AV Connectors & Tools

Summary: ProAV Connectors & Tools

ProAV Cabling Solutions from Windy City Wire

Windy City Wire manufactures SmartWire low-voltage cable for professional audio-visual applications used by commercial and industrial integrators. Built for reliable signal delivery across venues, campuses, and enterprise environments, our ProAV product offering helps contractors standardize installations, reduce labor, and streamline project management from design through closeout. Every SmartWire cable is made in the United States and supported by our B2B team in Bolingbrook, IL.

SmartWire is part of our complete solutions approach for AV distribution, control, video transport, networking, and power-limited speaker runs. Each cable is supplied in a 1000 FT length to support common pull distances on job sites and reduce changeovers.

• Trusted performance for AV signals: Constructions optimized for balanced audio, microphone lines, control/RS-232/422/485, DMX512, 75 Ohm video (RG59-class), speaker, and data (Category cable) help maintain signal integrity over distance.
• Faster, cleaner pulls: SmartWire Glide lubrication is applied during manufacturing to reduce pull friction by up to 70%. It coats the jacket with low-viscosity lubrication you won’t see or feel, and it comes standard at no additional cost.
• Better cable utilization: FastFIND Footage Markers appear every two feet to simplify take-offs, track remaining quantity, and calculate point-to-point runs. Ascending or descending sequences show both pulled and remaining length to help minimize waste.
• Job-site identification: A broad range of SmartWire jacket colors and stripe combinations allows easy circuit differentiation and supports company or project standards. Ask us about custom colors and stripe options for your next rollout.
• Built for professional installers: Constructions are engineered for consistent impedance, robust mechanical durability, and clear identification across AV disciplines—audio, video, control, network, and power-limited speaker circuits.

How Windy City Wire delivers value on ProAV projects

• Project readiness: In-stock, U.S.-made low-voltage cable across core AV categories helps keep schedules on track.
• Labor savings: Pull-friendly jackets and FastFIND Footage Markers enable efficient routing, quicker terminations, and better inventory control on multi-run installs.
• Standardization: Consistent constructions across plenum and non-plenum needs simplify design submittals, procurement, and field execution.
• End-to-end compatibility: Cables pair with common AV connectors, keystones, and termination tools to support field-built terminations or pre-terminated strategies.

Compatible accessories and terminations

SmartWire ProAV cables are designed to integrate with widely used professional connectors and field components, including BNC (50/75 Ohm), RCA, 1/4 in phone plugs, 3.5 mm TRS, XLR (3-, 4-, and 5-pin), power connectors, RJ45 modular plugs for Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A, screened/unscreened keystone jacks (T568A/B), and single- to multi-port faceplates. Tooling support includes crimp, compression, and modular plug crimp tools, jacket strippers, and cutters commonly used for RG-59/6, mini coax, and twisted pair terminations.

FastFIND Footage Markers

• Markers appear every two feet and can be ordered in ascending or descending sequences to show both current position and remaining length on a 1000 FT unit.
• Enable quick verification of total length received, accurate point-to-point measurements, and easy tracking of what remains for future service calls.
• Proper use typically reduces cable waste by 15–25% and helps ensure more cable is utilized from every unit.

SmartWire Glide lubrication

• Applied during manufacturing and standard on stock SmartWire cables at no additional cost.
• Reduces friction during pulls by up to 70% to help protect cable, speed installation, and improve results in tight pathways.

Plan your next ProAV project with Windy City Wire

Whether you are deploying distributed audio, camera and codec backbones, AV over IP, control systems, or mixed-use conference spaces, SmartWire low-voltage cables are engineered to help you deliver dependable results with fewer re-pulls and better job-site efficiency. Contact Windy City Wire to review specifications, request submittals, or configure a custom SmartWire order for your next commercial AV install.

