Will a Television Monitor Work Through a VCR?
- It's important to familiarize yourself with the inputs on the back of your VCR before hooking it up. As you look at the rear panel, you'll see a coaxial input and output connector, and two sets of composite audio/video jacks (these are red, white and yellow). The coaxial input receives audio and video from your cable or antenna, and the outputs (coaxial or composite) send this signal to the desired source. Depending on the age of your VCR, it may also have an s-video output. If your TV has composite audio/video inputs use these for the easiest setup. If it doesn't, you'll have to use the coaxial connection.
- If your TV only has coaxial cable connections, you'll need a coaxial cable to connect it to the TV. Simply connect the existing incoming cable or antenna signal to the coaxial input, then connect the new cable to the coaxial output. Now, connect it to the coaxial input on the back of your TV. Make sure the cables are screwed in properly. Turn on your TV and tune it to channel 3 or 4. Now turn on your VCR and you should be able to watch TV or movies through it. This connection method will use your VCR as a tuner, so use the channel selection buttons on your VCR instead of your TV.
If your TV has composite audio/video inputs, you'll need a standard RCA audio/video cable. Simply connect one end to the VCR's output jacks, and the other end to your TV's input jacks. Remember to match the colors. This connection method simply outputs the video signal to the TV, so you have the option of connecting the incoming cable signal to the coaxial input, or connecting it directly to the rear of the TV. - If you decide to use your VCR as a tuner, remember that you won't be able to change channels directly through your TV. Use the VCR's remote to change channels and access menu options related to cable TV functions, like auto-channel searching. Using this method, however, you can easily record incoming shows.