In today's world, DVDs are a common item in the entertainment world, and DVD players are cheaper than restaurant meals! After connecting the DVD player to the TV, you can watch all available movie collections. It's also easy to connect a DVD player to a modern TV. Read how below.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Setting Up the DVD Player
Step 1. Plug in the DVD player and make sure the DVD player is on
Before connecting the DVD player, make sure the player is plugged in and turns on when you press the "power" button. Usually a small light or a welcome message will appear if the DVD player is working properly.
Step 2. Determine the type of connection you need
There are three common ways to connect a DVD player, and each requires a different cable. The DVD player comes with all the appropriate cables, but you should also check the connection the TV accepts. Read the manuals for both, or have a look and check your TV and DVD player to see what connections can be used. The three most common connections are:
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HDMI:
This is the most modern connection. HDMI resembles a thin USB cable. HDMI connections are the highest quality connections, and you only need one cable for both audio and video.
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A/V Cable (Three prong):
This is the most common type of A/V (audio/visual) cable for DVD connections. There are three prongs at either end - red, yellow, and white - and all three correspond to their respective color inputs on TVs and DVD players.
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Component Cable:
Offers better quality than A/V cables, but worse than HDMI. Component cables are a series of colored five-prong cables to fit into TVs or DVD players.
Step 3. Find the appropriate cable for the connection
Once you know what connection you're using, look for the cable and make sure it's not torn or worn. If you need a new cable, or if a cable is missing, take a photo of the input and take it to the nearest electronics store to find a replacement cable.
If possible, use an HDMI cable. This cable is the easiest to install, and has the best video quality
Step 4. Place the DVD player near the television
Once you know what connection you need, make sure you insert the DVD player close enough to the TV so that you can reach the proper cables on the back of the TV.
Do not stack electronic equipment on top of each other - equipment can heat up quickly during use and damage electronics
Step 5. Turn off the DVD player and TV before connecting the two
This prevents the risk of electric shock and will also protect the equipment.
Step 6. Understand that this procedure also works for setting up the projector
Most projectors have the same set of inputs as TVs, so don't get confused if you want to connect a projector instead.
Some projectors use “DVI Input” instead of the three connection types listed above. If so, follow the "Connecting with an HDMI Cable" procedure, but a DVI cable replaces HDMI
Method 2 of 5: Connecting with an HDMI Cable
Step 1. Plug the first end of the cable into the HDMI connector on the DVD player
Look for the "HDMI" or "HDMI Out" label, and insert the cable into the socket.
This is the highest quality connection for audio and video, and is usually only found in modern DVD players
Step 2. Plug the second end of the cable into the HDMI jack on the TV
Just like DVD players, only newer TVs have HDMI sockets. There may also be other types of sockets available. Each HDMI socket is labeled "HDMI" or "HDMI In" along with a potential input number.
If there is an input number, for example "HDMI 1", remember this. This is the setting for the TV to be able to view your movies
Step 3. Make sure both HDMI connections are secure
An HDMI connection requires only one cable to carry audio and video signals, and whichever end is fine, it doesn't matter. But if the cable is pulled too tight, or one of the connections is loose, you won't get a good signal.
There are many HDMI cables available, but the length and type of cable doesn't matter as long as it reaches your TV and DVD player, unless you want a pure, perfect picture
Step 4. Turn on the DVD player and TV
Insert a DVD so you can test the image and audio.
Step 5. Switch the TV to the correct input using the "source" button on the TV or controller
Sometimes this button is labeled "input", and allows you to switch the TV to the appropriate video and sound input. The input you select on the TV must match the input used for the cable.
If there's no label or you don't know what input to use, leave the DVD player on and test each input for 5-10 seconds to see where the video will appear
Method 3 of 5: Connecting with A/V Cable (3 Prong)
Step 1. Plug one end of the A/V cable into the Out jack on the DVD player
The sockets are color coded to match the wires (Red, White, and Yellow). Look for the "Output" or "Out" group. The Red and White (Audio) sockets can be separated from the Yellow (Video) sockets.
