How To Connect a ChromeCast to a TV/Projector Without an HDMI Port?

Chromecasts are, by far, the easiest way to cast photos and videos from your laptop, smartphone, and tablet and wirelessly mirror your device’s screen. Chromecasts are HDMI dongles that natively support HDMI-compatible devices.

However, they can be used with older televisions or projectors that don’t have any functioning HDMI ports with an adapter.

Before proceeding to the instructions below, examine your TV/projector and observe which input ports it has. Once you’ve found the port you’d like to connect your Chromecast to, you can invest in the proper adapter and begin the connection process.

So, how can you connect a Chromecast to a TV/projector without an HDMI port?

Keep reading to find out! 

Connecting a Chromecast to a TV/Projector Without an HDMI Port – Quick Guide

1. Composite

Materials Needed

• HDMI to Composite Adapter 
• Composite Cable 

Instructions

Step 1: Connect all of the composite cables to your TV or projector’s composite ports. You’ll notice that each of the cables and ports is color-coded red, white, or yellow. Ensure the connector’s colors match the port’s colors.

Step 2: Then, plug the composite cables into the HDMI to Composite adapter following the same process you used to connect them to your TV/projector.

Step 3: Plug your Chromecast into the adapter’s HDMI port.

Step 4: Ensure that the HDMI to Composite adapter, Chromecast, and TV/projector are all plugged into stable power sources. If your TV’s USB ports are sufficiently powered, you may be able to use them to power your Chromecast device.

Step 5: Use your TV/projector’s Input/Source button on the control panel or remote to select the Composite input.

Watch the video below demonstrating how to connect a Chromecast device to your TV/projector’s composite ports.

2. Component

Materials Needed

• HDMI to Component Adapter  
• Component Cable 

Instructions

Step 1: Connect the Chromecast dongle to the HDMI port on the HDMI to Component adapter.

Step 2: Now, it’s time to hook up the audio. Find the red and white component cables, located next to each other, and connect them to the HDMI to Component adapter’s red and white ports. The white connector should be plugged into the port labeled Audio L, while the red connector (labeled audio) should be attached to the Audio R port.

Step 3: Next, connect the other three component cables to the adapter so that the cable’s colors match the adapter port’s rims.

Connect the red cable (labeled video) to the Pr/Cr (R) port. Then, plug the green cable into the Y (G) port. Finally, connect the blue cable to the Pb/Cb (B) port.

Step 4: Plug the adapter into the TV/projector following the same instructions outlined in Step 2 and Step 3.

Step 5: Plug the HDMI to Component adapter, Chromecast device, and TV/projector into power with their respective power cables. If you’re using a power strip, be careful not to overload it since some TVs and projectors can consume a considerable amount of power.

Step 6: Finally, change your TV/projector’s Input/Source to Component.

3. S-Video 

Materials Needed 

• HDMI to S-Video Adapter with RCA Audio 

Instructions

Step 1: Plug the Chromecast’s HDMI dongle into the adapter’s HDMI port.

Step 2: Find the HDMI to S-Video adapter’s S-Video cable and plug it into your TV/projector’s S-Video port. Remember, S-Video cables and ports have pins/pinholes that must be aligned. So, if the connector is not fitting into the port, try rotating it until you feel the two fit together.

Step 3: Next, turn your attention to the adapter’s red, and white RCA cables. Plug each of the cables into your TV/projector’s composite ports, ensuring the connector and port colors match.

Step 4: The HDMI to S-Video adapter linked above must be powered, so plug it into a wall outlet with its micro USB cable and a USB power adapter. Then, check that your Chromecast and TV/projector are also powered properly.

Step 5: Find the adapter’s NTSC/PAL switch, and flip it to NTSC if you live in North/South America and to PAL if you live in Europe/Asia. Alternatively, check out this article by Sony to find out which broadcast signal every country uses.

Step 6: Then, select the AV-S-Video input/source on your TV/projector to display the Chromecast’s content.

4. DVI

Materials Needed

• HDMI to DVI Adapter with Audio 
• DVI-I Cable /DVI-D Cable  (Depending on your TV/projector’s port)
• AUX Cable/3.5 mm Audio Cable  (In the case that your speaker doesn’t have an attached AUX/audio cable)

Instructions

Step 1: Connect your Chromecast device to the HDMI to DVI adapter.

Step 2: Once you’ve confirmed what kind of DVI port your TV/projector has (i.e. DVI-I or DVI-D), connect one end of a compatible DVI cable to the HDMI to DVI adapter. Use the DVI connector’s two screws to secure it in place.

Step 3: Then, plug the other end of the same DVI cable into your TV/projector’s DVI port.

Step 4: Now it’s time to set up the audio. If your speaker doesn’t have an attached audio cable, connect one end of an AUX/3.5 mm audio cable to the HDMI to DVI adapter’s Audio port. Then, plug the other end of the cable into your speaker’s Audio port, ensuring both ends are secure.

Step 5: To power the HDMI to DVI adapter, plug the DC IN end of its power cable into the port labeled DC/5V. Then, plug the other end into a wall outlet. While you’re at it, connect the Chromecast and TV/projector to power with the appropriate power cables. You may also plug your Chromecast into a wall outlet should your TV not have a USB port.

5. VGA

Materials Needed

• HDMI to VGA Adapter with Audio 
• VGA Cable 
• AUX Cable/3.5 mm Audio Cable  (in case your speaker doesn’t have a built-in AUX/audio cable)

Instructions

Step 1: Connect the Chromecast’s HDMI connector to the HDMI to VGA adapter’s HDMI port.

Step 2: Align one side of the VGA cable with the adapter’s VGA port before connecting the two by screwing it in place. The connector must be flush with the port, so ensure the screws are sufficiently tightened.

Step 3: Then, repeat the same process to connect the other side of the VGA cable to your TV/projector’s VGA port.

Step 4: If your speaker has a built-in AUX/3.5 mm audio cable, you can plug it directly into the HDMI to VGA adapter’s Audio port. Otherwise, you must connect one end of an AUX/audio cable to your speaker’s Audio port and the other end to the adapter.

Step 5: Last, but not least, power your HDMI to VGA adapter by plugging its DC IN power cable into its Power port and a wall outlet. Then, connect the Chromecast to power with its micro USB cable before ensuring your TV/projector is also powered. If your TV doesn’t have a USB port, plug your Chromecast into a wall outlet using an adapter.