How do I connect a PC to a TV via a VCR?
Saturday, 09 November, 2002
I read HelpStation and came across UPDATE: Can I connect my TV-Out to my TV without using a hammer? started by Warzar the Razorback
I also have an older TV, You said a solution for TV out would be "Plug the composite out (AV) lead from the video card into your VCR and then use it to feed the TV, as presumably you have it set to a particular channel."
I've tried this, but to no avail. Are there any specific instructions u can give me? The more specific the better.
So far I've attached my PC video out to the VCR video in. The TV is attached to the VCR through coax from the video out on VCR to the TV. I've set the channel on the TV to 3, which is the setting on the VCR. and I've also tried the video button on the VCR. I get no signal at all. On the PC, when I look at my display properties, I'm able to choose TV through S-video setting, but it never displays on the TV. I hope you can help. I don't really want to buy a new TV. My old TV is a Sony 36 inch, set in a great wood case. I love it.
J Farrol, Toronto, Canada
 Here are detailed instructions for playing the PC picture on an older TV via a VCR. These are general instructions and you will have to fine-tune the instructions depending on your particular equipment.
(Remember -- this is for TV's that have no composite or S-Video inputs. If they do have these, that's how you would connect the PC, not via this complicated routine, which also degrades the picture.
- Set the video card so that "TV out" is enabled (if not always enabled). This may be in Display Properties or may need a specific program to be run so the setting can be made.
- Connect a lead between the composite-out (TV out) socket on the video card and the video-in socket on the VCR. This can be any RCA to RCA lead, but one with yellow connectors is meant for video use and should be of suitable quality.
- If you only have an S-video connector (often incorrectly called SVHS) as "TV out" then you'll have to buy an adaptor to bring this back to composite (a single RCA connector). This one is from Dick Smith Electronics and retails for $11.
- Make sure that you can watch a tape on the TV, which is connected to the VCR. This will demonstrate that
- Set the VCR input to "video". This is either a separate button, or is listed along with the TV channels.
- FOF! The PC picture will be on the TV. (You should also be able to record the PC picture on the VCR.)
- Now that this is working, you can also connect the PC sound to the VCR (and therefore the TV) via a 3.5mm to RCA lead. (Search for this in HelpStation).
Although your TV system in Canada is NTSC and ours in Australia is PAL, the instructions are exactly the same. A reader in Europe might have to make some allowances for the fact that the SCART connector is a popular way to connect VCR's and TV's.
If I've left something out, please let us know so we can fix the answer. Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
doreenPosted: 06/01/2008 can i do this?
(Yes, or ask a friend to help. -PZ) palPosted: 23/11/2007 re: How do I connect a PC to a TV ? Hw i do con-nekt brahman too stani?? Quaint DataPosted: 21/08/2007 re: How do I connect a PC to a TV via a VCR? I have exactly this setup,
(1) TV channel>> 0<< for vcr playback, recomend that you play a vcr tape to confirn it is tuned in when you can see the vcr playing on TV. Good.
(2)s-video out has a round dims in one end connected to the out on the nvidia and straight male in the other end plugsinto IN on the vcr, same with audio. Line out from pc to line in I added an extender for length and left and right audio red and white.
My VCR has these on the front. Video in Audio left and right in.
Now the one step I believe you missed, put the VCR on AV2 that is AV 2, you'll need a remote control for the VCR to get into AV2
You should see your desktop immdiately if you have clone mode enabled on the desktop.
That's it.
I had to buy a remote control to get the vcr to AV
peterPosted: 24/04/2007 re: How do I connect a PC to a TV how can i watch my films on my pc on my tv what kind of card do i need.
(You may already have what you want. Just check the video card outputs to see if you have a suitable connector. These include composite video, S-video and DVI, depending on your TV's input. Otherwise get a video card with "TV out". -PZ) BradPosted: 12/11/2002 re: How do I connect a PC to a TV via a VCR? one thing i forgot is , check that in your display properties that it is set to PAL, and composite video out. If you choose Ntsc or a different video out method it will either appear black and white, or not at all. Cheers. BradPosted: 12/11/2002 re: How do I connect a PC to a TV via a VCR? use the right cables, and use the autodetect feature once its all set up.
alternatively you could put one finger up your nose, a leg on the Tv, and the other hand with a few spare fingers on the graphics card.....ok so maybe not.... commonly youll be using S-video cable to rca (back of agp/pci card to video, where the video out will then go to your Tv - where you can also hook up an audio cable to some equip such as amplifier, cd player with aux in etc etc)
note youll want a pretty big tv, nothing 34 - 51 cm....youll find yourself squinting most of the time |