If when you look behind your TV it leaves you confused, or whether you just want to know what all the different connections on your TV do. Read this blog for all you need to know, this includes information on all the different AV inputs and outputs on your TV which will hopefully leave you well informed to be able to correctly set up your TV. This blog is the perfect companion to out previous blog on different TV cables which I recommend that you check out when you’re done here. Let’s begin.
HDMI Input
The HDMI input in the most common input used in today's world. Into a HDMI input a HDMI cable in inserted that connects between your AV equipment and your TV. It can be used for both digital video & audio. Most TV’s purchased nowadays will typically have 4 HDMI inputs which can be used to connect Satellite RX’s, Sky boxes, Bluray players, Games consoles and so on all at the same time. The good thing about the HDMI connection is that it’s constantly being updated to be carry to carry more information for when future improvements in picture resolution (8K, 4K, High Definition). The HDMI cable is also capable of delivering 7.1 audio for surround sound systems. If you have a choice of different ways to connect your TV equipment, the HDMI connection is advised.
HDMI ARC Input/ Output
If you look at the rear of your TV HDMI connections, you may find one labelled ‘HDMI ARC’ which stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Audio Return Channel. There are various functions which this input/ output can serve and the most common being an audio output connection to TV soundbars and inputs for AV receivers, surround sound systems.
SCART Input/ Output (Euroconnector)
The SCART connection is a big bulky horrible connection which is always falling out, far inferior to a HDMI connection but for a relatively long period of time it was the most common connection for connecting DVD Players,early satellite receivers etc. The word SCART is a French Abbreviation meaning ‘Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs’ and was very popular in Europe – not so much in places like the USA where it never really took off. The SCART connection is an analogue only connection making it not suitable for a digital TV picture and high definition.
The reason that the SCART connection is log big and heavy is that there are 21 pins with 21 individual cables inside of the lead all serving different purposes like RGB Video, S-Video, Stereo sound, automatic source selection and so on making it actually a very versatile connection. If you lose the TV picture but the sound works fine, or vice versa it’s likely that the SCART has wobbled loose at one side. You’re only likely to use the SCART Input/ Output for connections to old equipment and old TV’s, or when you have no HDMI inputs available.
The SCART input is not ideal for use with wall mounted TV’s as to fit it behind the TV often means having to stand the TV a fair distance for the connector to fit. In situations like this,you may be better using the composite/ component connection instead. The SCART input is sometimes labelled as AV or where there is more than one SCART connection, AV1, AV2.
Ethernet/ RJ45 Input
A common connection on most new Smart TV’s is the Ethernet connection in which you can directly connect the TV to a wired internet connection for improved speed/ performance on Smart TV services and catch up TV for internet streaming and TV on demand. The Ethernet connection is also sometimes called the network connection, RJ45 or 8P8C.
A lot of early “non-smart” TV’s that are not compatible with Internet based services still have an RJ45 connection. You might be wondering what is the point in this? The primarily function in this situation would be to connect to you local internet connection to allow you access the TV interface for maintenance, like software updates. It’s highly unlikely that would ever need the Ethernet input in this instance.
Optical Input/ Output (Toslink)
The optical output is a very small connection, into which a small thin optical cable connects. The optical input/output is a digital audio only connection which is commonly used for external audio equipment like soundbars, AV receivers & amplifiers. You will notice that the optical connection has a beam of light going through it, this is because it is a fibre optic cable and the information is sent down at very high frequencies. The optical connection is capable of 5.1 surround sound, for 7.1 systems a HDMI connection is required.
Digital Coax Audio Input/ Output
The Digital Coax Audio connection is very similar to the Optical (Toslink) connecting in terms of performance, it supports 5.1 surround sound but the main difference is that the digital audio signals are sent down a coax conductor cable rather than a fibre connection. The Digital Coax can be used to connect to external sound equipment soundbars, surround systems & AV receivers.
