# DVD to HDTV (1080) connector **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 28, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942 "2008-07-28T17:35:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/1 "2008-07-28T17:35:49Z")
“Techy” question here. I’ve got a standard DVD player hooked up to my new Bravia HDTV. When I play a dvd I get really bad “checkerboarding.” I think that’s what it’s called. I have the DVD hooked up with the basic cables that came with it – RCA connectors… Video, Left audio, Right audio. I can’t really afford a new upscaling DVD or a Blu-Ray yet. Will a different connection (Composite, etc.) between the units help me get a better picture? ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/2 "2008-07-28T18:16:12Z")
The connection you describe is composite video (the yellow RCA connector). You would definitely get a better picture if you used **component** video (red, blue and green RCA cables) or (if your DVD supports it) an [HDMI](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI) cable. If you use component video, you will still need the red/white audio cables you are using now. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/3 "2008-07-28T18:27:38Z")
[QUOTE=FatBaldGuy] The connection you describe is composite video (the yellow RCA connector). You would definitely get a better picture if you used **component** video (red, blue and green RCA cables) or (if your DVD supports it) an [HDMI](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI) cable. If you use component video, you will still need the red/white audio cables you are using now. [/QUOTE] Between composite (yellow) and component (red-blue-green) in quality would be s-video, if your dvd player and tv both support that. ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/4 "2008-07-28T18:48:11Z")
Cool. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/5 "2008-07-28T18:53:03Z")
Also, try just going through your TV’s setup menu and turning off everything that might be trying to “improve” your picture. It may be trying too hard. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-hdtv-1080-connector/457942/6 "2008-07-28T19:05:10Z")
Yikes… You’re using the worst possible quality signal out of your DVD player. Some HDTVs do better than others at handling standard-def signals. It’s sounding like yours is not so great at it. In order of quality: RF (the old coax and channel 3) Composite video - usually a yellow plug S-video - that funny round plug that looks like a PS2 keyboard plug Component video - three cables, color-coded red, blue and green (even though they do not carry an RGB signal) HDMI I don’t know what your primary TV source is, but for the DVD, you should be able to pick up an upconverting DVD player and HDMI cable for under $100. As for HDMI cables, it’s a digital signal, so quality is almost completely irrelevant. If a 6-foot cable costs more than about ten bucks, you’re paying too much.