How to connect digital set top box to the TV?

How to Connect My Set Top Box to the TV

• Answer:

  Cable set top boxes (STB) give cable subscribers access to program guides, premium channels, and on-demand content. Every cable company has a different style of STB, but the general concept is the same. You plug the cable line into the STB, plug the STB into your television, and enjoy your cable services. Depending on the type of STB you have, there are several ways to connect it to a TV. If you have a standard definition STB and TV, you will connect it using either a coaxial cable or a composite AV cable. If you have a high-definition STB and TV, you can connect it using a component video cable or HDMI cable. Follow these steps to connect your STB to your TV. Difficulty: Easy Instructions Connecting with Coaxial Cable Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the STB. On the back of the box, you will find a coaxial output that has spiral edges like a screw and will read "To TV/VCR." Do not confuse this with the similar input that reads "RF In," which is where the cable input goes. Connect the opposite end of the coaxial cable to the input on the back of your TV. This will read "RF In" or "Cable In." Turn on your TV and tune it to channel 3, which is the coaxial video input channel. Power on your STB. It may take a moment to initialize. Connecting with Composite AV Cables Insert one end of the AV cable into the video outputs on the STB that read "To TV" or similar. The cables and inputs are color coded yellow, white, and red, so just match the colors. Insert the other end of the AV cable into the matching inputs on the TV. Your TV may have multiple inputs as well as outputs. Just be sure to take note of which video input you plug the cables into. Turn on your television and tune it to the proper video input channel. There will be a button on your remote labeled "Video" or "Input" that should accomplish this. Power on your STB. Connecting with Component Cables Insert one end of the component cable into the video output on the STB. Like the composite cables, these are color coded green, blue, and red. Connect the white and red analog audio cable to the same output as the component video cable. Insert the other end of the component and audio cables into the matching inputs on your TV. Turn on your TV and tune it to the proper video input channel. Power on your STB. Connecting with HDMI Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI output on the STB. Insert the other end into the HDMI input on your TV. HDMI cables handle audio as well as video, so it is not necessary to connect any audio cable. Turn on your TV and tune it to the HDMI video input channel. Power on your STB. Tips & Warnings Tip: Using composite AV cables will give you the best picture for standard-definition STBs. Using the HDMI cables, if applicable, will give you the best resolution for high-definition STBs. Tip: If you have a home theater system, you can connect your STB using an optical or coaxial digital audio cable irrespective of what video cables you are using.