Analog TVs and VCRs can receive digital
television (DTV) broadcast signals by using a
“Digital-to-Analog Converter Box” that can be purchased at
retail stores. If you use a single converter box and Set-Up
#1, you can watch and record one channel at a time. If you
use two converter boxes and Set-up #2, you can watch one
channel while recording a different channel. |
Set-up #1: Watch and Record One Channel at a Time
Supplies: You will need your
analog TV, analog VCR, the antenna you have been using
(indoor or outdoor), and the coaxial wire that currently
connects your antenna to your VCR (as pictured on the
right). Your new Converter box will come with a second
coaxial wire and a remote control. Before you begin, you
should unplug the power from your TV and VCR.
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Step 1. Unplug the existing coaxial
antenna wire from your VCR “Antenna In (RF)” port.
Leave your connection from the VCR to
the TV as is (either an A/V cable or Coaxial Wire).
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Step 2. Plug the existing coaxial wire into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your Converter Box. |
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Step 3. Using the coaxial wire that comes
with your Converter Box, plug one end into the “Out To TV (RF)”
port on the Converter Box. Plug the other end into the
“Antenna In (RF)” port on your VCR. |
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Step 4. Plug the power cords on your
Converter Box, VCR and TV into a power outlet, and turn the
devices on. Tune your VCR to channel 3 or 4 (follow the
instructions in the converter box manual), and set your TV
to display video from your VCR. Using the remote that comes
with your Converter Box, follow the on-screen set-up guide
to scan for available DTV channels, and begin enjoying the
benefits of Digital Television! You will be able to record
programming on the channel you are tuned to on your
converter box. |
Set-up #2: Watch One Channel while Recording a Different
Channel
Supplies: You will need your
analog TV, the antenna you have been using (indoor or
outdoor), the coaxial wire that currently connects your
antenna to your TV (as pictured on the far right), four
additional lengths of coaxial wire, a set of A/V cables
(as pictured on the right), a 2-way splitter, and two
converter boxes. Your new Converter boxes will each
come with a coaxial wire, a set of A/V cables (three
wires with red, white and yellow plugs), and a remote
control. Before you begin you should unplug the power
from your TV and VCR. |
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A/V Cables |
Coaxial Wire |
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Step 1. Unplug the existing
coaxial antenna wire from your VCR “Antenna In (RF)”
port.
Step 2. Unplug coaxial wire
#2 from your VCR “To TV (RF)” port. Leave the other end
of wire #2 plugged in to the TV. |
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Step 3.
Plug the existing coaxial antenna wire into the “In”
port on your 2-way splitter. |
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Step 4.
Plug the loose end of wire #2 into the “Out to TV (RF)”
port on Converter Box “A”.
Step 5. Plug one end of coaxial wire #3 into
one of the “Out” ports on the 2-way splitter. Plug the
other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on Converter
Box “A”. |
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Step 6.
Plug one end of coaxial wire #4 into the other “Out”
port on the 2-way splitter. Plug the other end into the
“Antenna In (RF)” port on Converter Box “B”.
Step 7. Plug one end of coaxial wire #5 into
the “Out to TV (RF)” port on Converter Box “B”. Plug the
other end into the “Antenna In (RF)” port on your VCR. |
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Step 8.
Using your set of A/V cables, plug one end of the cables
into the “A/V Out” ports on your VCR. Match the colors
of the plugs to the colors of the ports, so that red
plugs into red, white into white, and yellow into
yellow. Plug the other end of the cables into the “A/V
In” port on your TV set in the same way. If your TV does
not have a red (Audio R) port, leave the red cable
unplugged on both ends. |
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Step 9.
Plug the power cords on your Converter Boxes, VCR and TV
into power outlets, and turn them all on. Tune your TV
to channel 3 or 4 (follow the instructions in the
converter box manual) to set up Converter Box “A”. Using
the remote control that came with Converter Box A,
follow the on-screen set-up guide to scan for available
DTV channels.
Step 10. Set your TV to “Audio/Video In” and
tune your VCR to channel 3 or 4 (follow the instructions
in the converter box manual) to set up Converter Box
“B”. Using the remote that came with Converter Box “B”,
follow the on-screen set-up guide to scan for available
DTV channels. |
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If you want to record a program with
your VCR, set the channel on your VCR to channel 3 or 4, and
tune the converter box to the desired channel.
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If your Converter Box includes a
“universal remote control” or you already have your own
universal remote control, follow the instructions that come
with your Converter Box to program the remote to work for
the TV, VCR and the Converter Box.
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If you have a DVD Recorder or DVR,
you should be able to connect it in a manner similar to the
steps outlined above.
For more information about the DTV
transition, go to www.dtv.gov
or contact the FCC by e-mailing
dtvinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
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