A video apparatus comprises an input switching matrix, to which a video input is coupled, the video input comprising a terminal for a component video signal and a CVBS terminal and/or a S-VHS terminal, a synchronization signal detector and a color decoder coupled to the input switching matrix, an output switching matrix coupled to the input switching matrix and to the color decoder, and a microcontroller coupled to the input switching matrix and to the synchronization signal detector for controlling the input switching matrix. The detection of the component video signal is made automatic by means of the microcontroller, the synchronization signal detector and the color decoder.