LCD TV Cabling Explained

Cabling required for LCD TVs can seem complicated. The following guide will take the complication out of LCD TV cabling for you.

Composite Video: Composite video is the lowest grade of video signal used by most video equipment. It is a combined video signal that contains the luminance, hue, and saturation data on a single cable. The typical connector is a single jack with a yellow marking. These jacks are used for most audio/video connections between components. The audio/video jacks are often color coded (yellow for video, red for right audio, and white for left audio). This is also called composite video.

Never run an LCD TV or LCD projection TV with composite video, because it will only feed approximately 250 lines and the picture will be so poor it will affect your viewing experience.
Analog Audio: One of the most common transmission formats, audio analog is used to transfer stereo audio signals. Hugely versatile, the audio analog interconnect can range from the most affordable entry level to the highest possible quality available, depending on the materials and geometry used in the cables construction.

Digital Audio: Digital audio signals are both complex and fragile. There are two ways of transmitting the signal, one is a 75 Ohm coaxial cable and the other is optical transmission. 75Ohm cables are able to transmit digital signals by restricting the impedance to 75 Ohms using precise construction and materials. Optical cables work by transmitting light signals down medical grade light conductive cores.

S-Video: A notch above composite video in signal quality, S-Video separates the luminance portion of a video image from the color part. This provides a clearer picture, because each portion of the video signal is assigned its own processing channel. The S-Video connector is a
Mini-Din 4 Y/C, also known as S-Video Connector. S-Video is primarily used on S-VHS VCRs, satellite dishes (non-HDTV) and DVDs where the target connection, like your TV set, won’t accept component connections. S-Video will run 480i signal, but not a 480p signal.

Component Video: Component video is used primarily on DVD players and HDTV receivers. It is a high-grade video signal that separates the three basic components of a video signal (luminance, hue, saturation). Component video is often displayed as Y, Pb, Pr, or Y, Cb, Cr.

The typical connectors are three jacks with Green, Blue, and Red markings. A component video connection is capable of accepting full high-definition signals up to 1080i. If you’re buying a surround sound receiver, make sure it has component video switching. When you’re purchasing component video cables, try to keep the length of your cables below 18ft.

The Y, Pb, Pr jacks allow you to connect a component, such as a DVD player. This connection provides excellent picture quality because the video is separated into three signals. To ensure maximum picture quality, use three video-grade cables for the connection. Note that although DVI and VGA may give a better image, the component video cable is the best connection method since you can switch video feeds through your Surround Sound receiver.

RGB (VGA) Video: All video signals require synchronization of both the horizontal and vertical picture information. Combined synchronization, or ‘CS’ as it is also known, provides both horizontal sync and vertical sync in a single conductor.

DVI Video: DVI (Digital Video Interface) is a specification created by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) to accommodate analog and digital monitors with a single connector. It’s the highest signal quality available. There are three different DVI configurations: DVI-A, designed for analog signals, DVI-D, designed for digital signals, and DVI-I (integrated), which is designed for both analog and digital signals.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface): HDMI is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV). HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.

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