How to Hook Up a DVD Recorder to a TV

Connecting your DVD recorder to your TV is really no different than connecting your standard DVD player or VCR to it. As long as you have enough cables and the right ins and outs, you can enjoy watching higher-quality recordings that you have "taped" right off your own TV.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• At least 2:
• Coaxial cables
• Composite cables
• S-Video cables
• Component cables

Basic Connection

1. 
    
   Coaxial Cable (www.hometech.com)

   Unplug the coaxial cable from your TV source output (wherever the actual TV signal is being received, like your cable/satellite box) and plug it into the coaxial input on your DVD recorder. If you are just using an antenna, unplug the coaxial cable from your TV directly.

2. Using another coaxial cable, connect the coaxial output from the DVD recorder to the coaxial input on the TV.

3. Turn on your TV and DVD recorder. Make sure your TV is on the right channel (usually 3 or 4).

4. Record your programming. The TV should be running through your DVD recorder (much like a VCR). Your DVD recorder TV tuner will act as your remote control so you can change the channels and record off them when necessary.

RCA Connection

5. 
    
   Composite cables (www.home-theater.com)

   Plug the RCA (also called A/V) cables into the RCA outputs on your TV source.

6. Plug the other end(s) of the RCA cables into the corresponding inputs of the DVD recorder.

7. Connect the RCA outputs from the DVD recorder to the corresponding inputs on the TV, using a second RCA cable.You should have two sets of outputs on your TV: one set for Video 1 and another set for Video 2. Whichever one you plug your cables into is up to you.

8. Using your DVD tuner, put the DVD player on the appropriate input (L1 or L3 for rear inputs, L2 for front).

9. Put the TV on the proper input (either Video 1 or Video 2) and start recording. The TV should be running through the DVD recorder.

S-Video Connection (With RCA Cables)

10. 
     
    S-Video cable (www.zpluscable.com)

    Plug one end of the S-Video cable into the S-Video output of the TV source, then plug the other end into its respective input on the DVD recorder.

11. Plug one end of the RCA audio cable into the output on the TV source, then plug the other end into the input on the DVD recorder.

12. Connect the other S-Video cable and audio cable to their respective DVD recorder output and TV input. In some cases, this can be done with just one cable that has two heads--one an S-Video prong and the other an audio prong.

13. Using your DVD tuner, put the DVD player on the appropriate input (L1 or L3 for rear inputs, L2 for front).

14. Put the TV on the proper input (either Video 1 or Video 2) and start recording. The TV should be running through the DVD recorder.

Component Connection (With RCA Cables)

15. 
     
    Component cables (www.home-theater-accesories-resource.com)

    Connect the component video cable to its respective TV source outputs.

16. Connect the audio cables to their respective DVD recorder inputs.

17. Connect the other component video cable and audio cable to their respective DVD recorder outputs and TV inputs. The TV inputs will probably be labeled either "HDMI" or "DVI."

18. Using your DVD tuner, put the DVD player on the appropriate input (L1 or L3 for rear inputs, L2 for front).

19. Put the TV on the proper input (either Video 1 or Video 2) and start recording. The TV should be running through the DVD recorder.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult your owner's manual before you start hooking up your DVD recorder. Some installations may require a combination of connections, such as using your coaxial cable as well as your RCA cables in order to make the DVD recorder record from the TV. Always remember that it's TV source out to DVD recorder in, then DVD recorder out to the TV in. That's the basic installation method, no matter what kind of cables you use.
• Many older TVs may lack many of the outputs/inputs (insufficient coaxial outputs or no composite outputs) that are available on DVD recorders. You may have to purchase an RF modulator or adapter that provides additional connection sources.

Resources

• Article About RF Modulators
• About.com: Digital Video Recording