Connecting an Old DVD Player to a New LG OLED TV

To enjoy your favorite movies on your brand new LG OLED TV, you may need to connect an older DVD player. This guide will walk you through the steps you need to follow to successfully connect your DVD player with your LG OLED TV.

Necessary Components

To connect your old DVD player to your newer LG OLED TV, you will need the following:

Cables

Composite Cables (RCA): If your DVD player has standard red, white, and yellow RCA outputs, you will need a set of composite cables to connect to your TV. This is typically used for basic video and audio connections. Component Cables: If your DVD player has component outputs with red, green, and blue for video and red, white, and yellow for audio, you will benefit from using component cables for better video quality. HDMI: If your DVD player has an HDMI output, an HDMI cable will provide the best quality. HDMI outputs are becoming more common as the technology evolves.

Adapters

If your DVD player has outputs that are not compatible with your LG OLED TV’s inputs (such as Composite or Component outputs, but no HDMI), you may need an HDMI converter or adapter. These devices will allow you to convert the signal from your DVD player to HDMI, which most modern TVs accept.

Connecting the Devices

Follow these simple steps to connect and use your old DVD player with your LG OLED TV:

Connect the appropriate cables: Use the appropriate cables from your DVD player to the corresponding inputs on your TV. Be sure to match the colors and types of inputs on both devices. For Composite Cables: Connect the yellow cable to the video input and the red and white cables to the audio inputs. For Component Cables: Use a component cable if your DVD player has component outputs, as these provide a higher quality connection. Connect the red, green, and blue cables from the video output and the red, white, and yellow cables from the audio output. If Using an HDMI Converter: Connect the DVD player to the converter and then connect the converter to an HDMI port on the TV to ensure a high-quality connection. Select the Input Source: Turn on your LG OLED TV and use the remote control to select the input source that corresponds to the port you connected the DVD player to (e.g., HDMI 1, AV, etc.). Power On: Make sure both the DVD player and the TV are powered on, and you should now be able to watch your DVDs.

Alternative Solutions

Depending on how old your DVD player is, it may or may not have an HDMI port. If it does, you can simply use an HDMI cable to connect the two devices directly. However, if your TV has an AV connector (which is also used by VHS players, PS1, PS2, and other older gaming consoles), you can connect the DVD player directly to the TV if supported.

If your DVD player does not have an HDMI output, you will need a converter. Lacking the option for a simple HDMI cable, you may need to find an adapter or converter that can handle your specific connection types. For instance, if your DVD player has RGB or Component outputs, you might need to use a specialized converter box or look for an amplification or converter solution, such as an AV amplifier with HDMI output capability.

I recently found a tiny box on Amazon that can convert Component Video and analog audio into HDMI output. It might be a good starting point for finding a compatible solution for your older DVD player. Alternatively, an AV amplifier might be a more expensive but more flexible option that can handle a wide range of input sources.

Conclusion

By following these steps and ensuring you have the correct cables or adapters, you can successfully connect your old DVD player to your new LG OLED TV. With a bit of patience and the right equipment, you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows in high definition on your modern TV.