How to Connect a VHS & DVD Player to a TV

By J.M. Chanel

People with movies on VHS and DVD may not want to have both a VCR and a DVD player connected to their TV, as both units will take up a lot of shelf space on a home theater stand. Fortunately, there are combo players available that play both VHS tapes and DVD video discs. Connecting a VCR/DVD combo player to a TV is as simple as connecting any video device; several different methods can be used, depending on the type of video inputs offered by your TV model.

Coaxial Video Output

Coaxial video has the lowest quality for video connection.
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Screw the connector on a coaxial video cable to the "Antenna In" port on the back of your television.

Connect the other end of the coaxial video cable to your VCR/DVD combo player's "Antenna Out" port.

Turn on the TV and the VCR/DVD combo player.

Tune your TV to channel 3 or 4, depending on the settings of your VCR/DVD combo player.

Insert a VHS tape or DVD into the VCR/DVD combo player and press the "Play" button. It will begin playing on your TV.

Composite Video Output

Composite video output quality is slightly better than coaxial.
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Connect a set of RCA audio and video cables the appropriate color-coded "Video Out" ports on the back of your VCR/DVD player.

Plug the opposite ends of the RCA audio and video cables to the color-coded "Video In" ports on your TV.

Turn on the TV and the VCR/DVD combo player.

Tune the TV to the "Video" or "Aux" input channel where you have plugged in the VCR/DVD combo player.

Insert a VHS tape or DVD disc into the VCR/DVD combo player and press the "Play" button. The video will begin playing on your TV.

S-Video

Connect an S-Video cable to the "S-Video Out" port on your VCR/DVD combo player.

Plug the opposite end of the S-Video cable to the "S-Video In" port on your TV.

Connect a set of RCA audio cables to the red and white color-coded "Audio Out" jacks on your VCR/DVD combo player. Plug the other ends of the audio output to the "Audio In" jacks for the S-Video input on the back of your TV.

Turn on your TV and VCR/DVD combo player. Tune to the "S-Video" input channel on your TV.

Insert a VHS tape or DVD disc into the VCR/DVD combo player and press the "Play" button. The video will be displayed on your TV.

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