Auxiliary Input/ Output / Headphone Jack
The Auxiliary connection, sometimes shortened to ‘Aux’ or known as the Headphone jack is for connecting your TV to headphones or an external sound system, like a soundbar. It’s a single channel analogue audio cable so better sound quality can be achieved by installing a Toslink, Coax Audio or phono connection where possible. Some TV’s will automatically mute the TV speakers when a cable is inserted into the Aux input. I had a customer that didn’t want the TV to do this as they wanted to connect wireless headphones and keep the TV sound on at the same time, it wasn’t possible this would to do with the actual hardware of the TV and not the software, not all TV’s are the same though however.
USB Inputs
Most TV’s purchased now often have many USB inputs which can be used for various functions. It is most common to use the USB connection to insert a USB stick which will allow you to view media stored on it, like video and photos. Sometimes with compatible TV’s the USB connection will allow the TV to be connected to an external USB storage device like a USB stick or portable hard drive for PVR functions (recording services).The USB connection is sometimes used as a wireless adapter that allows TV’s TV’s to be connected to your WIFI network for internet streaming services. Overtime this has become less and less common as most new TV’s now have a WIFI facility built in meaning that the USB dongle is not required. Also, another function which is not commonly utilised now would be for software upgrades on TV’s, the required files can be downloaded from the internet and inserted into the TV – This speeds up things greatly when compared to Over The Air software updates which were done via a TV aerial or satellite dish and could take forever( I have been there!). This is no longer common as it is much easier for this to be done over the internet with compatible TV’s.
RF Input(s)
Perhaps the most common connection that is used is utilised on TV’s is the RF connection. RF stands for radio frequency and is most commonly a push in IEC coaxial aerial input. This would deliver Freeview in the UK and similar services like Soarview in Ireland.
Increasingly over time, more and more TV’s are also incorporating a separate screw in RF connection which is a satellite F connection for a direct connection to your satellite dish. It depends on the make/ model of your TV but sometimes this will be compatible with Freesat or not. If not, the TV will be a generic Free To Air type receiver and will store the TV channels on all sorts of odd numbers.
Composite Video Input
The composite video input, which is sometimes just referred to a AV on your TV source menu is a yellow phono connection. This is a analogue video only connection so not compatible with High Definition video connections and will require separate audio cables for sound, this is usually supplied by an RCA cable with separate red and white phonos for analogue stereo sound.
S-Video Input
S-Video stands for Super-video and it never really took off but it’s an improvement on the picture quality of component video. By separating and sending the luminance (Brightness) and Chrominance (colour) in two separate streams which gives an improvement picture quality. Like component video the S-Video connection is not compatible with audio so separate audio cables are required.
Component Video Input (RGB)
A component video input is a further improvement on composite video and S-Video connections. It works by sending the Red, Green & Blue (RGB) analogue colour streams down separate colour cables which gives a further improvement on picture quality. Again, like Component & S-Video separate audio cables are required. A downside of Component Video is that for one connection five separate phono cables are required, Red, Green & Blue phono’s for the video input/ output and another red & white cables for sound, you can buy these in a single cable however. It’s worth noting that a SCART Cable is compatible with RGB and stereo sound so it may be easier to use one of these if the TV is compatible.
Stereo Sound Input/ Output
Depending on what type of TV you have you may have more than one pair of red and white phono connections for sound only connections. It’s common to have red and white phono connections to accompany video only connections like composite, S-Video, DVI and Component connections but some TV’s will also have a pair of phonos for sound outputs for connections to external sound systems so you need to make sure that you’re connecting to leads into the right places, otherwise you could end up with a TV that you can watch but not hear.
DVI Input
DVI stands for Digital Video Interface which can be used to for a digital video only connection between AV equipment and TV’s. DVI was used as an early precursor to the HDMI connection but can still be used if you have run out of HDMI inputs on your TV, with a DVI – HDMI adapter plug a HDMI output can be used to connect a DVI input which can be very handy as it means that you may not need a special DVI cable. DVI is not compatible with some of the latest HD resolutions and does not supply sound, meaning separate audio cables will be required.
VGA Input/ Output
It’s not common but some TV’s also had a VGA connection on them which would most like to connect a PC to a TV screen. VGA stands for Video Graphics Array and is a video only connection. Overtime like many of the other video only types connection this has been superseded by HDMI. The VGA connection itself is a bulky head connection which pushes into position and has a couple of fixing screws either side which can be finger tightened to keep the connection firmly in place. The VGA input looks similar, but should not be confused with an RS-232 or DVI input.
