Quick Fix Summary
AV ports use yellow (video), red, and white (audio) RCA connectors. Plug yellow into the video input, red/white into audio inputs. If your TV lacks AV jacks, use an HDMI-to-AV converter. For phones, try an MHL or HDMI adapter with OTG support.
AV ports aren’t just gathering dust in your cable drawer—they’re still the Swiss Army knife of video connections when you need to link older gadgets, consoles, or media players to modern or older TVs. Whether you’ve dug out a trusty Wii, dusted off a portable DVD player, or just want to repurpose an old camcorder, knowing how to wrangle an AV port can save you from staring at blank screens and frustrated muttering.
What’s Happening Under the Hood
AV ports are the granddaddy of home video connections. They use three RCA jacks—yellow for composite video, red for right audio, and white for left audio. While HDMI streamlined everything into one cable decades ago, AV ports stubbornly refuse to die. You’ll still find them on gaming consoles, old camcorders, portable DVD players, projectors, and even some sound systems. Honestly, they’re the perfect fallback when you’re dealing with equipment that never got the HDMI memo.
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Identify the AV Ports
- On your source device (Wii U, portable DVD player, etc.), look for a set of three RCA jacks labeled AV OUT.
- On your TV, find the matching AV IN ports—usually on the rear or side panel, color-coded yellow, red, and white.
Step 2: Connect the Cables
- Plug the yellow RCA cable into the yellow video port on both devices.
- Plug the red RCA cable into the red audio port on both devices.
- Plug the white RCA cable into the white audio port on both devices.
Step 3: Power Up and Switch Inputs
- Turn on both devices.
- Grab your TV remote and press the Input or Source button.
- Select the AV input that matches the port you used (AV 1, AV 2, or Component).
For Phones Without HDMI (Using AV via Adapter)
- Grab an MHL or HDMI adapter with RCA output (OTG-compatible).
- Connect the adapter to your phone’s charging port.
- Plug the HDMI end into an HDMI-to-AV converter.
- Connect the converter’s yellow/red/white plugs to your TV’s AV IN ports.
- Switch your TV to the correct input.
If This Didn’t Work
Try This First: Check the Input Label
Some TVs label AV inputs as “Composite,” “AV,” or even “YPbPr” (component video). Composite uses the same RCA cables as AV, but component video requires red, green, and blue connectors. Don’t mix them up—the image will look washed out or distorted.
Try This Next: Test With Another Device
If your Wii U won’t display but your old camcorder does, the issue is likely with the source device’s output settings. On the Wii U, go to System Settings > TV > Adjust Screen and make sure the output is set to AV (not HDMI).
Still Stuck? Use a Converter
No AV ports on your TV? Grab a cheap HDMI-to-AV converter (like the Portta HDMI to AV, ~$15 on Amazon). Plug HDMI into your source, plug AV out into your TV’s RCA jacks, and power the converter via USB.
Prevention Tips
Label your cables. Use tape or a label maker to mark each AV cable with its function (Video, Audio Red, Audio White). That way, you won’t have to relearn the color code next time you pull them out.
Keep an AV-to-HDMI converter in your junk drawer. You never know when you’ll need to connect a legacy device to a newer TV.
Avoid over-tightening RCA plugs. They’re not meant for brute force—gentle pressure is enough. Twisting too hard can damage the inner pins.
What is AV out on a portable DVD player?
AV out on a portable DVD player lets you connect it to any TV with composite AV inputs. Many TVs have front AV jacks, which makes it easy to temporarily hook up a portable DVD player. AV simply means audio visual signals.
What is HDMI AV output?
HDMI AV output is a bit of a misnomer. HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface and is the most frequently used HD signal for transferring both high definition audio and video over a single cable. It doesn’t actually use AV cables.
What does AV mean on your TV?
AV on your TV stands for audio visual.
Do I need AV cable with HDMI?
You generally don’t need AV cables if you’re using HDMI. The Wii U doesn’t even come with an AV cable (just an HDMI one), so it’s definitely not needed. HDMI carries audio—and it can carry some audio formats that no other cable can, including optical cable. Honestly, it’s the only way you’ll get surround sound out of it.
Do TVs still have AV input?
Some newer TVs skip the traditional yellow video input (AV connection). Even without that input, you should still be able to use the standard three-color Wii AV Cable that came with the system.
Can I plug RCA into YPbPr?
Yes, you can use RCA cables for YPbPr. The same cables work for SPDIF, audio, composite video, and component video without any problems.
Does Samsung TV have AV input?
Samsung TVs do have AV inputs. They let you display the image and sound from various video sources on your TV screen. The connection process is straightforward—if you’re running into problems getting the image on the screen, you can usually remedy it quickly.
How do I connect my phone to my TV with AV cable?
You’ll need an MHL adapter for this. How to use MHL? Grab an MHL cable, connect it to your phone’s charging port, then plug the HDMI end into an HDMI-to-AV converter. Finally, connect the converter to your TV’s AV ports.
How do I connect my Android phone to my TV with AV cable?
Here’s how to do it: Connect HDMI to your phone using an HDMI OTG cable. Plug the other end into the HDMI port on the converter device. Connect the converter to your TV’s AV input, then link the converter to your TV through the composite cable.
How do I cast to a non smart TV?
Cast to a non-smart TV in three steps: First, plug in the Chromecast to your TV’s HDMI port. Next, plug in the power cable at the back of your Chromecast device and connect the adapter to a wall outlet. Finally, turn on your TV—Chromecast will show you a setup screen that says the device isn’t connected to any network yet.
How can I connect my Android phone to my non smart TV?
For a non-smart TV with an HDMI slot, the easiest way is with a wireless dongle. Devices like Google Chromecast or an Amazon Fire TV Stick let you mirror your smartphone screen and cast content to the TV without WiFi.
How do I connect my phone to my non smart TV without WIFI?
You have a few options here. How to Connect Phone to Smart TV Without Wifi? You can use a wired connection (like HDMI or AV cables with the right adapters) or try a wireless dongle that doesn’t require WiFi.
Can I stream my phone to my TV?
Absolutely—you’ve got options. You can stream your Android phone or tablet screen to a TV through screen mirroring, Google Cast, a third-party app, or even a cable. Sometimes you just want to share what’s on your phone with the room—or see it on a bigger display.
