This wikiHow teaches you how to connect a VHS player to a TV. Even though the VHS player is currently considered an obsolete technology, you can still connect a VHS player to almost any TV using an AV or coaxial cable. If your VCR device does not support coaxial cable and your television does not support AV, use an RCA to HDMI adapter to connect the device using both AV and HDMI cables.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Coaxial Cable
Step 1. Check the TV and VHS player for coaxial ports
The coaxial port (or "coax") is a spherical metal cylinder that has a small hole in the center. On older TVs, you may only find a small round hole on the back.
- Both the TV and VHS player must have a coaxial port for this method to work.
- If the VHS player or TV does not have a coaxial port, you can still use an AV cable to connect the VHS player.
Step 2. Make sure you have a coaxial cable
These cables have the same connectors on both ends (that is, a hollow metal cylinder with a pin in the center), and usually has a ring on the outside of the cable end that you can use to secure the connection into the port.
If you don't have one, buy coaxial cable online or at an electrical and computer supply store
Step 3. Turn off the TV and unplug the power cord
This is useful to avoid harm to the TV or yourself when connecting a VHS player.
Step 4. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the VHS player
You have to plug it directly into the coaxial port on the back of the VHS player.
- To secure the connection on the VHS player, you can tighten the coaxial cable.
- The coaxial port on a VHS player usually has something like " TO TV " under it.
Step 5. Plug the other end of the coaxial cable into the TV
Again, you have to attach it directly to the back of the TV.
Make sure you have tightened the connections (if possible)
Step 6. Connect the VCR to a power source
Plug the VCR's power cord into an electrical outlet, either a wall outlet or a surge protector (a long line of power that protects equipment from electrical surges).
If the VCR power cord is not permanently attached to the device, first plug the cord into the VCR's power input
Step 7. Plug the TV power cord back into the power source and turn on the television
This will also turn on the VCR. Skip the next step if the VCR turns on immediately.
Step 8. Turn on the VCR
Do this by pressing the " Power " button on the VCR.
Step 9. Switch the TV to channel 3 or 4
Change to channel 3 or 4 using the " Channel + " or " Channel - " buttons on the television set or remote. The channel to select may vary on each TV. If the VCR blue screen appears, you have successfully set it up.
- On some VCRs, you may have to tune the channel on the VCR itself before you can play the tape.
- To play VHS using a VCR, insert the cassette and press the " Play " button to play it.
Method 2 of 2: Using an AV Cable
Step 1. Make sure you have an AV cable
These are 3 separate wires in white, red and yellow which are usually used to connect older production devices to the TV.
- White and red wires for audio.
- Yellow cable for video.
- If you don't already have one, buy an AV cable online or at an electrical and computer supply store for a low price.
Step 2. Check the TV for AV input
These white, red, and yellow ports are usually placed on the back of the TV. However, some older TVs place the port on the front panel.
- If you only see white and red inputs, but nothing yellow, look for the green input that says "Video" next to it. If your TV has one, you can still use an AV cable.
- If there is no AV input on the TV, purchase an RCA to HDMI (not HDMI to RCA) adapter and an HDMI cable.
Step 3. Turn off the TV and unplug the power cord
This is useful to avoid harm to the TV or yourself when connecting a VHS player.
Step 4. Plug the AV cable into the VCR
Plug the white cable into the white port on the back of the VCR. Plug the red wire into the red port, then plug the yellow wire into the yellow port.
Some VCRs only support mono audio. This means, the VCR only provides red and white ports on the back. You don't need to plug an unsupported cable into any port
Step 5. Connect the other end of the AV cable to the TV
Look for a group of white, red, and yellow input ports, then plug the cable into the correct port.
- Make sure you plug all three wires in the same input area, column, or row. The input area is usually numbered.
- If you are using an RCA to HDMI adapter, do the following: Plug the AV cable into the colored port on the adapter, plug one end of the HDMI cable into the RCA adapter, plug the other end into the TV's HDMI port, and then plug the adapter's power cable into the HDMI port. a power source (eg a power outlet).
Step 6. Connect the VCR to a power source
Plug the VCR power cord into the power source socket; both wall outlet and surge protector.
If the VCR power cord is not permanently attached to the device, first plug the cord into the VCR's power input
Step 7. Plug the TV power cord back into a power source and turn on your television
This will also turn on the VCR. Skip the next step if the VCR turns on immediately.
Step 8. Turn on the VCR
Do this by pressing the " Power " button on the VCR.
Step 9. Change your TV input if necessary
If the TV has not been set to use AV input, press the “Input” or “Source” button on the TV until the screen displays the “AV” setting. Now you can use the VCR.
To play VHS using a VCR, insert the cassette and press the " Play " button to play it
Tips
- If you use the receiver to handle all the TV inputs, you can connect the VCR to the receiver instead of directly to the TV. Almost all receivers have ports for AV and HDMI cables.
- Some VCRs and TVs support S-Video cable. This cable gives better quality than the yellow AV cable (for video).
