Tune In to HDTV Connectors
By Lynda Nolen, Bishop & Associates Inc.

The move to HDTV is a boon for interconnect manufacturers; there are more interconnects found on high definition LCD and plasma TVs, and additional interconnect opportunities in home entertainment centers. As shown below, the number and types of interconnects found on consumer television sets have increased drastically as we make the move from analog to digital.

      

HDMI Connectors
This High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the key to high-definition television, and can also be found on Blu-ray players and in many DVD players. This connection carries both audio and video digitally, and is equipped with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) copy protection. HDMI connectors are available in both full size and mini. The mini version allows digital camcorders and digital cameras with HDMI “C,” or mini ports, to connect to HDTVs or audio visual receivers with full-size HDMI “A” ports.

Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connectors – Although not as popular as the HDMI connector, many HDTVs also have a DVI connector. Most DVI connectors on high-definition televisions are the DVI-D type, allowing the connector to carry 100 percent video, or the DVI-I type, which allows both digital and analog capability. It is important to note which type of DVI connector is being used because, as shown below, there are a variety of pin counts and layouts. DVI connectors are popular for connecting digital cable and satellite tuners, as well as DVD players.

Apple has been a leading proponent of DVI for its computer products. However, Apple is moving to display port connections on its iMacs and MacBooks. It is unclear what impact this may have on HDTV. It is likely, however, that display port connections will start appearing on HDTVs, as well as on LCD monitors, in the future.

IEEE1394 – Commonly referred to as “Firewire” or “iLink,” the IEEE1394 connector carries both digital video and audio signals. These connectors generally allow you to connect a high-definition device, such as a DVD recorder and digital camcorders, to your HDTV.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) – One of the newer connections found on HDTVs, the USB connection, allows users to connect a wireless adapter for Internet access, as well as connect personal computers, digital cameras, and other similar devices.

  

Ethernet Connectors – Ethernet connectors are used to connect your HDTV to a home network. This is accomplished by either connecting the LAN port on the back of the television directly to a router, or to an Ethernet wall jack. The LAN port generally has LEDs, which indicate a connection.

One or More Banks of Jacks – These banks of jacks are composed of composite video, analog audio, and component video jacks. Composite video is a low bandwidth analog connection and is generally colored-coded yellow. Analog audio jacks, which are generally in the same cable bundle as the composite video, are color-coded red and white (red for right stereo, white for left stereo). Component video jacks, generally labeled “Y,” “Pb,” and “Pr,” support a much wider range of resolutions than composite video connections. Anytime you are using a composite or component video connection, you will always have to also use the analog audio connection, since these carry only video signals.

    

D-Subminiature – With the use of a VGA, RGB, or 15-position D-subminiature connector, you can turn your HDTV into a PC monitor by connecting your personal computer or laptop to your HDTV. Similar to component video connections, the RGB connector sends the red, green, and blue components of the video signal in an analog format along separate paths. A VGA connector carries a digital signal.

Other possible interconnects found on HDTVs and home entertainment centers include:

▪ Optical Digital Jacks

▪ S-Video Jack

 ▪ F-Connector

 

Inside the Box
There are numerous internal connectors in HDTV systems that are application-specific, including:

  • LCD display interconnects are discrete wire or flexible printed circuit connectors (FPC), some of these connections are for the new super-thin LCDs.

  • PCB, wire-to-board, and board-to-board connectors, which include discrete wire, ribbon, and flex connections.

  • Micro-coax connectors

  • Posts and headers

  • Memory card slots

  • Card edge and other connector types associated with plug-in cards.

Lynda Nolen
Product Specialist, Bishop & Associates Inc.
 Lynda Nolen has been in the interconnect industry for over 28 years. She has worked in sales, sales management, marketing, and product management for such companies as TRW Electronics Components Group, Sunbelt Components, Cinch Connectors, Arrow Electronics, PEI Genesis, and Delphi Interconnect. Nolen has extensive experience in competitive cross-referencing, drawing, web and catalog review, new product introduction programs, harness and connector assembly programs, account management, and customer service programs. Lynda received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island in 1979, and has completed various electrical engineering courses.
 
 

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