What type of cable uses conductors made from transparent glass or plastic for long-distance transmission of audio, video, or data?

The type of cable that uses conductors made from transparent glass or plastic for long-distance transmission of audio, video, or data is fiber-optic cable. This technology utilizes light signals to transmit information, which allows for much higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances than traditional metal-based cables.

Fiber-optic cables consist of a core made of glass or plastic that carries the light signals, surrounded by a cladding material that reflects the light back into the core, preventing signal loss and allowing for high-efficiency transmission. This makes fiber-optic cables ideal for applications that require the transfer of large amounts of data over long distances with minimal latency and interference.

In contrast, coaxial cable uses a single copper conductor at its center, surrounded by insulation and a metallic shield; twisted pair cable consists of pairs of copper wires twisted together to reduce interference; and HDMI cable combines audio and video into a single digital signal, relying on copper conductors for its transmission. Thus, fiber-optic cable stands out for its unique use of light transmission through glass or plastic.