composite video
The first analog video color format, which uses one channel and a single cable (the audio tracks transmit in separate channels and cables). All old analog TVs and many digital TVs have composite video inputs (see LG example below). Old analog TVs also included S-video inputs, and many also supported the higher-quality component video. See S-video and component video.Back to the 1950s
Composite video was created when color was added to black & white TV in 1954. Two color signals (U and V) were multiplexed with the original monochrome signal (Y) and transmitted in the same TV channel (see YUV and NTSC).
 |
| Composite Video Is Yellow |
|---|
| The yellow RCA jack is the composite video socket found on myriad video devices. However, professional equipment may not support composite video. |
 |
| Composite Video on Digital TVs |
|---|
| This excerpt from a 2017 LG OLED TV manual shows that even the most modern digital TVs accept analog composite video signals in order to connect to old VCRs and other early video sources. |
 |
| How YUV Is Separated |
|---|
| This diagram shows the relationship between composite, S-video and component video signals. The device (bottom) shows the actual ports from an NVIDIA graphics card. (Bottom image courtesy of NVIDIA Corporation.) |
 |
| How YUV Is Separated |
|---|
| This diagram shows the relationship between composite, S-video and component video signals. The device (bottom) shows the actual ports from an NVIDIA graphics card. (Bottom image courtesy of NVIDIA Corporation.) |
Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.