3 Simple Steps for Connecting Component Video Cables to Your TV

by
Forrest Hartman
Writer
Forrest Hartman is a former Lifewire writer and an educator and journalist who focuses on television and related technology for Gannett News Service and other outlets.
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Forrest Hartman
Updated on December 12, 2020
reviewed by
Kayla Dube headshot
Kayla Dube
Lifewire Technology Review Board Member
Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.
our review board
Article reviewed on May 11, 2020
Kayla Dube

What to Know

  • Connect the component cable to the video and audio outputs on your video source, which is the device you want to connect to the TV.
  • Find the component video and audio inputs on your TV and connect the other end of the cable, paying attention to the plugs' color-coding.
  • Make sure both devices are turned on, and then test the connection.

This article explains how to connect an audio or video source to a television using component video cables. This information applies to televisions from a variety of manufacturers, including LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Vizio.

01
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Connect the Cable to Your Video Source

Carefully plug your cables in


Find the component video and audio outputs on your video source, that is, the device that is going to connect to the TV.

Note: This demonstration uses one component video cable (with red, green, and blue RCA jacks) and a separate audio cable (with red and white jacks). It's possible that you have all five jacks on a single RCA cable, but the setup is the exact same.

The color-coded connectors are your friend. Make sure that green goes to green, blue to blue, and so on.

Take note that the audio cables are always red and white and that it's possible for their output plugs to be slightly removed from the blue, green, and red video jacks.

02
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Connect the Free End of Your Cable to the TV

Carefully plug your cable (or cables) into your television.


Find the component video and audio inputs on your TV. In most cases, component inputs are located on the back of the set, but some televisions have added extra inputs on the front and sides.

If you have more than one set of inputs, select the one that's most convenient for you, but always pay careful attention to the color coding on all connection plugs.

03
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Test Out the Connection

A completed component video connection.


After the connection has been made, make sure both devices are turned on.

On first use, your television will almost certainly require you to choose the input source that you ran the cable to. If you used ​Component 1, for example, select that option on your TV.

For specific information that pertains to your particular TV, be sure to check the manual that goes with your TV. You can usually find television manuals on the manufacturer's website. And if you're connecting a whole home theater system, be sure to check out How to Set Up a Basic Home Theater System with Separate Components.

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