Solutions: ProAV Connectors & Tools

AV Connectors & Tools for Commercial Low-Voltage ProAV

Windy City Wire supplies field‑proven AV connectors and purpose‑built installation tools that help integrators deliver reliable, serviceable, and standards‑compliant ProAV systems. From terminating coax for 4K video to building Cat6A links for AV over IP and HDBaseT, our portfolio supports the full signal chain—audio, video, control, networking, and power—so your crews can install with confidence and finish on schedule.

Where these connectors and tools fit in your AV systems

• Networked AV & Control – Shielded and unshielded RJ45 connectors, field‑installable modular plugs, and Cat6A keystone jacks (T568A/B) for 1G/10G switching, Dante audio, NDI, and control networks. Ideal for encoders/decoders, PTZ cameras, conference codecs, and PoE/PoE+ endpoints.
• Video Production & Distribution – Precision 75‑ohm BNC connectors and feedthrough panel jacks for SDI over RG‑59/6 and mini‑coax. Options for 50‑ohm RF/test as needed. Use compression and crimp solutions for repeatable, spec‑compliant terminations that preserve return loss and signal integrity.
• Presentation & Collaboration – DisplayPort to HDMI adapters for BYOD, table boxes, and switchers; tool kits and base rings for modifying and attaching presentation cables so conference rooms and lecture halls stay flexible and neat.
• Professional Audio – Rugged XLR (3‑pin/4‑pin/5‑pin) for balanced audio and intercom, 1/4" mono connectors for patch bays and amplifiers, 3.5 mm for media devices, and color‑coded RCA for line‑level, zones, and sub feeds. Gold‑contact options improve corrosion resistance and long‑term performance.
• Power & Device Connectivity – Locking powerCON couplers for secure equipment power connections in racks and on stages. Strain‑relief boots and right‑angle options help with tight racks and cable management.
• Serial, Control & I/O – DB9 hoods, pins, and sockets for RS‑232/RS‑485 device control, extenders, and legacy interfaces. Barrier strips (12‑circuit, 30A, 600V) support relay I/O, loudspeaker zones, and control wiring in headends and equipment rooms.
• Infrastructure & Wall Plates – Keystone jacks in Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A (screened and unscreened) with matching single‑ and double‑gang faceplates from 1 to 12 ports. Labeling‑window options simplify identification and MACs (moves, adds, changes).

Industries and environments that rely on ProAV connectors and tools

• Corporate & Enterprise – Boardrooms, UC spaces, huddle rooms, divisible conference centers, and training labs using RJ45 Cat6A for AV over IP, HDBaseT, and control; XLR/RCA for audio; DP‑to‑HDMI for BYOD.
• Higher Education – Lecture halls and active learning classrooms with mixed transport (Cat6A, SDI over coax), PTZ camera drops, and labeled keystones and faceplates for easy maintenance.
• Healthcare – OR integration and education suites where shielded RJ45 and quality BNC connectors preserve signal integrity in EMI‑rich environments; barrier strips for control interfaces.
• Hospitality & Venues – Ballrooms, meeting spaces, digital signage, and background music using RCA/XLR audio paths, HDMI presentation adapters, and serviceable wall plates.
• Houses of Worship – Broadcast/streaming SDI, stage drops, and rack power using 75‑ohm BNC, XLR, and powerCON for reliable weekend‑to‑weekend operation.
• Government, Public Safety & Command Centers – Secure control rooms and briefing theaters with shielded Cat6A, feedthrough BNC panels, and labeled keystone systems that support rapid reconfiguration.
• Transportation & Stadiums – Distributed video, IPTV, and paging systems across long runs with a mix of coax and Cat6A; rugged connectors withstand constant use.
• Retail & Digital Signage – Media players and displays fed via RJ45 for IP transport, BNC where coax is preferred, and clean faceplates for customer‑facing spaces.
• Broadcast, Production & Live Events – Camera chains and patchbays using 75‑ohm BNC, XLR, 1/4", and powerCON; field‑installable RJ45 for last‑minute stage and truck builds.
• Industrial & Manufacturing – RS‑232/RS‑485 automation via DB9, control wiring on barrier strips, and shielded Ethernet connectors for OT networks.
• Security & Surveillance – RG‑59/6 and mini‑coax camera terminations with compression BNC, plus shielded RJ45 for IP cameras and PoE devices; compatible with direct‑burial cable where needed.

