How to Hook Up a TV, DVD Recorder & VHS Recorder

Record almost anything from the home theater by hooking up a DVD recorder and VCR.

A DVD recorder and VHS recorder each require two separate sets of connections for playback and recording of audio-video content. Since only one or the other can be viewed on a TV at any given time, the two components must be connected to an AV receiver that can switch between them for playback on the television. Three component cables and a pair of composite cables are also needed to hook up the equipment, in addition to a coaxial cable for connecting the source signal, such as a cable box, antenna or satellite receiver, to the AV receiver.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sets of component RGB cables
• 2 sets of composite cables
• Coaxial cable for connecting the source signal
• AV receiver

Instructions

1. Connect the antenna, cable box or satellite receiver to the AV receiver by turning the coupler on each end of a coaxial cable around the threaded RF OUT jack on the source component and the RF IN jack on the AV receiver.

2. Insert the red, blue and green (RGB) plugs on one end of the component video cable into the matching video output jacks on the back of the AV receiver labeled for a DVD recorder or AV recording device. Push the plugs on the other end into the video input (recording) jacks on the DVD recorder. Insert the white and red audio plugs on the component cable into the matching audio out jacks on the receiver and audio in jacks on the DVD recorder.

3. Connect the second set of RGB cables from the receiver's video in jacks to the DVD recorder's video out (playback) jacks, then connect the white and red audio plugs from the receiver's audio inputs to the DVD recorder's audio outputs.

4. Hook up the VCR to the AV receiver by plugging one set of composite cables from the yellow, red and white input (recording) jacks on the VCR to the matching output jacks labeled for a VCR on the back of the AV receiver.

5. Connect the second set of composite cables from the VCR's output (playback) jacks to the input jacks on the receiver, matching the plug colors to the jacks.

6. Hook up the red, green and blue plugs on a third set of component cables from the video OUT jacks on the receiver to the video IN jacks on the TV, then plug in the two audio cables into the matching white and red audio out jacks on the receiver and audio in jacks on the TV.

7. Switch the receiver's selector control knob from DVD recorder to VCR to alternate between the two components.

8. Press the "Input" button on the remote control until the signal from the AV receiver appears on the screen.

Tips & Warnings

• Unplug the power cords for all equipment while hooking up AV cables.

References

• Ram Electronics: Home Theater Connections