How to Connect a CRT TV to Modern Devices

Connecting a CRT TV to a modern console, PC, or streaming device lets you enjoy retro gaming with authentic scanlines or use that old set as a quirky second display. The process depends on what outputs your modern device has and what inputs your CRT accepts. This guide walks you through the options, from simple composite connections to HDMI-to-RCA converters, and covers the adapters and settings you’ll need.

What You’ll Need

Your CRT TV and its remote (for input selection and menu access)
A modern console, PC, or streaming device with at least one video output (HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA)
Appropriate cables: RCA composite (yellow/white/red), S-Video, component (red/green/blue), or VGA
An HDMI-to-composite or HDMI-to-component converter (if your modern device only has HDMI)
A VGA-to-component or VGA-to-composite converter (for PCs with VGA output)
Optional: a powered HDMI-to-RCA converter with audio extraction (for streaming devices)
An audio cable (RCA or 3.5mm to RCA) if your converter doesn’t carry audio

Step-by-Step

Identify your CRT’s inputs. Look at the back or side panel. Common inputs are composite (yellow video, red/white audio), S-Video (round 4-pin), component (red/green/blue video plus red/white audio), or VGA (15-pin D-sub). If you see only an antenna/coaxial input, you’ll need an RF modulator, which is rare and not recommended for modern use.
Check your modern device’s outputs. Most consoles and streaming devices have HDMI. PCs may have HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA. If your modern device has HDMI, you’ll need an HDMI-to-composite or HDMI-to-component converter. If it has VGA, you can use a VGA-to-component converter (if your CRT has component) or a VGA-to-composite converter (if it only has composite).
Get the right converter. For HDMI sources, buy a powered HDMI-to-composite converter (often called an HDMI-to-AV converter). These typically have an HDMI input, a composite video output, and RCA audio outputs. For component, get an HDMI-to-component converter (these are less common but exist). For VGA sources, a VGA-to-component converter works if your CRT supports component; otherwise, use a VGA-to-composite converter.
Connect the converter to power. Most converters need external power via a USB cable or a wall adapter. Plug it in and make sure the LED indicator lights up.
Connect the modern device to the converter’s input. Use an HDMI cable from your console/PC/streaming stick to the converter’s HDMI port. If your PC only has DisplayPort, use a DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable or adapter (active ones are safer).
Connect the converter to the CRT. Use RCA cables (yellow for video, red/white for audio) to connect the converter’s output to the corresponding input on your CRT. If your CRT has component input and you’re using an HDMI-to-component converter, connect the green/blue/red video cables and the red/white audio cables.
Select the correct input on the CRT. Turn on the TV and press the “Input” or “Source” button on the remote (or the TV’s front panel) to cycle through inputs until you see the signal from your modern device. It might be labeled “AV,” “Video 1,” “Component,” or similar.
Adjust the modern device’s output settings. For consoles, set the resolution to 480p or 480i (if the CRT supports progressive scan, use 480p; otherwise 480i). For PCs, set the resolution to 640×480 or 800×600 at 60Hz (or the CRT’s native refresh rate). On streaming devices, you may need to change the display resolution to 480p in the settings menu. Some devices auto-detect, but manual adjustment often works better.
Test and adjust picture. If the image is not centered or is too large/small, use the CRT’s menu (via remote) to adjust horizontal/vertical position and size. If the picture is black and white, you likely have a PAL/NTSC mismatch or a composite/component mix-up—check the converter’s output mode and cable connections.
Connect audio separately if needed. If your converter doesn’t carry audio (some VGA converters only do video), use a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable from the PC’s headphone jack to the CRT’s audio input. For consoles with optical audio, you’d need a separate DAC—but most HDMI converters include audio.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong converter type. HDMI-to-composite converters are common, but HDMI-to-component converters are different. Make sure you buy the one that matches your CRT’s inputs.
Plugging composite cables into component jacks. The yellow plug looks like the green component jack, but they’re not compatible. Component uses three separate video signals; composite carries everything on one.
Forgetting to power the converter. Many converters are not bus-powered; they need a USB power cable. Without power, no signal passes through.
Not setting the output resolution low enough. CRT TVs can’t handle 1080p. If you send a high-resolution signal, the converter may downscale it, but it often looks bad or doesn’t display at all. Set your device to 480p or lower.
Ignoring audio. Some converters only convert video. If you don’t hear sound, check if the converter has audio outputs and if you’ve connected them.

Tips

For retro gaming, a CRT with component input (if it supports 480p) gives a much sharper picture than composite. If your CRT only has composite, that’s fine—it’s still authentic.
If your CRT has S-Video, you can get an HDMI-to-S-Video converter (rare) or use a composite-to-S-Video adapter (but quality may not improve).
Try setting your PC to 640×480 at 60Hz. Many CRTs support this natively, and text will be readable.
For streaming devices, use a powered HDMI-to-RCA converter that supports HDCP (most do). If you get a black screen, it might be HDCP handshake failure—try a different converter or a HDMI splitter that strips HDCP (but note that may be against some terms).
Use a high-quality shielded RCA cable to reduce interference and improve signal.

Troubleshooting

No picture at all: Check that the converter is powered and the input on the CRT is correct. Try a different input. Make sure the modern device is outputting a signal (try it on a modern TV to confirm). If using a PC, check that the PC detects the display (press Win+P and select “Duplicate” or “Second screen only”).
Black and white picture: This usually means a PAL/NTSC mismatch. Set the converter’s output to the same standard as your CRT (NTSC for North America, PAL for Europe). Also ensure you’re using composite cables for composite input, not component.
Flickering or rolling picture: This is often a refresh rate mismatch. Set the modern device to 60Hz (or 50Hz if in PAL region). If using a PC, set a custom resolution with the correct refresh rate.
No sound: Verify audio cables are connected from the converter to the TV. If the converter has a 3.5mm audio out, use a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable. On some converters, audio only works when the HDMI source is stereo (set the console to stereo, not surround).
Picture is too dark or washed out: Adjust the CRT’s brightness/contrast. Also, some converters have a brightness adjustment (a small screw on the side).
Text is unreadable on PC: Increase the font scaling in Windows or use a lower resolution like 640×480. Also, adjust the CRT’s focus and sharpness if available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect a modern console to a CRT without a converter?

Only if your console has composite or component outputs. The Wii, PS2, and original Xbox have these, but modern consoles like PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch only have HDMI, so you need a converter.

Will a CRT TV work with a streaming stick like Roku or Fire TV?

Yes, but you need an HDMI-to-composite converter. The stick outputs HDMI, and the converter downscales the video to 480i/480p and provides RCA outputs. Audio will be stereo, which is fine.

Is there a delay (input lag) when using a converter?

Yes, most HDMI-to-composite converters add a slight delay of a few milliseconds. For casual gaming or streaming, it’s usually imperceptible. For competitive retro gaming, it may be noticeable, but it’s often acceptable.

Can I use a VGA cable from my PC to a CRT TV?

Only if your CRT has a VGA input (some later CRTs did). If not, you need a VGA-to-composite or VGA-to-component converter. These are less common and may be lower quality than HDMI converters.

Why does my CRT show a black screen when I connect a PC?

Your PC is likely outputting a resolution or refresh rate the CRT can’t handle. Boot into Safe Mode or use a lower resolution (like 640×480 @ 60Hz) via the display settings. You may need to use a VGA cable if your PC has VGA out.

Do I need a special cable for component video?

Yes, component video uses three cables (red, green, blue) for video, plus red/white for audio. They are often sold as “component cables” and are not the same as composite cables (which have one yellow video cable).

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →