The Cable Conundrum

Michael Fitzer
September 2007

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Anyone who has ever linked one tin can telephone to another with a piece of string knows the value of a good connection. But, if you're like most editing enthusiasts out there, choosing the right cables for your suite is sometimes a confusing prospect.

Now don't think reading this article will magically make that mass of black coils under your desk turn into a pristine collection of cable. Tidiness is not the issue here. What is at issue is keeping you running smoothly at the best price. So, let's start with some basic definitions of which does what and at what price.

You've seen these a thousand times. They commonly come as singles, as pairs or as an audio/video three-way. Often called RCA cables, they transfer stereo audio and video signals between components. It's best to keep your RCA connection as short as possible and away from power lines, which cause interference.

You could choose to spend a fortune on these connectors; however, a standard length at a consumer electronics store will suffice for almost any need and usually for under $10.

The "S" which stands for "Separate" (but is often referred to as "Super") simply means it transfers the video information using two separate signals. Unlike composites, S-video cables carry the luminance and chrominance on different signals, improving the quality by reducing crosstalk between the two signals.

There are several types of S cables, and they serve different functions, based on their number of pins. The most common is the 4-pin used for video applications, while other S cables, like the 7-pin, are often used for computer hardware applications.

As with most other cables on the market, S-video connectors can be inexpensive; however, less expensive typically means lower quality, especially in the pin strength. You can expect the cheapies to snap more easily. If you're going with an S-video cable, go with quality. In this case, quality still costs you under $30.

While you will find tons of RCA connectors in the consumer world, these rugged connectors are still the standard in many professional audio setups. The name comes from the originator, the Cannon X series connectors. The remaining "L" and "R" stand for its defining qualities: "L" for the latch that keeps the connector connected and "R" for the rubber that encases the contacts. Since the original, XLRs now come in a variety of configurations; however, the 3-pin setup is the most common. When using balanced signals, XLRs are built to block electrostatic noise and reduce annoying buzzing, humming and any sort of radio interference that could find its way into a professional production or post environment. (See A Little Balance by Hal Robertson in the August 2005 issue for more information on balanced audio.)

For all they do, you'd expect these babies to run a lot more than they do, but you can find quality XLRs (depending on length and the manufacturer) starting around $10 for 6 feet.

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