How to use a VCR-DVD combination player with a smart tv

This video provides instructions for integrating a 2003 VCR-DVD player with a 2017 Samsung smart tv. We used an Insignia converter to take the player’s AV output and make it compatible with the tv’s HDMI input.

[@user-dv5rl2yh5y]

Thank you for this instructional video! Your pace and description were perfect for this "non-techy" lady.

[@helenkrieger191]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! For years I've had a VHS/DVD player sitting in my extra room and stored below it many VHS family videos I have been unable to watch. Today I saw a FB plea from an acquaintance wanting to watch their family videos at Thanksgiving this week, but needing a VCR. So I tried to get mine working and had forgotten I had never solved the issue with the Smart TV and VHS player. NOW I am joyful- not only being able to let her see her videos but also mine of my Mom telling her life story and so many others. YOU NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH YOUR LITTLE VIDEO WOULD BLESS OTHERS I'M SURE!!! PS My Mom is almost 102 years old.

[@MrBearCatStew]

You're so welcome, Helen. Thank you for taking the time to post your note: that made *my* day.

[@steveneldridge5332]

Man, don't worry about your cinematography, it's your content that's helpful!

[@MrBearCatStew]

Thanks, Steven, you got it! Just wanted to contribute some knowledge that I'd stumbled across.

[@heelflipharriet1]

Many thanks for this!!! I had to order a power cord & after a few tries & it wasn’t working I found this video. All hooked up & watching THE FULL MONTY! Cheers, mate!

[@arnoldmatthews670]

Very simple and clear directions. Thank you.

[@debsproul957]

Thank you so so much. I have searched for hours to get some help! Basic and to the point! Awesome. Now I can watch my old tapes!!!

[@jeffhollon1255]

Thank you soooo much! Needed this and you showed clearly.

[@MrBearCatStew]

Appreciate the feedback, Jeff, and glad it helped.

[@josephwalsh7546]

This instructional video was very clear and well done ! ( most of these are by inarticulate, disorganized teenagers ).

[@MrBearCatStew]

Thanks, Joe. I probably should have enlisted a helper to run the camera so I'm glad that decision didn't get in the way of the guidance.

[@jeanninecrerand8746]

Thank you so much. You were slow and steady. Not talking so fast as to show how smart u were. You considered ur audience, me a blonde nurse who can help kill cancer and control the side effects but is a dope with electronics. Great job. Now I just have to get one of those converter thing a ma gigs. Lol

[@MrBearCatStew]

Thanks for the feedback, Jeannine, and for humoring my lousy camerawork. And mostly, thanks for being a nurse: my heroine!

[@barbaracicak7501]

Got mine at best buy.

[@hollywoodsaint57]

what a soothing video 🤣 ...I think we milked you for all your input on this converter analysis

[@hln827]

Didn't even know there was an option to do this! Thanks very much for sharing!

[@calzonemaniacsvideocorner0804]

The HDMI adapter is one way of allowing VCRs to connect with these TVs, but there is another way. Your TV likely has an RF output, for connecting an antenna. Your VCR also has this output, and you can connect it to your TV that way (without the stretching of the picture that usually happens with a lot of the HDMI adapters)

[@MrBearCatStew]

Great tip! I definitely saw RF ports on both the TV and VCR so it sounds promising.

[@user-xc7ce6kr5d]

How do you connect the antenna if it is already on your tv?

[@elizabethpacho-silwer1876]

Thank you so much for all your help. Will head out to look for what I need. Do appreciate it!!

[@OhioHydroGardener]

Just bought a smart TV with no RCA capability so this is great! Thanks for taking the time. 👍

[@GE1463]

You should get a crt they last so much longer and are better

[@GE1463]

You should record horizontally.

[@goatmaxful]

Works perfectly thank you for your direction

[@marthaallen5538]

You are Awesome!! Thank you :)

[@HestiaBHN1]

Im excited to try this!

[@tinamodica488]

Thanks so much for your help!!!!

[@TheTangofrog]

This helped, thanks.

[@billyduke8082]

Thank you

[@driza97]

cool video. just had to connect from my a v jacks from my tcl roku tv to my a v jacks on the back of my dvd/vcr player, and then put the input selection on my screen on the a v input. works fine with no problems. yep.

