How to Convert AV / RCA to HDMI (Simple Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’ve ever tried to hook up an older device to a newer TV, you’ve probably noticed a problem right away — most modern TVs don’t have AV or RCA inputs anymore. No red, white, and yellow ports. Just HDMI.

The good news is you don’t need to throw out your old gear. There’s a super cheap and easy fix: an AV to HDMI adapter. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how it works, what comes with it, and how to set everything up.

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What You Need

To convert AV (RCA) to HDMI, you’ll only need a few things:

  • An AV to HDMI adapter (usually around $8–$10 on Amazon)
  • An HDMI cable
  • Your RCA cables (red, white, and yellow)
  • A USB power source (any 5V charger works)

That’s it — no fancy equipment or tech knowledge required.

What’s in the Box

Most of these adapters come packaged pretty nicely. The one I used came in a small carrying bag, which is actually a nice bonus for keeping everything together.

Inside the bag, you’ll usually find:

  • The AV to HDMI adapter
  • A USB power cable
  • A few instruction sheets showing specs and setup
  • Sometimes a customer support card or thank-you note

Nothing complicated, but everything you need to get started is included.

A Quick Look at the Adapter

The adapter itself is pretty simple:

  • One side has RCA inputs for video and audio
  • The other side has an HDMI output
  • There’s a USB port for power
  • And a small switch that lets you choose between 720p and 1080p

That resolution switch is one of the best features, since it lets the adapter upscale the old AV signal to work better on modern screens.

How to Set It Up

Setting this up takes just a few minutes.

1. Plug in the AV Cables

Take the RCA cables from your device and plug them into the adapter:

  • Yellow goes to yellow (video)
  • White and red go to audio

Just match the colors and you’re good.

2. Connect the HDMI Cable

Plug an HDMI cable into the adapter, then connect the other end to your TV or monitor.

3. Power the Adapter

This part is important—the adapter won’t work without power.

Use the included USB cable and plug it into:

  • A phone charger
  • A USB port on your TV
  • Any standard 5V USB power source

4. Turn Everything On

Turn on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI input.

Then power on your AV device.

You should now see the picture showing up on your screen.

Changing the Resolution

By default, most adapters output at 720p, which already looks better than the original AV signal. If your TV supports it, you can flip the switch on the adapter to 1080p.

When you do this:

  • The screen may go black for a second
  • The adapter reboots
  • The picture comes back in 1080p

Totally normal behavior.

Why This Adapter Is Worth It

The best thing about this adapter is how useful it is for such a low price. Since newer TVs usually only have HDMI, this little device lets you keep using older equipment without hassle.

It’s great for:

  • DVD players and VCRs
  • Retro gaming consoles
  • Older cameras or media devices
  • Any AV-only hardware you still want to use

For under $10, it’s honestly hard to beat.

Final Thoughts

If you need a quick and affordable way to connect an AV device to a modern TV, an AV to HDMI adapter does the job perfectly. It’s easy to set up, supports both 720p and 1080p, and works with pretty much any HDMI display.

Hopefully this guide made the process clear and easy to follow. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to drop them below—I’m happy to help.