I have recently re-arranged my video equipment so that all the video and audio stuff is wired to my computer. (please hold all your geek comments until the end, thank you)
I need to run the output from my main VCR to my TV which is about 15 feet away. I am currently using 12ft cables and 3ft cables connected with inline adapters, but I’m getting interference in the form of two large slightly dark bands running horizontally up through the picture.
Is there a maximum length for this type of cable?
Should I invest in those expensive “monster”-type cables or have some custom-made to the length I need.
A video signal will degrade pretty quick. You would need special video cable with impedance matching both ends (I believe it’s either 52 or 75 ohm, I forget).
The inline adapters are possibly one source of interference.
Leave the sound cables alone. Re video you might want to try getting a 20 foot piece of shielded 75 ohm coax with F connectors on each end and putting an male F-connector to male RCA plug adapter at each end. Radio Shack has all of this.
Alternatively RS also has a 20 foot shielded RCA plug cable that might work for you also.
Stereo Patch Cable with Gold-Plated Contacts-20 Ft.
$12.99 Cat.#: 42-2653
Make sure the cable is designed specifically to run video. Audio cables used for video will work OK for a few feet; beyond that they’ll start exhibiting the problems you’re experiencing. You need a 75 ohm cable, then 20 feet should be no problem. The cable pointed to by astro appears to be an audio cable. Radio Shack’s web site has probably the worst search engine around. However, if you go into a store and tell then you need a 15 or 20 foot video cable with RCA plugs on both ends, they should be able to find it for you. You may need to buy a combination audio/video cable, though, which shouldn’t be any big deal, and will make your wiring neater.
Parts Express has one that you can look at for reference - part number is 180-124 (there doesn’t appear to be any way to link directly to a product on their site). Notice that the wire connected to the yellow plugs is much thicker - that’s the video cable.
Also, if you are trying to project your computer out through the VCR to the TV, the bars may just be a product of your computer. My TV out card (Riva TNT2 Ultra) gives me some funky black bars on the sides of TV (as monitor is wider ratio than TV)
The problem you are experiencing is probably due too poor shielding. 75ohm cable is usually the best to use for video. It is not always practical or for short distances necessary but you can notice the difference in pix degradation.
IMO you are
seeing VBI (Vertical Blocking Interval )from the vcr signal.
Answer to your question-It depends on what you want.