The Exploits and Uses of Audio Video Jacks
Used mainly in data communications, a keystone jack is an important feature to initiate and maintain connectivity. It is a female connector that is most often used while setting up local area networks or LAN connections. The keystone jack is generally mounted on a patch panel or on a wall plate. One end of the cable or cord is attached to the keystone plug which is the male connector that matches the keystone jack. There are many advantages of using a keystone jack in network connections. One of the biggest advantages is the inherent versatility that a keystone jack offers.
Not only will you find several types of keystone jacks, they can also be mounted very easily. In fact, several types of keystone jacks can be easily mounted using a single patch panel. Keystone jacks are available in forms like shielded and unshielded. When it comes to accommodating cables that have many different conductors, keystone jacks are indispensable. They easily accommodate cables that have more than a few conductors.
By Dmeranda (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Due to its typical shape, it has been named ‘keystone jack’. The dimensions and design resemble that of a RJ-11 standard wall jack which is generally used for connection of fax machines, telephone devices as well as dial-up modems and even traditional telephone lines.
Types of Keystone Jacks
Depending on their physical size and the material they are made of, there are several types of keystone jacks that used specifically for audio visual purposes. These include but are not limited to:
- F connector keystone jacks
- RCA jacks
- HDMI keystone jacks
- Mini-DIN S-Video jacks
- BNC connector keystone jacks
- USB keystone jacks
- Banana connector keystone jacks
These are a few of the popular options:
Banana Jacks with Colored Rings
Designed to be used with keystone wall plates and panels, banana keystone jacks are one of the most popular options when it comes to audio visual jacks. Banana plugs and jacks are utilized to terminate the wires of the speaker. They are available in colors like white and ivory. You can choose a color that will match your wall plates. Furthermore, banana jacks also have color coded rings which will help you differentiate one from the other while plugging in.
Some options include red plastic color code rings as well as blue and green. The front part of these jacks is open to connections with banana plugs, bare wire as well as spades. Like other keystone jacks, banana jacks help you create a less messy and well-managed media room as compared to using in-wall running wiring. These are screwed in for ease of use.
Modular BNC Keystone Jacks
Available in colors like ivory and white, modular BNC keystone jacks are couplers. This means that they have female connectors on the front as well as the back. Not only do they ensure that the media room environment looks neat and clean, they are also compatible with a number of panels and mount boxes. Modular BNC keystone jacks are generally compatible with all IC107 inserts, faceplates, blank patch panels, and surface mount boxes. They are also compatible with IC108 bezels, furniture faceplates, and surface mounted boxes. They are primarily used for CCTV and NTSC analog video signals. Modular BNC keystone jacks can also be used of satellite up and downlink signals.
Modular F Type Gold Plated Keystone Jacks
F type keystone jacks are primarily used for connections to TV antennas, satellite, and cable systems. The gold plated variety is much sought-after owing to the benefits of gold plating the connector. From superior signal quality to minimal noise, gold plated modular F type keystone jacks offer a number of benefits. They can be used for audio and video applications.
They are rear threaded connectors of the F type that can be securely fixed as an in-wall connection. RG-6 and RG-59 coaxial cables are compatible with it. Designed with your home theater system in mind, the modular F type gold plated keystone jacks offer you the freedom of running coax cables through your walls. If you wish to use the connector as a female to female gender changer, you can simply remove the plastic housing of the jack. Installation is easy as all you need is a standard connector and wall mounted jack plate.
Modular RCA with Colored Centers
Modular RCA keystone jacks are available in 5 insert colors which are red, blue, yellow, green, and white. These are high performance connectors which are designed specifically with home theater system, high fidelity surround sound devices, and high resolution monitors. Whether you need them for residential or commercial use, these modular RCA keystone jacks will step up to the plate with ease. They are compatible with all ICC faceplates.
When it comes to signal quality, they provide excellent signal quality with the least amount of noise, when used with composite video or audio systems and components. As with other keystone jacks, modular RCA jacks allow users to access a clean connection point for running in-wall coax cabling. This means that there is not any excessive clutter and mess in your media room.
3.5 mm Stereo Female to Female Keystone Jack
Available in three body colors of black, white and ivory, 3.5mmstereo female to female keystone jacks are a standard insert that features a 3.5mm female jack of the three-conductor type. It may be used in applications that require two or three conductors. With a female 3.5mm to female 3.5mm, this is the perfect keystone jack to mount on your wall plate.
At CMPLE.com, we understand how specific tech requirements can be. With this in mind, we offer a whole range of products that cover everything that falls under the marquee of adapters from audio adapters and connectors to HDMI and DVI adapters. Whether you need wall plates, keystone jacks, USB adapters, XLR adapters and connectors, video adapters and connectors, and more. It is our endeavor to make shopping simple for you!