Do you own a TV that doesn’t have an HDMI port, but you’d like to watch your favorite show on TV? If you’re on the edge of cutting down on the cost of cable subscriptions, you might be looking for alternatives to get your favorite shows and movies on your TV without breaking the bank.
There is no denying that buying a new TV with an HDMI port is an option, but it’s not always the most practical one.
As we’re all trying to cut down on our monthly expenses, one area where we can save money is by avoiding costly cable subscriptions, whereas upgrading to a modern TV with all the latest features and functions also comes with a hefty price tag.
For those of us who still have an older TV without an HDMI port, what if I told you that you don’t necessarily need a fancy new TV with an HDMI port to enjoy streaming services like Netflix, Paramount Plus, and Hulu?
Even if you have an old TV collecting dust in your basement, there is still hope since connecting Roku with a TV without HDMI is possible.
Roku is a streaming device that has revolutionized the way we access over-the-top media services from our TVs. It lets you easily access hundreds of channels and stream your favorite shows and movies.
However, if your TV doesn’t possess an HDMI port, you must have left out all the fun since you’re missing a lot with your old TV.
Don’t worry; there is no need to think about rushing out and purchasing a brand-new television just yet since I’ve provided a detailed guide on connecting Roku to TV without HDMI and help you get the most out of your streaming experience.
Can I Connect Roku to a TV Without HDMI or USB?
Is connecting Roku to a TV without an HDMI possible? That’s true, which arrives at a judgment of a big YES. Older TVs without an HDMI port are also made to establish a connection with media devices, whereas some are made with up to two connection modes, such as having composite and the S-Video port.
Maybe you have a sentimental attachment to your old TV and decide to use it as an alternative in your garage, or you don’t want to spend money on a new one when your old TV works just fine;
it is now quite possible to connect a Roku streaming device to your old TV without an HDMI port and makes it tick along modern times.
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Connecting Roku to a TV without an HDMI port may seem daunting, but it’s quite simple with various conversion adapters introduced to the market.
You don’t need any special tools or skills. All you need is a little bit of patience and a willingness to follow this step-by-step guide.
Naturally, the one that works with any old TV has been introduced in past years – The Roku Express+ launched around 2016. Initially, you must be aware of your TV port types, i.e., what types are available and which is the best option.
The preferable option is to use the composite port, which houses the red, white, and yellow cable. You can connect the composite cable to your Roku with HDMI – composite adapter and then plug the other end into your TV’s composite input.
If your TV doesn’t have a composite input, several options are available for connecting Roku to TV without an HDMI port. Move to the next section, which contains a detailed guide on connecting Roku to TV without an HDMI port.
How to Connect Roku to Tv Without HDMI
Use Roku Express+ (With Built-in AV Cable)
The first stable and reliable option you can resort to while trying to connect Roku to TV without HDMI is by using the Roku Express+ model released in past years.
Roku Express+ is a streaming device in the line of Roku streaming devices that allows you to watch your favorite shows and movies on your TV.
It has a built-in AV cable, making connecting it to your older TV possible without using an HDMI cable.
The Roku Express+ model is considered a dependable means of connecting Roku to a TV without HDMI because it has distinguished customization that makes it possess a composite cable.
Almost every older TV has this composite port, the popular input ports on our old appliances that house cables with yellow, red, and white connectors on each end. This input port is called the RCA or AV (Audiovisual) port.
Suppose you’re considering utilizing your old TV for streaming with the Roku streaming device. In that case, the Express+ model is the appropriate option since it doesn’t involve using any video and audio port adapter for the conversion.
To begin with, firstly locate the composite input port on your TV; if you’ve seen the yellow, red, and white ports, that means you’re lucky.
Now follow the step-by-step procedure below to connect Roku to TV without HDMI successfully.
- Get closer to your TV and turn it off.
- Locate the Composite | AV | RCA input on the back of your TV.
- Pick up the Roku Express+ device.
- Align the three connectors: red, white, and yellow, with the port on your TV.
- Match the colors on the connectors, and plug in the AV cable from the Roku Express+.
- Turn your TV back on and wait for it to power on.
- Switch your TV remote to composite | AV | RCA mode.
- The Roku should start up and walk you through the setup process.
- Once you finish the setup process, you can enjoy your favorite TV content through Roku.
Use HDMI to Composite Adapter
Here is another method to connect Roku to TV without HDMI ports. Using an HDMI to composite adapter.
If your TV has a different high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port for transmitting uncompressed video and audio, it can be challenging if you’re considering reusing it for streaming.
Apart from using the Roku Express+ for the connection, an HDMI to the composite adapter is another way to get around this.
It is a small device that converts the HDMI output from your Roku to composite video and audio signals AV or RCA that older TVs can understand.
The conversion adapter typically has an HDMI input port and three component video output ports (red, green, and blue).
