RCA, HDMI, Component and Composite Cables Explained

A very easy to understand tutorial about what RCA, HDMI, coaxial, composite cables and component cables do and how they are hooked up. How to hook up TV cables.

[@OSCARZETINA]

From Guatemala Central America Thank you for your information if was very helpful. God bless America

[@americanbluejacket209]

Thanks Kid. There's a few of us old geezers still around and don't know this stuff. Great video.

[@kevintalkstech]

Glad to hear it Gary, thanks!

[@alexlora8983]

Straight to the point no bullsit talk from beginning to end good vid man i wish all were like yours*****

[@morganod]

Great, you get right to the point, explain perfect and no dumb music!

[@GRAFFLIFE95]

I got curious yesterday and ended up hooking up my PS3's RCA cables to my $900 stereo which gave me damn good results in audio.

[@eloisekinder855]

You make it rather easy for a woman to understand. Much appreciated!

[@ahmadvip.8854]

Thank you so much for your video and helped me, may ALMIGHTY God increases your knowledge, u really help. We need people like you to be a leader.

[@kevintalkstech]

Thank you for your kind comments! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a message. I will keep that in mind :)

[@krisharne79]

Thank you! You just rescued my entire day. Much obliged!

[@1963michaelangel]

Thanks man!!! I have so many cables I forget which one is for what!!! Thanks again!!!!

[@kevintalkstech]

michael maldonado So glad I could help you out Michael Maldonado!

[@he_is_the_cat]

After 6 years he still answers comments, now that is amazing

[@kevintalkstech]

Happy to help! Thanks for noticing.

[@he_is_the_cat]

@@kevintalkstech I meant seven lol

[@milabradley9428]

Kevin, your explanation was easy to understand, I now know which cables do what and how to connect various components. Thx

[@allfurone]

Thank you very much for all the info. You gave me the info I needed re: connecting my iPod to a receiver.

[@damemes3669]

My left ear loves this

[@phyllisbirks3864]

your instructions on how to connect the hdmi cable helped alot. Thank-you , Than-you

[@barryfree5956]

Very good informative video. Easy to understand and on point.

[@786MAKEADIFFERENCE]

Thanks Friend .... I learned from the presentation . Thanks again.

[@kevintalkstech]

Glad to hear it!

[@karakantouvalos]

Great explanation. Clear and easy to understand.

[@DeepakKeswani]

Really nice explanation of cables. Can you also tell about how optical audio needs to be connected and how it works ? Also what is 4k pass through on AVR boxes ?

[@chavo4081]

Love the video! Well explained! You have done a great job, congratulations!

[@mooms04]

Kevin that was wonderful and boy are you good in front of the camera!

[@kevintalkstech]

Thank you so much mooms04! Glad you enjoy my videos!

[@chrisarchuleta8785]

mooms04 dilly dilly Sony

[@librarian75]

Thank you, wonderful presentation.

[@kevintalkstech]

Thank you!

[@fghztfhbrfgb]

This is very helpful. Thank you very much Kevin!

[@castillosammy7886]

thanks kevin. I appreciate the info.

[@jumper1294]

Thanks for this you are really smart with these cables

[@kevintalkstech]

Hi Anthony - the new red, blue and green are actually all just for video. It is called a component connection. Unfortunately, all the colors need to correspond between your xbox and TV, otherwise the picture isn't going to show up. Your best bet is actually to get an HDMI cable for your Xbox. This is one single cable that handles both audio and video - taking the need out of having so many RCA cables. Since you have a new TV, it should likely have this connection.

[@elenabenton83]

OMG! I FINALLY UNDERSTAND!!! tHANK YOU!!!

[@kevintalkstech]

You're welcome, Phyllis!

[@snapper2766]

Thanks... well done!

[@kevintalkstech]

Thanks, Pamela!

[@kevintalkstech]

You're right! I missed that one. Still a very good and reliable cable, though. My bad.

[@shereemcl]

excellent advice. Thanks

[@tri5431]

Thank you, this helped a lot.

[@hadeelshawol9306]

thank you so much it helped me a lot

[@kevintalkstech]

Faizan - You will most likely need a cable that can bridge those two connections. If you search online, you should be able to find a cable on a site like Amazon or New Egg that has an HDMI connection on one end and RCA connections on the other. That will probably be your best bet.