RS-232 Input/ Output
You may notice a connection on the rear of your TV called an RS-232 connection which looks similar to a VGA type connection. The RS-232 is more of a professional type connection for installers which allows for advanced control of the TV, for instance setting a PC up to control the TV or integrating the TV into a Home Automation system.
Common Interface Input
This connection is of virtually no use in the UK but sometimes used in other countries where encryption is used. The Common Interface is for accessing encrypted TV services, which may be a subscription type service. Depending on the TV and service that wants to be accessed it can be used with DTT, cable and satellite applications. A Conditional Access Module(CAM) is inserted into the Common Interface input and a Smart Card inserted into the CAM.
Samsung One Connect
I have included this in here as it may be helpful to someone. Some models of Samsung TV’s have no AV inputs on the TV itself whatsoever, instead a separate box is provided with the TV in which all the TV tuners, HDMI’s, USB’s, Video & audio cables all connect. From here a single cable One connection cable connects between the TV and the One Connect box, some require a separate power cable to be connected to the TV but some of the later models it is all provided down the One Connect cable. This can be very helpful when installing the Samsung TV on the wall as there are far less cables to have to route for your installation. A word of warning however, some of the One Connect cables are not bidirectional meaning that one end has to connect to the TV and the other to the box. I found this out the hard way after chasing the cable into the wall and filling over with plaster only to find the cable needed to be installed the other way around!
TV Ports & Connection Questions?
If you have any questions arising from this blog please feel free to POSTTHEMINTHEBLOGCOMMENTSSECTIONBELOW and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I appreciate your patience when leaving a questions as I will not answer as fast as you may like.
PLEASEDONOTCALLOURTELEPHONELINESWITHYOURQUESTIONS - We are a small company operating in Sussex & Kent only and out phone-lines are intended for CUSTOMERSONLY.
PLEASEALSODONOTFILLINOURWEBSITECONTACTFORMSORE-MAILYOURQUESTIONS - It's no real hardship receiving these, but it's highly likely that you will not receive a response. By posting your comments and questions in the blog comments section below you will help the blog, give everyone reading at a later date the benefit of the question asked and the answer given and provide me with a central location to answer all the questions I get asked.
Until next time,
Tom
FAQs
Input devices transmit audio to your TV. These include Blu-ray players, game consoles, and Set-top boxes. The Output devices receive sound from a TV. These include surround sound speakers, soundbars, and headphones.
What are input and output devices of television? ›
Input devices transmit audio to your TV. These include Blu-ray players, game consoles, and Set-top boxes. The Output devices receive sound from a TV. These include surround sound speakers, soundbars, and headphones.
Should my TV be on hdmi1 or hdmi2? ›
We recommend most people stick to the HDMI 2.0a connections that are on current TVs. For higher bandwidth and advanced features, however, you will need to make sure that your HDMI cables match the format of the ports and devices you're using.
What is the difference between HDMI 1 2 and 3? ›
There are currently 3 standards of HDMI cable – category 1 (standard), category 2 (high-speed and premium high-speed) and category 3 (ultra high-speed).
How many HDMI ports should you have on a TV? ›
In most cases, you should look for an HDTV that has at least three HDMI inputs, but four is preferred for additional flexibility. No matter the setup, the number of HDMI inputs should equal the number of devices you have.
Is HDMI an input or output port? ›
HDMI can either be input or output depending on its intended use. Getting high-quality audio and video from a home-theater system is made easier with HDMI. This is an all-digital connection with the capability of carrying and transmitting multi-channel sound and video signals in just a single cable.
What are 5 examples of input and output? ›
Keyboards, mouse, scanners, etc are some of the input devices while printers, monitors, headphones, etc are some of the output devices.
What are 5 devices that are both input and output? ›
Both Input-Output Devices:
- Modems.
- Network cards.
- Touch Screen.
- Headsets (Headset consists of Speakers and Microphone. Speaker act Output Device and Microphone act as Input device)
- Facsimile (FAX) (It has scanner to scan the document and also have printer to Print the document)
- Audio Cards / Sound Card.
