How do you connect your windows PC to your television using rca jacks?

Answer 1

Please keep in mind: if your TV supports COMPONENT VIDEO (YPbPr) instead of RGB, it also most likely supports HDMI or VGA! In that case simply buy the proper cable (and connector if required: DVI-HDMI, VGA-DVI etc.) and connect this way. It will yield best results with the least hassle. These connections will also support higher resolutions (the TV will work like a monitor, not like a TV).

If your TV is one of the older models (not HDTV), maybe even with a curvy back end (CRT, "lamp" TV), then read on!

Most notably, you need* a graphics card with TV-output capability, and a connector.

Once you have it, it's a simple matter. You have two options:

- Composite video using just one RCA/RCA cable, usually yellow (least quality) -- the oldest TVs will probably only support this option (it is also possible to buy a converter for SCART ("EURO") connectors to support Composite Video through RCA, if your TV has a SCART connector only)

- RGB video using three RCA cables - red, green and blue (best quality for analog systems in these configurations) -- most TVs should support this method (except for possibly the oldest TV sets in common use?)

The adapter used to make this work on the PC end should be included with your graphics card, if it supports this functionality. It is designed in such a way that the Green output can also serve as the Composite output (most commonly). (if Green doesn't work, try Blue and Red - some manufacturers do things differently, and there's generally no penalty for trying it out)

The video drivers' assistant (the program used to make changes to your graphics card configuration) is then used to set the TV up appropriately. The driver will take all required steps and procedures to ensure signal compatibility and full-screen coverage.

You must ensure to select the proper display mode (NTSC for US/Japan, PAL for most of Europe and Brazil etc.) and regional standard (PAL-M, PAL-B, PAL-D/K etc.) in order to get a valid picture with full colors. There is no penalty for trying these modes out (for a short time, anyway), so keep switching until it works for you, and stick with that. Maybe make a note for future reference, etc.

Buying cables designed for video signals (about 60 ohm to 150 ohm impedance) will yield better overall quality (less noise), all other things being equal. You can't miss them, they're thickier and more resistant to bending than the rest. DON'T BEND THEM more than they allow - you risk breaking them!

* it IS possible to do this using just the VGA or DVI port, but it requires extensive work to get working properly: a converter for the VGA signals (RGB+Vsync+Hsync into RB+CSyncOnGreen), and software to make the graphics card imitate TV input signals in general (like PowerStrip for Windows, or ModeLine definitions for Linux). Not all graphics cards and operating systems can be forced into required output modes (usually less than 640x480 at 25 or 30Hz interlaced), and not all TVs can take such attempts at mimicry (some very old models even fail explosively). Your mileage may vary.