RCA (Radio Corporation of America) is a manufacturer of consumer electronics, including television and stereo components. The company is known for its color-coded patch cords for connecting audio and video equipment. Until the advent of digital connections, the RCA-type plug was nearly the universal method of connecting audio gear and still is widely in use. Amplifiers for powering audio-video equipment are still manufactured with RCA plug jacks in addition to newer ports for connecting video devices with USB and HDMI (high definition media interface) jacks.
Instructions
Making the Connections
1. Disconnect all equipment from the power supply while hooking up the components.
2. Plug red and white audio cables into the jacks on the back of an audio or video component. The red plug inserts in the right output jack and the white plug inserts in the left. Both the plugs and outlets are color-coded.
3. Plug the other ends of the cables into the red and white audio Input jacks on the back of the amplifier or receiver. Use the connections labeled on the amp for that specific component. For example, connect the cables from a CD player to the input jacks marked CD on the back panel of the amplifier.
4. Work systematically to connect one component at a time. This prevents crossed wires and plugging cables into the wrong jacks.
5. Connect RCA video components such as a VCR, DVD or Blu-Ray player using the yellow plug for the video connection. Audio connections for these components are the same as for a CD player, turntable or tape deck; the only difference is an additional yellow cable for transmitting the video signal.
6. Plug the RCA components and the amplifier into a surge-protected power strip and plug the power strip into a wall outlet.
Tags: cables into, audio video, connecting audio, jacks back, plug inserts, power strip, white audio
