A portable multimedia playback apparatus is provided. The portable multimedia playback apparatus comprises a first video processing unit, a second video processing unit, a third video processing unit, a multiplexer, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first video processing unit generates a digital video signal. The second video processing unit processes the digital video signal to generate a TV compatible signal. The third video processing unit processes the digital video signal to generate a flat panel compatible signal. The multiplexer selects one of the TV compatible signal and the flat panel compatible signal. The DAC outputs an analog video signal after converting the selected signal.