nukoda.com

We begin Nukoda’s tutorials with something so easy and so straight forward that we shouldn’t even have to bother with it: Hooking a game console into a TV.

For those who grew up with TV peripheral devices, this is second nature. For the parents and other clueless individuals out there, this can prove to be the biggest challenge of them all.

This will also serve as an introduction to the different types of video cables today’s consoles use.

Anyone who’s worked the returned counter at an electronics retailer can tell you that “We couldn’t figure out how to hook it up,” is a common return reason just after the Holidays.

Likewise, everyone can remember not having the cables needed to hook it up on Christmas day and everywhere being closed, so without further ado; the hookup guide.

Step 1: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT CABLES.

Different devices require different cables and your TV only has so many of them, so take a look at the back of your TV and figure out what you have available before you even attempt to hook it up.

Ideally, this should be done before you even purchase the console.

The Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 all come with standard red-white-yellow connectors. This is called composite. Red and white* for audio and yellow for video. If you’re TV isn’t high definition, this will do just fine.

If you don’t have enough slots back there because of your DVD player or cable/satellite box, you may need an RCA Switch. An RCA switch allows you to select multiple sources with the push of a button, especially important if you have an older or smaller TV, which are usually more stingy with inputs.

HDMI will result in the best quality picture and audio, component is next best and composite can’t even do high-def.

It’s worth noting here that some non-HD sets have component inputs, which allow for a progressive scan picture – due to the fast moving nature of a lot of video games, this is great. If you see them at the back and there’s nothing using those holes – GET SOME.

Step 2: PLUG IT IN.

Regardless of which method or cable you use to hook your TV up, make sure to make a note of which input on the back of the TV you put it into. Most will be labelled clearly “HDMI 1” or perhaps just “VIDEO 3.” This varies by set, but should be pretty clear.

HDMI: If you’re using HDMI, this process is as easy as plugging it into the console and then plugging it into the TV.

Plug the connector into the console, then plug the console into the surge protector or wall. There. You’re done.**

Wasn’t that easy? Seriously. It’s that easy. Press the requisite power buttons and you’re good to go. Don’t forget the one on the back for the PS3.

COMPOSITE: Connect the connectors in the most convenient order, top down or left to right is probably best. Make sure to do this with some decent lighting as in poor light, it’s easy to confuse the white and yellow inputs.

Connect the other end into your console. Plug the connector into the console, then plug the console into the surge protector or wall. You’re done.

COMPONENT: This is where it gets tricky. There are two reds and it’s very important to keep the two distinct. One is a third of the video signal, the other is part of the audio. There’s normally other colors between the two if you lay the cables out flat.

Just like composite, connect the connectors in the most convenient order. Doing the audio connectors first might help to eliminate the chances for the red/red error.

Make sure to do this with some decent lighting as in poor light, it’s easy to confuse colors. (Green and blue always seem to be a pain to get right in the dark)

Plug the connector into the console, then plug the console into the surge protector or wall.

That’s it! You’re done!

ENJOY

Step 3: TEST THINGS

You can now turn your TV to the proper input (you did remember to write it down didn’t you?) and turn the console on, if you’ve done everything right, you should be greeted by one of three screens and some audio:

Congratulations! You’re done! Enjoy your console!

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the colors seem any different on the three images above, something is wrong with your cables.

If you used component, you’ve mixed up the colours. Make sure the red cable is going into the red jack, blue into blue and green into green. If you used HDMI, disconnect and go exchange it, you’ve probably got a bad cable.

If your audio doesn’t work and you used component, you’ve probably got a video issue too. Check your red connectors. If you used HDMI, either your TV doesn’t do HDMI audio** or you might need to check the audio settings of your console.

If you’ve checked and double-checked your cables and settings, try switching inputs, it could be your TV (which would suck.) Hopefully all went well and you’re enjoying your new console – if not, disconnect and start again – practice makes perfect and trial and error is the best way to learn!

Good luck and stay tuned for the next segment!****

*Remember that red is ALWAYS RIGHT or POSITIVE when hooking things up in pairs. Audio cables, speaker wire, whatever. This will prove important later on.

**Older TV sets with HDMI might not take the audio via HDMI and you’ll need to run composite audio cables (red and white!) with the HDMI. The ones that came in the box will do. This is unfortunate, but the HDMI inputs should be clearly paired with standard audio RCA jacks.***

*** If your TV is REALLY old, you’ll have DVI on the back, in which case you’ll need an HDMI to DVI cable and those analog audio cables.

**** Apologies about any formatting issues, this many images, especially of this size, are new for us! This will always improve!