HDMI gives you the clearest picture from your DVD player to your TV

An HDMI cable carries both video and sound from your DVD player to your TV through a single connection. This is simpler than older cables and produces a sharper image. Most DVD players made in the last 15 years have an HDMI port on the back, and nearly all modern TVs do too. If your DVD player or TV is older, you may need a different type of cable instead.

The physical connection takes about two minutes. The harder part is usually finding the right ports on the back of your equipment and making sure your TV is set to display from the correct input.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI cables carry video and sound together, so you need only one cable instead of three separate ones.
  • Plug one end into the HDMI port on the back of your DVD player and the other end into an HDMI port on the back of your TV.
  • After connecting the cable, use your TV remote to switch to the correct HDMI input — usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3.
  • If your DVD player or TV lacks an HDMI port, you can use composite cables (red, white, and yellow) or component cables (red, green, and blue) instead.

Locating the HDMI ports on your equipment

Look at the back of your DVD player first. You should see a port labeled HDMI. It is a flat, rectangular opening about half an inch wide. If you see multiple HDMI ports, use any one of them — they all work the same way.

Next, look at the back of your TV. Modern TVs usually have two to four HDMI ports arranged in a row. Write down which port number you use — you will need to select that same input on your TV in a moment. If your TV is wall-mounted and you cannot see the back easily, check the side panel instead; some TVs have HDMI ports there.

If you cannot find an HDMI port on either device, skip ahead to the section on older cables. Your equipment may be too old for HDMI.

Plugging in the HDMI cable

Get an HDMI cable. Any standard HDMI cable works — you do not need an expensive one. A basic cable costs a few dollars and works as well as a premium version for DVD playback.

Turn off both your DVD player and TV before you plug anything in. This is not strictly necessary, but it prevents any electrical surprises.

Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the back of your DVD player. Push it straight in until you hear or feel a small click. The connector should sit flush against the port.

Plug the other end into one of the HDMI ports on your TV. Again, push it in until it clicks. Remember which port number you used.

Switching your TV to the correct input

Turn your TV on first, then turn on your DVD player. Your TV screen will probably show a cable channel, a streaming app, or a blue screen — whatever input it was last set to.

Pick up your TV remote and look for a button labeled Input, Source, or HDMI. Press it. Your TV will show a menu listing all available inputs: Cable, Satellite, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, and so on.

Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight the HDMI port you plugged the cable into — for example, HDMI 2 — and press Enter or OK. Your TV screen should now show the DVD player's menu or the disc you have loaded.

If you see a black screen or a "no signal" message, try a different HDMI port on your TV. Sometimes one port works better than another, or one may be faulty.

Troubleshooting a blank or distorted picture

If your TV shows a picture but it looks fuzzy, pixelated, or has strange colors, the cable may not be pushed in all the way. Turn off both devices, remove the HDMI cable, and plug it back in firmly. Make sure you hear the click at both ends.

If the picture is still poor, try a different HDMI cable if you have one available. Occasionally a cable is defective or damaged. If a different cable fixes the problem, the first one is faulty and should be replaced.

If you have sound but no picture, or a picture but no sound, the HDMI port itself may be damaged. Try plugging into a different HDMI port on your TV. If that does not work, your TV may need repair.

What to do if your DVD player or TV lacks HDMI

Older DVD players and TVs use composite cables instead. These are three cables bundled together: yellow (video), white (left audio), and red (right audio). The connectors are round and about the size of a pencil eraser.

If your equipment has composite ports, plug the yellow cable into the yellow port on both devices, the white into white, and the red into red. Then switch your TV input to Video, AV, or Composite instead of HDMI.

Component cables look similar but use five connections: green, blue, and red for video, plus white and red for audio. They produce a slightly sharper picture than composite but are less common now. If your equipment has component ports and you want the best picture possible without HDMI, component cables are worth using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy an expensive HDMI cable?

No. A basic HDMI cable costs a few dollars and works identically to a premium cable for DVD playback. Expensive cables make no difference in picture or sound quality for this use.

Can I use the same HDMI port for my cable box and my DVD player?

Yes, but only one device can use the port at a time. You will need to switch your TV input each time you want to watch something different. If you want both connected permanently, use different HDMI ports.

Why does my TV say "no signal" even though the cable is plugged in?

Make sure you selected the correct HDMI input on your TV — the same port number you plugged the cable into. Also check that your DVD player is turned on and has a disc loaded. If the problem persists, try a different HDMI port on your TV.

Can I connect my DVD player to my TV wirelessly?

Standard DVD players do not support wireless connection. You need a physical cable. Some newer devices called media streamers can play DVDs wirelessly, but a traditional DVD player requires either HDMI or composite cables.