The standard provides simultaneous transmission visual and audio information over one cable, it is designed for TV and cinema, but PC users can also use it to output video data using the HDMI connector.
HDMI is another try standardization universal connection for digital audio and video applications. It immediately received strong support from the giants. electronics industry(the group of companies developing the standard includes such companies as Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Panasonic, Thomson, Philips, and Silicon Image), and most modern devices high resolution output has at least one such connector. HDMI allows copy-protected audio and video to be transmitted digital format over a single cable, the first revision standard is based on 5 Gb / s bandwidth, and HDMI 1.3 has extended this limit to 10.2 Gb / s.
HDMI 1.3 is the latest specification of the standard with increased interface bandwidth, increased clock frequency up to 340 MHz, allowing you to connect high-definition displays that support large quantity colors (formats with color depth up to 48-bit). New version specifications define and support new Dolby standards for lossless compressed audio quality. In addition, other innovations appeared, in specification 1.3 a new connector was described, which was smaller in size compared to the original.
In principle, the presence of an HDMI connector on a video card is completely optional; it is successfully replaced by an adapter from DVI to HDMI. It is uncomplicated and therefore included with most modern video cards... Moreover, on video cards of the HDMI series, the connector is demanded primarily on cards of medium and lower levels, which are installed in small and quiet barebones used as media centers. Due to onboard audio, the Radeon HD 2400 and HD 2600 graphics cards have definite advantage for collectors of similar multimedia centers.
Based on materials from the website of the company iXBT.com
The motherboard of the computer is equipped with a huge, by the standards inexperienced users, quantity connectors... They are located as inside system unit and on back panel computer. Connectors on the front are often duplicate back with some exceptions.
It is worth noting that the ports of a laptop are practically no different from a computer, we will also consider them below.
A large square with many holes in the center of the motherboard is used for connecting processor... Above, after connecting the CPU is installed fan cooling.
It is worth noting that for each type of such a connector there is a list of supported processors. Therefore, when buying a CPU, you should pay attention to socket, otherwise the new acquisition simply will not fit into this connector.
Processor connector
Installing a graphics card
Below, under the processor, you can see a number of slots of different lengths. These are the connectors PCIexpress... Previously, this part of the board had a connector AGP, but it is morally outdated and now practically not used.
PCIExpress today is subdivided into x1, x4, x16... The video card is inserted into PCIExpressx16, the rest are now used quite rarely, but, nevertheless, they are present on many models of motherboards. They establish additional cards, such as sound, network, etc.
Video card connectors RAM
On the right side, there are several long connectors, into which you can install operational p memory. RAM is currently subdivided into DDR1, DDR2, DDR3... DDR 1 and 2 are obsolete and are not used on new computers. It is also worth noting that these connectors are not compatible with each other. Those. DDR3 cannot be set to DDR2 and vice versa.
It is worth paying attention to colors slots - this is how channels are allocated. Therefore, several planks random access memory are not installed in a row, but focusing on these colors.
RAM slots HDD
To connect this device use the interface SATA... They are located on the right side of the board. Today there are three versions: SATA 1.0, SATA 2.0, SATA 3.0... They are compatible with each other and differ only the baud rate.
SATA interfaces Interfaces IDE and FDD are rare. Old models of hard drives worked on IDE, and the floppy drive through FDD... Currently, they are practically not used.
IDE connectors Power connection
On the motherboard there are two connectors for the mandatory power connection. The first one is located near the RAM and contains 20 or 24 contact. If power is not connected to it, the board will not work.
Motherboard power In addition, next to the processor 4 or 6 pin port for power connection processor... Without it, the computer will also not work.
Processor power Cooling computer components
Without cooling, the computer will not be able to work long time... Therefore, there are several special connectors on the board, where you can connect coolers... One of them is designed for connecting processor cooling, and the rest for ordinary fans. 
Rear panel of the system unit
If you pay attention to back part motherboard, here you can see many ports for peripherals
PS / 2
Used to connect mice and keyboards... Morally outdated and rarely used. Many new boards are not supplied with them.
