How to Connect a PS1, PS2 or PS3 to a Modern TV

Bringing an older PlayStation console home can become confusing the moment you look behind your television.

Instead of the familiar HDMI connection used by modern consoles, a PlayStation 1 or PlayStation 2 will usually have three coloured plugs: yellow, white and red. Many newer televisions no longer include the inputs these cables require.

Fortunately, that does not mean you need an older television. A PS1, PS2 or PS3 can all be connected to a modern TV, but the correct method depends on the console and the connections available on your television.

The quick connection guide

Console	Simplest connection	What you may need
PlayStation 1	Composite AV	AV-to-HDMI converter if the TV has no AV input
PlayStation 2	Component or composite AV	PS2-to-HDMI adapter, AV-to-HDMI converter or upscaler
PlayStation 3	HDMI	Standard HDMI cable

 

The PS3 is the easiest because it already has an HDMI output. The PS1 and PS2 require either an analogue input on the television or a device that converts their signal into HDMI.

Check the connections on your television first

Before buying anything, inspect the back and sides of your television.

You may find one of the following:

- A yellow, white and red set of AV inputs
- Green, blue and red component-video inputs with separate red and white audio inputs
- A small input labelled AV IN that requires a television-specific breakout adapter
- HDMI inputs only

Some modern televisions still accept composite AV through a small 3.5mm-style socket. However, the required breakout adapter is not always included, and these adapters are not necessarily interchangeable between different television brands.

If your television only has HDMI inputs, you will need a converter, adapter or upscaler.

How to connect a PlayStation 1 to a modern TV

The original PlayStation normally connects using a composite AV cable.

This cable has:

- A yellow plug for video
- A white plug for left-channel audio
- A red plug for right-channel audio

If your TV has AV inputs

Connect the PlayStation end of the cable to the AV MULTI OUT connection on the back of the console.

Connect the yellow, white and red plugs to the matching inputs on your television. Turn on the console, then use the television remote to select AV, Composite or Video as the source.

If everything is connected correctly, the PlayStation startup screen should appear.

If your TV only has HDMI

You will need an AV-to-HDMI converter.

The direction is important. The converter must accept an AV signal and send it to HDMI. A converter labelled HDMI to AV does the opposite and will not work for this setup.

Connect it in this order:

1. Connect the PlayStation AV cable to the console.

2. Insert the yellow, white and red plugs into the converter’s AV inputs.

3. Connect an HDMI cable from the converter to the television.

4. Connect the converter to USB power if required.

5. Select the matching HDMI input on the television.

A basic converter will make the console playable, but it will not turn the original PlayStation’s graphics into true high definition. Some inexpensive converters may also soften the image, stretch it or introduce a small amount of input delay.

Getting a better PS1 picture

For a cleaner picture, use a cable and upscaler specifically designed for retro consoles and their low-resolution video signals.

These devices generally process the original signal more accurately than a basic AV-to-HDMI converter. They can produce sharper edges, preserve the original aspect ratio and reduce input delay.

A dedicated retro upscaler costs more, so it is not essential for someone who simply wants to play occasionally. It becomes more worthwhile if you regularly use multiple older consoles or want the best practical picture on a large modern television.

Do not assume that a small adapter advertised for the PS2 will also work with a PS1. Although the consoles use a similar-looking AV connection, many PS2-to-HDMI adapters depend on a video signal that the original PlayStation does not produce.

How to connect a PlayStation 2 to a modern TV

The PlayStation 2 gives you more connection choices than the original PlayStation.

You can use:

- Composite AV
- Component video
- A PS2-to-HDMI adapter
- A converter or retro-gaming upscaler

Option one: composite AV

The simplest method is the same yellow, white and red AV connection used by the PS1.

If your television has compatible AV inputs, connect the coloured plugs, select the television’s AV source and turn on the console.

If your television only has HDMI, connect the PS2’s AV cable to an AV-to-HDMI converter.

This is inexpensive and easy, but composite video provides the softest image. Text and fine details can appear blurry when the original low-resolution picture is enlarged across a modern television.

Option two: component video

Component video generally provides a cleaner PS2 picture than the standard yellow composite connection.

A PS2 component cable has five plugs:

- Green, blue and red for video
- White and red for audio

Do not confuse the red video plug with the red audio plug. They should normally be grouped or labelled differently on the cable.

If your television has component inputs, connect the plugs to the matching colours. You will also need to change the PS2’s video setting:

1. Start the console without a game inserted.

2. Open System Configuration.

3. Find Component Video Out.

4. Select Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr.

If the console is set to RGB instead, a component connection or PS2-to-HDMI adapter may display incorrect colours or no picture at all.

Because many modern televisions no longer include component inputs, you can also connect a component cable to a compatible component-to-HDMI converter or upscaler.

Option three: a PS2-to-HDMI adapter

A PS2-to-HDMI adapter connects directly to the AV port on the back of the console and provides an HDMI output.

These adapters are small, affordable and convenient. Many draw power from one of the PS2’s USB ports.

Most of these adapters rely on the console’s component-video signal. Before using one, make sure Component Video Out is set to Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr in the PS2 System Configuration menu.

If the console is currently set to RGB and the adapter produces a blank screen, you may need to reconnect the original composite cable temporarily so you can change the setting.