[@MrBearCatStew]

Thanks, Adrian! I really appreciate your sharing your tips n tricks too. That's what it's all about.

[@stephenfarrant3397]

Hi, I have set up my av2hdmi converter to view vcr/dvd on my modern tv but I am getting a blue screen and message to say no signal, can you please help, thanks . . . Steve Farrant

[@denyc3223]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@genieso8665]

Thank you!

[@davidcollins1886]

My combined VHS/DVD Recorder/Player has component connections (red, green& blue. ) Would I need a different HDMI converter with component lead connections?

[@Chyn.Wonder]

You should be able to connect a coax cable out of the vcr into the tv too. Once your tv scans it will show on channel 3 or 4

[@MrBearCatStew]

That might actually be easier/cheaper, Chyn. Ever think about demo-ing that in a video?

[@Chyn.Wonder]

Even easier, if u have a relatively modern tv, you can just put the tv input on “tv” instead of hdmi 1, 2 etc

[@haiphu2846]

Thanks

[@lancehawkins10]

I hope this still works for smart TVs this 2022😅🥺

[@MrBearCatStew]

We're about to upgrade and will update this when we do!

[@v3ronzo]

I have a Vizio smart tv and have an RCA converter - I’m Not even getting a blue screen

[@lfcsimon6718]

How do I record of smart tv to vhs

[@TWM1039]

5:00

[@terrihayes163]

Do I disconnect the Fire stick?

[@dalegribble60]

My brand new TCL smart unit has an AV in port so I'm using a headphone jack x RCA cables.....AND IT STILL WON'T WORK! Guess I gotta try this method.

[@shazianader6283]

I have a question from you I have a LG TV I want to connected to VCR but I have a sound no picture what I have to do please help me

[@MrBearCatStew]

Shazia, it sounds like you're doing something right, but have something wrong with your video plugs. How many total connection plugs do you have?

[@SammyStanski]

Very informative video thank you for sharing but at the same time, I need extra help man.. the HDMI 1 keeps saying unknown it wont recognize the VCR no matter how many times I plug the wires and Caux cable in

[@anthonyreddy2834]

Can you record the VHS To the DVD?

[@MrBearCatStew]

I honestly have no idea, but I doubt it given the industries focus on intellectual property. Like there's a comment below, from ProtectionMan, who suggests that it isn't possible. Maybe ask him directly question?

[@Aleigh123ful]

I finally figured it out last night but the picture is super tiny and it makes everyone look funny. I don't know how to make the picture bigger

[@protectionman]

It's ok for playing a DVD, but not for recording anything. I just got a new 4k set-top box from Comcast and it does not allow an RGB video out which makes my HDD recorder only a player, so useless.

[@MrBearCatStew]

Hey man, thanks for sharing. Maybe because this configuration only allows data from the accessories to the screen? I don't know. I was primarily interested in watching VHS; I suspect, based on what you said, that I can't record VHS either. Not that we'd really want to.

[@tracys2cents]

There are 2 types of converter boxes. On ebay they are often marked as to which way they transmit. For recording you would need the "HDMI TO RCA3" converter box which transmits in the opposite direction of this "RCA3 to HDMI" converter box.

[@lordzuesscasey]

Great video but dag um you blabbed to much

[@violetgott728]

It's not working for me. I did the same thing 😢

[@MrBearCatStew]

Hey Violet - Calzonemaniac recommended trying to use the RF outlets instead. Did you consider this?

[@GE1463]

People just get a crt television lol

[@eyebidder]

very disappointed in your presentation...bad lighting, too much camera movement, no microphone, no closeups of the connections, no explanation of the purpose of the VCR RCA connectors... all of these things are very important to the viewer. Put the camera on a tripod and stop moving it! C'mon...do it right. Painful to watch!

[@MrBearCatStew]

Yeah, your "off to camp" contribution was AMAZING!!

[@GE1463]

This is a bad idea just use a CRT for the best picture quality

[@MrBearCatStew]

I guess you could, but there's a reason we can't give away CRTs these days: they're huge, clunky, and difficult to maintain.