Sony Trinitron Video Connection Types

Sony's Trinitron cathode-ray tube televisions, released in 1968, used special aperture grilles to provide higher video quality. Sony won a Technical Emmy for the Trinitron picture tube in 1973 and continued producing the TVs until 2007. By the time that they dropped out of production, Trinitrons offered a wide range of both digital and analog inputs.

Sony Trinitron Video Connection Types

Although the specific connections available on the Sony Trinitron depend on the precise model you have, most of them include the same ports as on many older-style TVs. The only exception is that the newest versions included High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports, while the majority only have component, S-video, composite and F-type coaxial connections.

Find information specific to your model of Trinitron by searching for the manual or specifications for your model number. This likely won't reveal any information that's not included in this article, but will help you determine which specific connections you have if the descriptions below aren't sufficient.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

Towards the end of the Trinitron line's life, Sony started including HDMI jacks, according to QuestionAnswer.io. These jacks support high definition digital content including Blu-ray content that is encrypted with the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) system. With a single wire, HDMI carries high resolution digital video and digital audio, making it easy to connect HDMI sources to Sony Trinitron TVs.

You can recognize this port by it's flattened trapezium shape, with one side of the port being longer than the other but the whole thing still quite thin.

Component Video Ports

The component video connector separates a high definition analog signal into three different channels, as described by Blue Jeans Cable. The Y channel, usually color-coded green, carries a black and white version of the signal, The other channels, usually color-coded red and blue, carry color difference information which the Trinitron set interprets to generate the image's color. Component Video connectors do not carry audio, so Trinitron sets also have dual analog audio inputs – one for the left channel and one for the right.

S-Video Connector Ports

S-video connectors are a higher-quality standard-definition video connection. They have a round plug with a location key and four pins. One pin carries the same information as the green "Y" channel in a component connection. The other pin contains all of the color information for the signal. Separating the "luminance" from the "chroma" gives S-video connections better video quality than composite video connections. Your Trinitron's S-video connection has a separate audio connection, as well.

Composite Video Connections

Composite video connections, which use the same phono plugs as component video and analog audio connections, combine the entire video signal into one wire. Typically color-coded yellow, they are the easiest way to connect a video source to your Trinitron but usually offer the lowest video quality. Since they do not carry audio, you will need to use them with a separate audio connection (usually two connected cables colored red and white).

F-Type Coaxial Connection

Trinitron television sets with tuners also have F-type coaxial connections. These connections accept the kind of screw-on connectors that cable television uses and are usually used to feed a radio frequency signal into the set. The F-type connector connects your TV to an antenna, a TV cable or to a video device that generates its output through an RF modulator onto a TV channel – usually channel 3 or channel 4. It carries both audio and video, and can be recognized by the outer screw section on the cable and the single metal connector poking out in the center.