Are audio and video cables compatible with each other?

Are audio and video cables compatible with each other? The answer to that is yes and no. To understand the answer, it helps to understand how each cable type works separately, as well as how the cables are and are not compatible.

First lets discuss audio cables. The basic purpose for an audio cable is to transfer the signal unadulterated from point A to point B. At the audio frequency, the purpose is to minimize any losses by keeping control of the amount of Inductance, Capacitance, and Resistance. For speaker cables the primary concerns for the optimal signal transfer are to minimize resistance, with inductance following, while also keeping a check on capacitance. This eliminates any amplifier oscillation or frequency peaking possibilities. Analog audio does not convey an impedance signal that is 75ohm. Because analog audio cables are not built to the specifications of 75ohm, analog audio cables should not be used in video applications, even though the cable will pass a video signal.

Now let's discuss video cable. The purpose of video cables is to accurately transmit electronic information, in the form of a signal, from the source of the signal to its destination. Ideally, no loss would occur during the transmission of this signal, but this is not possible. So it is important that loss is kept as minimal as possible, and that this loss does not affect the display. The video cables may possibly be the most important cables in the whole system, because the sent signals are in the Megahertz range, especially when it comes to dealing with High Definition Television. The higher the frequency of the signal, the more important it is to make sure the cables have the proper characteristic impedance, solid terminations, and adequate shielding. For video cable, the proper characteristic impedance is normally 75 ohm. Video cables can be used for any and all video or audio applications.

Audio and video cables are not the same type of cable. The specifications are different for each of these types of cable. The compatibility with audio and video cables is complicated. Audio cables are not compatible with video cables, but video cables are compatible with audio cables. This means that if a video cable is specified, an audio cable will not work properly. However, if an audio cable is specified, a video cable will work interchangeably with an audio cable, so the two cables are compatible in this way.

Another type of audio cable is called balanced audio cables. This type of cable uses an extra line, and consists of three lines, or signals. One line is hot, or positive. The second line is cold, or negative. And the third line is neutral and is called earth. The signal for audio is transmitted on the hot and cold line both, but the voltage that is in the cold line is inverted, so when the cold line is negative, the hot line is positive, and vice versa. The hot and cold signals are sometimes called being 180 degrees out of phase with one another. This phrasing can be misleading, as it does not mean that one signal is held up until it is out of phase, it means instead that one signal is effectively flipped upside down. Even balanced audio cables can not be substituted for video cables. This means that even this audio cable is not compatible with video cable either.

In summary of this question, the answer depends on which cable is being used and which cable is specified. If a video cable is specified, then an audio cable is not compatible with the video cable. However, if an audio cable is specified, a video cable may be used, which would make the video cable compatible with the audio cable in this instance.