PS / 2 connector COM and LPT
LPT- it parallel port, a COM- consistent. Now they are used very rarely, and it is almost impossible to see them on new board models. At one time they were used for connectivity peripherals currently using USB.
Com port
USB ports
The most popular ports through which you can connect almost everything. Differ in speed. Now used USB 2.0 and USB 3.0... They can be distinguished by their color: Blue- USB 3.0, and black- 2.0. they differ in speed and are compatible with each other.
USB connectors
Network usage
There is a port not far from the USB Ethernet to connect to the network. To connect, use cables crimped with connectors RJ-45.
Ethernet connector Audio connectors
All motherboards are equipped with an input for connection speakers and microphone... Depending on the motherboard, their number varies from 3 to 6. Sometimes it is difficult for the user to figure out what and where to connect. For this there is a standard color scheme (In the driver settings, in some cases, the ports can be reassigned):
Video connectors
There can be several of them, and they can be located as on motherboard and on video card... Used to connect a monitor or other similar device.
The most common analog output VGA- to connect outdated monitors.
VGA Connector Now digital output is widespread DVI, but it also gradually gives way to the connector HDMI.
DVI connector HDMI- used on almost all modern monitors and video cards. Transmits a signal high definition(FullHD 1920х1080), and it can transmit both video and audio over one cable.
HDMI connection Worth mentioning DisplayPort, which is gradually gaining popularity. It is identical HDMI, but it is much cheaper to use it in production. In addition, a port appeared on the market Thunderbolt which replaced DisplayPort. It looks the same and is fully compatible, but Thunderbolt has a faster data transfer rate, which allows it to display a picture with resolution 5K, or 4K on two monitors.
Thunderbolt connector Other connectors
Occasionally, system units are equipped with card readers that allow you to read information from memory cards. It is located on the front panel.
Card reader Another rare port is IEEE 1394 also called Firewire... Used to connect digital devices such as photo and video cameras. Less often others connect through it peripherals- printers, scanners, disks, etc.
Laptop connectors
Laptops have significantly fewer external ports than computers. This is due to them design... There are not many differences, so let's just list the ports, and their description can be found above.
- VGA, DVI or HDMI for monitor
- USB for the respective devices
- IEEE1394 for photo or video camera. Very rare on top models.
- Card reader found on almost all laptops. Serves for reading memory cards.
- COM and LPT- are very rare. New models are practically not equipped with them.
The following ports are found only on laptops:
Mobile device users in the 2000s had a hard time - they had to put up with the so-called proprietary... The phones of each manufacturer were equipped with unique charging connectors - as a result, the charger, for example, for Nokia did not work with a Motorola phone. It got to the point of absurdity - when for two phones of the same manufacturer (Finnish) it was necessary to look for different charging device... User discontent was so strong that the European Parliament was forced to intervene.
Now the situation is fundamentally different: almost all smartphone manufacturers equip their gadgets with ports for chargers. one type... The user no longer has to buy a new memory "in addition" to the phone.
USB cables can be used not only to transfer data from a PC to a gadget, but also to charge a mobile device. Smartphones are able to replenish the "reserves" of the battery both from the outlet and from the computer, but in the second case, charging will take significantly longer. Traditional USB cable for smartphone with Android or with Windows Phone as follows:
There is a standard plug at one of its ends. USB 2.0 Type-A:
This plug fits into a USB port on your computer or laptop.
At the other end of the wire is a plug microUSB.
It is accordingly inserted into micro USB connector on a mobile device.
It is micro-USB 2.0 that is now a unified connector: you can find it on smartphones and tablets of almost all manufacturers mobile technology(excluding Apple). The interface standardization agreement was signed in 2011 by representatives of 13 companies leading in the mobile market.
The choice fell on Micro-USB for a number of reasons:
- The connector is compact... His physical dimensions are only 2 × 7 millimeters - this is about 4 times less than that of USB 2.0 Type-A.
