How to connect a Wii to a smart TV
For the sharpest picture, use a Wii component cable into a component to HDMI converter, then set the Wii to EDTV/HDTV (480p) in its screen settings. The cheapest route is the standard AV cable into an AV to HDMI converter, which looks softer.
Yes. You need a converter.
What you need
- Component video + audio cable Look for: 5 RCA: green/blue/red video plus red/white audio
- Component to HDMI converter Look for: Component (YPbPr) to HDMI
- HDMI cable Look for: High Speed HDMI (Ultra High Speed for 4K 120Hz)
Connect it like this
- WiiComponent video out
- Component video + audio cable
- Component to HDMI converterComponent video in, HDMI out. Needs power.
- HDMI cable
- TV (flat screen)HDMI in
What to know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- About $41–$75 if you buy everything new
- Picture
- HD (up to 1080p)
- Lag
- Minimal
- Extra power
- Yes, the converter needs USB or wall power
Why this works
Component video is analog and HDMI is digital. A plain cable can’t bridge that. A powered Component to HDMI converter translates the signal.
Before you buy
- Direction matters. You need Component video in and HDMI out. The HDMI to component converter looks almost identical but works the other way. Check that the box says “Component (YPbPr) to HDMI”.
Good to know
- Most retro consoles send 240p. Many cheap AV to HDMI converters and some modern TVs handle 240p poorly (flicker or dropouts).
- Many "HDMI only" TVs still have a small AV input hidden on the side. Press Input/Source on the remote and look for AV or Composite.
Other ways to do it
Cheapest You need a converter. Composite AV cable (yellow/white/red) + AV to HDMI converter + HDMI cable
What you need
- Composite AV cable (yellow/white/red) Look for: 3 RCA male to 3 RCA male
- AV to HDMI converter Look for: AV to HDMI / RCA to HDMI / AV2HDMI
- HDMI cable Look for: High Speed HDMI (Ultra High Speed for 4K 120Hz)
Connect it like this
- WiiComposite AV (RCA) out
- Composite AV cable (yellow/white/red)
- AV to HDMI converterComposite AV (RCA) in, HDMI out. Needs power.
- HDMI cable
- TV (flat screen)HDMI in
What to know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- About $28–$55 if you buy everything new
- Picture
- Standard definition
- Lag
- Minimal
- Extra power
- Yes, the converter needs USB or wall power
Why this works
Composite AV (RCA) is analog and HDMI is digital. A plain cable can’t bridge that. A powered AV to HDMI converter translates the signal.
Before you buy
- Direction matters. You need Composite AV (RCA) in and HDMI out. The HDMI to AV converter looks almost identical but works the other way. Check that the box says “AV to HDMI”.
- It makes the connection work. It does not make old video HD. Some converters show a black screen with copy-protected video such as streaming apps; if that happens, pick one whose listing says it supports HDCP.
Your gear a little different? Answer a couple of questions about your own ports.
Check my exact setup