To hook up a VCR to a smart TV, there are generally two common ways depending on the inputs available on the TV:
- Using a coaxial cable:
- Connect a coaxial cable to the "TV Out" or "RF Out" port on the back of the VCR.
- Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the antenna input on the smart TV.
- Secure the connections tightly by twisting the coaxial connectors clockwise.
- Turn on both the VCR and the TV. On the TV, tune to channel 3 (or 2 or 4 depending on VCR output settings) where the VCR signal will be broadcast.
- If channel 3 is not showing, run a channel scan on the TV to detect it.
- Using composite RCA cables with an HDMI converter (if the TV does not have RCA inputs):
- Connect the composite RCA cables (red white for audio, yellow for video) from the VCR output ports to the corresponding ports on a composite-to-HDMI converter.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the converter to an HDMI input on the smart TV.
- Power on the converter and switch the TV input to the HDMI port used.
- Play a tape on the VCR to view on the TV.
If the smart TV has RCA input ports, the composite RCA cables can be connected directly without a converter. The coaxial cable method is easiest if the TV has an antenna input but no RCA ports. For newer smart TVs without these ports, the RCA-to-HDMI converter method is likely needed. Would like instructions specific to a particular smart TV brand or model? Or information on where to get necessary cables and adapters?
