Composite Cables

Composite Cables - Efficient Transfer of Video Signal

Here on the site, you will find our selection of composite cables, which are used for the transfer of composite video signals.

Composite cables are used to transfer analog video signals, which is the signal you have before it is combined with an audio signal.

Composite cables are often part of a phonocable and are often used for older models of video equipment.

If you are unsure about what to pay attention to when choosing a composite cable, read below, where we have gathered some information that can help you find the right cable for your setup and needs.

4 Things You Should Know About Composite Cables

There are different lengths and plug types for composite cables, and it can be difficult to navigate the various designations and options with composite cables.

Below, we have gathered some information that can help you find the best composite cable for your setup or devices.

#1 - Types of Composite Cables

There are typically two types of composite cables, one designed to only transfer the analog video signal via a single channel, which is also called CVBS, standing for Composite Video Baseband Signal, but CVBS can also stand for Color Video Blanking and Sync.

However, there is also a cable called a subwoofer cable, which can transfer EITHER audio OR video signals, still in an analog signal via one channel.

Most people, however, use the composite cable to transfer video signals as part of a phonocable, with a plug for audio and video respectively.

It is important that you consider what you will use the composite cable for, so that you can get the right type of composite cable, as the two types are not good for the same purpose.

If you need the cable to transfer a video signal, for example directly from camera to TV screen, then you can advantageously choose a CVBS cable, which is suitable only for video signals.

On the other hand, if you need the cable in a car to connect the subwoofer to the amplifier, then you can advantageously choose a subwoofer cable.

#2 - Length of Composite Cable

It is always recommended to keep cables as short as possible, whether it is an electrical cable or a signal cable.

This is recommended to keep the signal optimal throughout the cable's length, so that loss of signal strength is minimized and that there isn't a lot of cable rolled up behind a shelf, where you might risk the cable being bent/broken or exposed to cable noise/interference..

Composite cables come in different lengths, and you should calculate how long the cable needs to be to reach from one device to another, and in this calculation, consider whether the cable needs to be run around corners, or up and down walls or around doors.

If you only need the cable occasionally, so it doesn't need to be fixed, but can just be taken out when needed, then choose a short cable that isn't longer than absolutely necessary.

You can often find composite cables in lengths of:

• 1.5 m
• 2 m
• 3 m
• 5 m

#3 - Plug Types for Composite Cable

The plug types for composite cables are often either RCA plugs or jacks, but the most common for newer devices is RCA plugs.

What you should pay attention to is whether you need a female or a male plug in the relevant plug type.

The female plug is not often used on the cable itself, as it is usually the plug that sits in the devices, but it can still be found and is often used to convert the gender of a plug.

Additionally, you can also find composite cables with multiple plugs, called splitters, which allow you to split the signal up to several devices.

You will often find the following plug combinations on composite cables:

• RCA male to RCA male
• RCA male to RCA female
• RCA female to RCA female

Some composite cables have gold-plated plugs, and this is often a sign that the cable is of high quality, as the gold plating is a unique conductor for the signal, and it is believed to significantly improve signal transmission.

#4 - Color of Composite Cable

You can get composite cables in many different colors, but most often these cables, regardless of the color of the cable, will have a yellow plug, as this is the color for the composite video signal.

You can often find composite cables in the colors black, gray, and white, but you can also occasionally find cables in other colors.

For example, you might use different colors to color-code the connection between different devices.

This can especially be an advantage if you need to have many devices connected with various composite cables, so it becomes easier to find the right cable for the right device.

Extend the Lifespan of the Cables

A composite cable lasts a very long time if you take some care of it, and as the cables are often used as needed, and only rarely for a fixed installation, they are often taken out and packed away many times over their lifetime, which wears on the cable's conductors.

You can extend the lifespan of the cables by following the advice below:

• Avoid bending the cables
• Store the cables at room temperature and dry
• Roll the cables up in a circle and store them either lying flat or hanging
• Avoid pulling on the cable, but instead pull on the plug