Examples of Input devices of computer are keyboard, mouse, etc. while examples of output devices of computer are printer, monitor, speaker, etc.
How do I know which HDMI port to use? ›
To find the version of an HDMI port or cable, consult the device specifications from the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Different HDMI versions have been developed over the years, each version determining the capabilities and supported features of a configuration (limited by the lowest version port or cable).
HDMI 2.0 is certified to have a bandwidth of 18 Gigabits per second which supports 4K resolution at 60 FPS (frames per second). HDMI 2.0a – HDMI 2.0a offers all previous enhancements with different types of HDR. This enhanced cable allows for richer and more vibrant color.
Why are there 2 HDMI ports on TV? ›
With more HDMI ports you can connect additional devices, instead of constantly exchanging one cable for another. Unfortunately, most televisions, even the latest models, only come with one or two HDMI ports. If you're like most people, you have more than two devices you want to connect.
Does it matter what HDMI cable I use? ›
Yes, there is a difference but whether or not you experience any difference depends highly on what you are using the HDMI cable for. When it comes to home theater equipment, you want to ensure that you are getting the highest quality sound and video from your system.
How do I know if my HDMI cable is 1 or 2? ›
The HDMI cable's specifications are often printed on the package it comes in, and it should mention the HDMI version. The most recent HDMI 2.1 Specification is HDMI® Specification 2.1a. Make sure to cross-check the maximum supported resolution of your cable with the specifications of different HDMI versions.
What are the 3 types of HDMI cables? ›
The majority of HDMI connectors in use today are the Type A (Standard), Type C (Mini) and Type D (Micro) shown below. HDMI Type B (Dual Link) was developed for very high-resolution displays but was never used.
Does a longer HDMI cable matter? ›
Yes, the length of an HDMI cable matters. A shorter HDMI cable has less distance for the signal to travel, which will result in less signal loss. A longer HDMI cable will require the signal to travel for a greater distance, and end up with lower quality picture and audio.
What does ARC mean on a HDMI port? ›
Sound devices and projectors all use this standard. For a better sound experience, you can use an HDMI cable to direct the sound from your Smart TV to sound device. ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a special function of HDMI high-speed certified cables via which the sound can also be sent back to the transmitter.
Which HDMI port is best for Roku? ›
To successfully stream 4K Ultra HD content, all devices connected to your compatible Roku device must support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. This includes your TV, an AVR, and any other devices connected in between.
Can a HDMI port be both input and output? ›
Can something have both HDMI input and HDMI output ports? Some devices include both HDMI inputs and outputs. These include A/V receivers for home theater setups, certain 4K TVs, and some computer monitors.
What does an HDMI output port look like? ›
The HDMI connector looks a lot like a full-size USB port, only larger and having a trapezium shape. It includes a male and female connector where you usually have the male version of the connector on cables or streaming devices that go into the female connector, which is usually on the device(s) being linked.
Input Output Ports/ Connections
- Serial.
- Parallel and Universal Serial Bus.
- PS-2 Port.
- Infrared Port.
- Bluetooth Port.
- Firewire.
Types of I/O
- direct digital output.
- modulated digital output.
- analog output.
Heater - when we set the temperature (input) it checks with which temperature it matches(process) and it starts heating (output)
What are the two most common input and output devices? ›
Keyboard and mouse are the most commonly used input devices. Microphone gives sound or voice input to the computer. Output devices are used to display the result or information on the computer. Monitor and the printer are the commonly used output devices.
What is the most commonly used input device? ›
The most common input devices are the keyboard, mouse, and touch screen. Portable keyboard, wireless mouse, and iPhone. There are hundreds of other input devices, like microphones to capture sound waves, scanners to capture image data, and virtual reality devices to capture our body movements.
What is the most important input device? ›
A keyboard is one of the most important input devices. You can use it to input data into a computer or other electronic devices.
How do you know if a device is an input device or an output device? ›
If a device is putting data into the computer in the form of text, sound, images, button presses etc. then it is an input device, if the device is outputting things from the computer such as sound, movement, printing, images etc., then it is an output device.
