RCA cables: Connecting audio, video devices

In the 1940s, RCA cables were first used by the Radio Corporation of America for connecting phonographs to amplifiers. This is where the cable has got its name from. Usually, RCA cables refer to a type of cable with three color-coded plugs, which connect to three correspondingly-colored jacks. These plugs and jacks are also known as ‘phono plugs’ and ‘phono jacks.’ In general, the colors are red and white for right and left audio channels and yellow for composite video.
RCA cables can be used for connecting various types of audio and video devices. You can use such a cable to connect your camcorder to TV or stereo to speaker. Expensive camcorders come with all three RCA jacks, which ensure a high-quality transfer. Cheaper varieties of camcorders, however, often have one jack, affecting the quality of transfer. In both cases, RCA cables transmit analog, or non-digital, signals and that is why it is not possible to plug them directly into a computer or other digital device.
RCA cables can be classified into three types: Single RCA cable, Dual RCA cable, and Triple RCA cable. With lengths varying from 3 to 50 feet, Single RCA cables are used for single audio and video patching. This cable has gold plated tips and protective jackets made up of nylon mesh. Dual RCA cables have two pairs of red and white/black or yellow and black connectors. Triple RCA cables are often used for single-channel composite video and dual channel stereo audio. These RCA cables also have gold plated tips and PVC protective jackets.

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