54 Chapter
6
Additional Information
Explanation of Input Jacks and Cables
This section describes the jacks and cables you can use to make connections (only audio/video cables
are packed with your DVD/VCR — you can purchase cables by calling 1-800-338-0376, details are on
page 60, or order online at www.rca.com, or go to your local electronics store). There are several ways
to connect your DVD/VCR to your TV depending upon the cables you have and the jacks that are on the
back of your TV.
Different jacks and cables provide a different level of performance. It’s important to remember, we’re
talking about degrees of picture improvement for comparison. If your TV has Component jacks (Y, Pb,
Pr), S-VIDEO, and composite video (often color-coded yellow and grouped with Audio Left and Right
jacks that are white and red); Component (Y, Pb, Pr), would be considered excellent, S-Video would be
very good, and the composite video jack (yellow) would be considered good.
Component Video (Y, Pb, Pr) Jacks and Cables
The Y, Pb, Pr jacks provide optimum picture quality because the video is separated into three signals
(two signals are dedicated to the color portion of the image, and the other signal is dedicated to the
black and white part of the image).
To ensure maximum picture quality, use three video-grade cables for the connection. There are bundled
component video cables sold that are color-coded to match the Y, Pb, Pr jacks (red, green, and blue).
Component Video Input jacks are usually found on Digital Televisions (HDTV).
Note: Also, remember to connect the left and right audio cables because the Y, Pb, Pr jacks and cables carry only the
picture signal, not the sound.
S-Video Jacks and Cables
The S-Video (separate video) jack provides better picture quality than a composite video jack (some-
times labeled VIDEO and color-coded yellow) because S-Video keeps the color (chrominance, also called
chroma) part of the signal separate from the black and white (luminance) part of the picture.
S-Video cables are designed to keep the color information separated. If your TV has an S-VIDEO jack,
connect the DVD Player to the TV with an S-Video cable (not provided) for a better quality picture.
Note: Remember to connect the left and right audio cables because the S-Video cable carries only the picture signal,
not the sound.
Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type)
Audio
These jacks are used to send the audio from the disc you’re playing in the DVD/VCR to the TV. The
audio jacks and cables are often color-coded (red for right audio, and white for left audio). You must
connect audio cables to the AUDIO L and R jacks on the DVD/VCR and the corresponding Audio
Input Jacks on the TV no matter which Video jack you connect (VIDEO; S-VIDEO; Y, Pb, Pr)
Note: If your component has only one input for audio (mono), connect it to the left (white L/Mono) audio jack on
the TV and don’t connect the right audio part of the cable.
Video
The basic Video jack (usually color-coded yellow) jack is also referred to as composite video.
Composite video doesn’t keep color information separated (like S-Video), but it’s better than the
video quality you get from an RF coaxial cable (the type used to plug the cable feed into a TV).
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