What is the most common output device used today? ›
The commonly used output devices include: External devices like monitor also called visual display unit (VDU), printer, graphic plotter for producing graphs, technique drawing and charts and internal devices like magnetic storage devices.
What is the most basic output device? ›
A display device is the most common form of output device which presents output visually on computer screen. The output appears temporarily on the screen and can easily be altered or erased. With all-in-one PCs, notebook computers, hand held PCs and other devices; the term display screen is used for the display device.
Do all HDMI cables work with all HDMI ports? ›
Most HDMI cables are the same. What matters the most is the standards used in the connection ports on your devices. While there are different HDMI types, chances are that almost any cable will function for an average consumer's needs, with a few exceptions that are worth learning more about.
Most TV remotes have an Input button that cycles from one input to the next. Press the Input button repeatedly until the correct HDMI input is displayed on the TV. Be sure to check which input on the TV you are connecting to.
Do all HDMI ports work the same? ›
All HDMI ports look the same, but don't have the same capabilities. While you can still pretty much assume that what you plug in will work, how it works is up for debate, and whether you're getting the absolute best out of your equipment depends on whether it all supports the highest level of the protocols.
What HDMI port is 4K on TV? ›
Which HDMI Version Supports 4K? HDMI port versions 1.3/1.4 and above all support 4K video at a refresh rate of 30Hz.
Can any HDMI run 4K? ›
If you are wondering about whether your existing HDMI cable will work, it is possible that you will not need to upgrade to one that is “4K-compatible.” Any HDMI cable up to five meters in length labeled “high speed” should be able to handle the increased bandwidth of 4K signals.
Can you tell a difference between 1080p and 4K? ›
The 4k image is smoother and has more detail than the 1080p image. Look closely and you'll see that the edges around objects in the 1080p picture are a bit more blurry, and text looks clearer on the 4k TV.
What if my TV only has 1 HDMI port but I need 2? ›
An HDMI switch is essentially a hub that connects to one of your TV's HDMI ports, and allows you to use that single HDMI port for multiple channels. For example, you can connect two, three or four of your gaming consoles to an HDMI switch so that they all only take up one port.
How do I switch between two HDMI ports? ›
How to Switch Between Computer Monitors and TVs
- Power on your switch, and connect its input to whatever device you're trying to display, be it a computer, a game console, or anything else with an HDMI output.
- Power on your monitor, set its input to HDMI, and connect your monitor to one of your switch's output ports.
How to Use an HDMI Splitter for Dual Monitors
- Identify the HDMI port on your computer.
- Once you've found it, plug the end of the HDMI splitter into this port. ...
- Next, connect one end of each cable to a monitor. ...
- Finally, turn on your monitors and computer; you should see your desktop extended across both screens!
The “4k HDMI” label is mostly marketing, so it doesn't mean a specific feature that will improve image quality. But if you have any cables past the HDMI 1.4 version, then they will be moving the same 4k image across the cable regardless of any marketing.
How can I tell if my HDMI cable is high speed? ›
If you still have the packaging for the HDMI cable, check it to find out if the cable is standard or high-speed. If you do not have the packaging, see if you can find it printed on the cable itself. You may find references to 1.2, 1.3, or other numerals printed on the HDMI cable.
Gold-plated HDMI cables are of a higher grade, and they are better and larger conductors. They boast better shielding and are even more durable than regular HDMI cables. It is also true that gold-plated ends will not have the oxidation that may be found in regular HDMI cables.
How do I change my TV from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2? ›
1-2 of 2 Answers
You can long press the Home button and select Input or you can go back to the Home screen and select the desired input.
Do all HDMI cables support HDMI 2? ›
While all legitimate HDMI cables should be compliant, a certification program was introduced for HDMI 2.0. To earn certification, a cable must pass a more stringent evaluation for throughput and low EMI. Certified cables can display the High Speed (10.2GBps) or Premium High Speed (18Gbps) HDMI logo.
Is there a difference between HDMI 1 2 and 3? ›
There are currently 3 standards of HDMI cable – category 1 (standard), category 2 (high-speed and premium high-speed) and category 3 (ultra high-speed).
