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Web helps you get connected
The holidays have come and gone, but you’re still sitting knee deep in wires and remotes, with not a clue what to do. If you’re like me, many of the manuals just don’t make sense or don’t cover ways to marry all your electronic media gadgets of varying ages. Don’t worry; if you can’t take the time to have the Geek Squad or firedog come over and help, or you just want to be able to say, “I did it myself,” there are plenty of Web sites available that can help.
Programming your remote: For universal remotes, give Remote Central a try. It contains exhaustive reviews, complete specifications, programming guides, manuals and user-to-user forums for most brands of universal remote. If you don’t have a universal remote and just want to program your cable or dish remote, there are a couple of Web sites you might want to try. For TimeWarner Cable, try Cable Remote Support. This site gives you streaming video demos on programming your remote. It also has a setup wizard based on cable provider and remote type. It will ask you what type of device you are trying to control. Enter the brand and model number (optional) of the device and a list of program codes appears. If you have DirectTV, try http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/. Streaming demos are offered under “customer service.” The site also contains system manuals for its remotes and receivers. For Dish Network, see TechPortal. Its device wizard can assist you in programming various devices with its remotes. A word of caution: Your remote will never have any more device codes in it than it did when it was manufactured. So, if you buy a new brand or model of electronic device, you may need to purchase a “learning” or “upgradeable remote.”
Hooking it all up: What is an RCA cable versus an S-video cable? How can I hook up my new video iPod to the TV? Cables and wires are the bane of our media existence.
If you have an older TV that only has antenna/cable output, you can still hook up one device, like a DVD player, iPod or game system, using an RF modulator. You can see what the connection would look like here. About.com: Home Theater has a step-by-step picture guide.
If you have an older TV that also has RCA (red, yellow and white) output, you can use a video switcher to connect up to three devices to your TV. About.com: TV/Video has a step-by-step picture tutorial on how to hook up a DVD player, game system and camcorder.
If you recently upgraded to a new flat-panel LCD or plasma TV, you might want to look at the connector definition guide at NewEgg.com. With an LCD TV, you have a lot more flexibility in terms of the number and types of devices you can connect. For an in-depth look at wiring options for LCD and plasma TVs, take a look at AVDeals.com: Classroom, which includes reviews, explanations and diagrams.
If you have a video iPod and are tired of watching movies on that little screen, you have a couple of options. You’ll need to know the generation of iPod you have. Older video iPods can use a simple RCA/composite cable, like those used for camcorders. Simply plug the single end into the iPod’s audio jack and connect the RCA connectors into your TV, switcher or modulator. If you have a new generation (nano, classic or touch), you’ll need to purchase a composite cable because the video signal now comes through the 30-pin dock connector. Here’s a tip: To connect an iPod to a portable DVD player (player must have video and audio in options), connect the RCA cable from the iPod to a mini-jack to RCA (black and yellow) adapter, matching red to red, white to white and yellow to green.
Take heart; you are not alone. There are plenty of forums, tech Web sites and electronic do-it-yourself sites out there to help you connect all your favorite gadgets with the fewest wires and remotes possible.
—Cynthia Tysick, University Libraries