Tv to cable connector: 3 Ways to Connect Coaxial Cable Connectors |

How to Install F Connectors on Coaxial Cable

Timothy Thiele

Timothy Thiele has an associate degree in electronics and is an IBEW Local #176 Union Electrician with over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

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Editorial Process

Updated on 01/24/23

Reviewed by

Larry Campbell

Reviewed by
Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later as an engineer for the IBM Corp. He is also a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Review Board

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Project Overview

Traditional coaxial cables were once the standard means of connecting a television to an antenna or cable TV access point. But they are less common now that high-definition and ultra-high-definition televisions make prevalent use of HDMI, fiber optical, and ethernet cables for many of their connections. Still, coaxial cables have their purposes, and your video system may still use them.

A coaxial cable used to bring electronic signals to a television or other electronic device terminates in an F connector. Despite the name, F connectors are round metal barrel-like bits that attach to the end of the coaxial cable.

There are several ways these F connectors can be attached to coaxial cable. Professional installers use a coaxial cable stripper, which strips all three layers of the cable at once. Then, they slip on the F connector and secure it with a coaxial cable tool, which presses the connector onto the cable and crimps it at the same time.

What Is an F Connector?

An F connector is a fitting that connects a coaxial cable to an electronic device or a wall jack. It contains threads that allow you to screw the cable onto a TV, cable wall outlet, or other electronic devices.

Watch Now: How to Install F-Connectors on Coaxial Cable

If you’re not a pro, you probably don’t have these special tools. But you might own (or can borrow) a basic cable crimper that will allow you to install a crimp-type F connector. Don’t have a crimper? No problem—simply buy a twist-on F connector, which you can install by hand.

As for stripping the cable before adding the connector, an ordinary utility knife will do the trick. It helps to have standard electrical wire strippers for one of the steps, but you can also get by with the utility knife. Just be sure to work cautiously to protect the inner copper cable—and your fingers.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Equipment / Tools

Utility knife
Wire strippers (optional)
Cable crimper (for crimp-style connectors)

Materials

Crimp-type or twist-on F connector

Strip the Wire

First, you’ll strip 3/4 inch of the black or white outer jacket from the end of the coaxial cable, using a utility knife.

Carefully make a shallow cut all the way around the cable, cutting through the outer jacket only. Use your fingernails to peel away the jacket from the cable. This exposes the layer of fine metal shielding wires and foil just inside the jacket.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Trim the Shielding Foil

Fold back the shielding wires onto the cable jacket, and trim them with wire strippers or scissors so they are about 1/8 inch long. Now, use the utility knife to cut through the metal shielding foil so it extends only about 1/4 inch from the cut in the cable jacket.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Warning

The metal shielding wires inside the outer sheath of a coaxial cable are very fine and have pointy tips. This means they can easily stab a finger, so be extra cautious working with them. Using gloves will make the job much harder to complete, so go for an ounce of prevention here.
Trim the Plastic Layer

Strip 1/4 inch of the white plastic insulating layer from around the copper wire core of the cable, using wire strippers or a utility knife. Be very careful not to cut or nick the copper wire itself, as this can affect the cable’s performance. There should now be 1/4 inch of the bare copper wire extending from the end of the white plastic layer.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Install the Connector

This stage depends on which type of connector you are using:

Crimp-type F connector: Fit the crimp ring of the F connector over the end of the cable and slide it down over the outer jacket and shielding wires. Slide it until the white plastic layer makes contact with the hole inside the connector. You should see about 1/4 inch of copper wire inside the end of the F connector. Continue to the final step.

Twist-on F connector: Fit the F connector onto the end of the cable and twist it clockwise until the white plastic layer contacts the hole inside the connector, and the copper wire extends about 1/16 inch beyond the front end of the connector. For twist-on connectors, your work is done.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Complete a Crimp-Type Installation (if Necessary)

On a crimp-type F connector, place the crimping tool jaws over the crimp ring of the F connector, and squeeze the tool handles to secure the connector to the cable. You are now finished.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

How to Set Up Cable

How to Set Up Cable | Move.org
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October 19, 2022

3 min read

At a glance

Moving your cable TV service to a new home isn’t complicated—especially if you’re continuing service with the same provider. Current customers can usually take their cable box from their old location to their new abode, while new subscribers are sometimes given the option of having a new cable box delivered for self-installation.

