How to choose an audio or video cable for the equipment you already own
You have a turntable, a little mixer, or a DVD player worth keeping. The cable that came with it has disappeared, and several leads in the drawer fit at least one end. Before searching for a replacement, read the words beside each socket. A picture of the entire rear panel is often more revealing than a close-up of the plug. It shows which sockets belong together, which direction the signal travels, and whether sound needs a separate connection.
Which lead takes sound from a microphone to a mixer?
Follow one channel from the microphone output to the mixer input. Many stage microphones use a three-pin XLR connection. A balanced XLR extension such as 10XR-01206 has a male connector and a female connector. It can extend a compatible microphone lead or connect equipment that has the matching sockets. Check whether the mixer input accepts microphone level and whether your microphone requires a particular power setting. A lead ending in a quarter-inch plug can go into a different input on the very same mixer. Read its label before changing connector styles.
How can I tell what a quarter-inch or 3.5 mm plug does?
Look for the insulating rings on the metal plug, then check the equipment diagram. A quarter-inch TS instrument lead carries one unbalanced signal. A TRS plug has an additional contact. Equipment makers use it for several purposes, including stereo headphones and balanced mono audio. When a podcast guest hears the interview in only one ear, start with the headphone output and the adapter between it and the headphones. A mono adapter in that path changes what reaches the ears. Write down the function at both ends alongside the plug sizes.
Why does an older DVD player have five RCA sockets?
Component video uses three signal connections, commonly labeled Y, Pb and Pr. The additional red and white pair carries right and left audio. Cable 10V2-03206 bundles all five leads. Two plugs in that bundle can be red. Follow the markings or grouped audio pair when connecting them, then select the matching input on the display. A single yellow composite video input on the TV calls for a different signal. Confirm that an alternate output or an appropriate converter exists before buying a three-plug lead.
How do I shop for an optical soundbar connection or an extension?
A TOSLINK cable carries digital audio between a compatible optical output and input. Check the TV’s audio menu for an output format the soundbar accepts. For analog extensions, record which end must accept the plug you already own. Measure around the back of the cabinet with the equipment in position. Leave enough slack to pull a component forward to read its label. Keep a note with the source, destination, connector genders and working input setting so the next replacement takes one search.
Compare parts for your setup
3.5mm Mono Male to RCA Male Cable, Black, 6 foot
10A1-07106
- Connector references
- RCA Male
- Dimensions in listing
- 3.5mm
- Length
- 6 ft
Compare the plug contacts and the other end against the device manual, particularly for headset and video jacks. Measure the installed route against this 6 ft length.
Keystone Insert, White, Red Right Channel Banana Plug Binding Post, Banana Plug Female Coupler
323-120RD
- Connector references
- Banana Plug · Banana Plug Female
- Configuration
- Right Channel
