Tech Basics: Cables & Connectors

Name: Tech Basics: Cables & Connectors
Rating: 4.6 (2794 reviews)

An introduction to help you understand connectors betwen the many electronics tools, devices and gizmos we use today.

Free tutorial

(2,794 ratings)

72,366 students

1hr 59min of on-demand video

Created by Chet Davis

English

English [Auto]

This class provides you with lessons to give you just the right amount of knowledge to better understand how to connect your home electronics.

Fundamentals of the electronic signal: elementary signal flow, shielded cables, plug vs. jack.

Differentiation between video streams and video files - critical info if you have or are looking for a new camcorder/camera

Review of most common audio connectors: Phone (1/4", Mini, Sub-Mini, Micro); RCA/Phono, XLR, Optical

Most common video connectors: Phono/RCA - both composite & component, S-video, BNC, IEEE 1394 (4-pin, 6-pin, & 800), HDMI

Common Monitor connectors: HDMI, DVI, Display Port, Mini-Display Port, VGA

Peripheral connections: USB (A, B, Mini, Micro), USB 2.0 vs. 3.0, Thunderbolt

Adapters: When and how to adapt connectors when connecting audio, video, monitors or peripherals. When is the only time to use a Y-adapter, barrels vs. cable adapaters.

When and why you need to use a Digital>Analog Converter

Two recommended freeware computer applications to help transfer between different video file formats.

Requirements

No special knowledge or experience is necessary for this class - just a desire to learn!

Description

If you're like most folks - you have electronic devices that need to be connected and you're not totally sure where to plug all those connectors into which port... can I adapt that DVI plug to go into my HDMI port? Does that Audio Out cable go into the Phono, Auxillary, or Tuner port? Which cable should I use to transfer video from my new camcorder into my computer? And which headphone connection is right for my new Smart Phone?

With this class from Your Technology Tutor, you will gain an understanding of the fundamentals and practical knowledge of the most common cables & connectors. From audio and video connectors, to adapters - learn the most essential info by joining Chet Davis in these video lessons.

Who this course is for:

This class is ideal for us 'regular' people who have tech tools & toys and want to understand how to connect and properly use them. NOTE: this is a beginners level course with the intention of providing just enough information to allow you to successfully connect your electronics.

Featured review

John D.

93 courses

79 reviews

6 years ago

This is an excellent course, lots of detail, concise, clear explanations and examples. Great course, even after nearly 40 years of engineering I still learned something, thank you Chet. If I could give one little piece of advice mate, please use a pop filter on your mic, I use the Rode NT1 and as good as that is I still use the supplied pop filter, otherwise a truly 5 star course, thank you.

Chet Davis

Your Technology Tutor

4.4 Instructor Rating
3,092 Reviews
133,203 Students
5 Courses

Chet loves to teach...he loves helping others learn, whether it's an artistic technique in video or photography; or a software application or technology tool. Whether you join Chet for a live hands-on workshop or an on-line lesson on Udemy you clearly experience his enthusiasm, his expertise, and his passion for teaching.

Chet 'cut' his teacher teeth with 17 years in the classroom as teacher of a high school Video Technology program in California. He's made presentations at National and Regional Conferences and led hands-on workshops for in 41 US States, 3 Canadian provinces and in Europe (European Schools Program). Chet is listed in two volumes of Who’s Who in American Education and has testified before a Congressional Sub-Committee on the importance of Technology in Education.

When he's not teaching, he enjoys traveling - and producing travel video and photography. He likes playing tennis, snowboarding and mountain biking... and he loves to cook (he makes a mean Chimichanga from scratch).