Component video cables normally use what is known as an RCA (or phono) connector. BNC plugs are slightly larger than RCA plugs and contain an internal spring such that they must be pushed in and twisted a half turn during insertion or removal. However, in some studio gear, it isn't uncommon for BNC to take the place of RCA plugs as BNC are impossible to accidentally pull out.
If you know what you are doing, either can be used in most applications. An important detail to note is that RCA cords have different impedances. Video RCA cords are not the same as audio RCA cords. Video are 75ohm and are generally colored yellow. While component video RCA cords are 75ohm, they are generally color coded as red green and blue even though these colors don't correspond to the signals being carried. There are multiple types of component signals and the one used in home video is associated with the acronyms YUV or YCbCr. One cord carries luminance data and the other two carry chrominance.
I would suggest sticking to svideo or component-RCA connections unless you plan on buying a 15000 dollar VCR.
Good post. Now I can say I've learned something today (That means I can skip the rest of my classes today, right?)
Those are the right type of connectors, and gold plated too. That should be nice 20 years from now when oxidation will have cut the conductivity of other materials (exposed to air) substantially.
If you do end up making your own cables with these wall plates, pay careful attention to the cable lengths and impedance of the final circuit. Variances between the cables can lead to interesting visible distortion. I've soldered my own svideo cables before without much trouble. The RCA plugs used on components are larger and thus even easier to solder. Svideo started out on two RCA cords before adopting its current plug so two 75ohm coax cables can make for cheap long distance svideo runs.
You'll likely need more than 6 RCA and two wall plates as the X1 doesn't accept interlaced and progressive signals on the same input. Currently, I have svideo for VCR->Receiver->X1 and progressive component for (DVD_or_HDTV)->Receiver->X1. This is a fairly typical setup and would require an svideo and 3 RCA plugs on each wall plate.
Those are the right type of connectors, and gold plated too. That should be nice 20 years from now when oxidation will have cut the conductivity of other materials (exposed to air) substantially.
If you do end up making your own cables with these wall plates, pay careful attention to the cable lengths and impedance of the final circuit. Variances between the cables can lead to interesting visible distortion. I've soldered my own svideo cables before without much trouble. The RCA plugs used on components are larger and thus even easier to solder. Svideo started out on two RCA cords before adopting its current plug so two 75ohm coax cables can make for cheap long distance svideo runs.
You'll likely need more than 6 RCA and two wall plates as the X1 doesn't accept interlaced and progressive signals on the same input. Currently, I have svideo for VCR->Receiver->X1 and progressive component for (DVD_or_HDTV)->Receiver->X1. This is a fairly typical setup and would require an svideo and 3 RCA plugs on each wall plate.
Thanks,
I think i will get 50' component cable, and just cut ends off, then use these connectors.
how about vcr,dvd,digTV-->Receiver--->component X1 (svideo) connector.
I believe my receiver outputs through component too, so even if vcr, or cablebox is connected through svideo, i can run component cable from receiver to X1, does this makes sense?
And thanks for the tip about running svideo cable, might do it at the same time as well. cool
Connectors and the assembly process required to solder and shrinkwrap everything together represent much of the list price on audio/video cabling. If you're planning on soldering everything behind plates for an in-wall installation, it will be much cheaper to buy plain wire without the connectors. By much cheaper I mean like 1/5 of the price! Just buy a spool of coax instead of cutting the ends off a component cord.
Here's what I'd do in your position:
Buy wallplates with no holes in them and cut a single, large, circular hole in the center. Put a 50 cent rubber grommet in this hole to make it look finished and to prevent wires from snagging on the edges. Then simply buy quality cables and plug them straight into the equipment on each end. This will eliminate the need to solder things to wall plates and cut down on signal degradation. Also, loosly secure the ends of the cables just inside the hole so that they can't slip back inside completely. You can easily slip the cords back through the hole for a less cluttered look when they aren't in use. It also gives you a way to hide excess slack. As a final bennefit, if you ever move, you'll be able to pull the expensive cables out of the wall conduit. Connectors are the sworn enemy of audio/visual fidelity.
