Tech Forum

Hi everyone, I've had several people in our stake (and a couple of adjoining stakes) ask for a list of recommended adapters to get when they get an AV calling (or if you are the person called on to help set up). I've put together a list of my recommended ones. I link to Amazon (but there are no affiliate links but the price may have changed since I pulled this together (prices were as of Dec 2022). The most expensive item is the Lightning-to-HDMI adapter.

The only adapter here that I don't use much anymore is the Thunder-to-HDMI adapter. But it is only $9.99, so I've left it. Also, I ended up purchasing more than one of the Lightning-to-3.5mm audio adapter and USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter (so that I always have one handy).

Please feel free to contribute what you would add or remove from this list.

That's a nice list. Also, each building should have some version of the "crab" box (EJ-xx). These are great units that allow you to connect a lot of audio equipment.

I noticed on your list that you have some RCA adapters from MonoPrice. If they are like the cables I have from MonoPrice, the RCA plugs on the cables are really big (i.e., big circumference). On some equipment, the R/L RCA jacks are so close together that I can't plug in both the R and L MonoPrice RCA cables.

Good catch! Honestly, I have a ton of them (of different brands, lengths, and sizes). I like the Monoprice because they are thick and stout, but you're right--it could cause issue if the jacks are close together (might not be able to plug both of those in). I'll update the list with something smaller.

One minor correction on "Lightning to HDMI" – there aren't any Macs with lightning ports. That adapter would only be needed for iPhones and iPads.

This is great to know, thanks! BTW, do current Mac's have a Thunder port? It seems like lately they all have either USB-C or HDMI.

Current Mac laptops have USB-C ports. Some of them also have HDMI out.
Some iPads have USB-C and others have Lightning.
iPhones have Lightning. Rumor has it that the iPhones might change to USB-C in a future revision (partly due to EU regulations). But, we don't know for sure until a device ships.

Regarding "Thunder," you are probably referring to Thunderbolt. This optional interface runs through the USB-C port, but uses Thunderbolt cables. Thunderbolt audio and video interfaces are used in some professional applications, but but they are significantly more expensive than USB-C interfaces and overkill for anything likely to happen in a church building. While Macs support Thunderbolt through their USB-C ports, it's not universal for any device with a USB-C port. You will find it on some Windows laptops, but it's still overkill for what's needed for church needs.

Another cable that might be helpful is DisplayPort to HDMI and mini DisplayPort to HDMI. I don't know if any current laptops have DisplayPort interfaces. I remember at one time it was somewhat common on Dell devices. And while mini DisplayPort connectors were primarily found on Apple devices, I'm pretty sure I've seen them on some Windows laptops.

People with older devices might have some other kinds of connectors, too, but I haven't run across them recently.