How to Connect an HD Cable Box to a VCR SLV-N51 and TV
If you still have a VCR in your entertainment setup, you might want to know how you can connect it with an HD cable box and your TV without having to unplug and replug cables each time you want to switch devices. Fortunately, you can do that pretty easily if you follow these steps.
1. Check the connections on your devices.
Before you start connecting anything, make sure that you have the right cables and ports on your HD cable box, VCR, and TV. Most HD cable boxes come with an HDMI output, while most VCRs have composite or S-Video inputs. Meanwhile, most TVs nowadays have multiple HDMI inputs, as well as composite and S-Video inputs. If your devices have these connections, youre good to go.
2. Connect the HD cable box to the TV.
Using an HDMI cable, connect the HDMI output on your HD cable box to an available HDMI input on your TV. Remember which input port you plugged it into, as you need to switch to it later.
3. Connect the VCR to the TV.
Using a composite or S-Video cable, connect the video output on your VCR to another available input on your TV. If your VCR has only a composite output, make sure to use the yellow plug and match it to the yellow input on the TV. If it has an S-Video output, use the S-Video cable and match it to the S-Video input on the TV.
4. Connect the VCR to the cable box.
Using another set of composite or S-Video cable, connect the video output on your HD cable box to the video input on your VCR. Again, use the correct color codes and match them to the right ports.
5. Connect the audio.
Since composite and S-Video cables dont carry audio signals, you need to use a separate set of audio cables to connect the audio output on the HD cable box to the audio input on the VCR. You can use either a red and white set of composite cables or a stereo mini-plug on one end and two RCA plugs on the other. Make sure to match the colors to the right ports.
6. Set the TV input.
On your TV remote, find the button that says "Input" or "Source" and press it to bring up a list of available inputs. Choose the input where you connected the HD cable box and the TV should display the cable box output. Keep the VCR turned off for now.
7. Set the VCR input.
On your VCR remote, look for the button that says "Input" or "Line" and press it to switch the VCR input to the video source you connected. If you used the composite input, choose Line 1, while if you used the S-Video input, choose Line 2. Now, turn on the VCR.
8. Watch TV or record a show.
Youre now ready to watch TV as usual or to record a show from the HD cable box to the VCR. To do the latter, simply press the Record button on your VCR remote when the desired show comes on and stop recording when its done. You can also watch a previously recorded tape by choosing tape playback on your VCR remote.
By following these steps, you should be able to connect an HD cable box to a VCR SLV-N51 and TV, and keep them all working together. Enjoy your entertainment setup! |