Composite Video

Composite video is the most basic video connection style usually using a single yellow RCA connection. It is sometimes labeled CVBS (color, video, blank, sync) or YUV, or often oversimplified as just "A/V" especially when paired with red and white RCA audio connections.

Quality

Composite video sends standard 480i video signals using a single pin and ground connection. It is usually sent with an RCA connection, although it can also be sent with a BNC (especially in CCTV systems) or SCART connection. What composite lacks in quality, it makes up for in simplicity and ubiquity, virtually all modern video equipment includes composite video connections.

Not as good as

S-Video, Component, VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort

Applications

Included as the basic connection on nearly all Television Sets, DVD players, VHS players, game consoles, cable boxes, DVRs and home theater projectors. It can also be found on many TV-ready video cards and some hybrid computer monitors.

Conversions

Simple conversions require only a passive adapter or cable, there is no active conversion simply different pinouts of the same signals.
Complex conversions require active circuitry to convert the signal, to change it to the new signal. These often only work one-way.

Simple

• Composite to BNC
• Composite to S-Video
• RCA to SCART

Complex

• VGA to composite PC to TV converter
• Composite to VGA
• Coax to Composite (also known as an RF modulator)
• Composite to HDMI
• HDMI to Composite (Downscaler)