RCA connectors are among the most commonly used audiovisual interconnects.
RCA connectors are a popular audio and video interconnect plug; their simple design is affordable to produce and provides a physically solid connection, allowing for optimal signal transfer. Much like other popular connector plugs, such as XLR or the 1/4-inch jack, they can be fitted to a variety of different cable types to perform different functions.
Origins
As phonographs gained popularity in the first half of the 20th century, manufacturers sought to standardize the connectors used to link the separate parts of high fidelity systems. As many of their customers now owned a radio, a record player and in some cases a tape machine, each of these components needed to be connected to a single amplifier, as "all-in-one" units were not yet offered. One of the largest manufacturers, the Radio Corporation of America, introduced a dedicated plug, referred to as a phono -- or RCA -- connector.
Stereo Audio
The small size and solid fit of the RCA are suited to carry stereo signals with each channel on a separate cable. This helps cut down on crosstalk interference, in which each channel can bleed into the other resulting in unwanted noise. Pairs of RCA cables intended for audio use use a standardized color coding system: red connectors denote the right stereo channel, white connectors the left.
S-Video
Some composite video formats also use the RCA connector to carry visual signals. "S-Video" is an early digital video standard, commonly used when connecting computers to external screens and projectors. It's usually part of a three-part cable, which also includes left and right audio connectors; this is because the S-Video connector is not capable of carrying sound and audio at once.
YPbPr Video
Component analog video, often referred to as YPbPr, is a higher quality video connection that also uses the RCA connector plug. It is also a three-part cable, but in this instance all three strands carry part of the video signal, which is then recombined at the display end into one image. This method provides a great deal more bandwidth, allowing a higher quality signal to be transmitted. Sending different parts of the signal down separate cables also offers the inherent interference protection seen in the stereo audio version of the cable.
Tags: commonly used, each channel, higher quality, three-part cable