Coaxial cable with gold connectors.
Coaxial cables are used primarily for cable TV and satellite connectivity. Acting much like an antenna, with a design that protects it from interference and gives it the ability to carry signals over long distances, coaxial cables are perfect for transmitting radio waves to your television, and have gained wide use for that purpose. Connecting a coaxial wire to your television is a simple matter, as long as the right inputs exist. For those moments when they don't, there are a couple of useful workarounds available.
Coaxial Connections
Most televisions have an antenna-in connection, which is intended for connecting a coaxial cable, but older brands of televisions, along with rare flat-screen monitors, may not. To connect your coaxial cable to these exceptions you'll need an intermediary connector. There are several basic varieties of these, including converter boxes and matching transformers.
Converter Boxes
With the changeover from analog to digital television, digital converter boxes are easy to find and work well for providing an intermediary device for televisions without coaxial inputs. All digital TV converter boxes come with a coaxial input connection and multiple output types. Outputs may include RCA composite, component, s-video, or HDMI connections. If your television has any of these inputs, you can use the converter box as a pass-thru connection, converting your coaxial signal to one of the other signal types and passing the signal into your television. Connect the coaxial cable into the coaxial input port in the converter box, and the TV compatible cable type from the converter box to your television to complete the connection.
This method is useful for any type of converter or tuner boxes, including satellite and cable tuners. Many video players come with pass-thru capability as well, making the method applicable to anything from VHS to Blu-Ray players.
Matching Transformers
Older televisions may not have the s-video, composite, component or HDMI connectors. In cases like these you'll need to connect your cable through a 75-300 ohm balun antenna. A balun antenna includes a coaxial connector on one end and a twin-clipped connector at the other. Connecting your coaxial to an older television by using a TV balun will convert the signal into one the television can accept. Newer televisions contain built-in balun transformers. It's an inexpensive way to convert the signal and available at most electronic stores.
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