Television is a wonderful mode of entertainment when connected to a cable television service. Even with the wide range of programming, however, you may desire to connect a DVD player into the mix so you can watch your favorite movies when desired. Most television sets come with only one connector for either an antenna or an incoming cable television line, requiring use of a separate audio/video (A/V) switching box. The exception is with the most modern plasma and LCD televisions which have colored component RCA jacks for two or more separate devices.
Step 1
Set up an A/V switch capable of switching between at least two separate devices. In the case of a cable television and DVD player combination, this will require the ability to switch between the two signal inputs. Place the switch as close to the television, cable television line and DVD player as possible.
Step 2
Connect the DVD player to the first device connection block on the back of the A/V switch using a set of colored RCA cables. Connect the red plug into the red jack, the white plug into the white jack and the yellow video plug into the yellow video jack.
Step 3
Connect the cable television receiver unit to the A/V switch by unscrewing the coaxial connector from the back of the television and screw that end onto the screw-on post on the back of the A/V switch labeled "Antenna", "ANT", or "Cable." If your cable receiver allows use of colored RCA cables rather than a screw-on coaxial cable end, unplug the RCA plugs from the TV and insert them into the corresponding colored jacks in the second connection block on the back of the A/V switch.
Step 4
Connect the A/V switch to the television set. If the the television set accepts only a screw-on coaxial cable and no RCA cables, connect a coaxial cable from the threaded coaxial connector post of the A/V switch labeled "TV" or "TV Out." Screw the other end of the coaxial cable onto the coaxial connector post on the back of the television. If the television accepts color-coded RCA cable, connect the colored plugs on one end of an RCA cable into the output RCA jacks on the back of the A/V switch. Plug the other color-coded plugs into the RCA jacks on the television: red to red, white to white and yellow to yellow.
Step 5
Adjust the television output channel switch on the A/V switch to either channel "3" or "4". Most A/V switches let you select which of the two channels the audio and video are sent to the television. The TV must be set to the same channel as that selected on the A/V switch. If your A/V switch has no selector lever, read the owner manual to determine what the fixed channel is, then set the television to that channel.
Step 6
Plug in the power cable that came with the A/V switch. Select the DVD player by selecting "device number 1" on the switch, or select cable television by selecting "device number 2" on the switch. Audio and video should now be present on the television, coming from whichever device is selected.
Tips & Warnings
- If the television accepts colored RCA connection from more than one device, and both the DVD player and cable television receiver allow direct RCA connections, the A/V switch can be completely eliminated from the connections. Connect RCA cables directly between devices and the television.
- Purchase a switch that permits HDMI connection between the television and the switch if your devices and television permit use of High Definition video and sound. Rather than use RCA cables, this will permit you to simply run an HDMI cable from the switch to the television. Such switch will also permit HDMI input connectors on each of the switch blocks.
References
- COX Cable: Set Up Your Cable Box
- Crutchfield: Connecting Your HDTV (including other components)