this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2025
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I suspect they are data, voice, or video jacks. Found in a conference room for a building from the 80s-90s. It’s the same wall as the TV. There’s also other existing RJ45 Cat 5 ports.

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[–] RustyShackleford@piefed.social 58 points 7 hours ago (3 children)

They match the style of proprietary A/V control system ports used in 1990s conference rooms, Projector control interfaces, Crestron / AMX / Extron wall plates, RS-232 or RS-485 wiring inside custom housings.

They were used to connect Projector control panels, Motorized screens, Audio/video switchers, Touch panels, Old teleconferencing gear.

[–] hodgepodgin@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 hours ago

This is a great answer exceeding my expectations. Thank you!

[–] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 7 points 6 hours ago

Absolutely look like custom bullshit connectors used on custom boxes from the 80s.

[–] TheRealKuni@piefed.social 3 points 6 hours ago

OP said it was in a conference room. Good catch!

[–] tal@lemmy.today 32 points 8 hours ago (2 children)

They look like USB A ports to me with an unusual housing around them.

[–] hodgepodgin@lemmy.zip 13 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (2 children)

I should have specified but this was found in a conference room of an old building. It was on the same wall as the TV. It would be pretty unusual to have two USB-A ports. I’m leaning towards them being network ports since those are usually run in pairs

[–] AFKBRBChocolate@lemmy.ca 19 points 8 hours ago

They really do look like USB ports though. You sure they aren't run to a box where a PC would be, and let you plug in a keyboard and mouse?

[–] FUCKING_CUNO@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 8 hours ago

Could be meant for USB KVM

[–] mtpender@piefed.social 4 points 7 hours ago

Maybe some USB ports using the old serial BUS housing?

[–] notreallyhere@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago
[–] MapleEngineer@lemmy.world 3 points 6 hours ago

There was an old DEC network connector for daisy chain coax networks where the wall socket would break the daisy chain to insert the computer being plugged in. I can't remeber what it was called but it looked something like this.

[–] osaerisxero@kbin.melroy.org 5 points 7 hours ago

What's the back of the plate look like?

[–] 200ok@lemmy.world 4 points 7 hours ago

A trigger for my OCD?

[–] Melobol@lemmy.ml 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I think they are optical cable connectors for lan. But I might be really wrong on this one.

[–] hodgepodgin@lemmy.zip 2 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I don’t think optical fiber cables do patch through. They’re basically just point to point. This port also doesn’t seem to do anything optic-wise. Or even copper for that matter. The ports don’t seem to have anything behind them.

Edit: wait I think I see two holes that could be for that