RCA to BNC adapters for component: bad idea?

[kendjet]

Hi all, I recently bought 3 component (YPbPr) cables to do some side-by-side comparison with my Wii through an Extron Crosspoint matrix switcher, going into a couple of TV's. When they work, they are ok, but the problem seems to be that component cables tend to slip out of RCA-BNC adapters really easy. I have the same problem with the official Nintendo Wii component cables. I always have to fiddle them around a bit until I see the colors are showing up properly.

The exact same problem appears using RCA-BNC adapters I bought from another shop. I guess it might be better that I bought a component-only switcher for this purpose so that I can get rid of the adapters?


Thank you!

[cr4zymanz0r]

In my experience it's a crapshoot what kind of quality you're going to get with BNC to RCA adapters. I've bought some on ebay that the RCA cables would fit nice, snug, and work great. I've bought others from other sellers that the cables would practically fall out with the slightest amount of tension on the cable, and a subset of them being downright defective where they basically were the adapter equivalent of a short in a wire.

Maybe someone here knows a reliable source for good quality adapters so you don't have to just gamble with them like I did.

[AndehX]

i've bought cheap ebay adapters and never had any issues with them. maybe im just easy to please

[bobrocks95]

Good RCA cables should have a ring of sorts around them that you can crimp to make the connection tighter if necessary.

[Einzelherz]

Good RCA cables should have a ring of sorts around them that you can crimp to make the connection tighter if necessary.

All of them have a spring mechanism that can be tightened. Either it's a single band of metal or the less classy 3 or 4 prongs.

The bnc adapters on the other hand can only really be bad if the bnc lock ring isn't machined properly. I have a couple that are very difficult to lock because of this, but they're not unusable.

[accaris]

For going from the Extron to the TV: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eagle-6-FT-Pyth ... xySoJTPslU Beast mode.

[Einzelherz]

I have the BNC to BNC version of that cable and it's as thick as my thumb. It weighs like 3lbs.

[BazookaBen]

My female RCA to male BNC adapters are pretty flaky too. So now I just use regular BNC cables, and female RCA to female BNC adapters (which seem to work better, luck of the draw I guess). Allows for quick switching of consoles too, with a few 3-foot BNC cables coming from behind my PVM. I'll probably find a more elegant solution in the future.

[kendjet]

Thanks for all the replies everybody, some good info here

I found out it's actually the component cables themselves which seem to be crap. They are really thick and seem durable at first glance, but from the 3 different cables I bought, the outer conductors are either too small (they don't even fit in the back of my TV), or they're extremely loose.

I'll go with one of the options you guys posted here.

Thanks again!

[kendjet]

Another lesson learned I guess: it's not because the cables are thick/braided/expensive that the connectors themselves are any good

[mvsfan]

some cheap rca connectors have an outer shell on the connector thats split and not all 1 piece. they are JUNK and dont hold well.

[22point8]

Anything RCA isn't going to be 75 ohm anyway.