Media Interfaces (Aux, HDMI, Thunderbolt)

AUX: The Original Auxiliary Port

An auxiliary port, or AUX, is a standard communication port on a device that allows for the connection of audio signals. This port is typically used for headphones and headsets, microphones, speakers, and other audio devices, including some traditional audio technologies. When you connect these to a primary device, except for certain USB setups, you're usually using an auxiliary port.

On a traditional PC, the first computer port (COM1) is often set up as an audio auxiliary port. This is the initial serial port with a predetermined assignment for serial devices. RS-232 standardization is applicable to various PC audio attachments, many of which are converted to the 3.5mm or "1/8 inch" standard audio jack on much peripheral hardware. Using these audio ports often requires different types of adapters and fittings for backward compatibility as system components evolve from various manufacturers.

To understand how this system worked on traditional PC platforms, consider the general design for system resource configurations on a PC. Designers have designated each port as COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, etc. Each COM location had an interrupt request (IRQ) address and input/output (I/O). The IRQ address is a signal sent from a device to the CPU indicating an event, like an audio signal starting or stopping.

Auxiliary ports and jacks are crucial for digital music, whether through external speakers or directly from a device. This has made the auxiliary jack extremely useful to smartphone users, where the single auxiliary jack lets you play music through headphones, watching movies or TV shows with high-quality audio directly or participate in conference calls through a headset.

However, in 2016 Apple removed the conventional auxiliary port from newer iPhone models, requiring the purchase of specialized headsets and other equipment. Despite Apple's defense of this move, it was unpopular with many users and remains an example of unexpected interface issues created by the manufacturer. Other companies followed suite, removing the interface across their products.

As many standard auxiliary ports are becoming obsolete, companies are finding ways to make new systems backward-compatible with older devices. Another significant design change is the integration of input devices and peripherals into primary devices, such as the transition from USB-connected webcams to built-in laptop cameras, and the shift from traditional mice to trackpads and touchscreens. The use of auxiliary ports is decreasing as there are fewer peripheral devices to connect them to, and this trend appears set to continue.

HDMI: High Definition Media Interface

Thunderbolt: Media Over USB

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