Cables. Different color, same function? (1 Viewer)

[ChangJason]

Hello, i'm new to this board. I have a question about cables.

I recently bought a Yamaha DVD player, and i want to hook it to TV (57" widescreen) with Monster Component cables (red, blue, green).

Today, i found a set of Monster cables in my house. but seems like they are regular video/audio cables (red, blue for audio, and yellow for video). i'm wondering if i could just use these regular cables as component cables? i mean are they really different things or they are basiclly the same? i'm not looking for the best pictures, just trying to save myself a few bucks.... a hundred bucks actually, the DVD player is 15ft away from the TV.

 

[Jeff Gatie]

The audio cables are probably not rated at 75 ohms, which is what is required for video. You can substitute 3 75 ohm video rated cables for the rgb component, but I would not substitute audio.

 

[Justin Ward]

It is kind of a grey area. I'm sure the composite video(yellow) cable would do it's part of the signal but the l/r audio cables may not. This is due to the fact that video cables are supposed to have an impedance of 75 ohms. The audio cables may not be 75 ohms though.

I don't see the harm in trying though. You should be able to tell pretty easily if two of the cables don't work.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

If you’re not worried about picture quality, the cables you have will work. However, good video cables have a different construction than audio cables, so you really should get some real video cables eventually.

If you want to save some money, you might consider making your own cables. Check this link for illustrated instructions on how to make your own high quality cables dirt cheap. Requires no soldering, no special tools. Anyone can do it.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Wayne Clark]

Today, i found a set of Monster cables in my house. but seems like they are regular video/audio cables (red, blue for audio, and yellow for video).

Chang, I've never seen an audio cable with blue connectors. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will jump in and correct me. What does it say on the side of the cable? It should have a model number of some kind. With this information, you can check out the monster website for that cables capabilities (component cable/75 ohm... whatever).

good luck, Wayne.

 

[Greg_R]

i'm not looking for the best pictures, just trying to save myself a few bucks.... a hundred bucks actually, the DVD player is 15ft away from the TV.

The regular cables will work reasonably well and the 75ohm terminated cable would be ideal. A dedicated video cable will also have a thicker conductor to handle the higher bandwidth. FWIW, there are better bang/buck video cables than Monster. Check out Blue Jeans Cable or one of this forum's sponsors, Better Cables.

 

[ChangJason]

the cables have these words on them:
Monster Cable
Interlink 400Mk II
Advanced Multi-Gauge bandwidth balanced interconnect with PEX dielectric and solid-core construction.

i'm now pretty sure they are audio cables, just don't know if they are good enough to work as video cables.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

It wont hurt anything to hook them up and try.

For several years, Radio Shack offered a L/R/Video bundle that had all 3 cables being made with 75 ohm coax and identical RCA plugs. This made them identical to their component video cable, but they sold them at a lower price.

It makes manufacturing sense to only need a single stock of coax when creating a 3-conductor cable. Monster may have done this as well.

Look for ghosting or loss of focus when you try the cable.

Wayne: one of my gripes against Monster is that they dont give technical specs about their cables. Just marketing pseudo-science. If you can find links to frequency-response/attenuation curves for the Monster Video 1/2/3 coax, I'd love to see them.

 

[Joel X]

It is not so much a gray area as the short lengths allowing for a little fudging. Video connections are usually designed around 75 ohm cables (coax) and connectors (BNC). Though it seems we have been blessed with the burden of RCA connectors everywhere which are great for the low bandwidth of analog audio but for high frequencies it can show its true colors.(you would truly be lucky to find a true 75ohm RCA's. BNC's are what should be used but what are you going to do?).

There is no harm in giving it a try. Just make sure to report back. Also what lengths are you dealing with?

 

[Wayne Clark]

Well Bob, your right. After opening my mouth about being able to go to the web site and find out all I ever needed to know about Monster, I found that they tell you very little. Once again I see that the world has taken what could be the greatest information and marketing tool that has even been seen and used it as a color brochure that is out of date. (bowing my head in shame) Sorry, one of my pet peeves, I'll get off of my soap box now. Wayne.

 

[ChrisTheg]

If you weren't concerned with picture quality why didn't you stick with VHS tapes? Think of it this way. People buy really good DVD players and TVs because they want something to process the signal really well then deliver it really well. The whole premise behind good A/V wire is carrying the signal well to. You can't make the signal, and display the signal well if your using wire of the same caliper. If you dont have good gear then dont worry about it.

 

[Adil M]

Chris,
I disagree.
While I agree you should do your best to take full advantage of your equipment, I believe that a dvd running through "component" is in no way comparable to VHS. The guys just being frugal and somewhere down the road will pick up a component cable if he doesn't Do-It-Himself.
DVD through box cables will look better than VHS 99 out of 100 times.

 

[Paul Bryan]

If you want to save some money, you might consider making your own cables. Check this link for illustrated instructions on how to make your own high quality cables dirt cheap. Requires no soldering, no special tools. Anyone can do it.

You say Video cables are different, but then these DIY cables use Audio interconnect wire? am I missing something?

 

[Michael Reuben]

Chang, I have combined all of the answers you've received in various forums into this thread. In the future, please do not post the same question in multiple forums. Thanks for your cooperation.

M.

 

[ChangJason]

Administrator Reuben
Thanks for doing this. I won't do that again.


guys, thanks for all the advises. after an intensive research, i've found that my audio cables are pretty good cables (Monster said so). i'll definitely try them first.

UPS is going to deliver the system today. it should be here any minute now. I'll post the resualt when i hook it up.

 

[ChrisSny]

Chang, if you want to save some money (1) there are cheaper component cables made by monster that are much cheaper than the interlink ones (2) if you still want to save more and are not that worried about picture quality then why not try S-video?

Also Wayne, Monster audio cables come with a red and blue end, not your standard red and white

 

[ChangJason]

THEY DIDN'T WORK!!!

the picture is worse that my digital cable.

i'm getting myself a 6M component. too bad no store carries them. have to wait days for shipment...

thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

Chang, I apologize.:frowning: I did not read your post carefully enough to realize you needed 15 footers.

I hope you found one of the good custom sites and bought cables made with Canare/Belden coax and those wonderful Canare RCA plugs. Many of these web sites can deliver in a few days so it wont be long.