The VGA-RCA adapter cable is used to connect audio and video devices. So, for example, with it you can connect a DVD player, satellite tuner, which has an analog component video output, to a multimedia projector with a component video input. Quite often, home appliance users face a choice: buy a VGA-RCA adapter (or extension cable) or make one yourself. This is due to the fact that the cost of long original cables from leading manufacturers is quite high. And the cash, and labor costs for the hand-made manufacturing of such a device is very small. In this article, we will consider what a VGA-RCA adapter is, as well as its pinout. Thanks to this information, you can make the mentioned cable yourself.
Description and pinout
For the manufacture of the subject of our conversation, it is recommended to use (as a conductor) a CAT5 twisted-pair computer cable (it is better to use shielded), since it is capable of transmitting a video signal without loss of quality over a distance of 50 meters. The VGA-RCA adapter contains three RCA- “tulip” type connectors (male or female, depending on the purpose) and a D-Sub connector (15-pin).
Pinout of the D-Sub connector for this adapter:
- the first is signal red;
- the second is signal green;
- the third is signal blue;
- the sixth is the land of red;
- the seventh is the land of green;
- the eighth is the land of blue;
- 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 pins are not used.
Thus, only six pins are required for the VGA-3 RCA adapter. If you use a twisted-pair cable, then take colored pairs of wires to solder each “tulip”. For greater rigidity, the ends to which the RCA connectors are soldered are recommended to be crimped by shrink cambric. Here, in fact, is the whole description. The resulting RCA-VGA adapter feeds the component video signal to the VGA input.
Application
Very often they try to use the VGA-RCA adapter for supplying a component video signal to a computer monitor. However, this cannot be done, the adapter will not work. This is due to the fact that the computer monitor receives not the color difference component signals output by the DVD player, but the RGB component. To ensure the operability of such a connection, the use of a special transcoder is required.
Conclusion
The described method of manufacturing the adapter can be applied to other similar products: 3 x RCA - 3 x RCA, VGA to VGA-extenders, etc. For example, you can make an adapter for the S-Video or Scart cable, the most important thing is to use the correct pinout these connectors. The use of twisted pairs makes such adapters and extension cords very cheap to manufacture. If you need a short adapter, you can use an unshielded cable, this will further reduce your costs. And if an extension cord of 10 meters or more is needed, it is better to take a twisted pair with a copper screen. This will ensure high quality transmitted component video. It’s better not to save on this element, because no one will like to watch a movie, while “snow” or stripes that distort the picture will appear on the screen. It’s better to do it once well than redo and fix the flaws.