Composite/Stereo AV - This is the most common way to connect a PlayStation 2 to a TV, receiver, or VCR. Composite cables have three plugs: Yellow (Video) and Red and White (Audio). This cable comes packaged with all new PlayStation 2 models. Newer HDTVs may not support this connection. Component/YCbCr - This is the best way to connect a PlayStation 2 to modern TVs, as most HDTVs have these inputs. Component cables also provide the best possible picture quality for the PlayStation 2. Component cables have five plugs: Red, Blue and Green (Video) and Red and White (Audio). Component cables do not come packaged with the PlayStation 2. If purchasing a component cable, make sure that it is PlayStation 2 compatible with the PlayStation 2 plug on one end. S-Video - This input is not very common on newer TVs. It will provide a better picture than composite cables, but not as good as component cables. The S-Video plug is typically yellow and has pins instead of a standard AV plug. The PlayStation 2 S-Video cable has the S-Video plug as well as the Red and White audio plugs. RF - This is the worst way to connect a PlayStation 2 to a TV or VCR, as it has the blurriest picture quality. RF connects through the TV or VCR’s coaxial input (the same input you would use for an old cable box or antenna). Avoid this method of connection unless you have no other options.
PlayStation 2 video cables will work for all PlayStation 2 models.
The audio connection (Red and White) may be offset from the video inputs on the TV. If your TV only supports mono sound, just use the White audio plug. When connecting component cables, you’ll likely have two Red plugs. One of these is video and the other is audio. If you lay out the component cable flat, the order of plugs should be Red, Blue, Green (Video set), White, Red (Audio set). If your TV only has component connectors, but you only have a composite cable, you may still be able to connect the two. Plug the Red and White audio cables as normal, and try plugging the Yellow plug into the Green connector. If this ends up resulting in a black-and-white image, try plugging the Yellow plug into either the Blue or the other Red connector. If you’re in Europe, you may need the Euro-AV connector, which will allow you to plug the composite cable into your TV’s SCART socket. This connector comes packaged with new European PS2 models.
Make sure that the cable has some slack so that it isn’t straining the connection.
You won’t be setting up your network on a system level. Instead, individual games will handle the network settings when you attempt to connect. Many PS2 games that had online multiplayer no longer function online, as servers have long been shut down.
You can play games without a memory card or a HDD, but your progress will be lost whenever you turn the system off or change games. Memory cards are inserted directly above the controller. Make sure that the memory card label is facing up when you insert it.
Don’t eject a game while playing, or it may quit without saving. Take care not to touch the surface of the game disc when inserting or removing it. This will help prevent scratches and damage, and keep your games working longer.
