Connecting HDMI input from DirecTV receiver box to TV and DVD.

[chernand07]

I have a Samsung LCD TV Model LN-T3242H with 3 HDMI connections but none of them are in use. Right know I see DirecTv thru component 1. I have a Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder that am trying to program but do not know where to connect so I can program using the TV. The DVR/VCR has an HDMI out connection to the TV. If I use the Samsung remote and go to Source I get HDMI, HDMI2, AV!, AV2 , etc but not all the time. Is erratic. I usually watch TV using the DirecTv remote. I do not have a home theater. Am led to believe that since I do not have a home theater I can not use HDMI. Is that true?

So, here I am very frustrated with a brand new DVD/VCR and TV with 3 HDMI connections going to waste. And, not knowing which way to go. The DirecTV satllite bov has HDMI, Component Video, S Video, Optical audio Out. Can you help me please? Every time I call DirecTv I get a different answer. Thank you very much.

Carlos Hernandez

[MrBoylan]

I have a Samsung LCD TV Model LN-T3242H with 3 HDMI connections but none of them are in use. Right know I see DirecTv thru component 1. I have a Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder that am trying to program but do not know where to connect so I can program using the TV. The DVR/VCR has an HDMI out connection to the TV. If I use the Samsung remote and go to Source I get HDMI, HDMI2, AV!, AV2 , etc but not all the time. Is erratic. I usually watch TV using the DirecTv remote. I do not have a home theater. Am led to believe that since I do not have a home theater I can not use HDMI. Is that true?

So, here I am very frustrated with a brand new DVD/VCR and TV with 3 HDMI connections going to waste. And, not knowing which way to go. The DirecTV satllite bov has HDMI, Component Video, S Video, Optical audio Out. Can you help me please? Every time I call DirecTv I get a different answer. Thank you very much.

Carlos Hernandez

Hi, Carlos,

I deleted your e-mail address from your post as it's never a good idea to post these on a public forum (it will get picked up by the spam-bots). HDMI is the simplest and usually best connection to use for most components as it carries both the audio and digital signals in one simple cable. You do not need a home theater in order to use HDMI. Whoever told you that was mistaken.

Here's a good inexpensive HDMI cable that I use and recommend to my friends ($10.99 for a 6-foot length, works great):

Amazon.com: Cables To Go Velocity Series 40315 HDMI Cable (Blue, 2 meters): Electronics

Once you have the necessary cables, plug the DirecTV box into HDMI 1 and the DVD/VCR into HDMI 2 on your TV. Then you can hit the "Source" button on your TV remote to switch back and forth between them. You should probably keep using the DirecTV remote to switch channels as this is the simplest way to control the DirecTV box.

In the mean time (while awaiting the cables to arrive), you can temporarily connect your VCR/DVD player to your TV using the cheap white/red/yellow cables to the AV1 input. This will at least allow you to program the VCR and start watching tapes and DVDs, but it will not be true high definition.

Make sure you set up the DirecTV box and the VCR/DVD player for a widescreen (16:9) TV output so that everything appears in its proper aspect ratio. These settings are in the set-up menus of the DirecTV box and the DVD/VCR. The satellite box probably already has the setting (16:9) by default, but the DVD/VCR may be set for a 4:3 TV which will stretch everything out on your 16:9 widescreen HDTV.

BTW, if you also want to be able to record on your VCR (not just play tapes), then you will either need to plug an antenna into the back (for over the air reception) or plug the DirecTV box'es yellow, white and red (composite video and analog audio) outputs into your DVD/VCR's line INPUTS (they're usually color-codd to make it simple).

Hope that helps and let us know if you need more help.

-Chris

[Daylightdon]

I tried to download the manual for your TV but the Samsung download site locked up on me twice.

If I had to guess!!! I would use HDMI cables both from your DVD/VCR player and the Sat. Receiver to the TV. Then using the Samsung remote you should be able to switch from/to either source.
Double check your TV instruction manual for the correct HDMI settings.