Read the labels at both ends
Start with your console model and your TV model. Look up the available outputs and inputs in their own manuals. Take clear photographs of the labels if you are asking for help, keeping serial numbers or personal information out of a public post.
Older equipment may have several connection choices. The SCPH-90002/90003 PS2 manual, for example, illustrates a supplied AV cable with yellow video and white/red audio connections. It describes that console and connection, not every retro system.
Check what the adapter promises
A cable and a converter are not interchangeable descriptions. Before buying, confirm the supported source, the output connection, any power requirement and the intended display. Do not treat the presence of an HDMI-shaped port as proof of compatibility.
For an adapter enquiry, tell us the console, the connection currently in use, the television and any equipment between them. That is enough to start a useful conversation without collecting a drawer full of speculative purchases.
Keep the first test simple
Follow the manufacturer’s connection sequence. Select the matching TV input and use one known game. Avoid changing several settings or adding multiple splitters at the same time; it makes a connection problem harder to describe.
If the picture or sound is wrong, note exactly what happens. A blank screen, an intermittent image and missing audio are different symptoms. A short description of the sequence is more helpful than “it does not work”.
Ask before you complete the setup
Read each product’s compatibility and included-items list. A console illustration can contain props and an adapter listing can require equipment you already own; neither should be guessed from a picture.
Use Console Checker for a guided list of the details to collect. It is a preparation tool, not an automated diagnosis or a guarantee of compatibility. We can review your question before you order.
Manufacturer references
Use the instructions for your exact equipment. These references support the model-specific examples above.