About DIN

DIN is an abbreviation for Deutsches Institut für Normung, or German Institute for Standardization, which is a German manufacturing industry standards group. DIN connectors are round, with pins arranged in a circular pattern. This type of connector was used widely for PC keyboards, MIDI instruments, and other specialized equipment. Another type of DIN connector is the mini-DIN. As the name suggests, mini-DIN connectors are smaller in size than a regular DIN. They are still round, but with the pins arranged in horizontal rows rather than in a circular pattern. Mini-DIN connectors are used for S-video connections, PS/2 mouse & keyboards, and some other applications. DIN and mini-DIN connectors are both held in place by the friction of the connector body and by pins.

Used for older AT-style computer keyboards. The 5 pins are arranged in a circular order.

The 4-pin Mini Din connector is most often used for s-video applications. It has 4 pins arranged in 2 rows, and a keying block to make certain the plug cannot be inserted improperly. Even though an s-video connector has 4 pins, it only carries two signals — luminance and chrominance. The other 2 pins are used for signal ground connections. This super video interface protocol was first introduced by JVC® with the very first s-vhs video decks around 20 years ago. S-video sends an analog video signal on two 75 Ohm coaxial cables. One conductor delivers a luminance signal which is a black-and-white wide-bandwidth television signal. The other delivers a chrominance (color) signal which normally is a composite signal riding "under" the luminance information at a frequency below the 3.58 MHz "color burst" frequency. Many sources transmit a video signal using this two-part interface. Contrary to common belief, s-video does not improve resolution. That is a function of the bandwidth of the connection, a commonly accepted "rule of thumb" being that you get approximately 90 lines of resolution for each MHz of bandwidth. S-video does, however, greatly improve color resolution allowing for a tighter and more refined image.

6-pin mini-DIN connectors are often called PS/2 connectors. This interface was first used on the IBM PS/2 personal computer, and it soon became the industry standard for connecting keyboards & mouses.

This connection was commonly used with the serial interface on older Apple computers. Nowadays, it can sometimes be found on portable video devices. The 8-pin Mini-DIN features three rows of pins.