How to Connect a VCR to a Modern TV

1. Check the sockets on both devices

Look at the back of the VCR for a wide rectangular SCART socket, or three round RCA sockets coloured yellow, white and red. Yellow carries the picture; white and red carry left and right audio. Some mono VCRs only have yellow and white.

Now check the television. If it still has SCART or a labelled AV input, you may only need the matching cable. If the TV has HDMI only, use an active AV-to-HDMI converter rather than a passive cable.

• SCART to SCART: simplest where both devices have SCART
• RCA to AV input: match yellow, white and red
• RCA or SCART to HDMI: requires a powered converter

2. Connect power before selecting the input

With both devices switched off, connect the video lead. A converter normally also needs USB power. Switch on the converter, VCR and television, then use the TV remote's Source or Input button to choose the socket you used.

Insert a tape you know contains a recording and press Play. A blue screen from the VCR usually means the television can see the VCR but the machine is not producing a tape picture.

3. Use the correct converter setting

Many AV-to-HDMI converters have a 720p/1080p switch and a PAL/NTSC setting. UK VHS recordings normally use PAL. Start with PAL and 720p; change the resolution if the television reports an unsupported signal.

A converter does not make VHS high definition. It changes the connection format so the TV can display the original standard-definition picture.

Troubleshooting no picture or sound

Confirm the TV is on the correct HDMI or AV input, the converter has power and the VCR is playing rather than stopped. Re-seat the yellow video plug and check that SCART adapters are switched to OUTPUT if they have an IN/OUT selector.

A rolling black-and-white picture may indicate the wrong PAL/NTSC mode. Sound without picture often points to the yellow lead or converter input; picture without sound points to the white/red leads or audio settings.