The Cable Connector Quiz

1 of 9

Perhaps the most common connector cables in the world right now. But what are they called?

Speaker cable

RCA connector

VGA cable

Stereo wire

ANSWER: (aka phono connectors) The name "RCA" derives from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design by the early 1940s to allow mono phonograph players to be connected to amplifiers. (aka phono connectors) The name "RCA" derives from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design by the early 1940s to allow mono phonograph players to be connected to amplifiers.

2 of 9

These were first used in telephone switchboards back in the day. You use the smaller one (1/8" pictured here) for your iPod, and the larger cousin (1/4") for big headphones in a nice, powerful pre-amp. But what's it called?

TRS connector

RCA connector

S-Video cable

VGA cable

ANSWER: TRS stands for Tip, Ring, Sleeve. Other popular names include: audio jack, phone plug, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-jack, mini-stereo, or headphone jack TRS stands for Tip, Ring, Sleeve. Other popular names include: audio jack, phone plug, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-jack, mini-stereo, or headphone jack

3 of 9

Another very popular cable right now. Know what it's called?

DVI cable

VGA cable

USB cable

FireWire cable

ANSWER: USB = Universal Serial Bus USB = Universal Serial Bus

4 of 9

Here's a popular one from the early 90s! Whoa, getting harder now...

VGA cable

HDMI cable

Parallel cable

MIDI cable

ANSWER: This connector was first introduced for printers in the 1970s. IBM released the IBM Personal Computer in 1981 and included a variant. This connector was first introduced for printers in the 1970s. IBM released the IBM Personal Computer in 1981 and included a variant.

5 of 9

These were pretty popular not too long ago for connecting mice and keyboards to PCs. Can you recall the name?

Serial cable

VGA cable

PS/2 connector

RCA connector

ANSWER: PS/2 from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987 PS/2 from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in 1987

6 of 9

Fairly popular today, though losing ground quickly to another on this quiz.

Serial cable

XLR cable

VGA cable

S-Video cable

ANSWER: S-stands for Separate Video aka as Y/C. It's an analog video signal that carries video data as two separate signals: luma (luminance) and chroma (color). S-stands for Separate Video aka as Y/C. It's an analog video signal that carries video data as two separate signals: luma (luminance) and chroma (color).

7 of 9

If you've been to Best Buy lately, you can't turn a corner without them pushing this one on you.

HDMI cable

VGA cable

FireWire cable

DV cable

ANSWER: High-Definition Multimedia Interface - it's one of the best ways to go from your computer to your HD TV these days... also from your DVD player to TV. High-Definition Multimedia Interface - it's one of the best ways to go from your computer to your HD TV these days... also from your DVD player to TV.

8 of 9

A very standard cable with a long history. Know it?

VGA cable

DV cable

Mini DV cable

DVI cable

ANSWER: Finally! And you thought it was just a fakeout, eh? VGA stands for Video Graphics Array and is your standard 15-pin computer monitor cable introduced by IBM in 1987. Finally! And you thought it was just a fakeout, eh? VGA stands for Video Graphics Array and is your standard 15-pin computer monitor cable introduced by IBM in 1987.

9 of 9

Last but not least!

MIDI cable

VGA cable

FireWire cable

DVI cable

ANSWER: FireWire is Apple's name for the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus, which is technically what you see in the photo. It was introduced by Apple in 1986. Many other versions of the FireWire now exist, and are much faster.

Still in a quiz-taking mood?

FireWire is Apple's name for the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus, which is technically what you see in the photo. It was introduced by Apple in 1986. Many other versions of the FireWire now exist, and are much faster.

The Cable Connector Quiz

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