Once you’ve switched, or begun, TV service at your new address, you can either hook it up yourself, or have a professional (the fabled “cable guy”) do it. We’ll walk you through the do-it-yourself route.

3 ways to install cable in your new home

These three routes to hook up cable yourself require active cable service, as well as a cable box.

In the olden times—like, the early 2000s—you could simply connect the cable from the wall directly to your TV and get a decent array of basic channels.

Not anymore: Full cable TV service only works with a digital cable box between that wall cable and your TV, even the smartest of smart TVs. We’ll be covering the connection between the cable box and your TV. These instructions could also be applicable to a satellite TV box.

HDMI cable—Best picture quality

Coaxial cable—Quickest setup

S-Video cable or composite-video cable—For older TVs

HDMI cable—Best picture quality

Newer cable boxes come equipped with an HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port, a small rectangular slot labeled as such on the back panel. If your cable box doesn’t have one, you should request a new version made within the last 10 years, as cable companies don’t always alert you to new equipment upgrades (especially if they’re free to customers, which they usually are).

An HDMI cable is an all-in-one delivery system for video and audio, and it transmits the highest quality signal for both. You can buy HDMI cables almost anywhere, from electronics stores to big-box home improvement outlets, and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily better than the cheaper ones—it’s up to you how much you want to spend.

Cable-to-HDMI installation

Fasten the cable from the wall to the cable box’s Input, then plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back panel.
Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into one of your TV’s back-panel or side-panel HDMI ports (most new TVs have more than one to accommodate multiple devices). It doesn’t matter which HDMI port you use, as they’re all identical.

After the signal is established, you can use your remote to label the cable input for easy on-screen menu distinction between other devices (example: HDMI 1: Cable, HDMI 2: Blu-ray player, HDMI 3: Xbox, etc. ).

Coaxial cable—Quickest setup

Like HDMI, a coaxial cable transmits both video and audio, just at slightly lower quality. Any cable box, no matter how old, will have a cable output connection—they look the same, so get a good view of the labels and don’t mix up the input and output or you’ll get no signal.

A coaxial cable is the same kind of cable coming from the cable company to your home, and short-connection household versions are as easy to find as HDMI cables. The most common length is 3’, and pricier ones (with gold-plated connectors, etc.) don’t give you a better picture than budget versions.

Cable-to-cable installation

Connect the cable from the wall to the cable box input, then screw the coaxial cable onto the cable box’s output connector.
Screw the other end of the cable into the TV’s cable input connector on the back (most current TVs still have them).
If the TV doesn’t have a cable input, refer back to “Cable-to-HDMI installation” above.

S-Video or composite-video cable—For older TVs

If you have an old-old-old-school analog TV, chances are it will use an S-Video or composite video input. Some cable boxes will accommodate these kinds of connections, but most newer ones will require an adapter between the cable box and the TV.

S-Video cables have 4-pin connectors and deliver a low-grade standard-definition picture—which you likely won’t notice, since a TV with S-Video input will also be standard definition.

Cable-to-S-Video installation

Connect the S-Video cable to the S-Video output on the cable box (or to an adapter).
Plug the other end into the TV’s S-Video input.

Composite video cables are similarly low-grade, but they use RCA mini-plug connectors—yellow for video, red for right stereo audio, and white for left stereo audio. TVs with this type of connection will also be standard definition, and will probably require a connection adapter to work with a modern cable box.

Cable-to-composite video installation

Plug one end of the RCA connectors into their corresponding color-coded inputs on the cable box (or adapter).
Plug the other end of the RCA connectors to the TV.

The picture with this or an S-Video connection will tend to look dark and fuzzy if you’re used to high-definition TV. If your doorbell camera gives you a better viewing experience than your TV, it might be time to upgrade to HD.

Recommended resources

How to Choose a Cable Provider
Cable vs. Satellite TV
How Much Does Cable TV Cost?

