Video Cable Types

Not all video cables function in the same way. Their make and design allow them to be used for transmitting video signals in different manner. For example, the cables which are used for a normal home theater system, are most likely to produce undesirable results if used for high-definition home theater system. The below gives you a glimpse on the different types of cables used for different video systems.

These, as the name suggests, are the most basic types of video cables that are used for basic video viewing. As you must be aware, these cables are grouped together with two audio cables, as they cannot carry audio signals. These cables are commonly used for VCRs, DVDs, etc.

These types are commonly used in general home video equipment, cable systems, for Internet connections, and as connectors between radio transmitters and receivers. Also known as coax, these cables consist of copper core (main conducting medium), and this has a wrapping of flexible dielectric insulator. Now this insulator again has a sheath of woven copper, and finally the outer jacket is a plastic sheath.

These cables, as the name suggests, are meant for use in High-Definition Media Interface. This system provides high-definition video experience and multi-channel audio features for the user. And to relay the signals from the source to the destination, a single cable is put to use, and it is known as HDMI cable.

This type of video cable has gained immense attention from users, and is regarded to be the most advanced on the market. Generally, other cables have a circular end, but this cable has one that is rectangular.

Due to its advanced make and design, this cable relatively costs higher than other ordinary video cables. Also, it is not suitable for low-end equipment.

An alternative to HDMI cables could be these types. However, unlike the former type which is a signal cable and carries both audio and video signals, a component video cable does not carry audio thus, is often used in conjunction with cables that are able to do so. That is the reason, you would see these cables as a combination of five prongs.

These are colored blue, green and red (meant for the video signal), and red and white cables (for the audio). Here, the video data gets encoded on three channels. Although, they may not provide exact service as HDMI video cables, they do a fairly good job with HD television and progressive scan DVD players.

Super video refers to a medium that provides output that works on a resolution which is not considered to be either enhanced-definition television (EDTV) or high-definition television (HDTV). Here, unlike the composite video system, the video data gets encoded on two channels. For systems which do not have video inputs of HDMI, can make use of these cables.

Although, they may not provide a true HDMI experience, they are better than ordinary cables. Also, they are less expensive when compared to component or digital connector cables. Besides being used for TVs, and DVD players, these cables are also used in systems such as DVRs (digital video recorder), game consoles, and projectors as well.

These video cable types are commonly and most frequently used in video signal connections. As the name suggests, the video data is a composite of entire modules of the video signal. In case you were not aware, the video information, in this case, is the format of an analog television, before it is made to work in conjunction with a sound signal.

Similar to component video cables, they carry only video signals, thus they are combined with composite audio cables; yellow for video signal, and red for right channel audio and white for left channel audio. In addition, these cables support only standard definition signals.

And this was all for some of the common types of video cables. Some of these are gradually becoming obsolete, and some gaining huge popularly on the market as they are changing to get in sync with the needs of new, rapidly developing electronic systems.