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Filmmaking Dictionary: Number 4 / 4-Pin XLR
Definition
A 4-pin XLR is an XLR-family connector with four electrical contacts. In film and broadcast equipment it is commonly associated with DC power connections, but four-pin XLRs also appear in intercom headsets and other applications.
The connector shape and pin count do not define a universal voltage, wiring scheme or signal type. Equipment must be identified by its documented connection requirements.
Camera and Monitor Power
Some professional cameras and monitors accept external DC power through a four-pin XLR input. The permitted voltage range and required current are properties of that device. A connector used on a nominal 12-volt system should not be assumed compatible with every battery or supply carrying the same plug.
Check the complete supply path, including the battery’s operating range, cable rating and the equipment’s polarity and connector specification. A charged battery can have a different voltage from the nominal value printed in its name.
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Other Uses
A four-pin intercom headset connection carries audio-related circuits rather than serving as a camera power input. Even within a familiar connector family, manufacturers can use different pin assignments. Labelling and keeping application-specific cables organized prevents costly confusion.
An adapter is not proof of compatibility. It may change the connector while leaving the wrong voltage, polarity or signal on the destination contacts.
Practical Example
A camera assistant receives a monitor and an unlabeled cable from a case. The plug fits, but that alone is not enough to connect power. The useful checks are the monitor’s input specification, the supply’s output and the cable’s intended wiring. Using the approved cable and supply avoids turning a mechanical match into an electrical assumption.
Connection Checks
- Identify whether the port is for power, headset audio or another function.
- Confirm the manufacturer’s voltage, polarity and current requirements.
- Use the specified cable and inspect it for damage.
- Check connector gender and locking engagement.
- Provide strain relief and avoid pulling the cable by its conductors.
- Have suspect or unlabelled wiring checked by a competent technician.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is four-pin XLR always 12V power?
No. That is a common application, not a universal definition.
Is it interchangeable with three-pin audio XLR or five-pin DMX?
No. Those connections have different contact arrangements and may serve entirely different purposes.
Related Terms
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