How do I connect a DVD and a VCR to an HDTV? (2025 Update)

Get the 5 wire set for the Component video. (3 video, 2 sound) That is as close as you get to HD. Using the 3 wire setup, Composite video (1 video 2 sound) will be SD at best, more like NTSC I have a bunch of them and I would send you a set if you like but they sell them everywhere. You might even find them in the trash these days as most people are moving to HDMI

The whole top row of the TV should get the R, W, G, B, R of the DVD.

For the VCR, The second row of the TV should get the red and white out, and I don' think there is an adapter for the video, so just listen to the sound. I've found that Law & Order works well with just the sound. All of the jacks suggested so far are RCA.

Like GF says, there are 5-wires joined together, or 3-wire and 2-wire. For the DVD

You don't have a coaxial connector on the DVD or TV? If you do, get an RF modulator, like this

Maybe you can find an RF modulator with different otuput jacks that will fit your tv better, if you have no coax connector on the TV. You'll tune the tv to channel 3 or 4 to watch it.

What you want is a composite to component RF modulator, but googling doesn't show any.

Or a composite to HDMI converter, which I thought there would be even fewer of, but it's the opposite:

You'll need a source of USB power. If the tv hasn't got it, and I don't think it will, get a charger and probably a good one. I don't know if there is a difference between the cheap ones and the ones that come with expensive stuff, like the phone, but I'd use the one for the phone (I always charge my pone from the computer.)

Totally ignore the parts about RF modulator. I got that backwards. I need to go to sleep.

Start here.

There are probably others.

Thrift Stores can be a good source for these. John T.

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He doesn't need an adapter. The Y connector of the component video is also used for composite from the VCR and it's marked. He needs a five wire cable for the DVD, a 3 wire or another 5 wire using just 3, for the VCR.

Yup the top set of video in has a dual use on the green (Y) port and will take the yellow cable from the VCR (3 wire cable set) Connect the DVD to the second 5 wire set. I would think about hooking an old PC to the 15 pin connector for streaming, MP3 music or anything else you can do on a PC. If you have a 2.4gz wireless mouse you can run it from your easy chair.

Any old VCR will act fine as a modulator. Just be sure to get one that has hi fi stereo sound, or an old combo with Component out for the DVD side

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What DVD inputs? The DVD sends video and audio, it's not a DVD recorder.

Yes it does, composite video on the Y connector, it's dual use.

The solution