Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
lizzylou
Enthusiast - Level 2

I have a TV with a built in VCR (that doesn't work), so I have VCR/DVD combo.

I would like to hook up my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii but I am not sure how with my HD DVR box.

The HD DVR uses the only audio/video plugs that are on the TV.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Correct answers
Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
lizzylou
Enthusiast - Level 2

I figured out the problem - it was something I had to fix on my TV programming.

View solution in original post

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Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
jmw1950
Specialist - Level 2

If you only have one set of AV plugs on the TV, your best bet is probably an AV switch. These are available on eBay at pretty reasonable cost. You can have several different devices on the switch, and you can switch your TV's AV inputs between the various sources manually.

Alternatively, for the DVD/VCR, most of these devices can output the programming on channel 3 or channel 4, so you could also run a coaxial cable out the DVD/VCR  and into the TV's antenna input.  You would then tune the TV to channel 3/4.

I don't enough about the WII, but if it also supports channel 3/4 output, you can probably connect the WII to the DVD/VCR via coas from the WII to antenna in on the VCR.

You will get better picture quality using the AV inputs however, so an AV switch is probably preferable.

If you want to record from the STB, there are in fact 3 places/formats that the video appears.

HDMI/component

S-Video

Composite Video

Unfortunately there is only 1 set of Audio outputs, so you need  Y cables to split the R and L outputs into two outputs, one for the DVD/VCR, and the other used for the TV. Hopefully either your DVD/VCR  or TV has an S-video input. If so, you run S-Video to that device, and composite video the other. You then can record from the STB.

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Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
lizzylou
Enthusiast - Level 2

I still can't get it to connect and work. If I can get my DVD/VCR to work then I can run my Wii through that.

I bought an AV switch but can't get it to work so I am either hooking it up wrong or it is just not working.

My tv has one audio and one video port in the front which my Verizon box is plugged into. And I have the cable port on the back.

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Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
Bob_Robertson
Specialist - Level 1

FROM BACK OF TV---- COAX---- TO AV SWITCH

TV on channel 3

FROM AV SWITCH--- RCA(red yellow white)------ TO DVD

FROM AV SWITCH--- RCA(red yellow white)------ TO VERIZON BOX

FROM AV SWITCH--- RCA(red yellow white)------ TO WII

If your AV switch does not have enough hook ups... may want to buy a bigger one OR hook one device in the front RCA jacks... I personally would go with the Wii in the front.....

once hooked up, the TV is on channel 3... and the AV swithch is switched to whichever device you like

If you use the RCA jacks on the front of the TV, you will need to change the input selection of your TV, in order to view the device plugged in there

hope this helps

if not, I reccomend either

A) contact the AV switch for support on walking you through hooking their equipment up

OR

B) get a local teenager/friend/family member/coworker/etc to come hook it up for you.... maybe make them lunch or buy them beer or something

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Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
lizzylou
Enthusiast - Level 2

The AV switch I bought has 4 inputs, however there is not a place for a COAX Cable

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Re: Help connecting my VCR/DVD combo and my Wii
lizzylou
Enthusiast - Level 2

I figured out the problem - it was something I had to fix on my TV programming.

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