Describing video cables

[HCHTech]

When I'm trying to get someone to tell me which video connections their computer or monitor supports in a phone conversation, I have always used the word 'chamfered' when describing HDMI ("2 corners are chamfered, like a trapezoid") and Displayport ("just one corner is chamfered"). I'm guessing the generation when this word was in common usage must be dying off, as more and more people either ask me what that means, or comment that they've never heard it before. Now I'm torn between changing my description to make these conversations more efficient, or sticking to my guns to help keep the word out there. Haha.

 

[britechguy]

Although I know what chamfered means, I'd choose beveled instead. Even if you have to say, "a curved bevel on each side," it's going to save you time and the frustration of having to expound on what chamfered means.

 

[Blues]

I usually ask the user to describe the connector(s) or port(s) to me and then clarify any ambiguous descriptors when they haven't stated any clear indicators. What is your reasons for needing to know what type of cable? I know when doing a simple phone call of I can't connect my new monitor to my old PC I have them describe the ports on each device to ID what cable(s) are compatible beyond that rarely is knowing the connection important for me as I tend to keep cables and adapters for most on hand and carrying a small set on site is usually a non-issue for me. I am sure there are reasons I may be missing due to my brain hasn't fully woken up today.

 

[nlinecomputers]

chamfered? I like to think that I have a decent vocabulary, but I’ve never heard of that word before.

I never had to describe a HDMI plug before. Everyone seems to be familiar with them.

 

[River Valley Computer]

We describe to the few that don't know that they look like a house with a slanted roof on each side. Works every time.

 

[Markverhyden]

A picture is worth a thousand words. Just saying you know.

 

[Diggs]

We describe to the few that don't know that they look like a house with a slanted roof on each side. Works every time.

That's the way I describe USB printer cables. Not we really got them confused. ...chuckles....

 

[MichaelBits]

If I can't figure out what they're describing I have them email me a pic or bring it into the shop.

You can also direct them to something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_connectors to show them a list with pictures of various connectors.

I know the last time someone called and wanted to know if we had the cable he wanted I couldn't figure out what he was describing. It sounded like a standard USB A, but when I told him what it should look like, he stated there was another piece to it.
I couldn't figure it out from his description....
But once he brought it in, was obvious. It was a standard USB, but the tab in the port it was connected to broke out and was lodged in the end of the USB cable.

 

[River Valley Computer]

That's the way I describe USB printer cables. Not we really got them confused. ...chuckles....

Correct but the printer connector is a cape cod style home. The HDMI connector is a ranch style home.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

While I get it, I'd wager >75% of end users will go "huh???" when you say the word "chamfered".

So I just say beveled. One side, or both.

 

[HCHTech]

What is your reasons for needing to know what type of cable?

This is always an issue in the residential market. For business customers, they are almost all on our monitoring, so we can get hardware details without their participation. For the residential side, though, we get a fair amount of "Can you quote me a new computer" calls. If we're quoting a new computer but the customer wants to continue to use their existing monitor, then we need to know what possible connections we have to work with. If a desktop we're quoting supports DP & HDMI, but the monitor only supports VGA & DVI, then we know to include the particular adapter as part of the quote, and then when we show up with the computer, we're sure we have the necessary bits to make it work. We stock all manner of adapters, but Murphy's law says you'll never have the exact one you need if you don't make sure before you go.

Similarly, if the call is about getting a new monitor for an existing computer, we need to know what video outputs the computer has available. If they are tech savvy enough, we always have them take a picture and text it to us, but we have a lot of 80+ year old grandmothers that don't have the first idea how to make that happen.

I guess I grew up around enough carpenters and woodworkers to know "chamfered" long before I got into computers. It seems to describe the thing best, so I like it for that reason. I admit it's not mainstream (although as I stated in my original post, experience tells me it's getting less mainstream by the minute), but the right word is the right word - says I, anyway - that's why we have so many of them!

Edit: Of course there is a scholarly discourse on the difference between Beveled and Chamfered just a short google search away!

 

[fincoder]

I've heard the word in the distant past, perhaps in woodwork class in high school!
Definition using Google search says it's a carpentry term according to their source: Oxford Languages.

 

[George Hurley]

I find that customers can identify a cable from my verbal description about half the time. Even the educated ones struggle with descriptions like "chamfered," "beveled," or even "a rectangular connector about one half inch by one eight inch." If at all possible, I send them a photo of the connector or I use FaceTime to show them what the connector looks like.