[@043peaches]

Thank you. .. very helpful! !

[@kevintalkstech]

Glad to hear it!

[@mikewiggins250]

This is a great video but 'm looking for how to hook up a surround sound system to a RCA tv

[@kaillellfairfaxs3878]

Mike Wiggins Hello my name is Kai Fairfax I worry when you security cameras online so hey Kai how to play basketball like yesterday he was like all this time that the number on the KZbin thing so you say hello and that was not shut outHe was

[@kevintalkstech]

Hi Hector -- there is one solution that may work for you. I would check out the Lake PC to TV Converter Box. You can Google this and find it on Amazon for about $16. Unfortunately, I have never used this product but reviewers are giving it good marks and it should accomplish what you are looking to do. Thanks!

[@steven12153]

Thanks, will the cable still work if I don't use the blue or green connection

[@1dropofblood]

Hi Kevin. Can you please provide a small video on HDMI Arc as well, when you have time. Since some Wide TV sets support HDMI Arc and does not have 6.1 output jack and because some ppl do not know if their wall mounted TVs have that, they end up purchasing the 5.1 surround sound systems and still do not get surround sound. HDMI Arc I think covers that part if the particular speaker system emulate surround sound. Correct me if I am wrong.

[@kevintalkstech]

You're welcome!

[@shatonytatum9026]

Thank you!

[@ldiablo2010]

Use an mhl cable with the rca jacks, I used one on a S4 & S5, works perfect...Unfortunately had no luck on my note 3

[@lbdausa]

Thanks for the info, but just practice for a while on getting those jacks directly in the holes.

[@tshields5301]

thank you Kevin you were very clear in your explanation and I will be using your website also. My problem is My son has a 2008 Emerson HDTV/ LCD TV and it can also be used as a Monitor for computers. I'm trying to connect it to a wireless cable box that initially had a HDMI hookup on his other tv that went out. I bought this from a pawn shop for a good price, but didn't know that the tv uses jacks and not HDMI cables. It has a port for a monitor hookup and I bought and adapter to go from the monitor to the HDMI port into the cable box, but still cannot get the tv to pickup any channels. What am I doing wrong here? I also tried using the RCA Cables and I did get some sound but no picture. I would hate to have to pay for a Cable Technician to come out and hook it up correctly if I could do it myself. Can you help?

[@peaisgreen]

Hi....I have an older analog RCA TV and RCA DVD/VCR combo...is there a way to connect Chromecast and over the air antenna and be able to play DVDs with this set? How do I figure out how to play multiple video inputs? So far only the DVD is playing. The VCR has a HDMI port but the TV does not...they both have those Video cables you explained in your tutorial but I only have cables ending in yellow white and red not green or blue....I would love your advice and help here ...totally stuck lol... Thanks!!

[@sharkaboi]

My left ear enjoyed it :(

[@robrockwell505]

Clock

[@MamiYare]

Just as I googling my question your video popped up and your video answered my question. I rarely use component cables so when I found them to connect a device I have I wanted to know if the quality of the YPBPR cables are higher than RCA cords, and turns out it does. Now my question is how high is the quality? Can it put out up to at least 720p?

[@famjam-123]

Hey Kevin! I just purchased an android box and I realized my HDMI ports on my Samsung tv don't work. I see the picture only when I wiggle the wire around. I am looking for another option. I saw a video saying I could use the other ports on the tv and still get HDMI but I don't know where to start or what to look for to help figure out what cables to buy? Could you help please?

[@BoomBoom-xn7ud]

thank you!

[@kevintalkstech]

Thanks for watching!

[@erikabott8444]

Hi Kevin I have a vcr dvd combo have been trying to hook it up to my tv i connect the blue green red cables in to the back where it says dvd/vcr no luck tried them both the component also HELP

[@jamaicanvisa]

Thank you :)

[@MrGino714]

Thanks for the video. As you mentioned, the HDMI carries Audio and Vi. So is there a way to use the HDMI for a PC to Amplifier Audio connection?

[@kevintalkstech]

Dinkins -- Unfortunately, I cannot provide a link to the article about this for you. Google "How to connect a Blu-Ray player, Hometheater. com." They have a good write up about this. The short answer looks to be that you will need to connect your Blu-Ray to the TV with component cables and then use the Optical/Coaxial connection cables for audio. The article explains further with pictures. Thanks!

