How to Hook Up a VCR

Connecting a VCR to a television need not be a troublesome task. Think of the VCR as a component that is going between the television's antenna or cable system and the television.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• VCRs

1. Determine whether your television has an RF connection or an AV (audio-visual) connection. (If the television doesn't have an AV input terminal, then it has an RF connection. See your TV instruction manual if you can't tell from looking at the back of the TV.)

2. Disconnect the antenna cable or cable TV cable (coming from the wall) from the television.

3. Connect the television antenna cable or cable TV cable to the antenna-in jack on the rear of the VCR.

4. If the television has an RF connection, connect the RF cable to the TV-out jack on the rear of the VCR and the television's antenna terminal.

5. If the television uses an AV input terminal, connect an audio/video cable to the audio-out and video-out jacks on the rear of the VCR and to the AV-in jack on the television.

6. Set the television in video input mode or A/V input mode. Refer to the television instruction manual.

7. Set the VCR channel. (A switch on the rear of the VCR sets the VCR channel as channel 3 or 4.)

8. Plug the VCR power cord into an electrical outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• When you play a tape on the VCR, the VCR channel must match the television channel. If you set the VCR channel as channel 3, then you must tune your television to channel 3 to play videocassettes.
• If you have a cable descrambler/converter box, connect the Out cable from the box to the antenna-in jack on the VCR.

[LavenderCharm]

on 10/24/2008 How do I hook up an OLD VCP(yeah that's right a VCP!)to a newer DVD player. For some reason or other it seems that I need a VCR or something to run my DVD to my TV (understand that?). Please help if you can.

[member222]

on 12/16/2007 I have an old Montgomery Wards 26 inch TV in the garage that I want to hook up a VCR to so I can watch movies when I work out on the treadmill. How do I hook one up? What do I need? Thanks!

[AngelsCry2]

on 1/28/2008 I want to record from my satellite receiver. I know how to hook everything up but for some reason what I record is not showin up on my TV from the tape. I have tried to search the web for free downloadable instructions and have not found them. How do I hook up the cables to record. Please help me something is come on tv that I really want to record for later viewing! I can watch videos but for some reason just can not record. HELP

[Fastlayne]

on 6/7/2007 I have a 46 inch Sony tv which has DirectTV. To this is attached an Emerson DVD/VCR combo player. Recently, the VCR section quit working, but the DVD player stills works ok. I would like to attach another VCR to this set up. What do I need to do to hook up the additional VCR so I can play VHS cassettes?

[conniew]

on 10/21/2007 I have used a VCR for several years. Last January I got digital TV through Adelphia. When I was hooked up to digital, the workman said it was having trouble reading my VCR code. I had another person come out a month later who said the same thing. I have not been able to record anything on my VCR; however, I can play tapes, just not record for viewing later. Why would this be a problem all of a sudden with the digital hookup? Any suggestions appreciated.