How can I Make HDMI Travel Further?

Is there a difference between RGB and Component?

Why is a silver-plated, copper center conductor better than a copper center conductor?

What is the difference between RG6 Copper Clad Steel and RG6 Copper?

When should I use RG59 vs. RG6?

Are there any differences between DVI and HDMI?

What is the difference between a wire and a cable?

What do all these color codings mean on the connectors?

Are audio and video cables compatible with each other?

What are the differences between the Delta, Direct, and Silver Series Video Cables?

Given the transmitter and receiver of the electronics are fully compatible:
Not all HDMI cables will pass higher resolution signals such as 1080i or 1080p. Use the following chart to determine the best TRIBUTARIES HDMI Cable for a certain application.

Delta HDMI - 28 AWG conductors. Available up to 6 meters
Direct HDMI - 26AWG conductors. Available up to 10 meters
Silver HDMI - 26 AWG conductors. Available up to 15 meters

720p - All Delta, Direct, and Silver HDMI Cables
1080i - All Delta Series and Direct HDMI and Silver Series HDMI Cables up to 10 meters
1080p - Direct and Silver Series HDMI Cables up to 10 meters

Using TRIBUTARIES DSR-701 will allow a 1080p resolution to pass through all HDMI Cable lengths up to 40 meters. See “How can I Make HDMI Travel Further” for more information

How can I Make HDMI Travel Further? (Back to Top)
To allow an HDMI signal to travel further than the specification of the cable, the TRIBUTARIES DSR-701, an HDMI Restorer, can be used. Depending on the resolution, this HDMI Restorer can extend an HDMI signal up to 40 Meters. The HDMI restorer re-syncs an incoming signal back to HDMI specifications. The DSR-701 is compliant with HDCP and HDMI standards. Powered by a transformer, this small electronic device is placed at the end of the run near the display. The HDMI Restorer will restore a 1080p signal, even though the signal is being transmitted over a cable that is specified to pass less than 1080p.

Is there a difference between RGB and Component? (Back to Top)
Yes. Because RGB and Component have the same amount of coax cables (3) and the color-coding is the same, many people assume that these are the same signals. RGB also comes in other configurations: RGB and RGBHV. The difference between RGB and Component is how the signal is broken up:
Component
Red Cable= R-Y=Red signal minus Luminance
Green Cable= Y=Luminance (black and white)
Blue Cable= B-Y=Blue signal minus Luminance
RGB
Red Cable=Red Signal
Green Cable=Green Signal, Luminance (black and white), and Sync
Blue Cable=Blue Signal

RGB carries more bandwidth than component
These two configurations are not compatible with each other. RGB, though, is compatible with VGA.

Why is a silver-plated, copper center conductor better than a copper center conductor? (Back to Top)
Since silver is a lower resistance metal than copper, a signal is capable of traveling further. Also, frequencies such as High Definition tend to flow closer to the surface. Since silver has a 10% gain in conductance, the data transfer is superior to that of copper.

What is the difference between RG6 Copper Clad Steel and RG6 Copper? (Back to Top)
Before discussing the advantages and disadvantages of solid copper center conductors versus copper clad steel, let’s define them. Copper-clad refers to a center conductor that is manufactured from steel and coated with a very thin layer of copper. Solid copper construction is as the name implies, a conductor manufactured from solid copper. This construction of copper-clad steel coax came into being for a few reasons. For one, copper clad steel takes advantage of a phenomenon called “skin effect”, the tendency for a signal to travel on the surface of a conductor at a given frequency. Simply put, as frequencies increase, the signal migrates to the "skin" of the conductor. Another factor is cost reduction, because steel is less expensive than copper. Lastly, steel has more tensile strength than copper. Although it isn’t as flexible, steel can withstand a higher load before failure.

Solid copper center conductors offer some advantages over copper-clad steel. All copper is more flexible than copper clad steel, reducing installation time and hassles. Another advantage of copper is better conductance. Because satellite sends a voltage over the coax, copper clad steel may have a difficulty passing this voltage.

When should I use RG59 vs. RG6? (Back to Top)
RG6 Dual or Quad Shield should not be used for base band applications such as video projectors, plasma TV’s, component video, etc. Although it sounds like an ideal solution given all the layers of shielding, RG6 Dual and Quad Shield (RG6DSC and RG6QSC) do not have the correct type of shielding for the applications described above. It is constructed using braided aluminum shields and foil shields. The construction differs between models. The foil shields have an effective range of operation above 50 MHz, making them ideal for rejection of RFI (radio frequency interference) that would affect cable or satellite installations. However, at frequencies below 50 MHz they are ineffective. The RG6 Dual and Quad shield’s braiding does not have enough coverage to work well with baseband applications.

