Columbia ISA Audio Video RF Modulator The DVD player is a high performance unit designed to be used in a variety of setups. It has a plentiful variety of video output (composite, S-video, Component) and audio output (analog, digital optical, and digital coaxial) capabilities. However, there is one thing manufacturers didn't account for: the increasing demand for DVD players to be able to connect to a standard cable or antenna input on older (1970s, 1980s) or entry level TVs (13 inch models from 1990s) which do not have RCA audio/video input jacks. ![]() Does this look like the back of your TV? Do you only have a single connection option, the coaxial cable input jack?
If you have tried to connect your DVD player into your VCR and then use the VCR to pass the signal to your TV, but have experienced very poor picture quality in doing this, the reason is that a DVD player cannot be connected to a TV in this fashion due to the fact that DVDs are encoded with anti-copy technology that interferes with the VCR's circuitry. That is why you cannot make a copy of a DVD onto a VCR tape successfully without using external electronic gear. However, in most cases, this also prevents you from using the VCR as a "conduit" to pass a DVD signal through to the TV. Using An RF Modulator So, what is a person to do? Many people have their antenna or cable connected to the VCR and, from there, the VCR is connected to their TV. However, how can you connect a DVD player to your TV, if your TV doesn't have A/V inputs that are compatible with the DVD player? Secondly, how can you connect both your VCR and DVD player to your TV at the same time if your TV only has one cable or antenna input? The answer to the above questions is a little box
that has been around for years called an RF modulator (Radio
Frequency Modulator). The function of an RF modulator is
simple. The RF modulator converts the video (and/or audio)
output of a DVD player (or camcorder or video game) into a
channel 3 or 4 signal that is compatible with a TV's cable or
antenna input. There are many RF modulators available, but all function in a similar fashion. The main feature of an RF modulator is the capacity for it to accept the standard audio/video outputs of a DVD player and the cable TV input (even passed through a VCR) simultaneously. The RF modulator box typically uses AC power, so you will need an outlet. Setting up your RF modulator First, plug your cable TV/VCR output into the cable input
connection (ANT IN) of the RF modulator and then the DVD player's
3 RCA A/V cables (yellow, red, white) into the RF
modulator's A/V inputs (yellow, red, white).
Second, connect a standard RF coax cable from the RF modulator
OUT (TO TV) to
your TV antenna/VHF IN jack. Third, select either channel 3 or 4 output on the back of the RF modulator. This is a two position switch. Fourth, turn the TV on and the RF modulator will automatically detect your cable input for the TV. When you want to watch your DVD player, just put the TV on channel 3 or 4, whichever one you selected on the RF mod box, turn the DVD player on and the RF modulator will automatically detect the DVD player and will display your movie. Although there are minor differences in brands of RF modulators, the set up is basically as outline above. In addition, if you don't have a stereo system you can also
hookup the DVD player's stereo outputs to the RF modulator as
well, obviously you won't get the benefits of surround sound,
but you will hear the audio through the TV's speakers. Also,
you won't get the full benefits of a DVD quality picture as
the conversion from video to RF (cable) downgrades the
resolution, however, as you switch between your VCR and DVD
you will notice the quality of the DVD image is still superior
than anything you probably have viewed on your TV. The Terk MOD41 RF Modulator will allow your
video components to be viewed on Televisions that are not equipped with A/V jacks.
The
Terk Modulator comes with 4 A/V inputs. |