Plugging in a TV might not be a piece of cake for everyone. Especially if you aren’t a tech-savvy person. There are different TV connector types and various ports that you should know about. Moreover, not every TV would be the same. So, if you have an older TV model, you might see ports that are non-existent in the new ones. Similarly, the newer versions of Smart TVs also have additional ports.
Most people only look at the back of their TVs when they’re connecting an external device. It can be a laptop or a new gaming console. It can be daunting to see all the different ports and connectors. So, for people who have no idea what TV cable connector goes into which port, this article can help. From HDMIs to Bluetooth connectors, here is a detailed overview for all.
Table of Contents
TV Connector Types You Should Know About
There are different types of TV connectors that you might see on the back of your TV. Most of them are audio and video ports, but some have other functions. For example, you can have an ethernet port to connect your Cox Gigablast connection to your TV. Most TVs have ports at the back in a consolidated panel. However, there can be some ports on the sides as well. Here are some common ports you will normally use and see.
Coaxial/RF Port TV Cable Connector
RF connectors are mostly used for cable connections such as the Optimum TV packages. They are threaded connections for over-the-air cable TV. Such connections mainly use coaxial cables to transmit data from boosters to your TV. So, you are likely to see a round connector with a small clip on the inside. RF connectors can transmit audio/video signals. Moreover, you can also use them as a TV antenna connector. It has a screw-on RG-6 or RG-59 cable and is mostly found on old TVs.
Most people use them for cable TV connections. But now, modern cable connections have primarily shifted to HDMI ports and cables. They can provide a much better quality of audio and video signals with little to no signal disruption. So, your TV cable connector might not be as popular as it once was.
Component Video and TV Antenna Connector
The cables behind your TV can also include antenna-in ports sometimes. They are similar in function and provide audio and video input from OTA antennas. People with older TV models might be familiar with this incidental port. As not many people still use them. Before digital services like Cox Contour TV, it was a common input mode for coaxial cable connections and TV antennas.
Component video ports probably had the best audio and video quality before HDMI. Now, you don’t see them much often on TVs because of better alternatives. You can spot them from their red, blue, and green color ports. The AV ports are a significant improvement from an antenna-in and RF. So, if your TV does not have an HDMI port, this TV connector might be your best bet.
HDMI Connectors for Best Audio and Video
One of the most commonly used ports now includes the HDMI connector. It is present in most modern TVs and laptops. So, you will need an HDMI cable and you can connect two devices. As a result, it can be much easier to mirror your laptop screen on your TV. It is a great TV connector if you are looking for a good picture and audio quality. The mirroring is almost seamless without any loss or disturbances.
So, it might be one of the most useful ports on your TV. Play anything on your laptop and connect it with an HDMI cable to mirror it on the big screen. So, you can watch your Windstream TV and online content from streaming websites on a non-smart TV as well. There are different types of HDMI ports as well. For example, the HDMI ARC can send and receive audio data from both ends.
Bluetooth Connector for TV Without Port
Some TV connectors don’t have a port on your TV. This can include some data connectors like WIFI and Bluetooth. So, this might be a common connector but most people don’t know it exists on their TV. Some TVs use Bluetooth for remote control connections while others can support peripheral devices. Using the Bluetooth connector for TV you can link external Bluetooth devices to your TV. You can also use it for audio/video input and data transfer. The most common peripheral devices with Bluetooth connections can be wireless headphones, computer mouse, keyboards, laptops, and speakers.
Read Suggestion: Complete Overview of Cox Gigablast Speed
FAQs
How to attach TV cable connectors?
You can look for the appropriate port for your TV cable connector on the panel behind your TV and then plug it in.
What is an RF connector on a TV?
RF connectors carry audio/video signals, connect cable TV service and/or external antennas.
How to fix tv antenna cable connector?
Check all the connection points on the TV antenna, clean all ports, and then reconnect the connector.
How to repair TV cable connectors?
Open the screws from the back and access the damage. Most probably you can fix or replace the TV cable connector yourself or seek professional help.
What type of connector is used for cable tv?
Most new cable TV connections use an HDMI connector. Older models used coaxial cable, antenna-in, or RF connectors.
