How to Connect a Television Converter Box

Use a converter box to receive broadcast signals on an older tube-type TV.

If you'd like to watch broadcast television on an older model TV, you'll need to hook up a digital-to-analog converter box to view the signal. Converter boxes are available at home audio and electronics stores. Designed to self-program with the push of a button, a converter box connects on one end to the radio frequency (RF) jack on your antenna and on the other end to the threaded antenna input on your TV. Use coaxial cables with metal fasteners on the ends to hook up the converter in a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• 2 coaxial cables
• Antenna

Instructions

1. Connect one cable from the RF jack on your antenna base to the "ANT IN" jack on the converter box. Tighten the metal fastener on each end of the cable to the threaded jacks to prevent the cable from coming loose.

2. Connect the second cable from the converter's "Out to TV" jack to the RF input on the bottom back panel of your television.

3. Plug in the power cord from your converter box and turn on the unit by pressing the on/off button on the front.

4. Press the "Scan" or "Automatic tuning" button on the converter box, which will program itself with the broadcast channels that can be picked up by your antenna.

5. Tune the TV to channel 3 or 4 to watch programming from the converter box.

References

• FCC: Setting Up Your Digital-to-Analog Converter Box