Assuming that you've signed up for a cable package and received your equipment from your provider, connecting cable to an LCD TV is really a matter of determining connection type, purchasing a few cables and plugging in a few connectors. The hardest part is examining your equipment. From there, you'll know exactly what you need and can get connected.
Instructions
High Definition
1. Use an HD connection. If you have a high-definition cable receiver and cable package, you'll want to get the most for your money, so be sure you make an HD connection from your cable box to your LCD TV. Available HD terminals will vary by equipment, but you will need to use one of the following: HDMI, DVI or component cables (red, blue and green video cables).
2. Check the back of your TV and the cable box to see what connections are available from the possible HD options. HDMI is the best connection, so use it when both the cable box and TV are equipped with a port. DVI is the next best option and component video is the last option for HD.
3. Purchase your HD cable and connect. Each connection type requires a specific cable or cable set that is probably not included with your cable box, so you'll need to run to the electronics store to buy the appropriate cable.
4. Plug the cable into the appropriate output on your cable box. HDMI and DVI ports will be labeled; simply plug one end of the cable into the port. Component video uses three separate jacks (blue, green and red). Connect the color-coded cables to these jacks by plugging them in.
5. Plug the other end of the cable or cables into the television's video input.
Standard Definition
6. Connect for standard definition. If you don't have a high-definition cable receiver, you should have a number of different options for connecting. Component video is an option that many televisions include and is the best choice for standard definition. Also choose from S-video or composite video based upon the available terminals on your equipment. You could also connect with regular coaxial cable.
7. Purchase the appropriate standard definition cables.
8. Plug the cable into the labeled output on your cable box, then plug the other end into the input on the TV. If you're using a coaxial connection, you'll probably need to screw the connection tight. Otherwise, just push the connector into the jack.
Audio
9. Connect audio. The easiest method for connecting the two-channel audio on your TV is to use the red and white RCA outputs on your cable box. This method is the least expensive, and your cable box may have even come with these cables. Alternately, HDMI provides audio as well as video, so you only need one connection if you're using HDMI. You could also use a digital cable like optical or coaxial if your receiver and television are equipped with matching jacks.
10. Plug the audio cable into the audio output on the cable box.
11. Run the cable to the correct audio input on the television. Plug in the other end(s).
Tags: your cable, cable into, standard definition, your equipment, blue green