Video Cable Definitions

In simple terms Video cables are cables which used for transmitting video signal from one source to other. Sometime these are called Coaxial cables because most of the video cables available today are Coaxial cables.

Reasons for using different Video Cables

Different video cables are used for different purpose depending upon their applications. Some of the advantages of using these cables are:

1. Improving contrast ratio
2. Running cables longer
3. Getting less video distortion
4. Creating improved colors

Types of Video Cables

Types of video cables are based on its application. Some of most popular types or video cables are:

1. DVI Video Cables
2. Composite Video Cables
3. RGBHV Video Cables
4. Component Video Cables
5. S-Video Cables
6. Portable Projectors Video Cables
7. VGA Video Cables

DVI Video Cables

DVI or digital video interface cables are slightly larger then standard VGA cables. Ideally DVI cables creates digital link between the source of video and display device.

Composite Video Cables

The most commonly used video cables are composite video cables. These cables frequently used in Video Cassette Recorder and stereo devices. These cables are color-coded namely red, white and yellow where red is for right channel audio; white is for left channel audio and yellow for video signal. Only one cable is used for transmitting complete video signal. These are most commonly used cables type inspite of their low quality video/audio signals. The most common uses of these cables are television, Camcorder, VD player, and VCR’s.

RGBHV Video Cables

RGBHV Video Cables are similar to composite video cable but difference is in the fact that video signal in RGBHV cables are divided into five. These RGBHV cables divide the color of video signal into red, green and blue. Now days most of the high end monitors, HDTV used RGBHV connection to create the high definition video quality.

Component Video Cables

In Component video cables complete video signals are divided into three. This way it provides a better image quality then compare to composite cable or S-video cable. Jacks tips of component cables are Green, Red and Blue. Most of today’s DVD players, HD television sets tuners uses component cable connections.

S-Video Cables

These S- video cables are also know as SVHS cables and have variety of uses including latest television sets, satellite set top box, camcorder and SVHS VCR’s etc. S-video cables divide video signals into two components like luminance and chrominance. This is the main difference between S-video cables and composite video cables.

Portable Projectors Video Cables

As their name suggests portable projector video cable needs small room for connection. Due to this space scarcity most of the portable projector cables comes with 15 pin VGA. The projector is designed to sense the video signal it is receiving and process them accordingly. These portable projector video cables uses three out of 15 pins out connection designed for component video signal.

VGA Video Cables

These VGA cables are normal monitor cables and have three rows of fifteen pins. VGA cables are primarily used for PC to projector or PC to computer monitor connections.

By: Hyun Kim -