Cable & Connector Database

USB-C is the universal connector that isn't quite universal. The same physical connector supports wildly different capabilities depending on the cable, the port, and the protocol negotiated. This is both its greatest strength (one cable for everything) and its biggest source of confusion (which cable for what?).

USB-A is the original USB connector and remains ubiquitous on host devices. While being phased out in favor of USB-C, it will remain common for years due to the massive installed base. The connector was intentionally designed to be non-reversible to ensure proper power delivery orientation, though this is often cited as a design flaw compared to USB-C's reversibility.

USB-B was designed to prevent users from connecting two host devices together (which USB doesn't support). The distinct shape makes it obvious which end goes where. While being phased out in favor of USB-C, USB-B remains common on printers, audio equipment, and industrial devices where the larger, more robust connector is actually preferred.

DisplayPort is technically superior to HDMI for computer use, with higher bandwidth, daisy-chaining support, and royalty-free licensing. However, HDMI dominates consumer electronics. DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C is increasingly common, making USB-C the de facto DisplayPort connector on modern laptops. DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR 20 mode offers nearly 4x the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1.

DVI was the bridge between VGA and HDMI, introduced in 1999. It's largely obsolete now - most new equipment uses HDMI or DisplayPort. However, it remains common on older monitors and is still found on some professional equipment and KVM switches. The lack of audio support and bulky connector size contributed to its decline.

HDMI has been the dominant consumer A/V connector since the mid-2000s. The transition to HDMI 2.1 has been confusing because manufacturers can implement subsets of features. When buying a TV or monitor for gaming, verify specific feature support (VRR, ALLM, 4K@120Hz) rather than just checking for 'HDMI 2.1' branding.

The 3.5mm jack has been the universal audio connector for decades, but is being phased out of smartphones in favor of USB-C or wireless. The connector originated from 19th century telephone switchboards (the 6.35mm version) and was miniaturized for transistor radios in the 1950s. Despite being 'obsolete' it remains ubiquitous due to simplicity and universal compatibility.

The 6.35mm jack dates back to 1878 telephone switchboards, making it one of the oldest electrical connectors still in common use. Its durability and simplicity have kept it standard in professional audio and musical instruments. While consumer electronics moved to 3.5mm, the 1/4" connector remains dominant in professional audio where its larger size allows for more robust connections.

TOSLINK was developed by Toshiba in 1983 (Toshiba Link). It uses fiber optic cable to transmit digital audio, eliminating ground loops and electrical interference. While it can't match HDMI's bandwidth for lossless surround formats, it remains popular for TV-to-soundbar connections due to simplicity. The connector has a distinctive square shape, and you can often see red light when the cable is connected and active.

Barrel connectors are one of the most frustrating connector types due to complete lack of standardization. Dozens of sizes exist, polarity varies by manufacturer, and voltage ranges from 3V to 48V. The only way to know compatibility is to check all specifications. Despite this chaos, they remain common because they're cheap, simple, and adequate for low-power DC applications. USB-C Power Delivery is slowly replacing them.

IEC 60320 connectors standardized appliance power connections worldwide. The ingenious aspect is separating the appliance connector (universal) from the wall plug (country-specific), so manufacturers can ship one product globally with different power cables. C13/C14 dominates computing, while C19/C20 handles data center and high-power needs.

NEMA connectors are the North American standard, used in the US, Canada, Mexico, and some other countries. The system uses different physical configurations to prevent connecting devices to incompatible voltage/amperage circuits. The 14-50 outlet has become popular for EV charging since it's commonly available for RVs and electric ranges.