- The plug is robust- especially when compared to Nokia's slim charger.
- The connector is capable of providing high data transfer rates. Theoretically, the transfer speed via Micro-USB when using the 2.0 standard can reach 480 Mbps. Actual speed much lower (10-12 Mbps in Full speed), but users rarely find this inconvenient.
- The connector supports OTG function. We'll tell you more about the benefits of this later.
Competition micro-USB in the fight for the role of a standard connector could impose Mini-USB... The mini plug looks like this:
This kind of USB connector did not fit as standard, and here's why:
- Bigger connector- albeit not much. Its size is 3 × 7 millimeters.
- The connector is fragile enough- due to the lack of rigid mountings, it loosens very quickly. As a result, the transmission of data through the cable becomes a real torment for the user.
In the 2000s, a mini-USB connector could be found on smartphones manufactured by "second-class" manufacturers - for example, Philips and Alcatel... Now mobile gadgets with a mini-connector you will not find on the market.
In addition to those USB ports that we mentioned (Micro-USB, Mini-USB, USB Type-A), there are others. For instance, micro- USB standard 3.0 can be used to connect to PC hard drives, a USB Type-B(square shape) – for musical instruments(in particular, MIDI keyboards). These connectors are not directly related to mobile technology (except for Galaxy Note 3 c USB 3.0), so we will not talk about them in more detail.
What are USB cables for smartphones?
Thanks to the inexhaustible imagination of Chinese handicraftsmen, users of mobile technology can buy cables of completely different formations. For example, in the proprietary era, such a "monster" was incredibly popular:
Yes, this charger fit all main connectors!
Similar "multitools" are still on sale, but their plugs have diminished. Here is a 4-in-1 charger that can be ordered for less than 200 rubles:
This charger is equipped with all modern plugs - Lightning, 30Pin (both for iPhone), microUSB, USB 3.0. Definitely a "must-have" for the user!
There are other interesting options as well. Here is the cable from OATSBASF for those who hate cables:
This cable allows two mobile devices to be recharged from a computer. simultaneously(for example, the 5th iPhone and Android) and has a very tempting price - just over 100 rubles.
In domestic stores and salons, the user, of course, will not find such an abundance of various cables as on the pages of catalogs GearBest and AliExpress... In addition, Data-equipment in retail is much more expensive. For these two reasons, users are advised to order USB cables from China.
What is OTG standard?
Surely many have seen such a cable and wondered what it is for:
This is a cable OTG; at one end of it there is a plug micro-USB, on the second - the connector USB 2.0, "Mother". Using such a cable, you can connect a USB flash drive to a smartphone or tablet, but only if mobile device supports the standard OTG.
OTG(short for On-the-go) Is a function designed to quickly connect 2 USB devices to each other, without the mediation of a computer. Connect by OTG you can not only a flash drive (although this is, of course, the most common case), but also, for example, computer mouse, keyboard, external HDD, game steering wheel, joystick. You can even connect your smartphone to a printer or MFP to print a picture taken with the gadget's camera.
Cables OTG for the iPhone have already appeared, but download to the "apple" device (without jailbreak) with external media it turns out only photos and videos - and then only when root folders on the flash drive and the photos themselves have the "correct" names.
Full list of smartphones that support the function OTG, no - simply because almost everyone can boast of having this standard modern gadgets and the list would be huge. Nevertheless, a buyer intending to connect a mouse or a flash drive to a device should ask the consultant of the salon-store for support. OTG before giving money - "for every fireman."
USB Type-C: what are the benefits?
Transition from micro-USB on this new trend the mobile electronics market! Manufacturers are actively mastering the technology and equipping their flagship models advanced connectors for charging and data transfer. USB Type-C waited a long time "in the shadows": the connector was created back in 2013, but only in 2016 did the market leaders pay attention to it.
Looks like USB Type-C So:
What are the benefits Type-C in front of everyone familiar micro-USB?
