220-1101 Question 14
Single answerConnection methodsA technician is setting up a conference room laptop to display on a new 4K projector. The laptop has USB-C ports and an HDMI port. The projector supports HDMI and DisplayPort. The user wants the simplest connection that will carry 4K video and audio to the projector without requiring additional drivers or software. Which connection method should the technician use?
- A
Connect the laptop directly to the projector with an HDMI cable
- B
Use a USB-C to USB-A cable and enable display output in Windows
- C
Connect the laptop to the projector with an RJ45 Ethernet cable and configure network projection
- D
Use a 3.5 mm audio cable and a VGA cable for combined 4K video and audio
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is a direct HDMI connection because it is the simplest method that supports both video and audio without extra drivers or software. In A+ Core 1, candidates are expected to understand common display connection methods and choose the most practical option for the situation. HDMI is widely used for laptops, monitors, and projectors because it carries digital audio and video together. By contrast, VGA is legacy analog video only, USB-A is not a display interface, and Ethernet is not typically used for straightforward direct projection. In practice, technicians should also confirm that the HDMI cable and both endpoints support the needed 4K mode and refresh rate, as supported resolution depends on the device specifications and HDMI version.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A direct HDMI connection is the simplest and most reliable option in this scenario. HDMI carries both digital video and audio over a single cable, and modern HDMI implementations commonly support 4K output when the laptop, cable, and projector all support the required version and bandwidth. It also avoids dependence on adapters, drivers, or special configuration beyond selecting the correct display output.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. USB-C to USB-A does not provide native display output in this way. USB-A is a general-purpose data and power interface and is not used as a standard display connection for monitors or projectors. A candidate might choose this because USB-C can carry video, but that requires a compatible USB-C display adapter or alternate mode to a display interface such as HDMI or DisplayPort, not conversion to USB-A.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. RJ45 Ethernet is used for network connectivity, not as a direct physical display connection between a laptop and projector in a standard A+ Core 1 connection-method scenario. Some enterprise projection systems support network-based casting or management, but that is not the simplest direct method and may require additional software, network configuration, or compatible hardware.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. VGA carries analog video only and does not carry audio. A separate 3.5 mm cable can provide audio, but VGA is not the preferred solution for 4K projector output and is generally not used for modern high-resolution digital projection. This option reflects a common misconception from older AV setups where VGA plus separate audio was common.