Cables, Schmables!
Your Online Guide to Cables

Confused about which cable to connect to which device? Use this online guide to help figure it out.

Ethernet (Cat-5 or Cat-6)

This cable looks like a telephone cable. However, instead of connecting phones, it connects devices (computers, game consoles, TiVos) to the Internet and/or network.

Good for:

  • Connecting computers to broadband Internet
  • Connecting set-top boxes or receivers in own IPTV network
  • Connecting computers to a network

Coaxial (or Coax)

This flexible cable is usually black or white and has screw connectors at the end.

Good for:

  • Connecting a cable box to a TV
  • Connecting a cable modem to a wall outlet

Component

The red, blue, and green heads of the component cable support HDTV signals. It also gives you a better quality image by splitting the color signal three ways—into luminance and two color-difference signals). Component cables don’t carry an audio signal.

Good for:

  • Connecting DVD players and other video equipment to newer HDTV sets

HDMI

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was created by a group of consumer electronics manufacturers and content providers to limit a consumer’s ability to copy video content. It is essentially the digital alternative to other cables listed on this guide. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best or better than other cables.

Good for:

  • Connecting two digital devices
  • Connecting HDTV sets to Blu-ray players

Composite (or A/V)

This cable with three "heads" has been an electronic mainstay since the creation of the stereo VCR. The yellow head is for the video signal, and the red/white heads for the audio signal.

Good for:

  • Connecting DVD players (and other electronic devices) to analog TVs

S-Video

This is a video-only cable that separates (hence its name) brightness and color elements of a signal. This provides better color and resolution than a one-wire coaxial or composite video line. It’s not as good as a three-wire composite and is limited to 480i resolution (no high-definition).

Good for:

  • Connecting DVD players, game systems, computers, and older video equipment to TVs when component connections aren’t available

Which Cable Does TDS Use?

When connecting TDS TV®, our techs use the best cables for your situation. Sometimes that means HDMI. Sometimes it's a Component cable. Regardless, you can be sure the TDS® tech will make your connection and display be the best it can be.