- High speed data transmission... Bandwidth Type-C equals 10 Gb / sec (!). But that's only throughput : in reality, only owners of smartphones with standard USB 3.1- For example, Nexus 6P and 5X... If the gadget uses the standard USB 3.0, the speed will be around 5 Gb / s; at USB 2.0 data transfer will be significantly slower.
- Fast charging... The duration of the smartphone charging procedure depends on the potential number of watts supplied by the connector. USB 2.0 standard able to serve everything 2.5W- that's why charging takes hours. Connector USB Type-C provides 100 watts- that is, 40 times (!) More. It is curious that the transfer of current can occur in both directions - both to the host and from it.
- Connector symmetry... If the connector has micro-USB there is a top and a bottom, then the connector Type-C symmetrical. Which side to insert it into the connector does not matter. From this point of view, technology USB Type-C similar to Lightning from Apple.
Dignity Type-C is also the small size of the connector - only 8.4 × 2.6 mm. According to this criterion, technologies micro-USB and USB Type-C are similar.
Have USB Type-C There are also disadvantages, one of which is more than significant. Due to the unregulated operation of the connector, charging can easily "fry" a mobile device. This probability is not purely theoretical - fires have occurred in practice. It is for this reason that the proliferation of non-original, "artisanal" cables and chargers USB Type-C Type-C and decide to abandon the standard connector. At the same time, Ravencraft admits that, possibly, a complete substitution USB-A will never happen.
This article will be useful to those who are thinking about purchasing a new monitor or replacing an old video adapter. The monitor connector may not match the available graphics adapter interfaces. In addition, the image quality depends on the type of connector, and each type of cable has its own critical length.
Before it was enough to connect a monitor to a computer VGA connector. Today at daily life such interfaces as DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort come. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when upgrading your PC. You should know everything about the monitor connector: types, adapters, connection.
1. VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector – analog standard designed for monitors with an extension of 640 * 480. When increasing the resolution, the quality digital pictures worsens. To obtain high quality images, digital connectors are required.
2. Digital DVI interface(Digital Visual Interface) transmits video signal in digital format and provides high quality digital image... The interface is compatible with the analog VGA connector (transmits both digital and analog signals at the same time). Inexpensive video cards are equipped with a DVI-output with a single-link modification ( Single Link). V in this case the resolution of the monitor is 1920 * 1080. More expensive models are equipped with a dual-channel interface ( Dual Link) and can support resolutions up to 2560 * 1600. A mini-DVI interface has been developed for the laptop.
3. Multimedia digital interface With high resolution HDMI ( High definition Multimedia Interface) most commonly used in home entertainment devices ( flat tv, blu-ray players). The monitor connector also maintains the high quality of the original signal. Along with this interface was developed and new technology HDCP, which protects content from exact copy, for example, the same video materials.
Since 2003 (the year of creation), the interface has been modified several times, adding support for video and audio formats. A miniaturized interface has been created for small models of equipment. Many devices are equipped with it.
4. DisplayPort (DP)- a new digital interface for connecting graphics adapters with display devices. Current version allows the connection of multiple monitors, provided they are serial connection in a chain.
On the this moment There are few devices with such a port, but DP has a great future. Its improved DP ++ model (this designation can be seen on the connectors of laptops or computers) allows you to connect monitors with HDMI or DVI interfaces.
5. USB (3.0): USB connectivity was made possible when the high-speed version 3.0 was introduced. Using the DisplayLink adapter, you can connect a monitor with a DVI / HDMI connector to USB port laptop or computer.
How to "fit" the monitor and video card connector?
The most common affordable adapter for today is DVI-I / VGA. There are converters that convert the output digital signal to analog (for example, DisplayPort / VGA), but this option is much more expensive.
However, there are a few other things to consider when choosing an adapter. Some of them take away some of the benefits of the existing interface. For example, if you connect the HDMI connector of a monitor or TV to the DVI connector, there will be no sound.
