We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Video Coupler?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 10, 2024
Views: 8,197
Share

A video coupler is a piece of hardware used in installing video cabling. It can also be a device that captures images from telescopes, microscopes, and similar equipment. In the second sense, it may also be known as a video adapter, depending on manufacturer; this can be somewhat confusing, because hardware intended to convert between cable formats is also called a video adapter. The intended meaning of the phrase is usually clear from the context.

Technicians use video cables to carry a feed from a camera, playback device, or similar piece of equipment. The feed can display on screen, route through a projection system, or output into another device. Depending on the type of system and the cabling used, there may be multiple pins for audio, and several different channels can be handled in one cable. More sophisticated systems tend to offer better quality, but are also more expensive.

Hardware like a video coupler can extend the functionality of the system. Technicians can use it to attach two cables extending the distance covered. A cameraperson covering an event might need a video coupler to connect cables to meet a mobile van, for instance. Couplers can also allow people to connect cables hardwired into devices with other pieces of equipment. They may include male or female connections, depending on the system they are designed for.

A high quality video coupler is important for a high performance system to avoid degrading the signal. The best choice can depend on the system and the components used in the existing cabling. If the signal quality is very good originally, an expensive video coupler may not make a significant difference. This device is only as good as the system is works on, and poorly constructed cables may degrade the signal as it is transmitted.

In the case of optics devices, the video coupler allows a technician to capture video and still images from binoculars, telescopes, and microscopes. It attaches to the eyepieces and can be adjusted to perfect the focus and calibrate the color capture. Such equipment is used to generate a record of observations and to create images for illustrating articles and discussions; for example, a video coupler can take still images of the stages of cell division for a textbook on the subject. This equipment can be expensive, as it needs to be fitted with an array of sensors to pick up light along with hardware to interface with the system.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-video-coupler.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.