Composite AV Cables

What the yellow, red and white plugs carry

On a standard composite cable the yellow plug carries standard-definition video (480i or 576i), while the red and white plugs carry right and left audio. Plain male-to-male cables link a VCR, DVD player, camcorder or older console to a TV, and male-to-female versions extend a run. A 3.5 mm to RCA cable is usually stereo audio only, so a camcorder or player with a four-contact 3.5 mm AV jack needs the exact cable made for its wiring. Composite cannot show high definition on any cable.

HDMI to composite and other conversions

HDMI is digital and composite is analog, so a passive cable cannot connect them. Going from HDMI to an old TV needs an active converter, sold as a box or as a cable with a chip inside, which scales the picture down to standard definition. Composite into a modern HDMI TV needs an upscaling converter. Composite video wants a 75-ohm cable, and an ordinary audio cable used for video can show ghosting on long runs. Some listings here are network or optical audio cables, so check that the title says RCA.

Questions about Composite AV Cables

Which RCA plug is video?

Yellow. Red and white carry right and left audio, but colors are only a convention, so match each plug to the same color socket on the equipment. If the picture is missing, check that the yellow plug is in the video socket.

Can composite show HD pictures?

No. Composite is a standard-definition signal, so even a perfect cable gives 480i or 576i. For high definition use component video or HDMI from a source that supports it.

Can I use an RCA audio cable for composite video?

It works on short runs, but video needs a 75-ohm cable. A generic audio cable can cause ghosting or soft detail on longer runs, so use a cable sold as composite video.