Top product picks

KabelDirekt HDMI Cable (3 ft.)
Monoprice Coaxial Cable (3 ft.)
RadioShack S-Video Cable (6 ft.)
RCA Audio/Video Cable (3 ft.)
S-Video/RCA to HDMI Converter

Written by

Bill Frost

Bill Frost has been a journalist and TV reviewer since the 4:3-aspect-ratio ’90s. His pulse-pounding prose has been featured in The Salt Lake Tribune, Pacific Northwest Inlander, Coachella Valley Independent, Salt Lake City Weekly, and many other dead-tree publications. In addition to his CableTV.com work, Bill is a senior writer and streaming TV columnist at SLUGMag.com. By night, Bill cranks a Flying V with his band at the bar.

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Disclosure

Antenna connector

TV
equipment is connected using various connectors. To match devices
different years of manufacture and brands used connectors of various
shapes and colors.

An item designed to connect a cable to a television equipment is called an antenna connector, and it is used to connect an antenna to a television.

Many TV and Internet service providers use coaxial in their networks, so coaxial cable connectors are used in connecting equipment. It can transmit high frequency signals and is applied in various fields of communication systems.

Connector for coaxial cable connection

Simplest
the electrical circuit needs a variety of connectors for switching. For
television antenna also needs an appropriate connecting element when
connection.

Coaxial wire applicable in signal transmission without interference. A connector is required to connect to the TV. Telecommunication networks mainly use F-connectors. For a coaxial cable, in case of extension, due to its damage, you will need an F-connector (barrel), which is an F female-F female connector that connects the coax.

To quickly connect the antenna to a receiver or TV set, a TV socket is used, as well as a plug for the antenna cable.

Connectors for
equipment connections

Antenna connectors found on televisions are called TV sockets. To start broadcasting channels, you need to plug the TV cable plug into the socket.

The plug, in fact, is a two-piece sleeve, the so-called male-to-female adapter, which is attached to the cable.

Important
ensure good contact at the connection point, then the image will be
quality. It would seem that the matter is not complicated, but the image and sound will be with
interference, if performed incorrectly, no matter what kind of
TV: latest model or old model.

Which is better

Coaxial cable connectors are connected in three ways:

crimp;
wrapped;
compression.

Connectors
crimp type consist of two cylinders. When installed, coaxial cable
crimped on all sides. In low-quality representatives of this species
the case is damaged, which affects the characteristics of the connections.

consisting of a body with an internal thread and a nut. Their disadvantages:

brittleness;
The braid is twisted when the connector is placed on the cable.

Compression
have the best performance, but are also the most expensive.

More often now
just use the F-connector and it fits like a digital television
signal, as well as in the case of a satellite dish. Available in four different
diameters, so you should pay attention to this when buying and subsequent
installation.

Soldering

In the past, the plug had to be soldered. Today, antennas are connected to the connectors without soldering.

For screw

Screw connection is not popular today, just like soldering. This type was used a decade ago and is inherent in cable television for the TV plug of the past.

Principle
action with such fixation is that the contact is screwed to the core
screw antennas.

F-connector

When connecting a television antenna, today the F-connector is used. It is not difficult to install it yourself and does not need specific tools. For production, the following materials are used:

nickel-plated zinc;
brass coated;
copper.

In case
when the TV is hung close to the wall, an L-shaped corner is used
plug.

Photos of connectors

The photo shows the most common connectors.

RG6

Used for wrapping on TV cable type RG 6, SAT 50, SAT 703, SAT 752, DG 113, STK 132, STK 103 and other brands of cable with an outer diameter of 6-6.1 mm. It is mainly used to connect satellite receivers, TV signal dividers, antennas and other equipment with a resistance of 75 ohms.

RG59

Used for winding TV cable type RG 59, RG 58 and other types of cable with an outer diameter of 4 mm. It is mainly used to connect satellite receivers, TV signal dividers, antennas and other equipment with a resistance of 75 ohms.

RG micro

Used for wrapping on TV cable type RG micro, PK 75 and other brands of cable with an outer diameter of 2 mm. It is mainly used to connect satellite receivers, TV signal dividers, antennas and other equipment with a resistance of 75 ohms.

