miniDIN

Mini-DIN is a family of small circular multi-pin connectors used for low-power data, control, and signaling in computers, audio/video equipment, and other consumer electronics. They are smaller than the standard DIN connectors and use a keyed design to prevent incorrect mating. Each size has a distinct pin pattern, with a metal shielding shell and a plastic insert that carries the pins or sockets.

Mini-DIN variants come in several pin counts, typically from 3 to 9 pins. The most familiar examples are the 4-pin mini-DIN used for S-Video connections and the 6-pin mini-DIN used by the PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports on many personal computers. Other sizes exist but are less common in contemporary devices. The pin layouts are not interchangeable between different counts or patterns, so matching the exact type is required.

Construction-wise, mini-DIN connectors are designed for compactness and durability. Mating pairs consist of a plug and a receptacle with a fixed pin or socket layout, housed in a circular shell with a keying notch or alignment feature to ensure proper orientation during insertion. The electrical design typically supports low-current, low-voltage signals, and many variants carry data or control lines rather than power.

Historically, mini-DIN connectors were introduced as part of the broader DIN family in the late 20th century. They gained widespread use on personal computers, video equipment, and various consumer devices during the 1990s and 2000s. In many newer devices, USB and other interfaces have supplanted mini-DIN for peripheral connections, but mini-DIN remains in use for legacy equipment and certain specialized applications. When selecting a connector, the exact pin count and pattern must match the device’s specified standard.