Consider getting one to establish a video connection between your TV and the Roku streaming device. It also works well with newer models of Roku.
So if you’re considering refurbishing your old TV, go for the newer models of Roku and order an HDMI to the composite adapter to establish the flawless connection busing of the composite cables and port instead of HDMI.
You would first connect the HDMI cable from your Roku device to the HDMI input port on the adapter to use the adapter.
Then, click the yellow, red, and white component cables from the adapter to the corresponding input ports on your TV.
You would also need to connect the audio cables from your Roku device to the audio inputs on your TV, which could be either RCA or a 3.5mm jack if it has one.
Once you’ve made the connections, turn on your TV and select the input source corresponding to the composite video and audio input. You should see the Roku home screen on your TV.
If you’re setting it up for the first time, you may have to take a series of steps to set it up and finally make it ready to use.
Use HDMI to Component Adapter (Video & Audio)
In case you only noticed a component input port on your TV, there is no need to feel left out since there is still an alternative to workaround the connection in your case.
The analog component video (CAV) is a look-alike transmitter of the RCA | AV connector, which has a green, blue, and red input instead of the yellow, white, and red from the latter.
Component inputs are mostly found on analog high-definition televisions and associated equipment manufactured around the 1990s and through the 2000s before they were largely replaced with HDMI and other modern digital standards.
Using an HDMI to-component adapter, you can connect your Roku device to a TV without HDMI.
This adapter converts the digital HDMI signal from your Roku to analog component video and audio signals, which is quite understandable by older TVs. To use an HDMI to the component adapter, connect the adapter to the HDMI port of your Roku device.
Then, align and input the component video and audio cables from the adapter to the corresponding input ports on your TV.
hese cables are usually color-coded green, blue, and red. After you’re done with the connection, turn on your TV and switch the TV mode to Component video. Wait for some seconds while it processes the Roku interface.
Use HDMI to VGA Adapter
Most older TVs also possess a VGA input port to receive video and audio signals from secondary devices. If you can’t access your TV’s composite and component ports, you can take a closer look to confirm if you noticed any port labeled D-sub or PC input.
With the VGA port and HDMI to VGA adapter, you can easily connect Roku to the TV without HDMI.
An HDMI to VGA adapter is a small device that allows you to connect a device with an HDMI output (such as a laptop, desktop computer, or gaming console) to a display with a VGA input (such as an older computer monitor or projector).
The adapter converts the digital HDMI signal into an analog VGA signal, allowing you to display the video on a VGA-compatible monitor or TV.
It can be useful if your device does not have a VGA output or you need to connect it to an older display with only a VGA input but not HDMI.
It’s important to note that HDMI to VGA adapters only work in one direction (HDMI to VGA) and not the other way around.
Additionally, these adapters do not transmit audio signals, so you’ll need a separate audio cable to transfer audio to your display.
Now to connect Roku to older TV using an HDMI to VGA adapter, you’ll need to click the HDMI end of the adapter to the HDMI port on your Roku device and the VGA end of the adapter to the VGA port on your TV.
Once the adapter is connected, you must change the input source on your TV to VGA to see the Roku interface.
Use HDMI to DVI Converter
Now lastly, use the DVI input mode. When you have a Roku device with an HDMI output, but your TV only has a DVI input, you can use an HDMI to DVI converter to connect the two devices.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video display standard for transmitting uncompressed digital video content.
An HDMI-to-DVI converter is a small device that allows you to convert the HDMI output from your Roku device into a DVI signal that your older TVs can understand.
The converter is usually a small box with HDMI input and DVI output ports. If you’re looking for a way to connect Roku to TV without HDMI, consider getting one with a few bucks.
To connect your Roku to your TV using an HDMI to DVI converter, you will need to follow these steps:
- Connect the HDMI cable from your Roku device to the HDMI input port to the DVI converter.
- Connect a DVI cable from the DVI output port on the converter to your TV’s input port.
- Plug in the power supply for the HDMI to DVI converter (if required).
- Turn on your TV and select the input channel corresponding to the DVI input port you connected the converter to.
- Turn on your Roku device, and you should see the Roku interface on your TV screen.
Note that when you use an HDMI to DVI converter, you will only get video output on your TV, as DVI does not support audio.
Therefore, you must connect a separate audio cable from your Roku device to your TV or use an external sound system. That’s preferable.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, there are various ways to connect a Roku to a TV without HDMI. Roku Express+, which has a built-in AV cable, provides an easy and hassle-free way to connect the device to an older TV.
HDMI to composite, component, VGA, and DVI adapters can also be used to bridge the gap between the newer HDMI standard and the older TV inputs.
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Each method has pros and cons, and it’s important to consider factors such as cost, compatibility, and audio and video quality before deciding on the best way you would adopt.
With these options, Roku users can continue to enjoy their favorite content on their older TV sets while saving some penny.
