven copper and fiber cabling form the supply line of innovation. Understanding those foundations permits fully harnessing new potential as it arrives.