Connector families and compatibility highlights

• RJ45 – Options for Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A 10 Gig, including shielded versions, internal and external ground styles, and field‑installable modular plugs for solid round cable. Choose shielded connectors for noisy environments, long PoE runs, and performance headroom.
• BNC – 75‑ohm video and 50‑ohm RF/test variants with crimp or compression designs. Compatible with RG‑59, RG‑6, and mini‑coax, including direct‑burial models where outdoor runs are required.
• Audio connectors – XLR (3/4/5‑pin), 1/4" mono (TS), 3.5 mm TRS, and color‑coded RCA with nickel or gold contact options to match application and environment.
• Adapters & couplers – DisplayPort‑to‑HDMI for presentations, BNC D‑style feedthroughs for patch panels, and powerCON couplers for secure AC pass‑through.
• Terminations & plates – MT‑Series keystone jacks in Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A (screened and unscreened), plus 1‑ to 12‑port faceplates in multiple colors and labeling‑window options to standardize rooms and racks.
• Control & I/O – DB9 kits (hoods, pins, sockets) to build reliable RS‑232/RS‑485 links; 12‑circuit barrier strips rated 30A/600V for speakers, relays, and controls.

Tools that deliver consistent, code‑compliant results

• Modular plug crimp tools – Tele‑style and frame‑die systems for Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A, supporting EZ‑style and pass‑through connectors and load bars for faster QA.
• Compression/crimp systems for coax – Universal compression tools (21 mm closure) and BNC crimp solutions for RG‑59/6/mini‑coax, matched to the connector family you choose.
• Precision strippers & cutters – Jacket and coax strippers, full flush cutters, and ProStrip tools that protect conductors and speed terminations.
• Field service and presentation kits – Tool kits for attaching and modifying presentation cables and table hardware so on‑site changes are fast and clean.

How to select the right connector or tool

• Match the signal – Use 75‑ohm BNC for SDI and broadcast video; choose shielded RJ45 Cat6A for 4K/60 AV over IP, Dante, and HDBaseT; select XLR for balanced audio and RCA for unbalanced consumer sources.
• Consider the environment – For outdoor or in‑slab runs, verify compatibility with direct‑burial cable. In high‑EMI areas, prefer shielded connectors and jacks.
• Plan for serviceability – Use labeled keystone faceplates and feedthrough panels in racks; right‑angle and booted options help manage tight spaces and reduce strain.
• Standardize your tool set – Pair each connector family with the recommended crimp/compression tool and stripper to ensure repeatable terminations across crews.

Why Windy City Wire for ProAV connectors & tools

• Signal integrity – Impedance‑matched BNC, gold‑contact audio options, and shield‑continuity RJ45 designs help maintain performance from source to destination.
• Installation speed – Field‑installable plugs, EZ‑style RJ45 options, and calibrated compression/crimp tools reduce rework and keep projects moving.
• Broad compatibility – Works across common low‑voltage cable families including RG‑59/RG‑6/mini‑coax and Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6A in both shielded and unshielded constructions.
• Commercial reliability – Durable finishes, strain relief, and locking power connectors stand up to daily use in enterprise, education, hospitality, and live event environments.

Whether you are outfitting a single conference room or building out a campus‑wide AV ecosystem, our AV Connectors & Tools category helps you standardize terminations, protect signal quality, and streamline installs. Connect with our ProAV team to specify the right combination for your next project.

Additional Links:

• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
• The RackPack - Our patented cable delivery solution
• Our Transporters - RackPack Transportation Devices
• 19 Stocking Locations Nationwide - Find a Branch near you