RG11

Used for wrapping on the main TV cable type RG 11 and other brands of cable with an outer diameter of 10.5-11 mm. It is mainly used to connect couplers, TV signal dividers, antennas and other equipment with a resistance of 75 ohms.

RG6 for crimping

Used for crimping TV cable type RG 6, SAT 50, SAT 703, SAT 752, DG 113, STK 132, STK 103 and other brands of cable with an outer diameter of 6-6.1 mm. It is mainly used to connect satellite receivers, TV signal dividers, antennas and other equipment with a resistance of 75 ohms. Requires a special tool to crimp the cable.

F socket – TV plug

Mainly used to connect TVs, DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C digital set-top boxes via antenna socket. First, the F connector must be screwed or crimped onto the cable.

F socket – TV socket

Used to connect to SAT-TV sockets, “loop” high-frequency output of the equipment. First, the F connector must be screwed or crimped onto the cable.

F socket – TV plug angled

Mainly used to connect TVs, DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C digital set-top boxes via antenna socket. First, the F connector must be screwed or crimped onto the cable.

F socket – TV socket angled

Mainly used to connect TVs, DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C set-top boxes via TV socket. First, the F connector must be screwed or crimped onto the cable.

F socket – F socket drum

Used for TV cable splicing. Beforehand, two F connectors must be screwed or crimped onto the cable junction.

F female – RCA male

Used to transmit low frequency audio/video signal. First, the F connector must be screwed or crimped onto the cable.

F socket – BNC plug

Used to connect video surveillance cameras, video recorders, video cameras, etc. First, screw or crimp the F connector onto the cable.

F plug – F plug
F plug – TV socket
F plug – TV plug

How to connect the antenna cable to the plug?

Photo: wingad. ru

Kaleidoscope

To connect the antenna cable to the TV, you do not need a large set of tools and special skills, you can cope with the task yourself. You can do without a plug, but this is not recommended, as the risk of contact closure and equipment failure increases. That is why it is recommended to connect the cable to the plug first. How should it be done?

Why do I need a plug?

A plug is a plastic or metal part into which a television (aka coaxial) wire is threaded and securely fixed inside. In the future, using an adapter, you can easily and quickly connect the cable to the connector on the back of the TV, after which it will receive a signal.

Adapter can be angled or straight. The first option is used in cases where the TV stands close to the wall or is hung on it with a bracket. In such a situation, there is no place to place a straight plug, and in order to avoid bending it, it is still recommended to choose a corner piece.

If you have not bought an adapter yet, we advise you not to save money and order a metal product, not a plastic one. Plastic parts are not as strong, durable, and versatile as their metal competitors, and the only advantage in their favor is their low price. Still, it’s not worth saving.

What do you need to work?

You only need two tools to connect the coaxial cable to the TV socket – a knife and pliers. Of course, in addition to them, the cable itself and the adapter to which it is planned to be connected should be at hand. If in your case the diameter of the wire is too small, because of which it plays inside the plug, fill the latter with some material for greater fixation.

Connection procedure

The first stage is cutting the antenna wire. For this you will need a sharp knife. Using it, carefully make a circular cut in the insulation about 1 centimeter from its tip. Do not cut through the insulating layer, so as not to spoil the shielding that is under the plastic. Slowly shake the cut tip in different directions and remove it.

The second step is to fold back the shielding layer. To do this, gently bend the aluminum braid and the foil layer in different directions so that they wrap the cable insulation more or less evenly. Then, carefully, so as not to damage the metal core, cut off the second polymer layer, which separates the braid and the core itself.

The third step is to install the plug itself. To do this, take the part and unwind it along the thread to divide it into two parts. The element, at the tip of which there is a thickening in the form of a nut, screw the opposite side onto the bent insulation. Using pliers, crimp the metal cone to press it as tightly as possible to the wire.

As a final touch, use pliers to cut off the excess part of the metal strand. After cutting, it should protrude from the half of the adapter by no more than 2-3 millimeters. Now it remains only to twist the soulmate, after which the cable can be connected directly to the TV.