AV Connection Types

Another important thing to consider is the number and types of input and  output connections on the receiver. If you don’t have enough of the correct types of these, you may not be able to properly hook up all of your other AV equipment. To truly get the optimum performance, you need to connect your high definition equipment to your receiver using an HDMI connection. The enhanced clarity and detail that high definition equipment can reproduce requires the movement of a large amount of information. Using the inappropriate type of connection is like trying to jam your size 14 foot into your kid’s shoes.  You'd have to compress the information to make it fit. As a result some of the information is lost in the transfer. The chart below outlines the most common connector types you will find on the back of your receiver.

Connector Name	Connection Use	AV Equipment connection
HDMI	High Definition Audio and Video	This is the optimum future proof connection for Blu-Ray Disc, HD DVD Disc, HD satellite receivers, and HD cable set-top-boxes, video game consoles, newer DVD players and high end AV receivers. HDMI has enough available bandwidth to handle emerging HDTV standards
DVI-D	High Definition Video only	A “close second” video only connection for Blu-Ray Disc, HD DVD Disc, HD satellite receivers, HD cable set-top-boxes, video game consoles, newer DVD players and high end AV receivers. DVI comes in 3 versions, DVI-A is analog for connecting to traditional computer CRT. DVI-D can handle uncompress digital video transfers. DVI-I is a hybrid that can transfer either analog or digital video data.
Component Video	Video only	Best connect for analog video sources or substitute when a pure digital video connection is not available
S-Video (also called Y/C connector)	Video only	Next best available analog connection to component video
Composite Video	Video only	Standard analog video connection
Coax (also called RF)	Lowest quality audio and video connection	Video connection of last resort.
Digital fiber	Audio only	The optimum digital audio connection for Blu-Ray Disc, HD DVD Disc, HD satellite receivers, HD cable set-top-boxes, video game consoles, DVD players and high end AV receivers.
Digital Coax	Audio only	The digital audio connection for Blu-Ray Disc, HD DVD Disc, DVD players and high end AV receivers. This connection is on par with digital fiber in terms of signal quality; it is physically robust, but can suffer from electro-magnetic interference.
RCA	Audio only	Audio connection of last resort.
Binding Post	Speaker	The premium connector for connecting your speakers. Binding post are the more versatile of the two common types of speaker terminals found on modern consumer AV equipment. It will accommodate a wide variety of speaker wire connectors. Typically you will find this connector on higher quality equipment.
Spring Clip	Speaker	Most commonly used speaker connector. This connector allows for quick easy connection, but will only accommodate a small variety of speaker wire connection types. You will typically find this connector on mid and lower quality equipment.
Ethernet (also called RJ45)	Computer networking	Computers, internet, home networks, video game consoles, satellite receivers, set-to-boxes, high end AV receivers.