• Audio/visual connectors are manufactured according to the interface of the intended equipment.connectors image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  The types of ends of audio/visual connectors vary according to the interfaces of the devices they are intended for. Companies that produce electronic equipment take designing steps to insure that connectors easily plug into their equipment. A/V connectors are designed to be plugged into devices without having to worry about using tools and being particularly knowledgeable about the specifications of devices.
  
  

HDMI

• High Definition Multimedia Interface, or HDMI, is typically used with electronics like High Definition (HD) devices due to its superior audio and video performance. It supports high-bandwidth Digital Content Protection which is built into equipment to prevent the unauthorized copying of copy-protected material. Type A HDMI connectors have 19 pins that are set up to hold it in place using friction. The Type B connectors have 28 pins. but are not used with any devices available to consumers.
  
  

DVI-D Dual-link

• DVI interfaces are located on HDTVs and HD devices like satellite receivers and DVRs (Digital Video Recorders). It consists of three horizontal rows of 24 pins, and a thin, flat pin on the side known as a ground bar. The pins and the ground bar connect to two data links that can contain up to 10 gigabits per second or more of digital information. This is why it is called a dual-link, although it can also be used backwards when a single-link is needed.
  
  

HD15

• HD15 connectors have three rows of five pins. On male HD15 connectors, pin number 9 is usually missing. These connectors are also known as VGA (Video Graphics Array) connectors, although they support equipment capable of much higher resolutions. It is typically used as a connecting interface for video on monitors and computers. It is also used on HD displays and older models of cable boxes and satellite receivers.
  
  

TOSLINK

• TOSLINK is the registered trademark of an optical interface for digital audio that was produced by Toshiba. It was developed strictly for use with Toshiba CD players, but is now used on many other A/V applications from different manufacturers. The connector consists of a round optical conductor in a somewhat square frame. TOSLINK uses fiber optic cable.
  
  

F-Type

• F-Type connectors are threaded using coaxial cable and are usually screwed into place. They are round with the threaded cable peeking out of the middle to secure a connection when screwed in. However, some are not threaded and are just pushed into the receiving end. This connector is used mainly on cable boxes, satellite TV and antennas.
  
  

RCA

• This common connector has been used on audio devices since the 1940s and is named after the RCA Corporation. It often uses coaxial cables and is round with a metal tip in the middle and a metal ring around it that are separated with insulation. The smooth, rounded tip makes it easy to connect and disconnect from equipment. It is used mainly for consumer audio devices and rarely by professionals due to its poor filtering capabilities when compared with more advanced connectors.