About Video Interfaces, Signals, and Connectors

There are many types of video interfaces, signal formats, and connectors that can be used when setting up your system.

Video Interfaces

Final Cut Pro allows you to use a wide variety of video interfaces for capture and output. The following sections show examples of the most common types of video interfaces available.

FireWire for DV

You can use the built-in FireWire port on your computer to capture and output to almost any DV device, including DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD devices.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer, camcorder, and FireWire cable connector.

In this configuration, you need only your computer and a supported DV device. For more information, see Connecting DV Video Equipment.

Figure. Diagram of a computer, DV VTR device, and FireWire connectors.

FireWire for Uncompressed Digital Video

Interfaces such as the AJA Io connect to your computer via FireWire. However, instead of transferring compressed DV signals, the AJA Io transfers an uncompressed component 4:2:2 signal via FireWire. The AJA Io has a wide range of digital and analog connectors, as well as RS-422 device control.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer and an uncompressed digital video device with FireWire connector.

Important: Although this type of video interface uses FireWire, it is not used to connect DV devices. If you want to capture or output DV video, you can connect your DV device directly to the FireWire port on your computer.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer connected to an AJA Io device and the AJA IO device connected to an analog or digital VTR.

PCI Express Video Interface Card

If you are using professional analog or digital formats (either standard definition or high definition) without native FireWire connectivity, you need to purchase and install a PCI Express video interface card to connect your video deck or camcorder to your computer. Many PCI Express interface cards come with a breakout box where video, audio, and perhaps even 9-pin remote connectors are located (rather than on the PCI Express card itself). Interface cards are also referred to as video cards or capture cards. This is not the same as the video graphics card used to send signals to your main computer display.

Figure. Diagram showing a PCI video interface card placed in a computer.

PCI Express cards allow you to capture and output video with high data rates, such as uncompressed standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) video. PCI Express cards are necessary for high-end applications such as compositing, online editing, and uncompressed video editing. Many PCI Express cards have BNC or RCA connectors mounted directly on the back of the card. In this configuration, you connect your video equipment directly to the PCI Express card connectors on the back of your computer.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer connected to an analog or digital VTR via a BNC connector.

Many PCI Express cards aren’t big enough to fit all of the necessary video and audio connectors. In these situations, a breakout box is connected to the PCI Express card via a multipin connector on a long cable, and the connectors are accessible on the breakout box instead of the back of the PCI Express card. A breakout box is also useful because it allows you to place the connectors somewhere more convenient than the back of your computer, such as an equipment rack or a desktop.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer connected to a breakout box, which is connected to an analog or digital VTR.

USB Video Interface

USB video interfaces cannot support the high data rates required for professional video use, so they are not commonly used. USB video interfaces are usually used for converting analog video sources to a digital signal for capture.

Figure. Diagram showing a computer connected to a USB interface, which is connected to an analog VTR.

Video Signals and Connectors


For more information, see Video Formats.




Figure. Diagram of an RCA connector and a BNC connector.



Figure. Diagram showing an S-Video connector.

Component YUV and Component RGB




Figure. Diagram showing component connectors and a YUV/RGB switch.



Figure. Diagram showing a SCART connector.

FireWire 400



Figure. Diagram showing FireWire 400 (6-pin) and FireWire 400 (4-pin) connectors.

FireWire 800


9-pin-to-4-pin and 9-pin-to-6-pin FireWire 400 to FireWire 800 cables are available to connect older devices to a FireWire 800 interface.

Figure. Diagram showing a FireWire 800 9-pin connector.



Serial Digital Interface (SDI) is the standard for high-end, uncompressed digital video formats such as D1, D5, and Digital Betacam. Many devices can send both video and audio data through a single SDI connection.

Figure. Diagram showing a BNC connector.







VGA interfaces use a 15-pin D-subminiature connector to transfer analog RGB video and sync information between computers and computer CRT displays or video projectors. This connector and signal format is being replaced by newer display formats such as DVI and HDMI. However, adapters are available to convert between DVI and VGA.

Figure. Diagram showing a VGA connector.


Digital Visual Interface (DVI) transfers full-resolution analog or digital signals between computers or HD video devices and flat-panel displays or projectors. DVI connectors have up to 24 pins plus 4 additional pins for analog signals. Not all devices use all pins, so read the documentation included with your equipment before purchasing DVI cables and making connections.

Figure. Diagram showing a DVI connector.

DVI supports single- and dual-link connections. Single-link DVI connections are limited to 2.6 megapixels with a refresh rate of up to 60 Hz. Dual-link DVI connectors extend the number of pixels that can be transferred per second to drive larger displays.

Figure. Diagram showing single-link and dual-link DVI-I connectors and single-link and dual-link DVI-D connectors.



Figure. Diagram showing an HDMI connector.