How to Install a Blu Ray DVD Player

Blu-ray players can be installed the same way traditional DVD players are installed. The input jacks are the same for both types of machines, and the nature of the connections is unchanged. To get the best possible use out of a Blu-ray player, however, you need to use specific types of cables to install it. Other cables will work, but they won't provide the maximum picture quality--which is the whole point of a Blu-ray player.

Things You'll Need

• Television set
• Audio receiver (optional)
• HDMI cables, S-Video cables, component video cables, digital audio cables or RCA cables

Instructions

1. Examine the back of your Blu-ray player. You'll see a series of video cable jacks grouped by type, which will allow you to install the Blu-ray player into a number of different TVs. There are four types to be concerned with for the video feed. The HDMI jack is rectangular and thin; it provides the highest possible image and sound clarity, so you should use it if you can. Then there are S-video jacks--which are large and round and feature a number of pins--and component video jacks--which are smaller and clustered in threes (color coded red, green and blue). They provide clear images and can be used in conjunction with high-definition televisions, but are not as powerful as HDMI jacks. Finally, there are RCA jacks, which look similar to component video jacks, only they are color-coded yellow, white and red. They provide basic A/V connections without high definition.

2. Examine your television for a corresponding series of cable jacks matching those of the Blu-ray player. You want to connect the Blu-ray using the best possible cable for the connection.

3. Check your stereo receiver system for a similar series of jacks. It will almost certainly have RCA jacks (color-coded white and red, which control the audio signal). It may also have a digital audio connection --likely labeled "Digital Out"--or an HDMI connection. Use the HDMI jack if you have it, the digital audio connection if your don't and the RCA connection only if there are no other types of cable jacks in your receiver.

4. Connect the "In" jack on the TV to the corresponding "Out" jack on the Blu-ray player, using the best possible cable type.

5. Connect the "Audio Out" jacks on the Blu-ray player to the corresponding "In" jacks on your stereo receiver. If you don't have a receiver and your TV doesn't have an HDMI jack, connect the Blu-ray "Audio Out" jacks to the red and white RCA "In" jacks on the TV.

6. Turn on all of the components and set your TV to receive signals from the appropriate jack connected to the Blu-ray player. You may now watch Blu-ray discs as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Older tube televisions which have a 4:3 aspect ratio may need further adjusting to get a proper picture. Blu-ray players were designed for newer TVs, which have a wider screen. You can usually adjust the aspect ratio to fit your screen by using a button on the Blu-ray remote labeled "Aspect," "TV Type" or something similar.

• Make sure all of your components are turned off before installing your Blu-ray player. The electricity might damage them otherwise.