View Full Version : Connecting to old cable TV
farr645
Jan 13, 2008, 07:41 PM
We bought our daughter and grandchildren a new DVD/VCR for Christmas. She wanted to replace the old VCR with the newer DVD/VCR. I never thought to check the TV (about 8 years old), thinking it was connected now, so would not be a problem to connect the new. She has digital cable, and it was all connected by the cable company.
When I turned the TV around to undo the old connections, I discovered it only had RF cable connection. No white/red/yellow connectors. The old VCR had a cable out, and it was connected to the TV with it. The new DVD/VCR box has no cable out connection. It is entirely a series of the white/red/yellow connectors. The cable company says I cannot connect the old TV to the new unit. Is that true? Or is there a way?
CaptainRich
Jan 13, 2008, 07:48 PM
There is likely a converter on the market that could be utilized.
I think I would try Radio Shack or Google search for cable converters.
I hope this helps.
CaptainRich
Jan 14, 2008, 07:50 AM
The cable from the wall is called coax, and the tri-colored are called RCA.
Your old VCR may have both type connectors as inputs. As a temporary measure, can you play the DVD/VCR combo through the old VCR and its connections?
But, it may be time to invest in a newer TV. Technology has improved picture quality to the point that it would likely be a good investment. Plus, you'll greater appreciate the capabilities of the DVD picture.
Where's Don (donf) when you need him... when he see's this, he may have better options for you.
KISS
Jan 14, 2008, 09:12 AM
There are a few types of simple video. Yea, I know there are more.
One is called composite video and uses a single connector.
One is called S-video and uses a special DIN style cable. S to composite conversions are easy. Composite to S is a little harder.
Another video method is called component video. Using one of those signals as your video signal will result in a black and white picture.
Audio will be carried on 2 cables, Left and Right in all of these cases.
With three RCA jacks, you will have composite video and the RF modulator from Radio Shack will work such as this one from elsewhere:
Terk RF Modulator - MOD-34 | MOD-34 [TERK] | (http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=RCTMOD34)
ScottGem
Jan 14, 2008, 09:22 AM
Assuming your old TV has only a Coax input and the new DVD/VCR does not have a Coax outout, then you will need a RF Modulator like KISS linked to. Radio Shack has them. You take the composite video cables (the red/white/yellow RCA cables) from the DVD/VCR into the RF modulator, then a coax from the modulator into the TV.
charliec
Jan 24, 2008, 05:37 AM
What you need is called an "RF Modulator" Radio shack sell them for about 25 bucks.
It will connect to your dvd player with RCA connection and connect to your Older TV with is CoAx connection.