DVD PLAYER
How To Connect to TV with HDMI

DVD PLAYER
How To Connect to TV
AV adapter

• Most DVD players have 3 or 4 video connection options and 3 audio connection options. You only need one of the video hookups to get a picture on your TV. You only need one of the audio hookups to get sound.
  
  
• Basically what you need to do, is get a video signal from your DVD player to your TV so you can see a picture and also get an audio signal from your DVD player to your TV (or Audio/Video Receiver) so you can hear sound.
  
  
• Your disc (movie) contains the video and audio information, and your DVD player will read this data off the disc and send it to your connected TV.
  
  
• Your DVD player OUTPUTS to your TV INPUTS.
  
  
• You need to connect cables from your DVD player output jacks to your TV (or audio/video receiver) input jacks so you can enjoy the picture and sound of the movie.
  
  
  
• HOOKUP OPTIONS:
  
  You have several connection options for a DVD player. For the video connection, you choose one of three (or four) types of connections, either
  
  (1) Composite video (standard definition 480 video), a single yellow RCA cable, or
  (2) S-video (standard definition 480 video), a four-pin black cable connector, or
  (3) Component video (480, up to 720p, 1080i), three RCA cables colored green, blue and red.
  (4) HDMI (480, up to 720p, 1080p), newer DVD players have video up-conversion thru an HDMI output.
  
  You only need one of above video connections. 
  
  Usually composite video (1) is the choice for most people because this cable is typically provided with the DVD player. It is yellow in color on the cable connector and the jack.
  
  If you use an S-Video (2) connection instead of composite video, you will get slightly better video or
  
  if you use a 3 cable component video (3) connection instead, you could get even better video. Your TV however, must have input jacks to accommodate S-Video or component video connections. Most larger new TV sets made today have all these inputs but always check to be sure. If you have an HDTV with HDMI inputs and your DVD player has a HDMI output, then you may choose to connect using HDMI (4), the advantage being better video and the audio is also sent over the same cable.
  
  
• For the audio connection, you can choose either
  
  (1) 2-channel analog stereo, white and red RCA cables, or if you have a home theater setup,
  (2) coaxial digital (usually an orange RCA jack) for multi-channel surround sound or
  (3) optical (Toslink) digital audio for multi-channel surround sound.
  
  Multi-channel surround sound such as Dolby Digital 5.1 requires decoding of the audio bitstream from the DVD, usually performed by an audio/video receiver, and 6 loudspeakers positioned around the listener.
• HDMI can also be used for surround sound but you need an HDMI connection from DVD player to surround sound processor and another HDMI connection from the processor to the HDTV. The processor can be an audio/video receiver or home theater in-a-box with Dolby Digital 5.1 or more capability.
  
  • Pictures of Audio and Video jacks, connectors, cable types
  
  


VIDEO (Picture)

The option for most people would be to connect (plug in) a yellow tip cable (RCA type) into the yellow video out jack on the back of the DVD player and plug in the other end of this cable into the yellow video IN jack on your TV (video IN). This cable may have been included with your DVD player. This cable is all you need for video. 





Figure 1

NOTE: If your TV does not have RCA  audio/video jacks (yellow, red, white) then you will have to use a RF modulator box in order to hookup the DVD player to the TV.

AUDIO (Sound)

Now for the audio, plug in a white tip cable (RCA type) into the white audio jack on the back of your DVD player and plug in the other end of this cable into the white audio IN jack on your TV (audio IN). For stereo sound you need to also plug in a red tip cable (RCA) into the red audio jack on the back of the DVD player and plug in the other end of this cable into the red audio jack on your TV (audio IN). The white and red audio jacks are next to each other, on the DVD player and TV. You are now connected and ready to go.


• You need to make sure you have selected the proper source for your DVD player on your TV by pressing the "VIDEO" button (or comparable button) on your TV remote control until you see your DVD player's output on the TV screen. Make sure the DVD player and the TV are both powered ON and you have a disc inserted in the DVD player. Press PLAY on the DVD player. Sit back and enjoy the show!
  
  
  
  Figure 1: Composite Video hookup from DVD Player to TV. Analog audio (stereo) 2-channel sound connection to TV with stereo speakers. This connection option is how many consumers choose to setup their DVD player and TV since the cables are typically supplied with the DVD player and many TV sets today have A/V input jacks which accommodate this configuration. Although this setup is all you need to enjoy movies on DVD, there are other choices which will give you even better video and audio.
  
  

Figure 2: Example showing DVD Player hookup using composite video (yellow) and
stereo (red & white) audio cables.

  • See over 100 Hookup Diagrams 


  • HELP My DVD Player will not connect to my TV





What if I do not have any of these jacks on the back of my TV?

For those people who own an older TV set with only a rabbit-ears antenna connection or RF 75 ohm coax (cable TV) connection, and you want to hookup your DVD player, never fear, you can still do it but you will have to buy a device called an RF modulator. These boxes are available locally at your retail stores like Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. They cost about $20 and allow you to connect your DVD player with Composite Video jacks up to your older TV set.




With the switch to digital broadcast TV in 2009 you will also need a DTV converter box. Here is a hookup diagram showing how to connect DVD player, RF Modulator and TV. More on the switch to digital broadcast TV.



Need to add a VCR to the mix? This hookup diagram shows how to connect it all up. Set the VCR to channel 3 or 4 and select TV channels with the converter box remote.


Want to connect stereo loudspeakers for enhanced sound?



For more information on RF modulators see RF Modulators and DVD Connections.

