How to Connect a Satellite to an RCA Television

Satellite dish used for satellite television.

Satellite television is the primary competitor for cable television. Several companies, most notably Direct TV and Dish Network, offer a satellite television service. A satellite dish, usually mounted on the roof of a home, communicates with a larger satellite to provide programming. The dish connects to the television through a receiver and broadcasts the channels on the television. Connecting a satellite to an RCA television is not difficult and can be done without electronics expertise.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial cable or audio/video cables

Instructions

1. Make sure your satellite is properly installed and mounted. If you notice a problem, contact your provider to arrange a service appointment.

2. Connect the coaxial cable coming from your satellite to the "In" jack on the rear of your satellite receiver. Televisions cannot display satellite broadcasts without connecting to the receiver first.

3. Attach a coaxial cable to the "Out" jack on the rear of your satellite receiver. Run the cable to the rear of your RCA television, and connect it to the "In" jack.

4. Turn your television on, and change it to the appropriate channel. The appropriate channel usually can be toggled from channel 3 or 4 on the rear of the receiver.

5. Turn your receiver on, and allow the system to acquire a signal and search for channels. If this is the first time you are using your satellite in a while, it may take a few minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• If your RCA television is not cable-ready, it will not have R/F inputs to connect a coaxial cable to. Use standard audio/video cables instead (red, yellow and white). If you have a problem acquiring a signal, contact your service provider. Your satellite dish may be misaligned or improperly installed.