How to Set Up a DTV Box & a VCR/DVD Player

TV media devices.

Now that the transition to digital television is complete, if you still want to use your old analog TV set to watch local TV broadcasts you need to connect your TV to a digital converter box (also called a DTV box), or your TV needs to be hooked up to an active cable or satellite TV service. You can still use your VCR/DVD player on an analog television that has digital converter box, but to do so the VCR/DVD player has to be connected to the converter box too. The process is simple.

Things You'll Need

• Digital converter box
• VCR / DVD player combo
• Television
• TV Antenna
• 2 coaxial cables that are 65 ohm

Instructions

Hooking Up DTV Converter Box

1. Unplug your television set and VCR/DVD player before making your cord connections.

2. Screw or plug one end of one of your coaxial cables into the coaxial output nodule (often labeled "TV Out") on the back of your digital converter box. Screw or plug the other end of this cable into the coaxial input nodule on the back of your VCR/DVD player.

3. Screw or plug one end of the other coaxial cable into the coaxial output nodule on the back of your VCR/DVD player. Screw or plug the other end of this cable into the coaxial input nodule on the back of your television set.

4. Connect your TV antenna to your DTV box by screwing the coaxial cord attached to the antenna into the "Ant. In" nodule on the back of your DTV converter box.

5. Plug in all devises.

Performing Initial Set-up Process

1. Turn on your digital converter box, television set and VCR/DVD player.

2. Set your television set to Channel 3. Arm the VCR side of your VCR/DVD player. Press "menu" on the VCR/DVD player remote; select "clock;" then set the correct time. Exit the menu by pressing "menu" again on your remote; then set your VCR to Channel 3.

3. Press the "menu" button on your digital converter box's remote control. Select "channel scan," then "auto"--if you're presented with the option to choose between a manual channel scan and automatic channel scan. Press "enter" on your DTV box remote and wait for the channel scan operation to be completed. It can take anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes to run an automatic channel scan.

4. Flip through the channels on your DTV box to make sure that none of your local channels are missing. If you do discover any missing channels, try repositioning your TV antenna and performing another channel scan (just repeat step 3).

Tips & Warnings

• These very same connections also apply to hooking up a VCR to a DTV box.

References

• FCC: Setting Up Your Converter Box with a VCR
• DTV Answers: Hooking Up Your Converter Box Video

Resources

• FCC: Digital Converter Box Trouble Shooting Guide
• DTV