Coaxial To Rca

Sometimes a problem comes up with connecting electronic devices that needs to convert from coaxial to RCA or vice versa. Coaxial to RCA is commonly needed for compatibility between digital and analog electronic devices. For novices, the difference between these two connections may not be too obvious although they may have clearly been encountering these two types of cables all their lives. The main difference between a coaxial cable and an RCA cable is that coaxial or coax carries digital signals while the RCA carries analog signals.

One type of coax cable commonly encountered is that used for cable television (CATV) cables. This type of cable is also usually used for connecting digital equipments since again this carry digital signal. It is composed of one single solid central conductor through which the signal passes surrounded by a layer of insulation and another physical channel which serves as a ground. These layers are then surrounded by an outer jacket.

RCA cables are usually composed of three wires having ends with pins or plugs of different colors. The three wires are used to transmit video and right and left audio signals corresponding to the yellow, red and white plugs, respectively. These plugs go into the jacks, also called phono (short for phonograph) plugs or phono jacks, commonly found in the electronic devices they connect to. Plugs having a particular color go into the jacks having the same color. They are commonly used to connect video game consoles, video cassette recorders and televisions together. These cables or plugs however cannot be connected directly into digital electronic devices since as mentioned, these only carry analog signals.

Most applications are now upgraded to use digital signals over analog signals. For devices having jacks for RCA only, connecting to digital devices usually requires another piece of equipment that converts digital signal to analog signal, effectively converting coaxial to RCA. A common example where a digital signal may need to be converted to analog or from coaxial to RCA is in cable televisions. For example, in the US all television signals are now required to be transmitted in digital so that some older television sets have become obsolete. A digital TV decoder, also called a digital TV adapter, digital-to-analog-converter box, or simply a converter box is a piece of equipment that collects digital signals from the airwaves and translates them for use on a non-digital or analog television. A set-top box can also be used for such purpose.

There are a variety of digital TV decoders or digital-to-analog-converter and set-top boxes available in the market today that suits the application you need for your coaxial to RCA conversion. These are available in all electronic retailer stores. The prices range from about $40 to $70, on the average at $60. These connect to coaxial cables and also have jacks for RCA connectors. The converter boxes usually include the necessary cables. This comes in handy since this is practically what you are looking for- a way to convert coaxial to RCA.