AV output options
PlayStation 2 AV Output Options
The PlayStation 2 sends all of its video and audio through a single multi-AV port on the back of the console. By swapping the cable plugged into that port, you can move from the soft, blurry look of composite to the sharp separation of component or RGB. Choosing the right cable is the single biggest improvement you can make to PS2 image quality, and it costs nothing in software.
The console itself supports several analog standards simultaneously through the multi-AV connector. Which one you can use depends on your display, your region, and the cable you own. Most PS2 games run at 480i (interlaced standard definition), but the better cables make that signal noticeably cleaner.
| Cable type | Connector | Relative quality |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | Single yellow RCA | Lowest; soft and noisy |
| S-Video | 4-pin mini-DIN | Better; splits luma and chroma |
| RGB SCART | SCART block | Excellent on PAL/RGB TVs |
| Component (YPbPr) | Three RCA (red/green/blue) | Excellent; required for 480p |
Which should I pick?
If your TV has component inputs, use a component cable. If you are on a European RGB-capable CRT, RGB SCART is just as sharp. Reserve composite and S-Video for displays that accept nothing else.
HDMI is not native to the PS2. It requires an active component-to-HDMI converter or an internal digital-video modification, both covered separately in this section.