A series of sockets are usually grouped together with a boundary or line to indicate which sockets are included
Step 2. Plug the other end into a suitable input jack on the TV
Just like DVD players, these sockets are color coded which must be matched to the cable and grouped into input groups. Look for the "Input" or "In" marker. A/V inputs usually have a number to indicate which input to select on the TV.
- Input sockets are usually grouped together, and are often marked with a border or line that separates the group from other inputs.
- The Red and White (Audio) sockets can be separated from the Yellow (Video) sockets. This label will indicate which socket corresponds to the Input.
Step 3. Make sure your joints are neat and matched with the right colors
Match the colored plugs on the cable with the colored plugs on the DVD player and TV.
The Yellow video cable can be separated from the Red and White audio cables
Step 4. Turn on the DVD player and TV
Insert a DVD so you can test the image and audio.
Step 5. Switch the TV to the correct input using the "source" button on the TV or controller
Sometimes this button is labeled "input", and allows you to switch the TV to the appropriate video and sound input. The input you select on the TV must match the input used for the cable.
If there's no label or you don't know what input to use, leave the DVD player on and test each input for 5-10 seconds to see where the video will appear
Step 6. Make sure the A/V or cable is properly connected
If you only see video or only hear audio, or get no signal at all, the cable may be connected incorrectly. Check to make sure that each colored connector is plugged into the colored socket correctly.
- If the video does not appear, make sure the yellow plug is connected to the correct Input on the TV and the correct Output on the DVD player.
- If audio doesn't come out, make sure the Red and White cables are plugged into the correct Input on the TV and the correct Output on the DVD player.
Method 4 of 5: Component Cable (5 Prong)
Step 1. Plug the five ends of the prongs into one end of the appropriate socket on the DVD player
Sockets are color coded to match wires (Green, Blue, Red, White, Red), usually grouped and labeled. Look for the "Output" or "Out" group. The Green, Blue, and Red (Video) jacks may be separate from the Red and White (Audio) pair, so make sure all five cables are plugged in.
- You'll notice that the component cable has two red plugs, which can be confusing. To tell the difference, lay the cable so that all the branches are lined up. The color order is Green, Blue, Red (video), White, Red (audio).
- Some component cables only have Green, Blue, and Red video plugs. You need separate Red and White audio plug cables to listen to DVDs, as in the A/V section above.
Step 2. Plug the other side of the cable into the input jack on the TV
Just like DVD players, these cables are color coded to match and are grouped into Input groups. Look for the "Input" or "In" group. This group is usually a number to show Input on TV.
Step 3. Make sure your joints are neat and matched with the right colors
Match the colored plugs on the cable with the colored plugs on the DVD player and TV.
Step 4. Turn on the DVD player and TV
Insert a DVD so you can test the image and audio.
Step 5. Switch the TV to the correct input using the "source" button on the TV or controller
Sometimes this button is labeled "input", and allows you to switch the TV to the appropriate video and sound input. The input you select on the TV must match the input used for the cable.
If there's no label or you don't know what input to use, leave the DVD player on and test each input for 5-10 seconds to see where the video will appear
Step 6. Ensure that the component cables are properly attached
If you only see video or only hear audio, or get no signal at all, the cable may be connected incorrectly.
- If the video does not appear, make sure the Green, Blue, Red and video cables are connected to the correct Input on the TV and the correct Output on the DVD player.
- If audio doesn't come out, make sure the Red and White cables are plugged into the correct Input on the TV and the correct Output on the DVD player.
- Make sure the red wire is plugged into the correct socket. If not, the audio and video can be garbled.
Method 5 of 5: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Make sure the DVD player is plugged into a wall outlet
DVD players need a power source to work, so make sure the DVD player is plugged into the wall or plugged in.
Step 2. Check all Input or Auxiliary channels
The DVD player will display on either the Input or Auxiliary channels. The DVD player will not appear on Channel 3 or 4 like some VCRs.
Some TVs will label the Input channel based on the input type, such as "HDMI", "AV", and "COMPONENT". Refer to Method one again if you want to know what kind of input to use
Step 3. Try another cable
Sometimes old wires can tear and plugs can come loose. This can lead to a poor or malfunctioning connection. Try a new cable to see if your problem can be fixed.
