ADC- Apple Display Connector, is a digital connection proprietary to Apple Computer used on Apple displays. This connector carries power, DVI-D signals and USB, and is compatible with DVI graphics cards.

BNC- Short for (Bayonet Neill Concelman) connector; used with coaxial cable assemblies. An alternative to RCA pin type connectors.

Converter- Electronic device used to convert from one type of signal to another for transmission.
See our full line of signal converters.

DFP- Original connector specified by the Digital Flat Panel Working Group and supporting digital only.

Distribution Amplifier- Electronic device used to connect an input to and switch between multiple outputs while also amplifying the signal for longer transmission.

Direct View- Type of display viewed on the electronic display device itself as opposed to projected onto a passive screen or through a passive lense.

Dual-Link- a digital interconnection architecture whereby there are two sets of RGB signals are driven by common single clock signal. For example, a Dual-Link DVI connection supports R1, G1, B1, and R2, G2, B2 all driven by a common clock signal. The advantage of a dual-link system is that twice the amount of data is moved per clock cycle; this is analogous to a 2 lane highway versus a single lane highway. In doing so, the clock and data rates are able to be kept at half the speed compared to single-link systems delivering the same amount of data per unit of time. Also see Single-Link.

DVI-D- (Digital Video Interface) Digital only connector that is the leading connector standard for a digital only connection. Standard specified connection by the Digital Display Working Group.
See our full line of DVI-D Cables.

DVI-I- (Digital Video Interface) Digital and analog connector that is specified standard by the Digital Display Working Group.
See our full line of DVI-I Cables.

EDID- Extended Display Identification Data is a standard VESA format allowing a monitor to communicate its own basic information enabling for better performance.

Extender- Electronic device used to extend transmitted signals longer than possible with cables alone.
See our full line of Extenders.

FireWire- (Also known as IEEE 1394) One standard for high speed data transfer used primarily in the transmission of digital video and professional audio devices.

HDCP- (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) Developed by Intel, this encryption technique protects digital DVI/HDMI transmissions from copyright violation. It is important to know whether or not your devices are compliant with HDCP.
Refer to our HDCP FAQ for more information.

HDMI- (High Definition Multimedia Interface) carries both the digital video signal (like DVI) but with the addition of digital audio and signal controls. Specified standard by the HDMI Licensing.
See our full line of HDMI Cables.

HDTV- (High Definition Television) Type of digital television currently being implemented in the United States that allows for a higher resolution and therefore greater clarity and detail. HDTV's aspect ratio is also different from standard television?s (from 4:3 for SDTV to 16:9 for HDTV).

LCD- Liquid Crystal Display that pushes a current through a set of pixels that emit light based on the amount of electricity put through them.

LCOS- (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) New digital display technology that uses the opening and closing of liquid crystals to block light or allow it to pass through.

LED- (Light-Emitting Diode) A semiconductor device emitting light when a current is passed through it. Used in certain types of display technology.

LVDS- Short for Low Voltage Differential Signaling that is a high speed standard pioneered by National Semiconductor.

M1/P&D- Similar to a DVI-I connector, but larger in size, this connector handles both analog and digital, along with USB and FireWire. Specified standard of the Video Electronics Standards Association.

Plasma Display- Digital display type where each pixel on the screen is illuminated by charged particles in the liquid plasma portion of it.

PS/2- Predominant standard for the interfaces of mice and keyboards since being developed by IBM.

Repeater- Electronic device that regenerates a signal for a longer transmission than is possible with cables alone.
See our full line of Repeaters.

RS-232- Developed in the early 1960s as a standard for the Electronic Industries Alliance. Used as a common interface for data communications equipment.

Scaler- Also called "up-converters," these electronic devices map the video signal from one computer display and scale the signal for display on another computer screen.
See our full line of Scalers.

SDI- (Serial Digital Interface) Digital video transport system used in professional video industries that converts analog to digital and back to analog. Specified standard by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

Single-Link- a digital interconnection architecture whereby there are one set of RGB signals are driven by common single clock signal. For example, a Single-Link DVI connection supports R, G, B, driven by a common clock signal. Since each digital pixel is normally represented by a 10-bit digital word using the TMDS serial coding system, the bit rates for the digital RGB signals are 10 times the clock frequency. For example, a DVI signal with UXGA (1600 x1200) resolution has a clock rate of (approximately) 162 MHz, and has digital RGB signals with bit rates of 1.62 GBit/sec. per color, or 4.86 GBit/sec. in total. Also see Dual-Link.

Splitter- Electronic device used to connect an input to and switch between multiple outputs.
See our full line of Splitters.

Switcher- Electronic device used to connect and switch between multiple inputs and one output.
See our full line of Switchers.

USB- (Universal Serial Bus) Hot-pluggable for "plug and play" capability, and normally used for low-bandwidth computer devices such as mice, keyboards, or hard drives.

VGA- (Video Graphics Array) Predominant standard for analog computer signals since the mid-1980's, the majority of computer displays use this connector for analog signals. Specified standard of the Video Electronics Standards Association.