What Are BNC & RCA Cables?

While many people leave the connections and installation of electronics to the cable man, if you actually look behind your entertainment center, you'll see a maze of wires and cables. In order to send video and audio signals from devices to other devices, specialized video cables must be used. Two of the most popular cable options are the BNC and RCA cables. Both cables have their advantages and disadvantages, but they are reliable enough to transfer video and audio to multiple sources.

BNC Cables

BNC stands for Bayonet Neill-Concelman and it was named after the cable's inventors. The BNC cable uses a small needle that resembles a coaxial cable needle. This is surrounded by a white cylinder casing that is surrounded by small metal pieces. The BNC cables connect by attaching in and twisting the cable. BNC cables are used for many professional production equipment. TV studios, news studios or live feeds are often run using BNC cables. They offer a reliable connection and can adapt to multiple inputs and outputs.

RCA Cables

Consumer products mainly work by using RCA cables. RCA cables are named after the RCA Company, which invented them. The standard three-colored RCA cable features red, white and yellow connecters with a thick connection pin that sticks out. More complicated connections, like surround sound, rely on multiple-colored RCA cables that include blue, gray, green and brown. Each separate audio and video component needs an RCA adapter, so a large setup will require a lot of cables.

Adapters

Even though RCA and BNC cables are made for specific products, they can be adapted to multiple forms of electronics. Adapters are available that can be used to interchange BNC and RCA connections or to use the connections with other electronics. For example, a BNC cable can be converted to an Ipod adapter by simply using an adapter. The adapters make these cables universal in many aspects of audio and video.

Male/Female

RCA and BNC cables and connectors are often referred to as either "male" or "female" cables. Male cables are the cables that have a pin. Female cables have the hole for the male cables to connect to. This makes purchasing, wiring and working with the cables easier by referring to their specific "gender." Adapters can also be used to convert a male plug to a female plug and female to male.

Future Uses

While RCA and BNC cables are still reliable, advances in technology have led to more sophisticated cables taking over. While video game systems, VCRs and other TV components have relied on RCA cables, new HDMI cables have taken over because of their high definition quality. BNC cables are still heavily used in television studios and productions, but alternatives like the TNC connector, LEMO connectors and Twin BNC connectors.