New tv- Wii and DVD player plugins

[bjscheel]

So we finally got a LED tv for downstairs. Figured we would be able to plug the Wii and the DVD player in it. They both have the RCA (red/white/yellow) plugs and there is only one set of holes to plug into.

I've searched and it seems this is a common issue but in my search I didn't find a clear answer that I understood, or they used a box that was hundreds of dollars or something. Is there an easy way we can keep both plugged in so we don't have to keep switching out the plugs?

 

[rwdavis2]

You will need a switch that takes both devices in and one set of cables out to the tv. Try monoprice.com

They have the best prices and very reliable.

 

[sam_gordon]

So we finally got a LED tv for downstairs. Figured we would be able to plug the Wii and the DVD player in it. They both have the RCA (red/white/yellow) plugs and there is only one set of holes to plug into.

I've searched and it seems this is a common issue but in my search I didn't find a clear answer that I understood, or they used a box that was hundreds of dollars or something. Is there an easy way we can keep both plugged in so we don't have to keep switching out the plugs?

Send me the make and model of your TV (either respond or PM) and I'll let you know what your options are.

It's very possible you'll need an additional box, but it should be <$50.

 

[tOSU]

HDMI connection if your devices have that option

 

[sam_gordon]

HDMI connection if your devices have that option

Wii doesn't support HDMI. It's either composite or component.

BTW, the Radio Shack "box" you want would be something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911#inTheBox.

This supports four devices to one tv.

 

[bjscheel]

I think this is the TV:
http://www.sears.com/samsung-46inch...p-05771771000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[Princess Dolly]

How old is the DVD player? Can you use HDMI or Component inputs?

ETA: Nevermind about the component as it looks like composite and component share the same input. Not a lot of inputs on that TV.

 

[bjscheel]

Wii doesn't support HDMI. It's either composite or component.

BTW, the Radio Shack "box" you want would be something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911#inTheBox.

This supports four devices to one tv.

Aha! I bet this will work!

 

[bjscheel]

The DVD player is old, it is a VHS/DVD combo.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think this is the TV:
http://www.sears.com/samsung-46inch...p-05771771000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Assuming that's correct, here is how I would do it...

1) Hook the DVD player up to the HDMI cable. You'll need a cable that looks like this:

. Get one from Dollar General/Big Lots or order online. Do NOT go to Best Buy/Radio Shack. In a local store you should pay no more than $2/foot for a cable. Online, you can get them for pennies a foot. I got two 6' cables from ebay for $4. Of course, you have to wait to ship.
2) Hook the Wii up with the included composite cable temporarily and order a component cable (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA07R0826018&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA) for long term. The component will give you better picture quality.

This leaves both hooked up to the TV at the same time. To watch the DVD, select 'HDMI1' or 'HDMI2'. To play the Wii select 'Video'(?). I'm guessing on the label for the Wii, but there should only be four choices... HDMI1 & 2, TV, and Video.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[sam_gordon]

The DVD player is old, it is a VHS/DVD combo.

Ah, that changes things. It probably doesn't have a HDMI output. We need to go back to a "switcher". The question is whether your VHS/DVD will support component output. The EASIEST (not necessarily best quality) is to get the Radio Shack box I listed above. I don't see a composite switcher on monoprice.

If your VHS/DVD will support component (Red, Green, Blue) output, I would get something like this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011007&p_id=3027&seq=1&format=2 and get the component cables for the Wii.

Component (R,G,B) will get you better quality video compared to Composite (Yellow). Both will require Red & White connectors for sound.

 

[bjscheel]

Okay, I will show this to DH tonight. Thanks!

 

[cameyer85]

So we finally got a LED tv for downstairs. Figured we would be able to plug the Wii and the DVD player in it. They both have the RCA (red/white/yellow) plugs and there is only one set of holes to plug into.

I've searched and it seems this is a common issue but in my search I didn't find a clear answer that I understood, or they used a box that was hundreds of dollars or something. Is there an easy way we can keep both plugged in so we don't have to keep switching out the plugs?

Just wondering...most new TV's have more then one set of input jacks. Have you checked the owners manual? Sometimes the jacks are on the side of the tv and may be labeled aux1,aux2, etc. and as long as its the rca jacks you can use those and when you want to use the WII just tune the tv to the aux signal. I have the wii as well as a dvr and and older dvd/vcr player hooked up to my flat screen and no switching box involved. Just my two cents here. good luck.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just wondering...most new TV's have more then one set of input jacks. Have you checked the owners manual? Sometimes the jacks are on the side of the tv and may be labeled aux1,aux2, etc. and as long as its the rca jacks you can use those and when you want to use the WII just tune the tv to the aux signal. I have the wii as well as a dvr and and older dvd/vcr player hooked up to my flat screen and no switching box involved. Just my two cents here. good luck.

