Splitting an RCA audio connection

[coolxal]

Is it possible to split a RCA stereo source to two different destinations? That is I want a single red port split into two red ports and a single white port split into two white ports. Basically I just want to duplicate the R and L.

Would something like this work? http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021803&p_id=...t=1#largeimage

Disregarding the coloring, just get two of those for each port?

[jman98]

Yes, something like that will work and yes, you disregard the coloring. If you live in the USA and don't want to wait, Radio Shack has connectors like this. If you need help ask the store clerk to show you where the audio Y connectors are. This is called a "Y connector" because it has one input and 2 outputs so it looks something like a Y.

[CobraPilot]

Follow jman98's advice: The link in your e-mail is the reverse of what you want. Your link shows a Y-connector that takes two INPUTS into one OUTPUT. You want one INPUT into two OUTPUTS.

I was surprised Monoprice didn't seem to have what you needed, since they are so widely used.

[coolxal]

Follow jman98's advice: The link in your e-mail is the reverse of what you want. Your link shows a Y-connector that takes two INPUTS into one OUTPUT. You want one INPUT into two OUTPUTS.

I was surprised Monoprice didn't seem to have what you needed, since they are so widely used.

Are you sure you're looking at the same link? It has 1 Male to 2 Female.

[dragonkeeper]

Follow jman98's advice: The link in your e-mail is the reverse of what you want. Your link shows a Y-connector that takes two INPUTS into one OUTPUT. You want one INPUT into two OUTPUTS.

I was surprised Monoprice didn't seem to have what you needed, since they are so widely used.

Are you sure you're looking at the same link? It has 1 Male to 2 Female.

Coolxal you are correct this should give yo what you want, when used in combination with two sets of RCAs, one set of RCA becomes two right signal paths and the other becomes two left signal paths. I think Cobra confused by the fact that you would not be using these as an input but rather to connect two pair of these to the source unit, thus giving you two connections for each channel.

[usually_quiet]

I wanted to be able to use both the composite and component connections from a DVD recorder with my TV and have audio for both. I bought 2 of these to split the stereo audio output. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VRA3PG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf...ER&pf_rd_r=0X6

[dragonkeeper]

@OP
Either set of adapters would work you would just need to reverse how you hook the cables up. In the case of the adapters posted by usually_quiet, 1-female to 2-male, the components you are trying to connect you output of the source unit would need to be within a few inches of each other as the y-adapters are only 6" long. Any further than this and you would need additional adapters. Like barrel connectors and additional RCA cables, or another set of splitters 1-male to 2- female.

If you were to connect the adapters you posted , 1-male to 2- female, you would only need to use RCA cables to make your connection. And the only limiting factor you would have is the length of the RCA cables.

[edDV]

Note that the splitter technique is a kludge and will lower audio quality (half level, poor impedance match, etc.).

If quality is a concern, a distribution amplifier should be used. Radio Shack also carries one for about $40.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=3118&sku=41067
http://compare.ebay.com/like/280697232616?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4049758

[usually_quiet]

In my case the the A/V connections that I wanted to use on the TV were close together, and I already had a typical 6 foot RCA composite A/V cable, and a typical 6 foot RCA component video-only cable. Plus, I was using the TV's speakers, not audiophile-level equipment. What dragonkeeper suggested would have worked too, but had I used the other type of splitter, I would have needed to buy a RCA stereo audio cable to provide stereo audio for the TV's component connection.

For a scenario where the splitter supplies audio to two separate devices that are still not very far apart, the original cable with one male and two female connectors would be better for running typical RCA cables that are male on both ends.

However edDVs suggestion is the right way to go for supplying audio over a long cable run.

[dragonkeeper]

In my case the the A/V connections that I wanted to use on the TV were close together, and I already had a typical 6 foot RCA composite A/V cable, and a typical 6 foot RCA component video-only cable. Plus, I was using the TV's speakers, not audiophile-level equipment. What dragonkeeper suggested would have worked too, but had I used the other type of splitter, I would have needed to buy a RCA stereo audio cable to provide stereo audio for the TV's component connection.

For a scenario where the splitter supplies audio to two separate devices that are still not very far apart, the original cable with one male and two female connectors would be better for running typical RCA cables that are male on both ends.

However edDVs suggestion is the right way to go for supplying audio over a long cable run.

