How to Hook Up an NES

With vast improvements and options in video-gaming technology, it's easy for the Nintendo gaming console to get lost in the shuffle. If you feel like reminiscing or playing original Nintendo games for the first time, there are two ways to connect an NES to your television--with the RF switch that came with the Nintendo or with an AV cable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cable wire
• Television
• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
• Radio frequency switch (RF switch)
• NES adapter
• AV cable

Hook Up an NES Using the RF Switch

1. Disconnect the cable wire from your television. If you want to hook up your NES through a VCR, disconnect the cable wire from the VCR.
2. Connect the wire resembling cable wire on the RF switch into "VHF IN" on either your television or VCR. This should be the jack your cable wire vacated in Step 1. The RF switch hooks the NES through your television and allows you to switch between television and Nintendo at the press of the NES "Power" button.
3. Hook up the cable wire disconnected in Step 1 to the jack on the RF switch. The Nintendo is now fully hooked up to the television.
4. Plug one end of the NES AC adapter into the port labeled "AC adapter" on the back of the NES and the other end into an electrical outlet. The Nintendo is now ready for use.
5. Press the "Power" button on your Nintendo to make sure it's connected. A red light should appear on the console.

Hook Up an NES Using an AV Connection

6. Plug the yellow end of the AV cable into the television's "Video" input, and the red or white end into "Audio" input of the television. If using a VCR, plug into the "Video" and "Audio" inputs of the VCR.
7. Connect the yellow end on the opposite end of the AV cable into the yellow ("Video") input and the red or white end into the red ("Audio") input on the back of the NES.
8. Follow Steps 4 and 5 of Section 1.

Tips & Warnings

• Note the channel switch labeled "CH3/CH4" on the back of the console, as well as which channel the switch is set on. If it is set to "CH3," your television needs to also be on channel 3. If it is set to "CH4," set your television to channel 4. If you hooked up the NES through your VCR, set the VCR to the proper channel.
• In order for the Nintendo to work properly, your television (or VCR if you went that route) must be on the channel the channel switch is set to. If you've hooked up the NES through your VCR, turn the VCR on and set it to the correct channel.
• If you've hooked up the Nintendo through your VCR, you may need to switch your television over to the proper input. Press the "TV/Video", "Input Select" or similar button to do so.