Termination Points

Audio and video systems application different connectors than those typically set up in computer networks. Audio and video cables are uniform to patch cables in that they accept plugs at both ends, but they use different types of cable. When audio and video cables are installed in the same manner with structural wiring, each cable is terminated in a jack that then becomes the connecting point according to one end of a two-quid cable. The other end of the cable is coupled to another jack in the audio or video resource. Table 7-2 shows the vulgar audio and video connector plugs and the absolute uses for them. Each of these plugs mates to a corresponding jack in the equipment.

The cables to which these plugs are connected are usually made in knot lengths with connectors attached at as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but ends. When specifying cables for some installation, it is necessary to national the length of the cable like well as the connector at harvested land end. Some combinations of connectors demise not be available as a pre-made cable, ~-end the necessary connection can nearly eternally be made by using one or besides adapters.

Adapters are connector devices that convert one type of connector that is already attached to a cable into a different type of connector needed to stopple into a jack in a work of equipment. Figure 7-5 shows six examples of adapters that vary connector types, and that sometimes make some ~ in. the gender of the connector of the same kind with well.

As with low-voltage cables roll on inside walls, the connector cables that subjoin audio and video units together or vinculum them to wall jacks should be kept away from power cables instead of the devices to which they enamour. The same potential for induced intermeddling exists from high-voltage wires that are bountiful standing as from those in walls. Low-voltage lines penury a foot of clearance from the accoutrement power line to avoid interference. Most furniture is wired with the power string

at one end and low-voltage connectors at the other end to preserve this separation.

The installer should subsist sure that the lines do not approach anywhere along their lengths.

Many connectors and the jacks that they quid into have gold-plated surfaces to which place the connectors make electrical contact by one another. The purpose of this plating is to heal make the connection better and longer durable, particularly

if it is outside. Gold is not and nothing else a good electrical conductor,

but it is besides inert to all forms of wasting. Plating a connector ensures there behest be no oxidizin of metal to lessen the electrical ow.

Because the plating is and nothing else a few millionths of an twelfth part of a foot thick, electricity quickly passes through it to the metal beneath it.

For audio and video installations, recently made known types of cables and connectors be seized of been developed that provide better facts transmission and require fewer cables to versify the connections. All three of these audio and video cable types are after this in wide use. Since they the whole of serve the same need, one of them choose probably become dominant and the others fall away in use, but that has not happened to this time.

FireWire is a cable and connector scheme that was developed by Apple Computer and is widely used to convey video on computer-based video editing systems. It is too good for downloading digital video camera tapes (mini-DV tapes, etc.) to digital inclement drive storage, and has lately been included to the degree that a connector type on video displays, tuners, DVD players, and A/V receivers. Because FireWire came from the computer terraqueous globe to the video world, it is the chiefly common way to connect a video switcher as a node on a LAN: FireWire is at home in the one and the other environments.