High Definition frequencies are typically around 37 MHz. For those lower frequencies, TRIBUTARIES offers an RG59 with an all-copper 95% copper shield (RG59SSC) that is designed to block RFI incursion at base band frequencies. RG59’s “big brother” is an RG6 Single Shield (RG6SSC), which has the same construction as RG59 but uses a thicker center conductor for longer runs and less signal loss. Because of the lack of foil shielding, RG59 should not be used for cable and satellite feeds.

Are there any differences between DVI and HDMI? (Back to Top)
DVI and HDMI have similarities and differences.
• DVI and HDMI both carry an uncompressed digital video signal. These signals are compatible.
• DVI and HDMI cables are not capable of transferring signals over long distances.
• Both DVI and HDMI are HDCP (high definition copyright protection) compliant. HDCP ensures that any high definition content through a digital signal cannot be recorded.

HDMI is an improved adaptation from DVI.
• HDMI carries uncompressed digital video and uncompressed 5.1 audio along with control
• HDMI connectors are smaller than DVI
• HDMI carries more bandwidth than DVI

What is the difference between a wire and a cable? (Back to Top)
A Wire is a conductor, usually copper or aluminum, which allows a signal to flow from one point to another. Wire is usually covered with an insulator or jacket, and comes in various gauges.

A Cable is two or more wires bound together in a common jacket. The individual wires inside the jacket may be bare, covered, or insulated.

What do all these color codings mean on the connectors? (Back to Top)
When looking at RCA and BNC connectors, you will find a variety of colors. Each color represents a certain video or audio format or signal. These colors correspond to the back of your electronics. Please note: Video cables can be used as audio cables. Audio cables cannot substitute for a video cable.
Video
Yellow Composite Video
Red, Green, Blue Component or RGB Video
Audio
Red, White Right and Left Audio
Brown or Purple Subwoofer
Orange Digital Audio Coax

Are audio and video cables compatible with each other? (Back to Top)
Yes and no. When dealing with video, a cable has to be 75ohm impedance to achieve its maximum performance. All TRIBUTARIES® video cables are 75ohm. Analog audio, on the other hand, does not transmit a 75ohm impedance signal, therefore it is not necessary to use a 75ohm cable. Because analog audio cables are not built to the 75ohm specifications, they should not be used in video applications, even though the cable will pass a video signal. Video cables can be used for any audio or video applications.

What are the differences between the Delta, Direct, and Silver Series Video Cables? (Back to Top)
We have designed our interconnects with three distinct levels of performance - Good, Better and Best. Our “good” level interconnects , Delta Series, have features, that correspond to most competitor’s “better” level cables. The immediate standout feature of Delta cable is the use of machined brass, gold-plated RCA connectors. Most competitors don’t offer metal, hand-soldered connectors at this price point. And none of them test their cables for continuity before shipment as in the case with Delta cables. In fact, TRIBUTARIES tests every interconnect we sell for continuity before shipment, regardless of the price point. Delta cables contain two different types of shielding, a copper braid to block radio frequency (RF) incursion below 50 Megahertz (MHz), and a foil layer to block RF above 59 MHz. The copper braid is of particular importance, because all audio and video signals are below 50 MHz. Although RF interference above 50 MHz isn’t likely to cause problems with AV equipment, it’s still possible so we added a foil layer just to be sure.
Our “better” interconnects have more shielding and larger conductors than the Delta Series. The Direct Series has features not found in Delta cables or anywhere else for that matter. For instance, Direct Series video cables have two 95% coverage copper braid shields for better rejection of RF interference (in addition to a foil shield). Although one 95% coverage copper braid would seem to be enough, it’s still 5% porous (the machines that weave the braid can’t make a 100% coverage braid).

We use two soldering methods not found anywhere else. Surround Solder is a much better mechanical and electrical connection than the typical method used to solder a shield on interconnects.
We also take an extra step to ensure reliability with “bridge solder.” Soldering the RCA connector bridge improves the reliability of the ground within the RCA connector.

Our Silver Series, which is our “best” interconnects, improve upon the performance offered by the Direct Series. As the name implies, we use silver plating to improve the conductivity of the cables (silver is a 10% better conductor than copper). In the case of our Silver video cables, we use true 75 ohm RCA and BNC connectors (virtually no other manufacturer uses true 75 ohm RCA connectors). Silver Series video cables also contain the double copper braid and foil shield discussed with the Direct Series. One more difference between the Direct and Silver Series cables is the dielectric. The Silver Series video cables are built with a Teflon dielectric, which is superior to all other dielectrics except air.