3.2.1 External Connectors

Learn the common ports used by computers.

PS/2 Ports

PS/2 ports are used to connect a keyboard and mouse, part of a family of connectors called mini-DIN connectors. Their technical name is mini-DIN 6 port, but we call them PS/2 ports.

Video Ports

These type of ports are used to output display information to the peripheral devices connected to the system, like the monitor or speakers.

• VGA Port => DE-15 female connector, three rows w/ 5 pins each; sends analog video information to a connected display
• Digital Video Interface (DVI) Port=> sends digital signal to an external display, resulting in higher quality image but only analog audio, 28 pins (3 rows of 8 with 4 in a square)
• HDMI Port & DisplayPort => sends both digital video and digital audio signals

USB Ports

USB ports can transfer all the data. Ever. Incredibly versatile, used to connect keyboard, mouse, printer, digital camera, external hard drive, and MORE!!!

Audio Ports

• Sony/Phillips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) => send high quality digital audio signal\
  • has coaxial and fiber optic variations
• Colored audio jacks
  • green => line out port, connect speakers to computer
  • pink => microphone
  • blue => line in port, connect computer to radio to play radio output
  • black => surround sound rear speakers
  • orange => surround sound subwoofer speakers
• RCA Cables (colored)
  • composite video (yellow)
  • stereo audio (red & white)

Ethernet Ports

Ethernet ports are used to connect computer to a network using the RJ45 connector. New motherboards have multiple ethernet ports!

Cereal Port

aka DB9 Connector Used to connect cereal devices like a barcode scanner.

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