Learn more about the ports behind your TV and what you'll need for the best picture and sound quality.
By Rachel OaksJun 12, 2023 | Share
TV technology moves fast. You might be puzzled by the many different ports on the back of your TV. We know your pain, so we’ve compiled this guide so you’ll know which cables go in which ports—and why. We hope it will help you enjoy your new smart TV’s fancy features a lot faster.
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Below you can find ports by name and image, learn about signal type and quality, discover which devices are used with each port, and get the answers to tricky questions about the purpose and potential of your TV ports.
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Here are some phrases you’ll encounter while learning more about different kinds of ports:
DISH Network gets our Editor’s Choice award for its channel count, reliability, industry-leading equipment, parental controls, and transparent pricing. DIRECTV is best for sports, Verizon Fios has the best value, Spectrum is the cheapest traditional TV provider, YouTube TV is best for live TV streaming, and Max is best for on-demand streaming.
Editor's choice $84.99–$114.99/mo. DVR storage: Up to 500 hrs. Contract length: Best value $85.00–$129.00/mo. DVR storage: Contract length: Best for sports
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* ENTERTAINMENT—w/ 24-mo. agmt. AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies. CHOICE, ULTIMATE, and PREMIER—w/ 24-mo. agmt. AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. and Regional Sports Fee up to $13.99/mo. are extra & apply.
Why does HDMI get its own section? Because it’s one of the most useful and most common ports on your TV. The HDMI ports in your TV can be used for video, audio, computers, and even turn your non-smart TV into a smart TV!
Other names: High-definition media input
Signal type: Digital
Maximum resolution: 4K Ultra HD
Associated devices: Modern game consoles, media players, DVRs, sound systems, computers, and streaming devices
What are HDMI ports?
HDMI, or “High-Definition Media Input,” is the go-to port for all your modern devices. HDMI ports in your TV are used for both video and audio. In addition, most computers have HDMI capabilities, so you can use an HDMI cable to hook your PC up to your TV. You can even plug a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick to turn your old TV into a smart TV.
If you like to plug in one cable and be done, you’ll love how simple it is to set up your TV with HDMI.
Are HDMI ports always the best connection option?
Because HDMI transfers data digitally—without compressing or distorting the information—it delivers the highest-quality picture and sound.
However, some people prefer the familiar sound of analog audio. You can play with how you connect your sound system to find out what you like best.
What is HDMI ARC?
The TV port labeled “HDMI ARC,” or “HDMI Audio Return Channel,” is set up to both send and receive audio data. This port pairs great with a sound system because you can hook all your other devices up to an A/V receiver and use a single cable to connect your receiver to your TV. It’s pretty sleek!
Other names: Component video, component analog video (CAV), and Y/Pb/Pr
Signal type: Analog
Maximum resolution: 1080p
Associated devices: DVRs, media players, and previous-generation game consoles
What are component video ports?
The component video ports are the red, blue, and green AV ports on your TV, and before HDMI became popular, they offered the highest video quality.
If you have an older TV that isn’t HDMI compatible, you can use these video ports to hook up your DVR or media player. And even if HDMI is available on your TV, component inputs can be handy for hooking up some previous-generation game consoles like PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Wii systems.
Other Names: Separate video and Y/C
Signal Type: Analog
Maximum Resolution: 480i
Associated Devices: Computers, previous-generation media players, and previous-generation game consoles
What are S-video ports?
S-video ports (the black circles with a lot of dots) were used primarily in the late 1990s and early 2000s for video input on TVs. They’re not as common as component video ports, but you might see them on your TV or computer. If you’ve got an old Nintendo 64 kicking around, it can connect to this port.
While the S-video port will display a brighter picture than composite video, it’s still not as good as component video or HDMI. Skip this port unless you don’t have better options.
Other Names: Composite video, composite video baseband signal (CVBS), or SD video
Signal Type: Analog
Maximum Resolution: 480i
Associated Devices: DVRs, previous-generation media players and previous-generation game consoles
What are composite video ports?
Composite video (the circular yellow port) is used for standard-definition video. While plenty of equipment still comes with a composite video connection, you should pass on this port for the higher-quality component video or highest-quality HDMI.
Other Names: Digital audio (optical), optical audio, optical digital, digital audio out (optical), and TOSLINK (Toshiba Link)
Signal Type: Digital
Associated Devices: Soundbars and A/V receivers
What are digital audio (optical) ports?
This port, which is usually covered with a small flap, sends digital audio to your sound system. Because it uses a digital format, it’s usually more crisp than RCA Stereo, which uses analog.
Should I use the digital audio (optical) port?
HDMI is better, but if your sound system doesn’t have an HDMI hook up, this port is a great choice. However, optical cables become less effective at a distance of ten meters, and they’re more delicate than the coaxial cables used in other audio ports. Be careful not to bend your optic cable at a sharp angle, or you could damage it permanently.
Other Names: Digital audio (coaxial) and coaxial digital audio
Signal Type: Digital
Associated Devices: Soundbars and A/V receivers
What are digital audio (coaxial) ports?
Like the optical digital ports, the coaxial digital port connects to your sound system to send digital audio. The coaxial cable is sturdier than the optical port, but HDMI will still be the highest-quality option.
Other Names: RCA stereo audio, RCA audio, and analog audio
Signal Type: Analog
Associated Devices: DVRs, previous-generation media players, previous-generation game consoles, soundbars, and A/V receivers
What are RCS stereo audio ports?
These twin red and white ports are either inputs or outputs for transmitting analog audio. Sometimes you will see them by themselves labeled as “out” to output audio. If they’re for inputting audio, you’ll usually find them next to component or composite video ports.
Should I use the RCA stereo audio ports?
Use RCA stereo audio if you don’t have a more advanced digital connection (HDMI, optical, or coaxial) or if you just like the sound of analog. Connectors for this port are often paired with composite and component video, so they’re a handy go-to if you’re using those video connectors.
Other Names: Digital visual interface, DVI-A, DVI-D single link, DVI-D dual link, DVI-I single link, and DVI-I dual link
Signal Type: Digital/analog
Maximum Resolution: 1080p
Associated Devices: Computers
What are DVI ports?
DVI ports are primarily for connecting your computer to your TV. They aren’t as high quality as HDMI, but most modern DVI are better than VGA. Which DVI cable you can use with the port depends on the number and arrangement of the pin holes in the port.
Why are there so many different types of DVI?
DVI has changed dramatically with evolving technology. The old DVI-A is an analog port no better than VGA. But DVI-D is digital, and DVI-I is compatible with both digital devices and older analog devices.
DVI-D and DVI-I are further broken down by single-link and dual-link capabilities. Dual-link connections have twice as much power, leading to an increase in speed and signal quality.
Which DVI connector is best?
Both DVI-D and DVI-I work fine. Just make sure the pin holes in your port will support the cable type you’ve chosen.
Can DVI cables carry audio too?
DVI-I-to-HDMI or DVI-D-to-HDMI cables can carry audio, but it depends on whether or not the video card inside your computer supports this transfer. Hook in the DVI end into your computer and the HDMI cable into your TV to see if your video card port is compatible with audio. If not, you’ll need a separate audio connection.