Is there any difference between HDMI cables? ›
Are All HDMI Cables the Same? HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 don't matter nearly as much as their speed ratings, which the HDMI Forum and HDMI Licensing Administrator also define. Those specifications indicate maximum bandwidths, but they don't specifically define every cable.
What are USB ports on TV used for? ›
USB: A common connector on everything from smart TVs to laptops is USB. These ports can be used for connecting a flash drive for viewing media on the TV, or to power devices over USB, such as a streaming stick or amplified antenna.
Can I use the USB port on my TV to watch movies from my phone? ›
Locate the USB port on your TV or use an HDMI-to-USB adapter to add a USB port to the TV. Use a cable that plugs into both the phone and TV or adapter to connect the devices. Go to the Source button on the TV remote control or on-screen menu. Select USB.
What is the difference between a USB port and a HDMI port? ›
The difference between USB and HDMI cables is that HDMI is for HDTV and Blu-ray use, while USB connects devices with a USB connector, such as printers and digital cameras, to your laptop or computer. They either transfer data or charge the smaller device.
What happens if I don't have enough HDMI ports on my TV? ›
If you want a quick and easy fix you'll need to purchase an HDMI switch, such as the SGEYR (on Amazon), and you don't want to confuse it with an HDMI splitter. A switch provides you with additional ports, while a splitter only sends the same signal from one connected device to multiple TVs in the house.
Can USB replace HDMI? ›
HDMI has been around for about three decades or so at this point, while USB-C is simply the next step in the progression that USB was designed to follow in creating a universal (hence, universal serial bus) cable to replace every other cable type.
A USB to HDMI adapter connects to the USB port on a computer and essentially adds an HDMI output to the computer. This allows you to connect your computer to your HDMI enabled display, like a TV or computer monitor.
How can I connect my phone to my TV without HDMI? ›
Android Phones and Tablets
The most common method is to use a “casting” app, such as AirBeamTV. Our apps allow you to wirelessly connect your phone to any popular TV. Once connected, you can “cast” the content on your phone's screen to your TV, and watch movies from your phone on your TV without HDMI.
How do I connect my phone to my TV via USB without HDMI? ›
For instance, if the TV does not have an HDMI port, you can use the USB-to-VGA adapter. Some of the older TVs have only RCA connections (red, white, and yellow). In such a situation, you will need an HDMI to RCA adapter to connect your phone to the TV.
How do I get my USB to work on my TV? ›
Plug a USB flash drive into the USB port on the back of your TV. Do not remove the USB flash drive or turn off the TV while using the USB flash drive. You may lose data or damage the USB flash drive. If your TV is turned on when you connect the USB flash drive, press ▲ or ▼ to select Yes in the message that appears.
Is it better to use USB or HDMI? ›
HDMI cables offer superior image and sound quality compared to USB cables, making them the go-to choice for multimedia applications. USB cables come in various versions, such as USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0, each offering different transfer speeds and capabilities.
Can I use a USB port as an HDMI input? ›
As All the devices definitely have USB Ports, most users get the question, can USB port be converted to HDMI? The answer is, yes. But with a catch. You need a special USB to HDMI adapter or converter.
Can a USB port be used for video output? ›
A USB-C cable and connector can transfer data and videos as fast as 10 Gbps, support 4K and 8K video resolution, and power devices up to 100 watts. Keep in mind that while USB Type-C ports can support video display via alternate modes such as DisplayPort, not all ports support video output.
What is the best way to add HDMI ports to a TV? ›
Add More Ports With an HDMI Switcher
An HDMI switcher is like a USB hub but for HDMI devices. The switcher output connects to a single HDMI input on your TV, monitor, projector, or capture card. Additional HDMI sources are then connected to the switcher, which features an array of additional ports.
How to connect 2 devices to 1 HDMI port? ›
You can use an HDMI splitter to connect and operate multiple devices through one HDMI port. An HDMI splitter simply has a cable with an HDMI plug on one side and on the other side (depending on the HDMI splitter type) you can have two, three and even four HDMI ports.
Does HDMI ends matter? ›
A passive HDMI cable has one 19-pin plug on either end and can transmit data in either direction. It doesn't matter which end is plugged into the input and output ports because the data packets can flow both ways.
