Think of your TV for a second. How do you think the data gets to your TV set? The answer is RF Cables. So, by definition, RF cables are a type of coaxial cable used to send radio frequency signals.
Radio Frequency signals could be anything from TV, internet, video, and voice communications signals. According to research, wireless communication has tremendously increased the use and manufacturing of RF Cables.
So, why do people prefer these cables? What makes them so popular? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of RF Cable
- How to Identify RF Cables
- RF Cable vs Coaxial cable
- How Do RF Cables Work?
- RF Cable for TV?
- Summary
Benefits of RF Cable
If you buy quality cables that meet the standards recommended, you will enjoy many benefits. Whether using the wires at home or in an industrial environment:- No signal loss.
- Have an aluminum shield to help it serve you longer than normal copper cables.
- You will experience an improved connection to your input components.
- Designed for different use in terms of length and other specifications.
How to Identify RF Cables
There are some features you need to look for to select an RF cable from other cables. The main ones are:
- An RF coaxial cable has connectors towards the end.
- The RF cable connectors come with a single pin used to plug it into the TV device’s RF input.
- RF has a round metal connector used to secure the RF cable on the input port.
Typically, these cables transfer data and radio signals in the absence of extra electrical interference. They don’t produce any noise when in use and engineers refer to them as static. From that, you can tell if you bought an RF cable or the normal copper cables.
RF Cable vs Coaxial cable
People often use the terms RF cable to refer to coaxial cable. However, these two are different. RF refers to “Radio Frequency.” RF cable simply means signals quickly oscillate at radio frequency typically contained within the cable.
Technicians call this a coaxial cable. So, if a signal is not an RF, you can use coax.
Coaxial cables, on the contrary, are cables comprising wires which transfer television or radio signals. In other words, they carry television networks from the source to an individual house, or what we call cable TV. The cables have four parts.
First is the central wire, typically round and cylindrical. Following is a layer of plastic insulation, in some cables having other inert that is non-conductive.
The next is a metal jacketing coat, which similarly transfers signal. To protect the metal jacketing, the outermost is thicker than the former layers.
Because of their interior insulation heavy layer, coaxial cables are uniquely thick:
- The thickness helps them reduce the magnetic field’s effect on the cable carrier’s signals.
- Signals pass through a lengthy coaxial cable. Hence the thickness reduces the usual amount of signals lost.
How Do RF Cables Work?
Video installations in many homes use RF. Today, it has more uses than just carrying analog signals. Analog signals involve the transfer of a few hundred of megahertz. RF cables carry way more.
Like in cable television (CATV) systems, RF cables carry:
- Broadband cable internet.
- High-bandwidth digital cable content.
Besides, RF cables transfer high-frequency digital signals from the low-noise block (LNBs) converter placed far from the satellite receiver. Here, you will need a cable precision-engineered with:
- Low capacitance.
- Tight impedance stability.
The stability ensures signals flow consistently, whether in a professional or home setting. As a result, the market has various cables designed to come in different lengths depending on their engineered use.
For instance, amateur radio uses the RG-8X. On the same note, the CCTV uses a different cable from the one engineers use on a standard TV. That is why you find the typical TV displaying more clear videos than the CCTV. However, some CCTVs use the RG-6 cable, similar to the one used on TVs, to display more clear videos.
An HDTV uses RG-11 instead of RG-6 since it requires additional insulation against static.
RF Cable for TV?
So, how do you connect RF cables to your TV antenna?
As you saw earlier in the post, one use of RF cables is to transfer video information to a TV. You will use the RF coaxial cable long enough to run from your Aerial on your roof to your TV. To connect RF cable to your TV and get the highest definition, you have two options:
HDTV Output and output
To make an RF cable assembly (lines that transmit radio frequency from one point to the other like an antenna to TV or subscription box to TV) so that you enjoy free channels:
- Connect the RF antenna cable (the cable that runs from your aerial to your receiver) to the back of your TV “Cable in.”
- Connect the “Cable Out” that connects your receiver to your “TV input” jack.
- Check if your receiver has the S-video constituent output. The cable helps create more clear videos for analog TVs. It has two similar ends, each with four pins. Connect it to your receiver and your television too.
- Fix your TV’s component cables. They are normally in three colors red, green, and blue. At the back of your TV, connect the components to the adjacent input jack. That is, the colors of the components should match with the input jack, the same as your receiver end.
S video and the component cables help create clear videos and sounds for analog TVs. If yours is a digital TV, you need a digital connection, which is convenient first.
RF cable to HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
An HDMI cable serves all the functions you saw on the first RF transmission method, all under one cable.
- Connect one HDMI head on your HDMI box output and the other end on your television input HDMI.
- The converter transforms the analog signals from RF, changing them to a digital signal for HDMI.
- HDMI transmits both audio and video frequencies and is used in digital TVs.
Engineers and reputable suppliers advise you to use high-quality cables, though. On the other hand, a supplier of counterfeit cables will sell you substandard cables, or even mere air. Luckily, you can buy custom RF cables online.
To have an awesome experience, only buy your RF cables from a trusted supplier. And this is where we come for your help.
Summary
When you choose the right cable to transfer your radio frequency, you get perfect results. As can be seen, RF cables have all the qualities you need. RF cables have excellent thick insulation. The cables are also made from high-standard materials to serve you longer than normal cables.
To sum it up, the RF cable has unlimited goodies designed for all the parties involved – the engineers and the suppliers, plus you. Sellers make more money, engineers add to their reputation, and you enjoy the highest radio frequency transfer to help you enjoy many functionalities.
