audio connector

[bob smith]

I'm seeing some weirdness with an audio connector. Basically, I have one with two rings around it, and it doesn't work. I have another with three rings and it works.

The two ring one looks like this:

http://store.androidcommunity.com/i...audio-jack-cable/11A75A10776.htm#useropinions

The three ring one looks like this:

http://store.androidcommunity.com/noisehush-as12-35mm-auxiliary-cable/11A75A13861.htm

Can someone help me to understand the difference between these two?

Thanks.

 

[Ian Field]

I'm seeing some weirdness with an audio connector. Basically, I have one
with two rings around it, and it doesn't work. I have another with three
rings and it works.

The two ring one looks like this:

http://store.androidcommunity.com/i...audio-jack-cable/11A75A10776.htm#useropinions

The three ring one looks like this:

http://store.androidcommunity.com/noisehush-as12-35mm-auxiliary-cable/11A75A13861.htm

Can someone help me to understand the difference between these two?

The first one is a bog-standard audio lead, such as from a PC soundcard to
the first unit in a pair of speakers.

The one with an extra ring is clearly listed as an "auxilliary cable" - a
range of gadgets use these cables, the extra circuit may be control or even
power in some cases.

Going in the opposite direction - using a stereo 1/4" plug with guitar
pedals may not work because many use a stereo jack with the extra contact
shorted to case by a mono plug to ground the -ve end of the battery. That
backs up or even replaces an ON/OFF switch.

 

[Paul]

The first one is a bog-standard audio lead, such as from a PC soundcard
to the first unit in a pair of speakers.

The one with an extra ring is clearly listed as an "auxilliary cable" -
a range of gadgets use these cables, the extra circuit may be control or
even power in some cases.

Going in the opposite direction - using a stereo 1/4" plug with guitar
pedals may not work because many use a stereo jack with the extra
contact shorted to case by a mono plug to ground the -ve end of the
battery. That backs up or even replaces an ON/OFF switch.

Interesting.

The article here, shows the Android TRRS (left-hand connector in diagram),
the fourth contact is for control.

http://hackaday.com/2010/11/03/patching-into-android-music-control/

It could be, that inserting a regular audio plug, does the equivalent
of keeping switch S1, depressed.

And naturally, not all mobile devices, will be designed the same
way. They could have TRS (3 contact) or TRRS (4 contact). It
just occurred to me (doh!), that TRS equals Tip, Ring, Sleeve

Maybe it means buying a cable like this, chopping off one end,
leaving one contact open circuit, and connecting the other three
to a regular stereo plug.

http://www.l-com.com/audio-video-stereo-4-circuit-trrs-thinline-audio-cable-male-male-100-ft

(Stereo plug for other end...)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103400

or

(Stereo jack for other end...)
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104044

Paul