[@izehumaheyiba2182]

What about Standalone Versions on DVD?

[@izehumaheyiba2182]

Better Quality Connectio 100%

[@izehumaheyiba2182]

Surround Speakers

[@kevintalkstech]

So, the TV is in "component" mode with all the plugins going into the component inputs rather than the outputs? Do you have a link for that cord on Amazon?

[@rohitmagar3861]

!

[@johnyannelli2480]

Thank u!

[@luislechuga5342]

So how can I connected to my SONY HD TV ?...just match the cables into both ways to TV and home theater system ?...

[@crtinkering7323]

So the yellow cable goes to the yellow cable! Wow this blows my mind

[@TheJessieRoseLife]

great video ive recently bought High Quality HDMI to 3-RCA RGB A/V Component Conversion Cable Male and dont know how to hook it up do i have to hook it up straight to the tv or will it work if i connect it to the dvd player? if its the tv think i have to buy a better tv lol

[@ZyliceLiddell]

I was wondering, I have a "composite audio out [red-white]" cable that goes from my blu ray/home theatre system to my TV. Can I connect an HDMI cable instead so that audio & picture can come from HDMI? I've already tried unplugging my red-white audio cords from my tv but no sound comes out. How do I "replace" my composite audio output to HDMI video and audio output for "regular TV viewing?"

[@1963michaelangel]

I have a sound bar that doesn't have hdmi input!! But my tv has hdmi port!! Can you help me and tell me if there is a converter for this and what kind of converter I need!!! It's a ilive sound bar!!! The ilive sound bar has optical digital but my tv doesn't!!! Thanks your video are very helpful!!!

[@daeshonbrownlee3534]

Hey Kevin I've tried to think of a solution to conne connect my phone or PC to an an old television. However‚ I also have a DVD player that supports HDMI and so I want to know if you know how to connect a PC to an old television through a DVD player that has an HDMI port‚ let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas on how that would work

[@doncasebier1603]

I have a Panasonic Viera TC-55LE54 smart TV and a Magnavox ZV457MG9 A DVD/VHS player/recorder with digital turner. My DISH TV DVR was fried and a DISH tech replaced it with a new one. She replaced my HDMI cable with a newer and longer one. Using my DVD/VHS player/recorder, I can play a DVD but I cannot record to it. Before the DVR was replaced, I could record and play DVD's. Any idea what the problem is. Thanks, Don

[@satishbarde2797]

I HAVE A SONY BRAVIA KD-55X8200E TV WHICH I WISH TO CONNECT TO MY DENON AV SURROUND AMPLIFIER AVC-1530G. THE OUTPUT USING EARPHONES WORKS BUT AS SUGGESTED LOCALLY, THE SAME DOES NOT WORK WHEN I USE THE TRADITIONAL CABLE. COULD YOU KINDLY SUGGEST A WAY OUT & OBLIGE, PLEASE?

[@kevintalkstech]

You'll need to use all three connections (red, green, blue) to see the full picture on your screen.

[@1Techlab]

Hi. I watch youtube music videos on my tv. I want to connect my tv to my sony GTK-XB7 speaker. My tv has hdmi and my speaker has rca av connection. Do I need a hdmi to rca av connector or converter. I will appreciate if you can help. Thanks

[@kevintalkstech]

Hello, thanks for the question. HDMI connections on TVs are typically only inputs, so you can only put video/audio into the TV rather than take it out. If your TV has a Digital/Optical port on the back, you can use that to connect the speaker to the TV. Just look for a Digital/Optical to RCA converter online. They’re cheap. You’ll also need a Toslink cable, which is also cheap. If that doesn’t work, you could also get a cord with a 3.5mm connection on one end and RCA on the other. That would run from your TV’s headphone jack into the speaker.

[@moonlight-kh6uz]

can I use AVR for converting HDMI sent to AVR from my blu-ray into RCA audio output without going through AVR's preamp? I want to connect the converted RCA analog audio output to RCA input on the external preamplifier of higher quality than the one in AVR.