That's why I asked for the model which the OP provided a link. The TV the OP linked to has two HDMI inputs and a single composite/component input. The Wii doesn't have an HDMI output, and I'm guessing the VHS/DVD combo doesn't either. That means there are two devices trying to feed a single input.

Oh, wait... I wouldn't do it this way, but it should work...
The VHS/DVD probably has an RF output (this looks like a screw down connector... like a cable in the wall). You set the box to be on either channel 3 or 4. So you could hook the VHS/DVD up to the TV that way, the Wii to the composite/component input, and no switching required. You just lose picture quality on the VHS/DVD. That may not be important to you. ETA: This may not work since it appears the TV only has a digital cable tuner included.

 

[spacemountainmom]

We just bought a new tv and upgraded our cable to HD. We also use a Roku streaming device and a dvd player. I was shocked that the new TV only had two HDMI outputs. I ended up buying a switch on Ebay to plug three components into. I didn't even think to check into how many HDMI ports there were in the various tvs. Can you even buy a tv with more than two?

Sorry to hi-jack!

 

[tOSU]

We just bought a new tv and upgraded our cable to HD. We also use a Roku streaming device and a dvd player. I was shocked that the new TV only had two HDMI outputs. I ended up buying a switch on Ebay to plug three components into. I didn't even think to check into how many HDMI ports there were in the various tvs. Can you even buy a tv with more than two?

Sorry to hi-jack!

Yes many Samsung models have 3

 

[sam_gordon]

We just bought a new tv and upgraded our cable to HD. We also use a Roku streaming device and a dvd player. I was shocked that the new TV only had two HDMI outputs. I ended up buying a switch on Ebay to plug three components into. I didn't even think to check into how many HDMI ports there were in the various tvs. Can you even buy a tv with more than two?

Sorry to hi-jack!

1) The TV will have HDMI inputs, not outputs.
2) Yes, it's possible to get a TV with more than two. Mine (3 or four years old now) has three.
3) One option is to get an audio/video receiver that supports HDMI. You can even find them that will upconvert a composite signal to HDMI. So all your devices go to the receiver, and one output of the receiver feeds the TV. Added benefit... you can then set up multiple channel audio.

ETA: IMO, the number & type of inputs should factor into the buying decision.

 

[bjscheel]

ETA: IMO, the number & type of inputs should factor into the buying decision.

Apparently! We didn't really know what to look for...we asked the kid at Sears about doing a Wii and VCR, but didn't really get an answer. Just assumed that two things wouldn't be an issue Between deciding on size, type, brand, knowing your inputs, etc. it is a pain if you're not familiar with this stuff.

Anyway, that box should work for us. I knew there was a TV guy on here from other research I'd done! So nice to get real time answers rather than try to look at similar questions people posted elsewhere in 2009, etc.
Thanks Sam

 

[sam_gordon]

Apparently! We didn't really know what to look for...we asked the kid at Sears about doing a Wii and VCR, but didn't really get an answer. Just assumed that two things wouldn't be an issue Between deciding on size, type, brand, knowing your inputs, etc. it is a pain if you're not familiar with this stuff.

Anyway, that box should work for us. I knew there was a TV guy on here from other research I'd done! So nice to get real time answers rather than try to look at similar questions people posted elsewhere in 2009, etc.
Thanks Sam

No problem. I do have another option. Assuming you don't use the VCR part of your combo, instead of getting the switch box, get a new DVD player. Looking at Amazon real quick, you can get them for <$40. They should have an HDMI out which you hook to your TV, and then get the Component cables for the Wii and hook them up to your TV. This would get you the best quality picture out of your devices.

Good luck!

 

[bjscheel]

No problem. I do have another option. Assuming you don't use the VCR part of your combo, instead of getting the switch box, get a new DVD player. Looking at Amazon real quick, you can get them for <$40. They should have an HDMI out which you hook to your TV, and then get the Component cables for the Wii and hook them up to your TV. This would get you the best quality picture out of your devices.

Good luck!

Unfortunately we still have a lot of VHS the kids still want that I haven't wanted to spend the money to upgrade to DVD yet! Mostly Disney movies