How to Connect a TV to an Existing Cable Without a Box

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Digital-ready televisions do not require a converter box.

Digital and high-definition television formats have raised the bar in television picture quality in the past several years. Connecting an older tube-style television to a new digital cable, satellite or over-air digital system is now impossible without a digital converter box. All televisions made in the last few years, however, have digital components built in and do not require a converter box to work with the new digital and high-definition systems. These newer-style televisions with built-in digital capability are the only type of televisions that will work without requiring a box to convert the signal.

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Step 1

Place the television in any location you wish, ensuring it is within reach of the existing cable system.

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Step 2

Access the rear portion of the television and locate the coaxial cable input. This is a short, silver-colored, threaded receptacle and is usually labeled.

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Step 3

Connect the cable to the cable receptacle on the television. This is done by turning the cable clockwise to engage the threads on the receptacle into the threaded portion inside the cable end.

Step 4

Tighten the cable until it is firmly seated. Be careful not to over-tighten the cable to avoid doing damage to or breaking the receptacle on the television.

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Step 5

Complete a channel search with the newly added television to place the cable channels into the television memory. You should now be able to watch the television using the existing cable system.

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