Bnc cable at DVinfo.net

Joe Hanna · September 23rd, 2009, 02:48 PM

I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this question or not but my question is. I have a varizoom monitor and a canon xl-2 camera. The connection I'm using from the monitor to the camera is the RCA the camera however does have BNC AND S-video in/out but the monitor only has RCA in.

That being said would I get a better quality picture transfer from the camera to the monitor using a BNC cable to the RCA (with adapter or a BNC to RCA cable) I am aware that I should not expect to get a perfect picture using this varizoom over something much more expensive but will it help? or will I only get what the RCA will produce into the monitor?

B&H has an BNC TO RCA cable would it be worth it to use this.

Thanks for any replies.

Shaun Roemich · September 23rd, 2009, 02:56 PM

BNC and RCA cables carry the exact same signal in the analog world - composite - so using the RCA or BNC out on your camera will offer the same quality image. One needs to be careful with SDI (serial digital interface) equipped cameras which ALSO use a BNC connector to pass digital COMPONENT (as well as audio) over one cable.

Greg Paulson · September 26th, 2009, 12:48 PM

BNC is more rugged, and designed for multiple cycles. The female RCA connector is pretty durable, but the male RCA parts are not designed for field use. The metal is thin, it can deform, break off.. not designed for daily use.

You can step on a BNC cable, nothing will happen, but you'll crush an RCA male end.

Now.. the flip side to this.. and it's very minor.. an RCA cable -in theory- can be pulled out from the connector if you trip over the cable.... there's no locking system involved except friction. In reality, it will never get pulled out straight, it will be bent & pulled, and hold really good, bringing down all the gear with it.

BNC cables also tend to be much thicker than RCA, because of the shielding and as such, heavier, harder to coil up, bulky too. Slightly simpler to repair as well, I've spun many an end with just my Buck Tool. RCA usually needs soldering, IF you've got a workable end. Most RCA is all molded plastic.

RCA is also cheaper and you can get the cables anywhere.

I always carry a few BNC-RCA adapters in my kit, you never know.

September 23rd, 2009, 02:48 PM	#1
Joe Hanna Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Martinsville, West Virginia Posts: 66	Bnc cable I'm not sure if this is the right thread for this question or not but my question is. I have a varizoom monitor and a canon xl-2 camera. The connection I'm using from the monitor to the camera is the RCA the camera however does have BNC AND S-video in/out but the monitor only has RCA in. That being said would I get a better quality picture transfer from the camera to the monitor using a BNC cable to the RCA (with adapter or a BNC to RCA cable) I am aware that I should not expect to get a perfect picture using this varizoom over something much more expensive but will it help? or will I only get what the RCA will produce into the monitor? B&H has an BNC TO RCA cable would it be worth it to use this. Thanks for any replies.

September 23rd, 2009, 02:56 PM	#2
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	BNC and RCA cables carry the exact same signal in the analog world - composite - so using the RCA or BNC out on your camera will offer the same quality image. One needs to be careful with SDI (serial digital interface) equipped cameras which ALSO use a BNC connector to pass digital COMPONENT (as well as audio) over one cable. __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

September 26th, 2009, 12:48 PM	#3
Greg Paulson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada Posts: 43	BNC is more rugged, and designed for multiple cycles. The female RCA connector is pretty durable, but the male RCA parts are not designed for field use. The metal is thin, it can deform, break off.. not designed for daily use. You can step on a BNC cable, nothing will happen, but you'll crush an RCA male end. Now.. the flip side to this.. and it's very minor.. an RCA cable -in theory- can be pulled out from the connector if you trip over the cable.... there's no locking system involved except friction. In reality, it will never get pulled out straight, it will be bent & pulled, and hold really good, bringing down all the gear with it. BNC cables also tend to be much thicker than RCA, because of the shielding and as such, heavier, harder to coil up, bulky too. Slightly simpler to repair as well, I've spun many an end with just my Buck Tool. RCA usually needs soldering, IF you've got a workable end. Most RCA is all molded plastic. RCA is also cheaper and you can get the cables anywhere. I always carry a few BNC-RCA adapters in my kit, you never know.