Hooking up a Macbook to a TV

Let me preface by saying I followed Ziggyonice's comprehensive guide in regards to this subject.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/792106/

So I have a White Macbook (purchased after fall, 2009) and wanted to figure out how to hook it up to the various televisions in my home. We have an ancient Sony Television, a 42 inch Hitachi from around 03, and a relatively new Vizio flatscreen, which all have the Red, Green, Blue component cables on the back. Reading the guide, I went ahead and purchased all of the required cables and whatnot in order to set it up. In my case, the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, the VGA to RCA Component RGB Cable, and the audio cables.

So when I hooked it up to the older televisions and changed to the input, all I got was a purple and greenish screen with a faint image of the laptop screen. Hooking it up to the Vizio, nothing happened. The component screen remained Blue.

So I'm sure either I'm missing something or skipped something in the guide. I chose to go with the component + VGA to RCA because it was more affordable than buying a converter along with the Audio/Video RCA cable. If anyone could break it down, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm not great with this cable hookup stuff. And if I posted this in the wrong section I apologize.

That helps a bit. But one thing that confuses me is that the hitachi is an HDTV but doesn't have any HDMI plugs/outlets in the back. Again, not great with this sort of thing. The Vizio does have it, but I'd prefer getting it on the hitachi as it is in our living room..

But I think I'll just buy the items needed for HDMI. Thanks.