While VCRs are now considered obsolete technology, it is still possible to plug them into most televisions with a coaxial cable or a series of AV cables. If your VCR does not support coaxial cables and your television does not support AV, you can use an RCA-to-HDMI adapter to connect them with AV cables and an HDMI cable.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a coaxial cable
Step 1. Find a coaxial port on your television and VCR
The coaxial port looks like a metal cylinder with a small hole in the middle. However, if your television is quite old, it might just have a small circular hole in the back.
- Both the TV and VCR must have a coaxial port for this method to work.
- If your television or VCR does not have a coaxial port, you can use AV cables to connect your VCR.
Step 2. Purchase a coaxial cable
Coaxial cables have the same connector on both sides (a hollow metal cylinder with a plug in the middle) and often have a ring on each end to strengthen the attachment to the port.
If you don't have a coaxial cable, you can buy it on the Internet or at an electronics store
Step 3. Turn off and unplug your television
This will prevent you from damaging it or hurting yourself while you connect the VCR.
Step 4. Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the VCR
It should plug directly into the coaxial port on the back of the VCR.
- You can tighten the cable to secure it securely to the VCR.
- On the VCR you will see something like "TO TV" written under the coaxial port.
Step 5. Connect the other end of the cable to the TV
Once again, it should plug directly into the back of the television.
Tighten this cable if possible
Step 6. Plug your VCR into an electrical outlet
Insert the VCR's power cable into an electrical outlet (wall outlet or surge protector).
If your VCR's power cable is not permanently connected, you will need to plug it into the back of your device first
Step 7. Reconnect and turn on your television
The VCR should also turn on. If so, skip the next step.
Step 8. Turn on your VCR
Press the VCR's power button to turn it on.
Step 9. Select channel 3 or 4
Use the channel “+” or “-” buttons on your television or remote control to select channel 3 or 4. The channel used varies from TV to TV, but you'll know it's the right one when. you will see the blue screen of the VCR.
- On some VCRs, the channel must be selected on the VCR itself before a tape can be played.
- To play a VHS tape with your VCR, simply insert the tape and press Play.
Method 2 of 2: Use AV cables
Step 1. Purchase AV cables
AV cables are cables with 3 red, white and yellow connectors typically used to connect old tech equipment to televisions.
- The red and white cables transmit the sound.
- The yellow cable transmits the image.
- If you don't have AV cables, you can buy them on the Internet or at an electronics store. Their price is relatively affordable.
Step 2. Find the AV inputs on your television
Usually the red, white, and yellow ports are on the back of the television, but on older models they are on the front.
- If you find red and white inputs, but no yellow inputs, look for a green input with the word "Video" next to it. If your television has one, you can still use the AV cables.
- If your television does not have an AV input, you will need to purchase an RCA-to-HDMI (not HDMI-to-RCA) adapter and an HDMI cable.
Step 3. Turn off and unplug your television
Unplug your television so as not to damage it or hurt yourself while you are connecting the VCR.
Step 4. Connect the AV cables to the VCR
Plug the white cable into the white port on the back of the VCR, the red cable into the red port, and the yellow cable into the yellow port.
Some VCRs only support mono sound. That means you will only have a white or red port in the back. Leave the unused cable unplugged
Step 5. Connect the other end of the AV cables to the television
Look for a harness of red, white, and yellow input ports and connect the cables to the corresponding ports.
- Make sure all 3 cable connectors are in the same area, row or column. These locations are generally numbered.
- If you are using an RCA-to-HDMI adapter, do the following: Connect the AV cables to the colored ports on the adapter, one end of the HDMI cable into the RCA adapter, the other end into the HDMI port on the television and the adapter power cable into a power source (eg an electrical outlet).
Step 6. Connect your VCR to a power source
Insert the VCR's power cable into an electrical outlet. A wall outlet or surge protector will do the trick.
If the VCR's power cable is not permanently attached, you will need to plug it into the corresponding input on the VCR first
Step 7. Reconnect and turn on your television
If your VCR turns on when the TV turns on, skip the next step.
Step 8. Turn on your VCR
Press the power button to turn on your VCR.
Step 9. Change your television input if necessary
If your television is not already configured to use the AV input, press the "Input" or "Source" button until you open the AV setting. You should now be able to use your VCR.
To play a tape on your VCR, insert it and press the play button
Advice
- If you are using a receiver to connect all of your television's inputs, you can connect the VCR to the receiver rather than to the TV. Most of these devices should allow you to use HDMI and AV.
- Some televisions and VCRs support S-video cables which are better alternatives to the yellow AV (video) cable.