Introduction: Extra TV Setup or Mini-entertainment Center.

By Computothought
About: computoman.blogspot.com Bytesize articles instead of a trilogy in one post.

You need an extra television. What could you use that you already have to make something work?  Note: I actually have this set up already and use it in the workroom for an extra television that does not take up much space. Works great with older computers and game consoles also. One plus of this is that I can still play DVD movies. Sort of a mini entertainment center. I will take "War of the worlds" or the like and output the sound to a big stereo. It is awesome. Add a Roku or the like and you have the internet media also.

Step 1: Whats Needed.

DVD player with video in (audio in also would be even better)
Amplified Speaker(s) if you do not have audio in on the dvd player.
DTV tuner/converter. (We still have the old kind of tv's.) or VCR for analog cable.
Antenna ( i.e. https://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-dtv-antenna/) or cable video connection.
Appropriate cable adapters.
Power strip

Optional: (if you needed something if the power went out)
Dc to ac power inverter.
12v UPS battery or equivalent.

Step 2: Hooking It Up:

On the back of  the DTV converter, you will have several RCA female type receptacles. One should be for composite video output and two should be for left/right audio output  for the speakers.

You will need an RCA male to Mono mini din plug to go from the DTV converter video output to the DVD player. Plug that in.

For the audio you will probably need a mini din female to two rca male adapter cable. plug those in now.

Make sure the DTV converter, the DVD player, and the speakers have power. Turn them all on.    Calibrate your DTV player with your antenna if you are not using digital cable input. You can use the remote control of you DTV play to change channels. You can use a vcr with a tuner if you cable is still analog instead of the DTV converter.

Viola you are in business.

Step 3: Emergency Computer Monitor.

If you have a computer with s-video and an adapter or composite video out, you can also use it as a computer monitor.

Step 4: Just a Thought Again.

If you do not have a dvd player, you can always use an old composite monitor

Step 5: RF (radio Frequency Conversion)

One thing I probably forget about most is that esoecially older televisions do not  support compsiite input. You have to get a dvice known as an rf modulator to convert from the composite to the rf signal. In face that is how I was able to get the pc to talk to the old tv. Most of your cigital to analog converters support the rf out for the older televisions. If bit as I said you can get an fr modulator, but expect to pay possibly thiry dollars or more for one. A better way would to be to use an old vcr as most of them had ab rf monulator built in.. Maybe someone you know has an old vcr they would just give away for a favor or two. If not you can usually get one at a thrift store for about five dollarrs. Therefor saving you quite a few bucks.

Note: Some older televisions such as portables will need extra adapters.