Common Video Audio Cable Misconceptions

However, there are some common myths that cloud people’s judgement while buying audio and video cables.

• First of all people get fooled with colours. Often people think that golden plating means excellent connectors, which is not necessarily correct. Gold plating is a very thin layer coating which is usually applied to cover low quality base metals like nickel. If the base metals are rhodium or silver then you would usually not see the gold plating but these are usually better quality then other ones although these turn out to be a bit costlier.
• Bare ends of wires are better than fancy pins. This is also untrue since if wires are left open at the end they would get oxidized and corrode easily. The ends should be gold or silver-plated for better protection.
• A very common misconception amongst people is that thicker the video audio cables, the better. This is not true at all. Thicker wires means that conductors get big which may cause the electromagnetic fields to distort due to proximity effect since there are always two parallel conductors acting opposite to each other just like opposing magnets.
• Silver cable is better than copper: another myth speaks that silver video audio cables are better than copper. This is also not true. Although silver offers better conductivity than copper, it is not always fit for bass which is required for audio and video cables.
• Bi wiring increases performance of cables: Bi wiring is mostly useful when there a significant impedance variation between high and low frequency segments of a speaker. Otherwise it is always better to connect with a single good quality cable rather than going for a bi cable.
• Directionality does not hold any important in cabling: This is one more misapprehension that follows from an old school of thought. Directionality is important which is why most cable manufacturers also put arrows on the cable itself to specify how it should be fitted. These directions are only given based on research and listening tests.
• Breaking in cables does not make much difference: This is something that is commonly believed and I have personally done this many a times. Cables often break in between due to wear and tear or needs to be reconnected back to other cables. People think breaking in cables does not make much of a difference but that is wrong.
• High capacitance is not good: This is also a misconception. This is actually irrelevant. If someone has advised you to go for lowest capacitance per square foot, then he is wrong.

Lastly it is always advisable to go for a good quality cable which can enhance the audio and visual quality rather than going for a cheaper cable wire. Keep your cables in good shape for that perfect performance of your audio or video systems.