Agreed. Thing to remember is splitting in this method does cause an impedance miss-match there by increasing resistance along the signal path thus reducing volume. If this is just going to be played over amplified speakers like TV or receiver (item that has an amplified signal and it's own volume control) the drop is negligible in most cases and can be compensated by increasing volume. But beware if connected to a receiver when you switch to an alternate source be prepared to be blasted as other sources will be approximately twice as loud at the same volume.

There are other things to consider as well such as recordings, if the signal is run into a device to be recorded the recorded sound will be much softer. Amplifying the signal be some means is the only way to compensated for this. I have an old prosumer cassette deck which I use to amplify low level signals, the deck has input level slides with led meters which allow me to increase the volume to just before clipping. Has helped many many aday when capturing VHS-c tapes.

[MichaelTunnell]

I know this thread is old but it is very high on Google so I wanted to post here to provide what I think is the best answer to this question.

The topic starter posted a link asking if it was the right thing he needed with many people responding with "yes it is" and actually the answer is "no it isn't". He wanted to duplicate (split) the signals and what he posted and what most (maybe all) linked to were the opposite of what he wants.

To duplicate/split RCA signals you need 1 Female to 2 Male cable. This takes one RED and splits it to two REDs...likewise one WHITE to two WHITEs. Which is what the topic starter wanted. The link he provided was taking a RED & WHITE and converting them into a single plug.

----------------------

Notes:
1. You will need TWO, 1 Female to 2 Male cables.
2. Ignore the Red & White colors...when you do this it will split a Red signal into both ends so you will NOT plug the split White into White, instead you will plug that White into the other Red. (because it will actually be a red)

----------------------

RCA Splitters - 1 Female to 2 Male
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V1PB3O/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=...seq=1&format=2
http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?829508_g10e
http://www.neutronusa.com/prod.cfm/1001408/glb?gclid=COGvw-_JlrUCFQiqnQodaXYAkA

I chose the option from Amazon because it comes with FREE Shipping making the total price = $2.44 | Where as InstallerParts.com is cheaper for the item of only 2 for $0.76 but with shipping total = $4.83

[Camoxjeep]

Since I dont have a place to ask this question I'll ask here and hopefully get a response.

I have a TV with only one RCA Audio out. I want to get some type of splitter so I can hook up wireless headphones and my home theater speaker system (which is currently hooked up). Normally I have to unhook the theater system and hook up the wireless headphones depending on which one I want to use at the time.
Can I use this http://www.amazon.com/3-Port-Audio-Video-Expansion-Selector/dp/B0050NF926/ref=sr_1_13?...s=rca+splitter
I know it says there are 3 RCA IN and 1 RCA out but can it be used the opposite way? Basically have my RCA Audio out go to the RCA OUT on the splitter and my theater system/wireless headphones one each of the RCA IN on the splitter?


Hopefully all that makes sense. THanks

[usually_quiet]

Since I dont have a place to ask this question I'll ask here and hopefully get a response.

I have a TV with only one RCA Audio out. I want to get some type of splitter so I can hook up wireless headphones and my home theater speaker system (which is currently hooked up). Normally I have to unhook the theater system and hook up the wireless headphones depending on which one I want to use at the time.
Can I use this http://www.amazon.com/3-Port-Audio-Video-Expansion-Selector/dp/B0050NF926/ref=sr_1_13?...s=rca+splitter
I know it says there are 3 RCA IN and 1 RCA out but can it be used the opposite way? Basically have my RCA Audio out go to the RCA OUT on the splitter and my theater system/wireless headphones one each of the RCA IN on the splitter?


Hopefully all that makes sense. THanks

It is a mechanical switch that connects multiple sources, one at a time, to a single destination, and not a splitter that connects one source to multiple destinations at the same time. I expect it will work as long as you don't need it to supply audio to both the headphones and the home theater system at the same time. It can only provide audio to one of them at a time, and you will have to manually select the output device that you want.

[jagabo]

I know it says there are 3 RCA IN and 1 RCA out but can it be used the opposite way?

Since it's a mechanical switch it can be used either way.

Basically have my RCA Audio out go to the RCA OUT on the splitter and my theater system/wireless headphones one each of the RCA IN on the splitter?

As was pointed out, it's a switch (only one channel active at a time), not a splitter (multiple channels active at the same time). That's probably fine for your setup since you probably don't want the headphones and A/V amp producing sound at the same time.

You can run down to Radio Shack and get one of these:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964910