RCA cable color question?

Question

Is there a difference in the cable in a RCA cable between the audio and video cables. Can I use a audio cable for a video cable. Are the cables any different?

Answer 1

The difference in cables is in the quality of construction

In they are the same brand then there should be no difference

The bigger(Thicker) the cable the better signal delivery

use the shortest cable that reaches

Gold ends are better than copper

copper is better than steel

DO NOT coil excess cable

if possible all cables should cross at a right angles

Answer 2

Yes there is a difference between the audio and video cables when using RCA cables.

Red and white are for audio, (red - right, white - left),

yellow is for video.

I would recommend that you don't use the video cable for audio, and visa versa for audio for video.

Answer 3

Yello is for video only, red and white are audio only (left and right speakers).  You cannot use them interchangeably.

Answer 4

no, go ahead

Answer 5

Depends on the cable.

If they are cheap came in the box cables yes you can use them on anything, because they aren't meant for any connection on any equipment.

You should use the proper 75Ω impedance video cable for composite and 3x for component. The proper SHIELDED S-video cable ( as a unshielded negates the reason for separate luminance/chromance). And proper two conductor phase canceled video shielded audio cables.

Although the cheap in the box work they are the absolute worst to use and just about anything else will give you a performance boost.

So in summary yes you can but it is advised to use the proper type for any expectation of performance.

Answer 6

Nope, they are all the same.  the different colors are just to help you keep them organized.  It is just a coaxial cable with an RCA connector.

Answer 7

They ARE different.

All video cables must be made with "75 ohm" coax. This is so the high frequency video signals do not see any difference between the cables and the input electronics on the TV.

The slower audio signals dont care. Audio cables can be made with 50, 75, 110, and 300 ohm coax.  

So here are the rules:

- You CAN use video cables for L/R audio.

- You CAN use video cables for the coaxial-digital connection.

- You CAN use a long video cable for the subwoofer (it's an audio signal).

- You should not use audio (white/red) RCA cables for video

ARE VIDEO CABLES 'BETTER'

No.

Think of it this way:

The street outside your house is covered with asphalt. The freeway is covered with asphalt.  Since you can drive at 60 mph on the freeway, does this mean you can also drive in front of your house at 60 mph?  -- No. There are 90 degree turns in most neighborhoods.

The roads are made with the same stuff - but built for different speeds.

Audio & Video cables are built with the same stuff - but built for different frequencies.

The prices -- they like to charge more for video cables, but it does not mean the quality/construction is really any better.  But people belive "If it costs more - it must be better."

Answer 8

if you are using the regular cable with red,white and yellow rca cable, no there is no difference.

But if you are using special cables, they are different. For example video component cable they are RCA but they are design for video, this kind of cable are design to better preserve the video characteristics, you can use for audio but I don't recommend.

Answer 9

The cables are all the same and will interchange with no ill effects, they made them different colors simply to make it easier to hook up without crossing up cables and colored the corresponding jacks accordingly to further simplify the connection process..

Answer 10

usually video cables are of better construction ie more shielding. i actually use 2 sets of component video cables for the audio between my dvd player and receiver for sacd and dvda signals. i would not use a $1.98 set of stereo cables for video signals.

Answer 11

Basically, a cable is a cable.    The colors just help make it easier to connect things.

If you want to get nitpicky, there is some difference in the construction of the cables, since some signals - like component video or digital audio - have higher  standards with regards to electrical properties.  In general, you should try to use component video cables for a component signal, however, I have, in a pinch, used a set of regular yellow, red and white cables to replace the normal Red, Blue, Green component video cables and it worked just fine.  I'm sure home theater enthusiasts are shaking their heads in disgust, but hey, it was better than buying yet another component cable set.

Answer 12

They are the same, they are only color coated so its easier to see which ends match up.