[@InstrumentalKINGblog]

kevintalkstech, Hi Kevin. Do you think you can advise me on how a HDMI cable can connect to a standard RCA Cable (RWY) cable? (HDMI to RCA) My TV is non-HD. But I'd like to display my laptop screen onto my TV for convenience. Help me?

[@PratikBarapatre]

Hi Kevin, please suggest which cable would be better for audio. A digital coaxial cable or RCA cable.

[@mamalekimsn]

Sir I have question for composite, cross over (Scart) ant HDMI . The TV is old, name: Sony KV-32-CS70B. The input in this TV is composite on the front. To mirror iPhone 4S I use the composite Apple 30pin cable successfully . I order the Apple lightning digital AV connector. This adapter has HDMI. I read a lot of composite converter but do not understand how to make it workable for my case. I hope you understand I will mirror the 5S to the TV

[@christwp100]

HI, i had connected RCA cable to both my home theater and Tv... ANd its not working for my tv sound to go to my home theater. All stuff are new, faulty of the hardware should be of low %. is there any setting i need to set to make it work??

[@abemoges6585]

Hey Kevin Thank you so much , i have this RCA 32 inch tv i bought it 5 years ago it has a port called sevise can't find it what it use for please help thx

[@kevintalkstech]

There are cables out there that have an HDMI connection on one end and component connections on the other. A Google search for "HDMI to Component Cable" brought up some cables you might be looking for. Unfortunately, KZbin won't let me post links.

[@debbieferreira8755]

My HDTV is hooked up to my cable box with its own HDMI cable and to the surround sound system with AV cables. My DVD player is hooked up to my TV with AV cables as well. The AV cables of both in turn are plugged into the surround sound system. How can I setup my Chromecast to have surround sound just like my cable box and DVD player?

[@MrEpicWillis]

I just got a 'HDMI Male to 5 RCA RGB Audio Video AV Component Cable' from Amazon, and I put the HDMI end into my XBOX, and the RCA cables into my TV, why can't I find the source on which it's on

[@beverly2127]

What do you do when your tv doesn't have a yellow input? to use your red white yellow I also have the blue red green cable but when I plug that in I have no sound but yes on video what do do? Please help

[@ldiablo2010]

Hey everybody, I just bought an mhl cable that has the rca jacks, 'just in case' yellow, red, & white connections. Works great with the S4 & the S5, just not with my Hey everybody, I just bought an mhl cable that has the rca jacks, 'just in case' yellow, red, & white connections. Works great with the S4 & the S5, just not with my note 3

[@876Abb]

My telus PVR goes into the video and audio output of my new samsung LED smart tv leaving me with no other option to connect my game what do I do ?

[@praveenkumar-pi8zy]

Is it possible to connect the HDMI cable to a laptop and the RCA cable(Red-Blue-Green) to TV?

[@straya_au318]

If you only have red white and yellow and hdmi how you still connect it

[@frank0nh]

I wanna use smart lg TV with DVD surround sound,don't I need the optical audio one?

[@MyLevi501]

Kevin hello you do a great public service I have projector with the composite cable cords (RCA) and I want to use my laptop how will I go about doing that thank you

[@kevintalkstech]

MyLevi501 Hi MyLevi501! Thank you for your question. My apologies for getting back to you more than a month late. I am wondering if your project actually has a VGA connection on it? Most do. This would be the easiest way to hook up your laptop to the projector since there would be no conversion involved. I have a video on the kevintalkstech page with more details about what a VGA connection is (Easy to Understand Hook Up RCA, HDMI, etc..) Otherwise you could look at getting a converter cord that has VGA on one end and RCA on the other. I'll be honest that I don't have much experience with that type of adapter so I would read some honest online reviews and buy at your own risk. Otherwise, I know there are some converter boxes that go between the laptop and and projector that will probably be a little more expensive, but could give you better results. -Kevin

[@MyLevi501]

well thank you ever so much

[@DangerouslyActive]

@ KEVIN 411 Help Plz! I purchased a 1.8m 6ft HDMI to 3-RCA Male Audio Video Component Convert Cable For HDTV 1080P Online.For My Blu-Ray Player to use for my Older model (Samsung Tv) Which does not have The HMDI port. Only the Yellow,Red & White port & The Red,Green, & Blue Port in the back of the T.V. How to get this To work with my Blu-Ray player? Need details with options please ty.

