What do optical and XLR refer to in production?

Optical and XLR refer to types of audio connectors commonly used in production environments. Optical connections utilize light waves to transmit audio signals, typically through fiber optic cables. This method allows for high-quality sound transmission without interference from electromagnetic signals. XLR connectors are widely recognized for their durability and ability to provide a balanced audio signal, reducing noise over long cable runs, making them standard in professional audio applications such as microphones and mixers. Understanding these connectors is crucial for ensuring high-quality sound in video production and live events.

The other choices relate to different aspects of video production but do not accurately describe optical and XLR: video formats pertain to the file types and codecs used for videos; media players are devices or software used for playing back audio and video content; and display resolutions refer to the number of pixels displayed on a screen, which affects image clarity and detail but is not relevant to audio connections.