Got a Samsung DVD-V9800 DVD/VCR combo and not sure how to hook it up? This player is a little different from most combos: it has an HDMI port as well as red, white and yellow jacks, and the HDMI port only carries DVDs. This guide walks you through it in about four minutes: watch the video, or follow the written steps below. It works with any TV, including newer TVs that only have HDMI ports.
Video Chapters
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:21 What you need
- 0:47 HDMI vs. LINE OUT: the one rule
- 1:04 Check your TV's inputs
- 1:21 Option A: TVs with red, white and yellow AV jacks
- 1:50 Option B: HDMI-only TVs
- 2:28 Power on and choose the input
- 2:59 Switching between DVD and VCR
- 3:15 Play a VHS tape
- 3:44 Play a DVD and troubleshooting
Step 1: Gather What You Need
- The DVD-V9800 player
- The remote with fresh batteries
- A red, white and yellow RCA cable
- An HDMI cable
- For HDMI-only TVs: a small AV-to-HDMI adapter
If you bought your player from TEKlinq, all of this is already in the box. Lay everything out, and don't plug the player into the wall yet. We'll do that last.
The One Rule: HDMI Is for DVDs Only
The DVD-V9800's HDMI OUT port only sends out DVDs. Your VHS tapes only come out of the red, white and yellow jacks labeled LINE OUT. So whichever way you hook it up, LINE OUT has to be connected, or your tapes won't show up on the TV.
Step 2: Check the Back of Your TV
- Three round jacks colored yellow, white and red, often labeled AV IN or VIDEO IN: follow Option A.
- Only flat, rectangular HDMI ports: follow Option B.
Step 3, Option A: TVs With Colored AV Jacks
- On the back of the player, find the jacks labeled LINE OUT.
- Plug the yellow cable into the yellow LINE OUT jack, white into white, and red into red.
- Plug the other ends into the matching colors on your TV.
- Leave the HDMI port empty for this setup. When HDMI is plugged in, DVDs only play through HDMI.
Don't use the jacks labeled AUDIO OUT or COMPONENT VIDEO OUT. Those only work for DVDs.
Step 3, Option B: HDMI-Only TVs
This setup uses two connections, one for DVDs and one for tapes.
- Connect the HDMI cable from HDMI OUT on the player to an HDMI port on your TV, like HDMI 1. That's for DVDs.
- Plug the red, white and yellow cables into LINE OUT on the player, and the other ends into the matching jacks on the AV-to-HDMI adapter.
- Connect the adapter to a second HDMI port on your TV, like HDMI 2. That's for tapes.
- Power the adapter: plug its USB cable into a USB port on your TV or into a USB wall plug.
Want more detail on adapters? See My TV Has No AV Input: How to Connect a VCR or DVD/VCR Combo.
Step 4: Power On and Choose the Input
- Plug the player's power cord into the wall, press the power button, and turn on your TV.
- On the TV remote, press INPUT or SOURCE.
- For Option A, choose AV or Video. For Option B, choose HDMI 1 to watch DVDs and HDMI 2 to watch tapes.
- If HDMI 1 stays blank, press the HDMI button on the front of the player, then press it again to step through the picture settings (480p, 720p, 1080p), giving it a few seconds each time.
Step 5: DVD or VCR?
One remote runs both parts. Press VCR on the remote to control the tape player, and DVD to control the disc player. You can also press the DVD/VCR button on the front. The display shows which one is active.
Step 6: Play a VHS Tape
- Press VCR. On an HDMI-only TV, switch to HDMI 2.
- Hold the tape window side up, with the arrow pointing away from you, and gently push it in until the player pulls it in.
- If it doesn't start on its own, press PLAY.
- The player adjusts tracking automatically. If you still see lines, press and hold the tracking buttons on the remote until they clear.
- When you're done, press STOP, then EJECT on the front of the player.
Step 7: Play a DVD
- Press DVD. On an HDMI-only TV, switch to HDMI 1.
- Press OPEN/CLOSE, set the disc in label side up, and press PLAY.
Troubleshooting
- Tapes don't show up: make sure the cables are in LINE OUT, not AUDIO OUT or COMPONENT, and that the TV is on the right input (AV, or HDMI 2 with the adapter).
- DVDs don't show on the AV input: unplug the HDMI cable. When HDMI is connected, DVDs only go out through HDMI.
- Blank screen on HDMI: press the HDMI button on the front of the player to change the resolution.
- No picture on an HDMI-only TV: check that the adapter's USB power cable is plugged in.
- Remote controls the wrong part: press VCR or DVD on the remote first, then try again.
Need the full manual? Download it free from our User Manuals page or at teklinq.net/manual/dvd-v9800. Still stuck? Contact us or leave a comment on the video and we'll help you out.
Parts and Replacements
TEKlinq is an independent refurbisher and reseller, not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung.