Q&A for How to Hook Up a VCR to a TV

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I have a VHS player, but it only has a spot to plug in a yellow and white cord; there's no red. Can I still use this with my newer digital TV, or am I better off trying to use my old analogue TV?

Community Answer

You can use it with your digital TV; the sound just won't be monaural (mono), though.

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Does a VCR require cable, satellite, or an over the air TV signal to view pre-recorded tapes?

Community Answer

No. Pre-recorded tapes play without any type of signal since they already have the media on them (inside the tape itself).

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Question

I cannot get sound after poking the jacks in. What have I left out?

Community Answer

Try looking at the audio-in ports. You may have placed it in the audio-out port instead.

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Question

How do you set the TV to input 1?

Community Answer

Hit the Input button on your remote.

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Question

What channel do I put the TV on to make it work?

Community Answer

Either channel 3 or 4 if you hooked it up using coax cables. If you used AV cables, then you would press Input on your TV remote until you get to the appropriate input source they're plugged into on the TV.

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Question

Will a VCR work with one HDMI slot?

Community Answer

VCRs do not have HDMI outputs. Some combo VCR/DVD machines may have an HDMI output, but in many cases, it's not possible to see a video tape signal from this port (a "DVD only" output). To connect a VCR to a TV, you need to use either an RCA cable (yellow-white-red) or an RF coaxial (normal antenna/cable type) connection.

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Question

I have a Mitsubshi VCR and an Insignia flat screen. The VCR only has video/audio/in/out, how do I plug it in?

Community Answer

Those plug-ins are called RCA plug-ins. They require the red, white and yellow cables to be plugged into the corresponding plug-ins. But if your TV is an HDTV, then there is less of a chance for those RCA plug-ins to be built into the TV due to the more modern design. Basically what I'm saying is check the back of your TV. If it has those red, white and yellow plug-ins, then your VCR is compatible. If your TV has only HDMI plug-ins, then consider getting a DVD or Blu-ray player.

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Question

Can I use the antenna on my TV when my VCR is also hooked up?

Community Answer

Most VCRs have a coax in and out. You will run your antenna to the "in" and then run the "out" to your TV.

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Question

What do I do if my VCR works for a short time, but stops working?

Community Answer

Perhaps you have sky TV? Sky changed their format, resulting in privately owned VCRs being unsuitable for recording as used to be the case. Sky's MY SKY will record programs at a cost.

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Question

Can I hook up my VCR through a satellite TV?

Community Answer

Yes, you must connect the VCR and cable box to the wall socket with a coax cable.

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