RCA connector
The RCA connector, also called Cinch connector, is a type of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. The name RCA is derived from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design in the 1930s. The male and female jack connectors are called RCA plug and RCA jack.
The word phono in phono connector is an abbreviation of the word phonograph, because this connector was originally created to allow the connection of a phonograph record player to a receiver radio. Typically, RCA connectors are used on phono inputs, a set of input connectors usually found on the rear panel of a preamplifier, mixer or amplifier, especially in early radio equipment, to which a phonograph or record player.
In many geographical areas it replaced the typical audio connector (jack), widely used since cassette players became popular in the 1970s. Approximately 1993, they began to be incorporated into most televisions and other equipment domestic devices, such as video or DVD recorders, but from the 2010s onwards it began to be replaced by the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), its current use being testimonial.
The male connector has a center pole (+), surrounded by a small metal ring (–), sometimes with grooves, that sticks out. The female connector has as its central pole a hole covered by another metal ring, smaller than the male one so that it can be held without problems. Both connectors (male and female) have a plastic middle part that acts as an electrical insulator.
One problem with the RCA system is that each signal needs its own cable. Other types of connectors are combined, such as the SCART connector, used exclusively in Europe.
The RCA signal is not balanced, so it generally corresponds to -10 dBV. This means that they are not used professionally for analog signals.
Connector color coding
| Analog audio | Left/Mono | White | |
| Law | Red | ||
| Central | Green | ||
| Left envelope | Blue | ||
| Right component | Grey | ||
| Left rear envelope | Castile, coffee or brown | ||
| Right rear cover | Clear punishment | ||
| Subwoofer | Purple | ||
| Digital audio | S/PDIF | Orange | |
| Analog video | Compound video | Yellow | |
| Video by components (YPbPr) | And (luminance and synchronisms) | Green | |
| Pb (blue - Y) | Blue | ||
| Pr (network - Y) | Red | ||
| Video by RGB (RGsB) components | R (network) | Red | |
| G (greenand Synchronisms | Green | ||
| B (blue) | Blue | ||
| Video by RGB (RGBS) components | R (network) | Red | |
| G (green) | Green | ||
| B (blue) | Blue | ||
| Composite Synchronism | White |
Note: black can replace white, orange and/or purple.
Examples of devices with RCA connectors
RCA output on CD Player
DVD player with video output
Rear part of a 2012 AV receiver
CRT projection viewer early in the 2000s with ready-made HD capabilities for 1080i HD
First generation of Apple TV with RCA stereo outputs
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