Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Some connectors have pins sticking out of them; these are called
male connectors
.
Others have holes into which pins fi t; these are called
female connectors
. They're often
referred to by abbreviations of M and F.
Some connectors have D-shaped metal rings around the pins to keep them from getting
hit and bent. These connectors are called
D-sub connectors,
abbreviated as DB, and are
referred to by the number of pins and whether they're male or female. For example, the
VGA port on the back of a computer is a 15-pin female D-sub connector and may be
abbreviated DB15F.
Video Monitor
Every computer has at least one video port—that is, a port for connecting a monitor.
This can be a VGA, DVI, or HDMI port, depending on the computer. (Most computers
have VGA and/or DVI; HDMI is fairly rare for a consumer-level computer.) Look back
to the “Monitors” section in Chapter 3, “Peripherals and Networking,” for a discussion
of each connector's pros and cons. HDMI is the highest quality, followed by DVI, with
VGA being the lowest quality. If you have a choice, go with the highest-quality option
available.
Figure 4.12 shows a DVI connector on the back of a computer, and Figure 4.13
shows a VGA type (DB15F). Notice that there are screw holes on either side of these
connectors. These correspond to thumbscrews on the cable connector. To connect a DVI
or VGA connector, plug it fi rmly into the socket, and then tighten the thumbscrews. The
thumbscrews prevent the connector from being accidentally jerked out and damaged if
someone trips over the cord or knocks over the case.
FIGURE 4.12
A DVI port on a computer
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