Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: How to Prepare to Connect
• Part 2 of 4: How to Connect a DVD Player
• Part 3 of 4: How to Connect a VCR
• Part 4 of 4: How to Connect a Cable Receiver
• Tips
• Warnings

In this article, we are going to show you how to connect your DVD player, VCR, and digital cable box (cable box) to your TV.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: How to Prepare to Connect

1. 1 Locate the connectors on your TV. There are cable connectors on the back or side of the TV. Depending on the age and model of your TV, you will see some (or all) of the following connectors:
   • RCA - red, yellow and white circular connectors. They are often found on VCRs, DVD players, and older game consoles.
   • HDMI - narrow long connector for connecting devices transmitting a high definition signal (HD signal). The TV may have multiple HDMI sockets.
   • S-video - round connector with several small holes. It is best to use this jack for older devices such as VCRs or old DVD players. The S-video cable does not carry sound, so you will need an additional RCA cable (with red and yellow plugs) if you are connecting a DVD or VCR.
2. 2 Locate the jacks on your DVD player, VCR, and cable box. Do this to determine the type of cable:
   • DVD player - usually has an RCA, S-video and / or HDMI connector.
   • Video player - RCA and / or S-video connector.
   • Cable Receiver - HDMI connector (older models may have an RCA connector).
3. 3 Decide on your priorities. When it comes to picture quality, the DVD player and cable box should take precedence over the VCR. This means that you need to connect your DVD player and cable box to your TV using HDMI cables, and your VCR using an RCA or S-video cable.
   • If your TV has only one HDMI connector, connect the cable box to the TV and connect your DVD player to a different connector.
   • If you have an AV receiver that connects to your TV's HDMI jack, connect your DVD player and cable receiver to the receiver using HDMI cables.
4. 4 Decide on the cables you need. Your choice will depend on the types (and number) of TV connectors:
   • DVD player - select HDMI cable. If your TV has one HDMI connector, buy an S-video or RCA cable. We recommend using an S-video cable because DVDs have better picture quality than videotapes.
   • Video recorder - buy an RCA or S-video cable (depending on which cable you use to connect your DVD player).
   • Cable Receiver - you will need an HDMI cable to connect your cable receiver to your TV, and a coaxial cable to connect your cable TV to your receiver.
5. 5 Buy cables. Typically, DVD players, VCRs, and cable receivers come with cables. But if a cable is out of stock, buy it from an electronics store or online store.
   • Purchase an appropriate S-video cable.
   • Don't buy the most expensive cables. Good HDMI or S-video cables cost no more than 1000-1500 rubles (and even cheaper in online stores).
6. 6 Switch off the TV set and unplug it from the mains. Do this to securely connect your devices.

Part 2 of 4: How to Connect a DVD Player

1. 1 Find the correct cable. Use an HDMI or S-video cable to connect a DVD player to the TV.
   • In the case of an S-video cable, you will also need an RCA cable (with red and white plugs).
2. 2 Connect the cable to your DVD player. Connect an HDMI or S-video cable to the labeled jack on the back of your DVD player.
   • For an S-video cable, also connect the RCA cable to the red and white connectors on the back of the DVD player.
3. 3 Connect the cable to your TV. Insert the other end of the cable into the HDMI or S-video connector on the back or side of the TV. For an S-video cable, also connect the red and white plugs of the RCA cable to the red and white connectors on the back of the TV.
   • If you are using an AV receiver, connect the cables to it, not to the TV.
4. 4 Plug your DVD player into an electrical outlet. Plug the DVD player's power cord into an electrical outlet. This could be a wall outlet or a surge protector.

Part 3 of 4: How to Connect a VCR

1. 1 Find the correct cable. If you decide to use an S-video cable, you will also need the RCA cable (with red and white plugs), which is usually included with your VCR. Otherwise, use all three plugs of the RCA cable (red, white and yellow plugs).
2. 2 Connect the cables to the VCR. Connect the S-video cable to the back of the VCR. Insert the red and white plugs of the RCA cable into the red and white jacks on the back of the VCR.
   • If you are not using an S-video cable, plug the yellow RCA cable plug into the yellow connector on the VCR.
3. 3 Insert the other ends of the cables into the TV. Connect the S-Video cable to the S-Video In connector on the back or side of the TV, and then insert the red and white RCA cable plugs into the red and white connectors on the back or side of the TV.
   • If you are using an AV receiver, connect the cables to it, not to the TV.
4. 4 Connect the VCR to an electrical outlet. Plug the power cord of the VCR into an electrical outlet. This could be a wall outlet or a surge protector.
   • If the power cord is unplugged from the video player, plug it into the appropriate connector on the back of the video player.

Part 4 of 4: How to Connect a Cable Receiver

1. 1 Find the cables you need. To connect to a cable receiver, you need at least three cables: coaxial, HDMI, and a power cable.
2. 2 Connect the coaxial cable to the cable receiver. The coaxial connector on the receiver looks like a threaded metal cylinder with a center hole, while the coaxial cable plug looks like a hollow cylinder with a pin. Insert the pin into the center hole of the coaxial connector, and then turn the plug clockwise to secure the connection.
3. 3 Plug the other end of the coaxial cable into a TV outlet. It's on the wall next to the TV — the jack on the wall outlet is similar to the jack on the back of a cable box. Plug the coaxial cable into the TV outlet as you connected it to your cable box.
   • If the TV outlet is far from the TV, buy a longer coaxial cable.
4. 4 Connect the HDMI cable to the cable box. Find the HDMI OUT or similar jack on the back of your cable box and plug one end of the HDMI cable into it.
5. 5 Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to your TV. If your TV has only one HDMI jack, we recommend using it to connect to your cable receiver.
   • If you are using an AV receiver, connect the HDMI cable to this receiver and not to your TV.
6. 6 Plug the cable box into an electrical outlet. Connect one end of the power cord to an electrical outlet (wall or surge protector) and the other end to the cable box.

Tips

• If you decide to use an RCA cable, remember: the red plug is for the right audio channel, the white one is for the left audio channel, and the yellow one is for the video signal. This knowledge will help you troubleshoot audio and / or video problems.
• Think of your VCR last. Remember that DVDs have better picture quality than videotapes, and the cable box should only be connected to the HDMI jack.

Warnings

• When connecting devices, always turn off the TV and disconnect it from the mains by pulling out the plug from the socket.
• Placing a DVD player, VCR, cable box, game console, and other devices in close proximity to each other may cause them to overheat.