This article explains how to connect a DVD player, VHS VCR and cable box to your TV using the best connection ports available.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Initial preparations
Step 1. Check the TV's input connection ports
Normally, they are placed along either side or the back of the television set. Depending on the make and model of your device, you may have some or all of these ports available:
- RCA - this port is made up of three circular female connectors in red, white and yellow. It was the audio and video connection standard found on VCRs, DVD players, and older video game consoles.
- HDMI - has a thinned trapezoidal shape and is intended for connections that use a high definition signal. Modern TVs are equipped with multiple HDMI ports.
- S-Video - it is a port characterized by a circular connector with several PINs. This is the connection standard that offers the best quality for older devices such as older VCRs and DVD players. The S-Video port is intended for the video signal only, so you will need to use an RCA audio cable, equipped with two connectors (one white and one red), to carry the audio signal from the DVD player or VCR to the TV.
Step 2. Check the output ports of the DVD player, VCR and set top box
The connection options you have available will determine the type of cable you are going to use:
- DVD player - normally has an RCA, S-Video or HDMI port.
- Video recorder - RCA or S-Video port.
- Decoder - modern decoders use HDMI ports, but older models use RCA ports.
Step 3. Choose which devices have the highest priority
When it comes to picture quality, the DVD player and set top box should have priority over the VCR. This means you should use an HDMI cable to connect these two devices to the TV and use the RCA or S-Video port for the VCR.
- If your TV only has one HDMI port, you will most likely want to use it to connect your set top box and use another type of connection for your DVD player.
- If you have connected a home theater system with a receiver to your television, you will most likely be able to connect both your DVD player and set top box via HDMI.
Step 4. Get the correct connection cables for each device
The type and number of cables you will need depends on the type of connections your television offers:
- DVD player - in the ideal situation you should use a door HDMI if available. If not, you can use a cable RCA or S-Video. Since the video quality offered by DVDs is superior to that of VHS cassettes, reserve the port if necessary S-Video for the DVD player, instead of the VCR.
- Video recorder - in this case you can use a cable RCA or S-Video. The final choice depends on the type of connection you have chosen for the DVD player.
- Decoder - in this case, you will need a cable HDMI to connect the decoder to the TV and a cable coaxial to connect the decoder to the dish or antenna.
Step 5. Purchase any missing cables you need
Most DVD players, VCRs and set-top boxes are sold already equipped with the necessary connection cables. However, if you need to use an S-Video or HDMI cable to connect a device with an RCA cable, you will need to purchase it separately from an electronics store or from an online store.
- If you need to buy an S-Video cable, make sure you buy the correct model.
- Nowadays it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to buy the most expensive connection cable. A good HDMI or S-Video cable shouldn't cost more than € 15-20, depending on where you buy it (usually, the best prices are online).
Step 6. Turn off the TV and disconnect it from the mains
To make all necessary connections, the TV must be turned off and unplugged from the power cord.
Part 2 of 4: Connect the DVD Player
Step 1. Get the DVD player connection cable
In this case, you should use an HDMI or S-Video cable.
If you have chosen to use an S-Video cable, remember that you will also need to use an RCA audio cable with red and white connectors to make the connection correctly
Step 2. Connect one end of the cable to the DVD player
Insert the connector of the HDMI or S-Video cable into the corresponding port on the back of the DVD player.
If you have chosen to use an S-Video cable, you will also need to connect the white and red connector of the RCA cable to the audio out ports on the DVD player
Step 3. Now connect the other end of the cable to the TV
Insert the free connector of the HDMI or S-Video cable into the corresponding port located on the back or along one side of the TV. If you used an S-Video cable, you will also need to connect the RCA cable connectors to the correct port on the TV.
If you've connected a home theater receiver to your TV, you'll need to plug the cables into the TV's input ports, rather than using the TV's
Step 4. Plug the DVD player's power cord into a power outlet
You can directly use a wall socket or an electric power strip, according to your needs.
Part 3 of 4: Connect the VCR
Step 1. Get the VCR connection cables
If you have chosen to use an S-Video cable, remember that you will also need to use an RCA audio cable with red and white connectors to make the connection correctly. If not, you can use a three-connector RCA cable (red and white for the audio signal, yellow for the video signal).
Step 2. Connect the cable to the VCR
Plug one connector of the S-Video cable into the corresponding port on the back of the VCR. Normally, the RCA audio cable is integrated directly into the VCR. If this is not the case, use a standard audio cable and connect the white and red connector to the corresponding ports on the back of the device.
If you are not using an S-Video cable, be sure to also connect the yellow connector of the RCA cable to the corresponding port on the VCR
Step 3. Connect the other end of the cables to the corresponding ports on the TV
Connect the free connector of the S-Video cable to the "S-Video In" port located on the back or along the side of the TV, then connect the white and red connector of the audio cable to the corresponding ports always located on the back or along one of the sides of the 'device.
If you've connected a home theater receiver to your TV, you'll need to plug the cables into the TV's input ports, rather than using the TV's
Step 4. Plug the VCR's power cord into a power outlet
You can directly use a wall socket or an electric power strip, according to your needs.
If it is a detachable power cable, you will need to plug the connector on one end into the corresponding port on the VCR, which is normally located on the back of the device
Part 4 of 4: Connect the Decoder
Step 1. Get the decoder connection cables
In this case, you will need at least three cables: a coaxial cable, an HDMI cable, and the power cable.
Step 2. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the decoder input port
It features a small threaded cylinder with a small hole in the center of the section. The connector of a coaxial cable resembles a needle and has a metal ferrule that must be started on the connection port to secure the cable in place. Align the metal tip of the coaxial cable with the center hole of the corresponding port on the decoder, insert it into place, then secure it by screwing the metal ferrule.
Step 3. Now connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the signal source
Along the wall behind the TV there should be a coaxial socket similar to that of the decoder. Connect the free end of the cable to the latter, exactly as you did in the previous step for the decoder.
If the signal out port of the antenna or dish is located in a different part of the room than where the television is placed, you may need to use a very long coaxial cable to run it along the walls of the room to the Jack
Step 4. Connect an HDMI cable to the corresponding port on the decoder
Find the "HDMI OUT" (or similarly named) port on your set-top box and plug one end of the HDMI cable into it.
Step 5. Now, connect the free end of the HDMI cable to the TV
If your TV has only one HDMI port, be sure to use it to connect your set top box.
If you've connected a home theater receiver to your TV, you'll need to connect the HDMI cable to one of the device's input ports instead of using the TV's
Step 6. Plug the decoder into a power outlet
Insert the plug of the decoder power cord into a working power outlet (depending on your needs, you can also use a power strip), then plug the other end into the corresponding port on the device.
Advice
- When using RCA cables, remember the meaning of the color coding: 'red' is for the right audio channel, 'white' represents the left audio channel, while 'yellow' is for the video signal. This will make it much easier to perform diagnostic checks in case of audio or video problems.
- As a general rule, the VCR should always use the connection standard with the lowest quality. This is because the video quality offered by DVDs is much higher than that offered by VHS cassettes. The decoder, digital terrestrial or satellite, should always be connected to the TV via an HDMI cable.
Warnings
- When connecting multimedia devices to the TV, make sure the TV is switched off and disconnected from the mains.
- Remember that placing too many devices (DVD player, VCR, cable box, game console, etc.) in a confined space, such as stacked, can lead to overheating due to poor air circulation.