Comments
Originally posted by dfiler
Component video cables normally use what is known as an RCA (or phono) connector. BNC plugs are slightly larger than RCA plugs and contain an internal spring such that they must be pushed in and twisted a half turn during insertion or removal. However, in some studio gear, it isn't uncommon for BNC to take the place of RCA plugs as BNC are impossible to accidentally pull out.
If you know what you are doing, either can be used in most applications. An important detail to note is that RCA cords have different impedances. Video RCA cords are not the same as audio RCA cords. Video are 75ohm and are generally colored yellow. While component video RCA cords are 75ohm, they are generally color coded as red green and blue even though these colors don't correspond to the signals being carried. There are multiple types of component signals and the one used in home video is associated with the acronyms YUV or YCbCr. One cord carries luminance data and the other two carry chrominance.
I would suggest sticking to svideo or component-RCA connections unless you plan on buying a 15000 dollar VCR.
Good post. Now I can say I've learned something today
Originally posted by Whisper
Yes, they use RCA connectors, but they seem to be of a much better quality than the RCA stuff I've used.
AHA! :-)
So for my wall jacks project, i can get 2 of these :
and 6 of those:
I should be OK right ?
If you do end up making your own cables with these wall plates, pay careful attention to the cable lengths and impedance of the final circuit. Variances between the cables can lead to interesting visible distortion. I've soldered my own svideo cables before without much trouble. The RCA plugs used on components are larger and thus even easier to solder. Svideo started out on two RCA cords before adopting its current plug so two 75ohm coax cables can make for cheap long distance svideo runs.
You'll likely need more than 6 RCA and two wall plates as the X1 doesn't accept interlaced and progressive signals on the same input. Currently, I have svideo for VCR->Receiver->X1 and progressive component for (DVD_or_HDTV)->Receiver->X1. This is a fairly typical setup and would require an svideo and 3 RCA plugs on each wall plate.
Originally posted by dfiler
Those are the right type of connectors, and gold plated too. That should be nice 20 years from now when oxidation will have cut the conductivity of other materials (exposed to air) substantially.
If you do end up making your own cables with these wall plates, pay careful attention to the cable lengths and impedance of the final circuit. Variances between the cables can lead to interesting visible distortion. I've soldered my own svideo cables before without much trouble. The RCA plugs used on components are larger and thus even easier to solder. Svideo started out on two RCA cords before adopting its current plug so two 75ohm coax cables can make for cheap long distance svideo runs.
You'll likely need more than 6 RCA and two wall plates as the X1 doesn't accept interlaced and progressive signals on the same input. Currently, I have svideo for VCR->Receiver->X1 and progressive component for (DVD_or_HDTV)->Receiver->X1. This is a fairly typical setup and would require an svideo and 3 RCA plugs on each wall plate.
Thanks,
I think i will get 50' component cable, and just cut ends off, then use these connectors.
how about vcr,dvd,digTV-->Receiver--->component X1 (svideo) connector.
I believe my receiver outputs through component too, so even if vcr, or cablebox is connected through svideo, i can run component cable from receiver to X1, does this makes sense?
And thanks for the tip about running svideo cable, might do it at the same time as well. cool
THANKS PUMPKINS :-)
Here's what I'd do in your position:
Buy wallplates with no holes in them and cut a single, large, circular hole in the center. Put a 50 cent rubber grommet in this hole to make it look finished and to prevent wires from snagging on the edges. Then simply buy quality cables and plug them straight into the equipment on each end. This will eliminate the need to solder things to wall plates and cut down on signal degradation. Also, loosly secure the ends of the cables just inside the hole so that they can't slip back inside completely. You can easily slip the cords back through the hole for a less cluttered look when they aren't in use. It also gives you a way to hide excess slack. As a final bennefit, if you ever move, you'll be able to pull the expensive cables out of the wall conduit. Connectors are the sworn enemy of audio/visual fidelity.