[@jedfeder993]

Kevin, I recently purchased a new Samsung 40" HD flat screen, but have not been able to hook up my older VHS/DVD player unit to play or record. I used to have an older Sony 27" box tv in which everything worked. Same hook up for both TV's. Just can not use the recorder-player. with the new flat screen. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks

[@steven12153]

can you go from HDMI to component without a converter box and just use cables

[@perryjamessolano481]

Hi kevin how can I connect my home theater to my laptop in a simple way which cable do i need to use? Thanks!

[@morgantiller9729]

how do i get sound from my vizio tv after hooking it up with my samsung tab 3 through hdmi? There's no sound

[@reesecalkins7533]

Ok I have an unrelated question but it is tech question have a Samsung tv and I have s playdtation 3 that is Hooked up to my tv and I have the little black cord that goes in the back of a tv or the play stations apparently it comes from the back of the sound bar and you have to go into the audio output setting and turn on some Dolby audio 5 or something like that and I I selected that and the audio still won't play from my tv

[@Trebuchet221]

Can you advice me how I can connect a Laptop to a TV. I got the Audiopart (3,5 mm jack to RCA cable) but i'm concerned about getting Video from my Laptop to the TV. On my Laptop i only have VGA and HDMI plug-ins and on the TV only S-Video, RCA and SCART

[@babs18a]

Kevin my husband connect our RCA Home Theater he got everything connect correctly, but the TV goes in a Black screen why is that? How do we get it to stop doing that? We have Dish satellite.

[@shannonwylie9419]

Does the HDMI cable eliminate all the other cables or do you still need the red white and yellow one for audio ?

[@kevintalkstech]

+shannon wylie HDMI is a video/audio cable so you would not need to have a separate cable for audio, which is nice!

[@shannonwylie9419]

Thanks so much.

[@kevintalkstech]

The HDMI takes care of both audio and video.

[@reneeraz]

Is it possible to use an HDMI cable to RCA? I have an old box tv (RCA) and I want to set up my laptop to watch movie

[@sylviabender7403]

Do you have to have a cable box to use surround sound? I just got a RCA surround sound and i use roku and only have internet.

[@psfgtech]

how about my TV optical is out, and I have DTV box connected to TV HDMI, then optical from DVT to surround sound, but my BLUE RAY is connected to TV via HDMI, but no surround sound, should I go RCA from TV to Surround sound box? crazy, Im lost

[@paisitalondono01]

Hello Kevin; Please one Question. I can join HDMI cable; with RCA cable. ? Thanks so much. Regards.!

[@paulargeede7862]

How do I connect component that has green, red, yellow and blue to TV set that has white, yellow and red. The home theater doesn't have hdmi. But my TV set has all the component

[@OneBiteBeats]

All the composite cables do the same thing the color does not Matter you just got to plug with ever out put into the correct in put let’s say if you have a yellow cable but the input and out put is white just use the yellow cord and it’s going to work the same way as using the white one you know what I mean?

[@Jessarene83]

So i have a PS3. If im using an HDMI cord. Do i also have to use an RCA jack, red/yellow/white cord? Thanks

[@shirlyfolger9323]

Dealing with a LG32LF500B & a Sony DVD player : DVP SR510H. Now I have the red,yellow & white set up( it came with the DVD player) From right to left. Red,white & black. I done switch round n round till am exhausted. Desperately in need of help.

[@detheshorton1549]

What u do with out cable it just on regular TV how to get it back on

[@marcoshernandez5117]

how to i setup surround sound so that I can play my laptop on it as welll as regular tv and cable

[@dstella5841]

could i use the 1/8" rca cable to hook my TV to my logitech 7506 speakers?

[@dispatchmonster]

Hi there, I am getting so mad lol, I have my optical cable going from my Philips tv to my RCA soundbar. I CANNOT get the soundbar end of the digital cable to stay in for nothing!! So I went to walmart and just tried to get back to basics and bought a composite cable. I plugged that in (after removing the optical) and I still have no sound from the soundbar. I have a bluetooth woofer that came with the soundbar. I don't know if I have to anything with it, i've already re- paired with the soundbar.Please help me, cuz I'm goin nuts!!