HDMI

Carries

Picture and sound

Signal

Digital

Where you’ll find it

TVs, monitors, projectors, game consoles, streaming boxes, Blu-ray players, laptops.

Common confusion

HDMI version matters only for 4K at 120 Hz, 8K or eARC. For most setups any "High Speed" HDMI cable works.

Going from HDMI to something else

• DVI: HDMI to DVI cable (no power needed). DVI carries no sound. Use the screen’s speakers only if it has a separate audio input.
• VGA: HDMI to VGA adapter. Sound is not carried by VGA. Models with a 3.5 mm audio out can feed speakers.
• Composite AV (RCA): HDMI to AV converter (needs power). Picture is scaled down to standard definition. Cheap units add a little lag.
• Component video: HDMI to component converter (needs power). Sharper than composite. The TV must accept the resolution the converter sends (480p is safest on CRTs).
• SCART: HDMI to SCART converter (needs power).

Getting something else into HDMI

• DisplayPort: DisplayPort to HDMI cable (no power needed). Works only from a DisplayPort computer into an HDMI screen.
• Mini DisplayPort: Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable (no power needed).
• USB-C with video: USB-C to HDMI cable (no power needed). Your USB-C port must support video (DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt or USB4).
• DVI: DVI to HDMI cable (no power needed). Picture only. DVI carries no sound.
• Lightning: Lightning Digital AV Adapter. Third-party copies often block streaming apps. Buy the Apple one.
• Composite AV (RCA): AV to HDMI converter (needs power). It makes the connection work. It does not make old video HD.
• S-Video: S-Video to HDMI converter (needs power).
• Component video: Component to HDMI converter (needs power).
• SCART: SCART to HDMI converter (needs power). Budget models often use composite only. Look for "RGB" if picture quality matters.
• VGA: VGA to HDMI converter (needs power).