Quality varies considerably between adapters. A basic model may be completely suitable for casual play, but it can still produce a softer image or more input delay than a higher-quality gaming upscaler.

Playing PS1 games through a PS2

The PS2 can play most original PlayStation discs, but this introduces another possible compatibility problem.

Many PS1 games use a lower-resolution signal than PS2 games. Some modern televisions and inexpensive HDMI adapters cannot recognise that signal, which can result in a black screen even though regular PS2 games work correctly.

If you plan to play both PS1 and PS2 games through the same console, look for an adapter or upscaler that specifically supports original PlayStation resolutions. Do not rely only on the words “PS2 to HDMI” in the product title.

How to connect a PlayStation 3 to a modern TV

The PlayStation 3 is much easier because every model includes an HDMI output.

You need:

- A standard HDMI cable
- An available HDMI input on your television

Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the PS3 and the other to the television. Turn on the television, select the matching HDMI input and then start the console.

The PS3 should detect the HDMI connection and ask whether you want to use it for video and audio. Confirm the selection and allow the console to choose the supported resolution automatically.

You do not need a special PlayStation-branded HDMI cable. A normal working HDMI cable is suitable.

What to do if the PS3 shows a blank screen

A PS3 can remember the video settings from the television it was previously connected to. If it was using a different cable or resolution, it may start without producing a picture on your current TV.

To reset the PS3 video output:

1. Turn the PS3 completely off so the power light is red.

2. Press and hold the power button.

3. Keep holding it for at least five seconds until you hear another beep.

4. Release the button and allow the console to detect the television again.

This resets the video output to a standard resolution without deleting your games, saves or other stored data.

If there is still no picture, try another HDMI port and another HDMI cable before assuming there is a problem with the console.

Still deciding which PS3 model is right for you? Read our guide, PS3 Slim vs Super Slim: Which One Should You Buy?

Set the correct aspect ratio

Most PS1 games and many PS2 games were designed for a 4:3 television.

Modern televisions often stretch these games across a 16:9 screen, making characters and objects appear unusually wide. To correct this, open your television’s picture settings and select an option such as:

- 4:3
- Original
- Normal
- Unscaled

The exact name depends on the television.

Some PS2 games include a proper widescreen option in their settings. When a game supports it, you can select 16:9 without stretching the picture.

PS3 games were generally designed for widescreen displays, so the television can normally remain set to 16:9 when using that console.

Turn on Game Mode

After connecting the console, enable Game Mode in your television’s picture settings.

Modern televisions perform additional image processing for movies and television programs. That processing can create a delay between pressing a controller button and seeing the action happen on screen.

Game Mode reduces much of this processing and usually makes older games feel more responsive.

You may also get a cleaner picture by reducing or disabling:

- Motion smoothing
- Excessive sharpness
- Noise reduction
- Dynamic contrast

These settings are a matter of preference, but motion smoothing should generally be turned off for gaming.

Common connection problems

The television says “No Signal”

Check that:

- The console is powered on.
- The television is set to the correct AV or HDMI input.
- Every plug is fully inserted.
- The converter is connected in the correct direction.
- The converter has USB power if required.
- The PS2 is using the correct component-video setting.
- The PS3 video output has been reset.
- The adapter supports the console’s resolution.

The picture is black and white

Make sure the yellow composite-video plug is connected to a genuine composite input rather than an incompatible component socket.

Some televisions share one connection between composite and component video. In that situation, consult the television’s connection labels or manual to identify the correct socket.

Imported NTSC consoles can also cause display problems with equipment designed only for Australian PAL signals. Check that your television or converter supports the console’s video format.

There is picture but no sound

For composite and component connections, check that both the white and red audio plugs are connected.

If you are using an HDMI converter, make sure the converter carries audio through HDMI. Some specialised video adapters require a separate audio cable.

For a PS3, open Settings, then Sound Settings, and make sure HDMI is selected as the audio output.

The picture looks blurry

A converter cannot create detail that was not present in the original video signal.

PS1 and PS2 games were designed for much lower-resolution televisions. A basic converter enlarges that image so a modern television can display it, but the result may still look soft.

A component connection or quality retro upscaler can improve clarity, but the games will still retain the visual character of the hardware they were created for.

Do you need an expensive upscaler?

Not necessarily.

If you only want to play occasionally, a basic AV-to-HDMI converter or PS2-to-HDMI adapter may be all you need.

If you regularly play PS1 and PS2 games, use several retro consoles or are sensitive to input delay, a dedicated gaming upscaler can be a worthwhile investment.

The most important thing is to purchase the correct device for your console and television. Check the supported input signal, output connection and conversion direction before ordering.

Final connection recommendations

For the easiest affordable setup:

- Use an AV-to-HDMI converter for the PS1.
- Use a PS2-to-HDMI adapter or component connection for the PS2.
- Use a standard HDMI cable for the PS3.

For the best practical PS1 and PS2 picture, use a quality cable with an upscaler designed specifically for retro games.

Older PlayStation consoles can still work perfectly well with modern televisions. Once you have the correct cable or converter, you can continue enjoying the original hardware without searching for an old CRT television.

Browse our current range of PS1, PS2 and PS3 games, consoles and accessories available through PS Collectables.