Surround Sound from DVD

DVDs can feature surround sound, most commonly Dolby Digital (5.1) or DTS, providing a more immersive audio experience than stereo. While some DVDs offer only stereo, some offer 5.1 surround, the most prevalent for DVDs and Blu-rays. You will need a modern audio/video receiver and 6 loudspeakers.

Settings: Adjust the audio settings on your DVD player and your surround sound system to ensure they are configured to receive and process the surround sound signal correctly.







Connect DVD player, TV and Soundbar



Go to the TV SETTINGS and select the soundbar as the sound output device. Also, select the audio format such as PCM (stereo). Be sure to select the correct source input on the soundbar.  


Portable DVD Player to TV Connection



Portable DVD players usually have a 3.5mm mini jack which outputs composite analog audio and video.







More options for video and audio connections.

If your TV has an S-Video jack, you can use a 4-pin S-Video cable instead of the yellow RCA video cable to connect your DVD player to your TV. If your TV has the three red, green, blue component video jacks, you can use a three cable (RCA) red, green, blue, component video connection instead of the S-video. Component video is better than S-video or composite video.

There are also DVD players now with another option for connecting video and audio. DVD players with a HDMI digital output jack can connect to a digital TV with similar input jacks. HDMI is digital video and digital audio all in one cable connection.



Blu-ray and DVD

Standard DVD has been around since 1997 and provides good video, but the newer Blu-ray disc movies provide up to 1080p and even 4K (UHD) video resolution. Blu-ray players also play standard DVD discs. Combining a Blu-ray player with a 1080p or 4K TV over a HDMI connection, you get the maximum video crispness available. Colors are deeper and the newer audio is the best you can get.
• Blu-ray Basics


DVD Player - Headphone private listening

Portable DVD players usually provide a headphone jack but standard full-sized DVD players do not as they rely on the TV for sound. How can you add headphones to a DVD player for private listening?

You need a headphone amplifier with 1 to 4 outputs so you can have the option of multiple people listening to the movie, all with their own individual volume control. You need this because the DVD player RCA outputs which normally connect to the TV audio inputs, only output a fixed volume level. The amplifier allows you to turn the volume all the way down/off or turn the volume up for your own level of listening comfort.



ROLLS 4 channel headphone amp with 3.5mm and 6.35mm output. Made in USA and very powerful.

Cable lengths can be extended for the headphones and the RCA cables by connecting cable extenders which give you greater distances.



Standard RCA stereo audio cables - connect to DVD player RCA audio out ports



Adapter audio cable with female RCA stereo and 6.35mm stereo TRS plug.

Stereo Headphones can have 6.35mm or 3.5mm plugs (use an adapter if needed)




DVD player to headphones connection diagram

Connect the video to the TV as normal. Connect audio from DVD player to the headphone amplifier. Connect headphones to amplifier and adjust the volume for each headphone.



Extension audio cable for 6.35mm stereo
Allows for greater distances

Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for DVD player

Since the DVD player does not have wireless Bluetooth audio for speakers or headphones, you can add a Bluetooth transmitter. Some of these even have the capability to function as a transmitter or a receiver.

Connect the DVD player's audio output to the Bluetooth transmitter, pair your Bluetooth headphones to the transmitter and enjoy wireless audio on your headphones.

Any audio device with a headphone out or analog RCA outputs can be connected to a Bluetooth transmitter with AUX 3.5mm input for wireless audio transmission to a Bluetooth headphone or Bluetooth earbuds.



DVD Player to Bluetooth Headphones Diagram



Wireless Audio Bluetooth Transmitter


FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions:

Does DVD give me high definition?

Answer: No, DVD is not high definition video. Upconverting DVD players can simulate near HD video but this is not really HD. If you want High Definition then you've got to get a Bluray player and Bluray Disc movies. 

Can a component video connection give me high definition?

Answer: Component video is capable of 720p and 1080i which is high definition, but you would need a Blu-ray player and a Blu-ray disc movie as the source, and an HDTV. Only HDMI is capable of 1080p, the highest current video resolution for HD. Remember, component video is analog (analog/digital conversion required) and starting in 2011, new Blu-ray players will down-rez or limit the video resolution of component video connections.

How do I connect my player to get surround sound?

Answer: Connect your DVD player or Bluray player to your audio/video receiver or home theater system using either an optical or RCA coaxial, digital audio cable (or HDMI) for Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS surround sound. For Dolby TrueHD surround sound, you need to use an HDMI cable connection to your A/V receiver or home theater system with decoding capability for Dolby TrueHD. 

What is Dolby TrueHD?

Answer: Dolby TrueHD is the successor to Dolby Digital surround and is a lossless advanced multi-channel audio codec intended for Bluray Disc audio.

What is lossless audio?

Answer: Lossless audio compression is in contrast to lossy audio compression (Dolby Digital) where data is lost during compression. Lossless compression allows the original exact data to be reconstructed from the compressed information. You hear the sound as the producer intended, with no loss of data, for an as real as possible audio experience.

Is DVD 480i or 480p video resolution?

Answer: DVD is capable of storing video at 480i or 480p (or 576 in PAL countries) however most DVDs you find for the consumer market are 480i video resolution. Recordable DVD is also recorded as 480i because of compatibility for the majority of DVD players. DVD arrived in 1997 in the USA when almost all TV sets were designed for analog video (NTSC) using a 525 line interlaced video display standard. This was an interlaced (i) world at that time. For progressive (p) you would need a progressive scan DVD player.