(-syndicated from TechLore.com)

In the world of today's consumer electronics, you have a wide variety of connection choices. If you're somewhat with the times, you abandoned the screw-type RF connection years ago, and went to a line level "composite video connection."

Composite video is the yellow jack, typically paired with accompanying red and white audio jacks. Though once a staple of performance for hooking up your gear, its fallen to the wayside as better connections that yield better video and audio performance have become more common.

As a general rule of thumb, you want to use the best connection your device offers. On many older products like first generation VCRs, composite is still the best connection you can make. However, newer products like SVHS-VCRs, DVD players, satellite boxes, digital video recorders, and surround receivers provide you with the means to maximize your performance through better A/V connections.

Examine the back of your components, TV, and surround receiver (if you use one). Picking the best connection is easy when you know what to look for. For example, if your TV only offers composite, then that is the best connection you can make. Here are the different connections you should look for, ordered from worst to best.

Video Connections

(there are more, but below are the most common)

• RF - Screw on type "F" connector
• Composite - Yellow RCA style jack - Better than RF
• S-Video - Round jack with little holes in it - Better than RF & composite
• Component - Green, Red, and Blue Style RCA jacks - Better than RF, composite, & S-Video

Audio

• Analog - red and white RCA jacks
• Optical - Toslink jack (square and black, sometimes has a removable cover) - better than analog
• Coaxial - Orange RCA style jack - better than analog

Optical and coaxial digital audio connections essentially do the same thing. There are negligible differences between them. Use whatever your device offers. If it has both, it doesn't matter on cable runs shorter than 50 feet. If your run is over 50 feet, then use optical.

If your TV isn't from 1975, you'll most likely find RF, composite, and S-Video connections. If your TV was purchased within the last five years, you should have a component connection as well. All TVs have a different number of connections, you'll need to jot down how many of each connection you have. If you own a digital receiver, you'll probably find all of the audio connections. Pro-logic receivers will have analog connections only.

Once you've identified the best connections, choose the best devices to use them. Example: If your TVs best connection is S-Video, and it only has one, choose the best device to take advantage of it. If the choice is between a S-VHS VCR and a DVD player, the DVD player will make better use of that connection. Prioritize your devices and work down. The best connections should be reserved for the devices capable of producing the highest quality.

Using this method, you'll be able to give some, if not all, of your devices a boost in performance. Make sure that if you go shopping for wires, look for quality cables like those from Monster Cable or Straight Wire. Only quality cables will give you superior results.