Think about the types of cables you use to connect your electronic devices. How many of those cable formats were being used 20, 30 or 40 years ago?

If you come up empty here, let us jog your memory and call attention to the humble but still-relevant composite audio/video RCA cable. These cables with their familiar red, white and yellow connectors continue to provide dependable, cost-effective connections for audio and video devices.

RCA audio and video cables are not quite as popular as they used to be. In many cases they have been edged out by non-RCA formats, such as HDMI cables. However, RCA remains alive and well. This blog post examines six reasons why they still make sense for many consumers. But first, a little background …

Composite RCA vs. Component RCA

The most common composite RCA cables contain either two or three lines. The red and white connectors of a two-line model carry the right and left audio channels of a stereo signal. The added yellow connector of three-line models transmits the video signal.

A second type of three-line RCA cable has red, green and blue (RGB) connectors on each end. This RGB component RCA cable carries a premium “component video” signal, which does not include audio. It divides the video into three parts: two for color information and one for luma (brightness).

Now for the six reasons why RCA is still popular.

  1. RCA Cables Are Versatile

RCA cables transmit audio and/or video signals for a wide variety of equipment.

  • They are used for video signage and video surveillance.
  • They connect laptop and desktop computers to home theater systems.
  • They link some televisions to DVD players, Blu-ray Disk players, gaming consoles, video cameras and digital still cameras.
  • RCA connects audio equipment such as power amplifiers, mixers, speakers, CD players and turntables.
  • To link devices to an automobile’s sound system, SMC offers a car audio installation cable.
  1. RCA Connectors Hold Tight but Attach Quickly

A big selling point for RCA cables has always been that they provide a connection that is solid enough to not easily jar loose, and yet easier to quickly attach and separate than threaded or even bayonet-style connectors.

  1. RCA Cables Are Cost-Effective

Partly because of their continued popularity, RCA cables continue to be relatively inexpensive. You can get a 6-foot standard dual RCA audio cable for several dollars. A few dollars more will get you the same length in a premium grade. Even SMC’s pro series three-connector RCA audio/video cable is very affordable.

  1. RCA Cables Have Improved

The quality of audio and video signals has increased considerably through the years, and so has the quality of RCA cables. You can now choose 24-karat gold-plated connectors with a beefed-up molding for strain relief. Some cables come with extra shielding for protection from unwanted noise and interference. Modern RCA cables have a higher bandwidth than older cables. This means they can transmit more data, allowing for higher quality signals.

  1. RCA Cables Have Adapted to the Times

Some RCA cables allow analog signals to be converted to digital signals for improved quality and compatibility with modern devices. One such example is SMC’s Sony/Philips digital interconnect format (S/PDIF) cable.

Another newer development is our ThinLine coaxial RCA cable. It uses a proprietary foamed dielectric to make the cable less than half the diameter of standard RG6 and RG59 for a lighter weight and more flexibility for tight spaces.

Not all “RCA” cables have RCA connectors on both ends. To meet a rising demand, several of SMC’s models mate RCA connectors on one end to a one-eighth inch (3.5 mm) male plug or female jack on the other.

  1. RCA Cables Connect to Legacy Equipment

While it is true that some cable formats have replaced RCA, most equipment setups include components that are at least several years old. Many of those with RCA jacks will be used for years to come. (As evidence of the lasting popularity of some legacy technologies, consider that in 2023, for the first time since 1987, vinyl records outsold compact disks!)

RCA AV cables are alive and well at ShowMeCables. Most of our wide selection is in-stock and available for same-day shipping if ordered before 5 p.m. ET.

If you have any questions or need guidance on what cable is best for you, our U.S.-based customer service would love to hear from you at 1-888-519-9505. Or you can contact us via email or chat.