Feature of connector versionshdmi
When docking devices with different versions HDMI interfaces, the devices will only function early version... For example, when connecting a 3D TV that supports HDMI version 1.4 to a graphics card with HDMI 1.2, all 3D games will only be displayed in 2D.
If such a situation arises, you can replace the driver on the video card with a newer one. Using 3DTV Play, you can display 3D graphics on your own TV.
Which monitor connector should I choose?
According to testing data, VGA interfaces show the lowest display quality. For a monitor with a diagonal of more than 17 inches and a resolution of more than 1024 * 786, it is recommended to use the DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort connectors.
How to connect a monitor and laptop?
To connect your laptop to an external monitor, you must use the available connectors. Then it will be possible, using the combination of buttons "Fn + F8", to switch between the following modes.
You can use an external monitor as main... In this case, the image will be displayed only on external monitor, and on the laptop display the picture will be completely absent (convenient for watching movies).
You can use an external monitor in clone mode, i.e. the same image will be displayed both on the laptop screen and on an external monitor / TV (convenient for seminars and presentations).
Multi-screen mode allows you to increase the size of the desktop (stretch), using multiple monitors (useful when typing and viewing messages).
Maximum cable length
The length of the cable depends on the type of connection. At DVI-DVI connection, the maximum allowable cable length is 10 m.With DVI-HDMI connections - no more than 5 m.When connections using the DisplayPort connector - no more than 3 m maximum speed data transmission. If you want to transfer information to greater distance, you will have to resort to the help of a signal amplifier.
When purchasing a video cable, choose well-shielded models. This will help avoid the negative influence of nearby electronic devices on the quality of the transmitted video signal. Using a poor quality cable may slow down the video bit rate. This, in turn, can lead to the appearance of an intermittent image (aliasing) on the screen. 
Pay attention to the presence of gold-plated contacts in the monitor connector. They counteract the appearance of corrosion in places with high humidity air. In addition, these contacts reduce the resistance between the plug and the connector, thereby improving the quality of data transfer.
From this article you will learn about what the external connectors of a computer are, where they are located and what they are for, as well as get acquainted with such concepts as “mother” connector and “father” connector. Before starting to read the article, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the materials:
Devices in the computer exchange data, the "brain" and the distributor of data streams are located in the system unit. In the article dedicated to it, you could see power cables and data cables that are used for internal devices... Everything is the same with the outside. In general, a cable is usually used to connect one device to another. Why usually? Because there is technology wireless transmission data: you may have already seen computer mouse or a keyboard that does not pull the wire. And if you have not seen, then curiosity in the computer store. However, the pleasure of not using wires is quite expensive at the moment. Therefore, the question arises where to connect these wires. On the back and front external panel system unit of the computer, you can see many different holes, some are round or irregular shape with holes, some elongated - all this connectors(or nests). They are what you need in order to connect external devices... Let's use jargon but useful words like connector - "mother"- with holes for pins connector - "daddy".
There are, of course, many connectors, different types , but it is almost impossible to get confused and connect something to the wrong place. Firstly, the pins of the "daddy" must match the nests of the "mom", and secondly, the shape of the nest itself often suggests how it should be, so that we do not confuse the top and bottom, and thirdly, some connectors "mom" and "dad" marked with the same color, to again make our life easier with you. The latter include, as a rule, the old-type keyboard and mouse connectors (round, we will talk about connecting the keyboard and mouse separately, just in case), as well as headphones and a microphone. Another feature of the connectors is that they are on their own metal strip for each device. Let's take a look at the photo:
from bottom to top there are strips with connectors different boards... Network first, then video cards, who have sound card, there will be another strip. Remember we looked inside and saw these boards? Then there is a large strip on top, there are heaps of connectors for the keyboard and mouse (on top), amplifiers (headphones) and a microphone on the bottom. Also, there are such flat connectors, somewhere I met their comparison with the beak of a duck and I really liked it, so you can remember it like that.
From this article you learned:
- What is a computer connector
- Where are the connectors
- What is female connector and male connector
