Video and audio cables and adapters for meeting rooms and offices: DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, USB Type-C and 3.5mm audio leads, plus converters between them. They suit anyone connecting laptops, PCs and conferencing gear to screens and speakers. Brands in our range include StarTech.com, DIGITUS, LINDY and J5create.
How to choose a video or audio cable or adapter
Connectors. Check the port on the source and the port on the display before anything else. Our range covers DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI Type A, DVI-D, USB Type-C, VGA (D-Sub), 3.5mm and 2 x RCA, so most combinations of old and new equipment are possible.
Cable or adapter, and gender. A cable has a plug at each end, while an adapter is a short converter, often with a female socket, that lets an existing cable fit a different port. Most products in our range have a male connector on the source side, so look for a female end only if you want to extend or convert an existing lead.
Resolution and signal type. Digital connections such as HDMI, DisplayPort and DVI-D carry video cleanly, but VGA is analogue. Going from a digital output to VGA generally needs an active converter, not just a plug adapter. For 4K at 60 Hz, check that the cable and both ports support it.
Length. Lengths in our range run from 0.3 m up to 5 m, with 1 m, 2 m and 3 m the most frequent. Choose a length that reaches without tension, since a stretched cable strains the connector. Longer runs can lose signal at high resolutions.
Build details. Many products have gold-plated contacts, others nickel. Angled connectors are available for sockets close to a wall or inside a furniture cut-out, though most leads are straight.
Video and audio cable brands we carry
- StarTech.com: a connectivity specialist with the largest share of this category, known for a long list of adapters and converters between display standards.
- DIGITUS: the cabling brand of ASSMANN Electronic, known for network and AV cables aimed at offices and installers.
- LINDY: a company with German roots that focuses on AV and IT connectivity, including cables for fixed installations.
- J5create: known for USB Type-C adapters and docks for laptops.
- Logitech, HP Poly and GN Audio: makers of conferencing hardware, so their leads suit their own room and headset systems.
Also in our range: Lenovo, iiyama and ALOGIC.
Frequently asked questions
What cable connects a laptop to a meeting room screen?
It depends on the ports on both devices. Most current screens have HDMI or DisplayPort, and many laptops offer HDMI, Mini DisplayPort or USB Type-C. Match the laptop port to the screen port with a cable, or use an adapter if the two differ.
Can I convert DisplayPort to HDMI or VGA?
Yes, but the method differs. DisplayPort to HDMI is often possible with a simple cable or adapter, as both are digital. Converting to VGA means changing a digital signal into an analogue one, which usually requires an active converter.
Does gold plating on connectors make a difference?
Gold resists corrosion better than nickel, so it helps contacts stay clean over years of plugging and unplugging. For a short cable used day to day, the picture quality is not noticeably different. It matters most where cables are moved often.
How long can a video cable be before the picture suffers?
There is no single limit, as it depends on the standard, resolution and cable quality. Leads of a few metres usually work without trouble, even at high resolutions. For longer distances at 4K, consider an active cable or an extender rather than a longer passive lead.
