Editing RCA connector (section)

==Disadvantages==
[[File:High-quality-RCA-bullet-plug-Eichmann.jpg|thumb|right|"Bullet plug" variation – Note the hollow center conductor and the pin point for the return signal.]]

When connecting the male into the female, the inner, ''hot'' (signal) connection is made before the ground connection has been guaranteed; this often produces a loud buzz if the equipment is active when the connection is made.

The hot signal wire and signal ground provided by an RCA connection implement an [[Balanced audio|unbalanced]] connection. A true balanced connection is generally preferred in certain applications, particularly professional settings because it allows for the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to external noise.

Using RCA connectors, each signal requires its own plug. Even the simple case of attaching a cassette deck may need four of them{{snd}}two for stereo input and two for stereo output. In any common setup this quickly leads to a disarray of cables and confusion in how to connect them. This situation is made worse if one considers more complex signals like component video (a total of three for video and two for analog audio – or one for digital coaxial audio).

Attempts were made to introduce combined audio/video connectors for direct signals - the most successful example was the [[SCART]] connector, which was successful in [[Europe]] but did not enter widespread use elsewhere.<ref name="scarpers">{{citation |url=http://uk.cinenow.com/articles/7249-hdmi-when-scart-scarpers |title=HDMI : when SCART scarpers! |date=January 1, 2006 |access-date=2011-08-27}}</ref>  For a time the 5-pin [[DIN connector]] was popular for bi-directional stereo connection between A/V equipment, but it has been entirely displaced on modern consumer devices.  Though [[RF modulator]]s inherently transmit combined A/V signals in video applications, they depend on [[broadcast television systems]] and RF connectors which are not universal worldwide; RF signals are also generally inferior to direct signals due to protocol conversion and the RF limitations of the three major analog TV systems ([[NTSC]], [[PAL]] and [[SECAM]]).

Before HD television became a standard, nearly all TV sets, [[VCRs]], and [[DVD]] players sold in Europe had SCART connectors,<ref name="scarpers"/> although these were sometimes supplemented by RCA and/or RF connectors. SCART–RCA [[adapter]]s also exist, which usually allow input of composite video and stereo audio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amabilidade2002.com/scart5.htm |title=3 RCA plugs to Scart plug |access-date=2011-08-23}}</ref> Outside Europe, separate RCA connectors are usually used,{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} supplemented by RF connectors for [[backward compatibility]] and simplicity. Although [[mini-DIN connector]]s are used for [[S-Video]] connections, composite video, component video, and analog audio ([[Monaural|mono]] or stereo) all use RCA connectors unless the signals are sent via SCART. In the digital realm, however, combined A/V connectors are gaining ground: [[HDMI]] is commonly used today for consumer electronics; and [[DisplayPort]], a potential competitor to HDMI, is often found on home computers and peripherals.