Knowledge Base

Are XLR microphone leads and XLR speaker leads exactly the same thing?

No, the type of cable and the connections are entirely different. Normal XLR cables are designed to carry low voltage low impedance audio signals over two cores and a shield whilst the speaker version will only use two very much … Continue reading

Can I get a USB to Firewire Converter?

It is not generally possible to connect USB to Firewire since they run at entirely different speeds – it would be like trying to power a Ferrari with a lawnmower engine or vice versa! USB 1 runs at a maximum … Continue reading

Do we have a surcharge for credit and debit card payments?

The answer to this question is no we do not charge for taking credit and debit card payments. We accpet all major credit and debit cards. Here is a list of the credit and debit card we can take:- Visa, … Continue reading

How do I calculate the power consumption of an electrical product?

The key formula to remember is this: Watts = Amps x Volts By modifying the formula you can use any two of the items above to generate the value. To calculate Volts: Volts = Watts / Amps To calculate Amps: … Continue reading

How long can an SVGA monitor cable be before the picture degrades?

There is no hard and fast answer to this question, because performance is always dependent upon the products you are connecting and the environment in which they are connected. However, we do not normally recommend a booster until you get … Continue reading

If SCART connectors are so awful, why do we have them at all?

The SCART connector was introduced to TVs in 1977. Effectively as a trade protection mesaure it became compulsory on all new television sets sold in France starting from January 1980 – this was intended to stop Japanese television sets coming … Continue reading

What colour are the wires in a Japanese mains lead?

Black (Live), White (Neutral), and Green (Earth). For more information see our Technical Library and specifically the Mains Wiring page and the Mains Voltages page.

What colour are the wires in an American mains lead?

Black (Live), White (Neutral), and Green (Earth). For more information see our Technical Library and specifically the Mains Wiring page and the Mains Voltages page.

What do TS and TRS mean?

These terms refer to the format of jack plug used. TS (Tip and Sleeve) equates to Mono or Unbalanced and TRS (Tip, Ring, and Sleeve) equates to Stereo or Balanced. All three terms can be used interchangeably for each type … Continue reading

What fuses are used for plugs in countries other than the UK?

None! The UK is the only country in the world to protect its people with fused mains connectors. Every other country relies on the consumer unit (sometimes known as the ‘fuse box’) for protection. As a result the UK has … Continue reading

What is the best type of connection to use for Audio Visual and Home Cinema applications?

You should buy the shortest leads you can, and the highest quality you can afford. The following rules apply: For best results with Video always use the following order of preference: HDMI, Component Video, S-Video, Composite Video, SCART. For best … Continue reading

What is the difference between Australian and Chinese mains plugs?

It is possible to interchange the connectors, but it isn’t recommended. The Chinese cables are stamped with the official Chinese approvals logo, as shown below: Whilst the Australian cables have their own approvals, as shown below: These approval stamps are … Continue reading

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