Connecting the Holiday Goodies!
Welcome to Tech Talk, Pico Macom's series of technical notes, featuring useful information and equipment tips. This installment of Tech Talk discusses consumer equipment interfaces and features Pico Macom’s line of interface and connectivity products.
You've Got the Hook Up!
You’ve gotten all those holiday presents: DVD players/recorders, DVD/VCR combos, satellite/CATV HD systems, game consoles, camcorders, or a multitude of other wonderful audio and video-producing goodies. There are two sides to connecting everything together.
The patch cables provide the interface to get the signal from one piece of equipment to the other. Some of the typical interface cables are HDMI, S-Video, F, BNC, and RCA. All of these cables can be bought in a pre-made length and connector configuration. For example, Pico Macom offers high-grade, molded patch cables, such as the JRR-Series, that make the connection quick and simple. For custom length applications, use cable termination tools and products such as the CS-596 to prepare the cable end; the F-001, B-001, R-001 compression connectors for positive 360° retention force; and the PFC-002 compression tool to secure the connector to the cable end. By building and attaching the cables at custom lengths, attaching and dressing cables together provide a custom professional look, with the performance and quality you can rely on.
Interface Electronics Simplifies Installation
Pico Macom provides useful products that switch or convert signals so they are compatible with existing home electronics.
Many of the new electronics products on the market will provide an S-Video and A/V output, but not the traditional RF output that most consumers are accustomed to. This doesn’t have to be a challenge! Pico Macom consumer modulators will convert these signals to the traditional TV channel signal that is compatible with every television with a tuner. The VSM-3/4S modulator will convert the S-Video and A/V signals to channel 3 or 4, the USM-8D will convert the A/V signals to any UHF channel, and the USM-20D3 will convert three A/V sources to three separate UHF channels.
The Pico Macom VSS-52R matrix switch is the perfect companion to solve the multiple-source dilemma, providing connection of up five separate S-Video and A/V sources. This enables all electronics to be connected to a single device and switched either on the front panel or by remote control to the output. Two independently switched outputs allow connection to a Pico Macom consumer modulator and a stereo amplifier, recording device, or another TV monitor. The VSS-52R’s flexibility is unsurpassed by anything else available on the market.
Click here to download a technical specification sheet and/or installation instructions.