I’m trying to connect an older DVD player to a Samsung TV using its 3.5 mm AV socket, but the TV says there’s no signal. The player appears to be running. Could this be the wrong cable, or am I missing a setting?
Why does my DVD player show no signal through the TV’s AV jack?
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m4__Clavicle
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The TV’s 3.5 mm socket may not be a standard headphone or AUX connection. Some models use a proprietary-looking breakout adapter that converts the jack to the red, white, and yellow RCA plugs. A regular 3.5 mm cable won’t carry composite video just because it fits.
Check the TV’s exact model and its manual for the required AV adapter. If the TV came with one, that is the best place to start, since the wiring order on these adapters can vary.
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Before buying anything, confirm the DVD player’s output plugs and the TV’s input label. Red and white are audio, while yellow is composite video. The TV also needs to be set to the matching AV or composite source, not just left on a different input.
If you have the correct adapter and still get no picture, check that the yellow video plug is connected and try a disc menu or another known video source.
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Get the adapter specified for the exact TV model rather than choosing one by plug shape alone. A 3.5 mm connector can have different contact layouts, so an adapter made for another TV may fit but route the signals incorrectly.
If you can’t find the original adapter, a DVD player with HDMI output or a compatible composite-to-HDMI converter are alternatives, though the converter needs its own power and must match the direction of the signal.
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m4__Clavicle:
That may be it. The TV came with an adapter, but I didn’t realize it was needed for this connection.