Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk2 min

Component Video Cable Colors: Which Plugs Go to Y, Pb, and Pr?

Green goes to Y, blue to Pb, and red to Pr on a component-video connection. Match the labels at both ends, especially when the cable bundle also includes red and white audio plugs.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

For component video, the three video plugs are usually green for Y, blue for Pb, and red for Pr. Match them to the jacks with the same labels on both the source device and TV. If your cable bundle has another red plug, check whether it belongs to the audio pair: red audio is typically right-channel sound, not Pr video.

Which color goes to Y, Pb, and Pr?

Component-video signal Usual plug color Other labels you may see
Y Green Y
Pb Blue Pb, Cb, or U
Pr Red Pr, Cr, or V

The signal labels are more dependable than color alone. Philips notes that component connections may be labeled Y/Pb/Pr, Y/Cb/Cr, or Y/U/V, and that the corresponding plugs and jacks are usually red, green, and blue. Philips connection guidance describes component video as carrying Y, U, and V components over separate lines.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Is the red component cable video or audio?

It depends on which red plug you are looking at. A component-video cable has a red plug for Pr/Cr video. A separate red audio plug typically carries right-channel sound; the white audio plug is for left-channel or mono sound. Nintendo’s Wii component-cable instructions distinguish the red Pr/Cr video connector from the red right-audio connector and the white left/mono-audio connector.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To tell them apart, look at the plug’s group and the labels beside the device jacks. The three video jacks are labeled Y, Pb, and Pr (or an equivalent set); audio jacks are labeled audio, L, and R. Cable bundles can have two red plugs, so do not choose by color alone.

#1 Best Overall
Monoprice 1.5ft 22AWG 5-RCA Component Video/Audio Coaxial Cable (RG-59/U) - Black
  • This cable includes conductors for each of the three component video channels.
  • The connector housings have color-coded knurled rubber rings for easy identification and a perfect grip when installing or removing the cable.
  • The video conductors in this cable are made from RG-59 coaxial cable, with 22AWG cores.
  • The connectors are gold plated to ensure smooth, corrosion-free connections.

How to connect component video correctly

  1. Find the component-video outputs on the source device and the component-video inputs on the TV. Confirm that both are labeled for component video; color coding by itself does not establish compatibility.
  2. Connect green to Y, blue to Pb (or Cb), and red to Pr (or Cr) at both ends. Match the printed signal labels if the jack colors differ.
  3. If the cable includes separate audio plugs, connect the red audio plug to right audio (R) and the white plug to left or mono audio (L/Mono), following the device labels.
  4. Select the TV input used for the component connection. If the picture colors look wrong or there is no picture, recheck each signal-to-jack match and the selected input.

Sony’s component-video troubleshooting guidance gives the same green-to-Y, blue-to-Pb, and red-to-Pr mapping and recommends checking the corresponding jacks on both products. Philips also warns that mismatched connections can reverse picture colors or result in no picture.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Monoprice 1.5ft 22AWG 5-RCA Component Video/Audio Coaxial Cable (RG-59/U) - Black
Monoprice 1.5ft 22AWG 5-RCA Component Video/Audio Coaxial Cable (RG-59/U) - Black
This cable includes conductors for each of the three component video channels.; The video conductors in this cable are made from RG-59 coaxial cable, with 22AWG cores.
$12.33
Bestseller No. 3
5RCA Male Component Video/Audio Cable, Gold Plated 3ft, 6ft, 12ft, 25ft, 50ft (3FT)
5RCA Male Component Video/Audio Cable, Gold Plated 3ft, 6ft, 12ft, 25ft, 50ft (3FT)
brand: WireZee; connector type: RCA; cable: Component; compatible devices: DVD Player
$9.95
Bestseller No. 4
Skywalker 6' HQ Series Component Video Cable
Skywalker 6' HQ Series Component Video Cable
Suitable for DVD players, HDTV tuners, televisions & receivers; 3mm solid foam dielectric insulation maintains 75 Ohm signal integrity
$11.99
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
BlueRigger Component Video Cable with Audio (10FT, RCA- 5 Cable, Supports 1080i) - Compatible with DVD Players, VCR, Camcorder, Projector
  • ➤ 5 RCA VIDEO & AUDIO CABLE: BlueRigger YPbPr component audio video cable makes it easy for you to connect your DVD player, VCR, CD player, HDTV and other home theater equipment.
  • ➤ LOSSLESS AV TRANSMISSION: This RCA to RCA cable is built with dual shielding and a pure copper core, ensuring minimal interference and maximum signal strength. Supports resolutions various resolutions 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i
  • ➤ DURABILITY: BlueRigger 5 RCA Male to 5 RCA Male has 3RCA connectors for video and 2RCA connectors for audio. Crafted with a sturdy PVC jacket, 24K gold plated connectors and aluminum foil shielding, this composite cable is durable enough to withstand frequent plugging and unplugging
  • ➤ WIDE COMPATIBILITY: This AV cable is compatible with HDTV, DVD player, CD player, camcorder, projector, DVR’s, DVD player, TiVO, VCR and Blu-ray player.The colored plugs helps to identify and install the cords correctly.
  • ➤ WARRANTY: BlueRigger Lifetime Warranty and US-based Customer Support
Rank #4
Skywalker 6' HQ Series Component Video Cable
  • Suitable for DVD players, HDTV tuners, televisions & receivers
  • 3mm solid foam dielectric insulation maintains 75 Ohm signal integrity
  • Corrosion-resistant gold-plated connectors & color-coded connectors for superior transmission that is easily identified
  • Made with 10 mm Oxygen Free Copper and a 100% Aluminum Foil Shield
Rank #3
5RCA Male Component Video/Audio Cable, Gold Plated 3ft, 6ft, 12ft, 25ft, 50ft (3FT)
  • brand: WireZee
  • connector type: RCA
  • cable: Component
  • compatible devices: DVD Player
Rank #2
Eanetf 3RCA Cable Audio Video 5ft Gold Plated for Home Theater - 1pcs
  • ✅【Perfect Connector】3RCA male to 3RCA male cable; Perfect ideal for Home Entertainment system such as DVD, VCR, HD TV and other 3RCA enabled devices.
  • ✅【Gold-Plated joint】Built with sleek aluminum shell and copper shielding to minimizes signal interference between two devices. 24K Double gilt head ensure you a longer lifespan for durability, can withstand 9999+pull test .
  • ✅【Widely Applicable】The Audio video RCA cable is a new type of composite audio and video cable that supports audio/video transmission. The three different colored wires can be used separately and are versatile, ideal for extending existing RCA cables.
  • ✅【High Quality】Environmental-friendly PVC Materials of cable, more soft, flexible bend, can use for a long time. High quality pure copper wire core with ultra-high speed data transmission.
  • ✅【Plug and Play】 Don't want to wait to show your home movies to your family? This high-quality stereo Audio video RCA cable adapter Plug and Play, easy to use video display. Plays high quality audio such as music or movie sound effects.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What if the colors or labels do not match?

  • Follow the signal names first. Connect Y to Y, Pb/Cb/U to the matching Pb/Cb/U jack, and Pr/Cr/V to the matching Pr/Cr/V jack.
  • Check the device manual. Manufacturer guidance should resolve a cable or jack whose color differs from the usual convention.
  • Verify the input selection. Even correctly connected cables will not show the intended source if the TV is set to another input.
  • Check for compatible jacks on both devices. A three-plug component cable requires component-video connections at the source and display; no model-specific compatibility or current product availability is established here.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.