Optical vs. RCA Cables: A 101 Guide

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In this guide, you’ll learn how optical cables, specializing in digital audio, enhance sound from your TV to external speakers.

Meanwhile, RCA cables, known for their versatility, handle both audio and video signals.

This article breaks down their differences to help you choose the right cable for your needs.

So, let’s get into the details and clear up the confusion.

A Side By Side Comparison: Breaking It Down

Here is an easy-to-follow chart comparing both cables side by side.

Optical Cable: How it Works

Optical cables are often referred to as TOSLINK (Toshiba Link) cables. They are used to send audio signals from one device to another.

Unlike the RCA cable, an optical cable is one singular cable with one singular connection at both ends. It compresses 5.1/7.1, Dolby Digital, or DTS Surround System between your devices. It can also transmit uncompressed stereo sound.

It cannot send video signals.

So, how does it work? It works by turning the audio signal into light and then pulsating the light into a wavelength of 650 nanometers. Pretty fancy, right?

Although it is primarily used for audio signals, it can also send higher quality sound like Dolby Digital. But, it is not equipped to transfer lossless versions of Dolby sound.

RCA Cable: How it Works

You’ve seen these cables around your house. It commonly has three connections—red, white, and yellow.

But what is an RCA cable used for, and how does it work?

The RCA cable transfers video and sound from one device to another.

For the RCA cable to work properly, you must connect both sides of the cable to the respective ports on each device.

This will allow video and sound to transfer from one device to another.

The main difference between an RCA cable and an optical cable is that the RCA transfers both video and audio. Whereas an optical cable only transfers an audio signal from one device to another.

An RCA cable cannot transfer high-definition or high-quality video signals from one end to the other.

An RCA component cable can transfer standard definition, analog, composite signals, or 1080i content.

The technicalities of an RCA cable are interesting. It transfers signals by keeping each signal separate. In other words, two analog audio signals (left and right analog signals) and a video signal through its three connections.

The attempt to simplify the connection into one cable leads to a reduction in data quality.

How to Use Optical and RCA Cables

As we learned above, optical cables are only used for sound, and RCA cables are used to transfer video and sound. But how exactly do you use each cable type? What type of devices does each cable support?

How to Use an Optical Cable?

Now that we understand how optical cables transfer sound between devices, it’s important to understand how to use them.

Optical cables are used primarily with soundbars, game consoles, Blu-ray and DVD players, and TVs.

First, locate the optical cable port on your devices. It’s easy to find because of its distinctive shape. Also, the port is often labeled with the word “Optical.”

Next, ensure you take off the plastic cap at each end of the optical cable. These little plastic covers are placed at each end to protect them from harm when shipped or handled.

After you’ve connected the cable to your devices, make sure to connect your devices to power outlets and turn them on.

When connecting your optical cable to a soundbar, you’ll have to navigate to your TV settings to turn off the TV speakers.

Considering each TV brand has a different menu setup, please consult your manual to determine how to turn off your TV speakers.

We understand this can be confusing, so check out this video representation of the above information.

How to Use an RCA Cable?

An RCA cable is a cable with three connections at each end. They are usually used to connect camcorders, speakers, and amplifiers to TVs.

To connect your RCA cables from your TV to any other device, you’ll have to match each color of the plug to the color of the designated port. Match the plugs to the ports behind your TV and to the device you wish to connect.

Connect the white and red cables only if you’re interested in transferring sound from one end to the other. The yellow cable is the one that transmits video signals.

It’s that easy.

If you’re interested in a quick and easy video that explains how to use RCA cables, please view this video here.

Affordability

RCA and optical cables come in many sizes, price points, and brands. Although generally users tend to think the more expensive an item is, the better the quality, this is not the case with these types of cables.

The only rule of thumb you should follow is the shorter the cable, the better. That’s because transmitting the signal over longer distances reduces signal quality.

Therefore when purchasing an RCA or optical cable, just make sure it’s not very long.

Regardless of how short or long the cables are, how do RCA vs optical cables compare to each other when it comes to affordability?

RCA Cable Affordability

Affordable RCA cables are a dime a dozen. A quick search provides many affordable options.

For instance, the PASOW 3 RCA Cable is highly rated and very affordable, it’s not even the most economical one out there. But this gives you a good example of what you can find.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Paid Link.

Another more affordable option is the iMBAPrice RCA Cable. Not only is this cable highly rated, but it’s less expensive.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Paid Link.

As you can see, RCA cables are highly affordable. Therefore if you lost yours, finding a replacement is easy.

Optical Cable Affordability

So, how does the optical cable compare to the RCA cable when it comes to affordability?

Now, an optical cable is slightly more expensive than an RCA cable, but not very much. For example, this optical cable by WARRKY is highly rated by users and a few dollars more expensive than the RCA cable mentioned above.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Paid Link.

There are many to choose from when it comes to finding affordable optical cables. Although, according to my search results, I did not find any cheaper than the PASOW 3 RCA cable above.

When it comes to cost, it seems optical cables are a good bargain but slightly more expensive than RCA cables.

Are there any alternatives to RCA or optical cables?

Keep reading to find out.

Alternatives to Optical and RCA cables

When it comes to alternative cables, there are a couple that come to mind. Two alternative cables are coaxial and HDMI cables.

Although these cables are unique in their own ways, they are used for similar things.

Let’s go in depth.

Coaxial Cable

A coaxial digital audio cable (not to be confused with a coaxial internet cable) is one single RCA cable that transmits digital data from one device to another.

The coaxial digital audio cable is thick. It’s made of copper wire with a plastic insulator braided in metal mesh that shields it from electromagnetic interference. This is encased in a protective plastic coating.

It makes for a robust cable that is durable for transmitting data with little loss over longer distances.

If you’re looking for a coaxial cable for your electronics, try the FosPower Coaxial Digital Cable. Although it’s an affordable product, it’s more expensive than RCA and optical cables.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Paid Link.

HDMI Cable

An HDMI cable is a robust wire that can transmit many types of video and audio signals. It can transmit SD, HD, and 4K video.

However, they can transmit lossless sound and even provide internet without using additional cables.

Compared to the other cables we mentioned above, these come at various price points.

You can opt for something inexpensive, like the Amazon Basic HDMI  cable, or spend more on a product like the Monster 8K HDMI  cable.

Although the price of these cables usually depends on what you need, shop around until you find something that suits you.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

When it comes to cables, the optical and RCA cables do similar things. However, upon closer inspection, the optical cable only transmits audio signals while the RCA cable transmits both audio and video signals.

The price points of both are very affordable, although the optical cable is slightly more expensive.

When it comes to usage, even though they are similar cables, they are used for different things. Optical cables are used for speakers, video game consoles, DVD players, and Blu-Ray players.

An RCA cable is primarily used for speakers, stereo systems, soundbars, and camcorders.

So if you’re trying to figure out if you need one or the other, first look at the devices you’re trying to connect, then make your choice.

We hope this article helped you differentiate between the two cables. Got more questions for us? Leave us a comment below.

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