Composite and HDMI are both ways to connect devices to your TV, but they work differently. Composite uses three colored cables (yellow for video, red and white for audio) to send analog signals. HDMI uses a single cable to deliver digital video and audio, often in higher quality. If you’re connecting older devices like DVD players or retro gaming consoles, composite is handy. HDMI is better for modern devices and supports features like HD and 4K resolution. Choosing the right input depends on what you’re connecting and the quality you want.

When you see a composite input on your smart TV, it’s a port designed for connecting older devices that use analog signals.

• The composite input usually looks like three colored jacks: yellow (video), red and white (audio).
• It lets you hook up things like VCRs, DVD players, or retro gaming consoles that don’t have HDMI.
• Some smart TVs may require an adapter to connect composite cables.

Composite and RCA are closely related, but not exactly the same.

• Composite refers to the type of video signal—an analog signal carried by the yellow cable.
• RCA describes the connectors themselves, which are used for both video (yellow) and audio (red and white).

Composite mode on your TV is the setting that lets you view content from devices connected through the composite input.

• When you switch to composite mode, your TV displays video and audio from sources like DVD players, VCRs, or older gaming consoles.
• Look for the input labeled AV, Video, or Composite on your TV’s menu.
• Using composite mode is helpful for enjoying older devices that don’t support HDMI.

Connecting older devices to a newer TV is possible with the right adapters or cables.

1. Check if your TV has composite (yellow/red/white) inputs.
2. If not, you can use a composite-to-HDMI converter to bridge the gap.
3. Plug your device’s composite cables into the converter, then connect the converter to your TV’s HDMI port.