Sony SLV-D271P, D251P, D281P DVD/VCR Combo Setup Guide: Any TV, HDMI or AV (Video)

Owner's manual (PDF): SLV-D271P · SLV-D251P · SLV-D281P

Got a Sony SLV-D271P, SLV-D251P or SLV-D281P DVD/VCR combo and not sure how to hook it up? All three connect the same way. This guide takes about three 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
  • 0:16 What's in the box
  • 0:39 Which jacks to use
  • 1:00 Older TV with AV jacks
  • 1:15 HDMI TV with the adapter
  • 1:35 Pick the TV input
  • 1:47 Power on and the remote
  • 2:13 Play a DVD
  • 2:30 Play a VHS tape
  • 2:46 Quick fixes

Models Covered

  • Sony SLV-D271P (2006) and SLV-D251P (2004): have a TV tuner and set the clock and channels on their own the first time they're plugged in. Don't press any buttons until the time shows in the display.
  • Sony SLV-D281P (2007): no TV tuner and no antenna jacks, so it skips that step. To record TV shows you need a cable or satellite box.

Step 1: What's in the Box

  • The player
  • The Sony remote with two AA batteries (put them in first)
  • A red, white and yellow AV cable
  • An AV-to-HDMI adapter, an HDMI cable and a USB power cable for the adapter

Missing something? You can get the AV cable, the AV-to-HDMI adapter kit and a replacement RMT-V504A remote at teklinq.net.

Step 2: Use the LINE OUT Jacks

Turn the player around. The yellow, white and red jacks marked LINE OUT are the only ones that send both tapes and discs to your TV. The jacks in the DVD Only box (audio, component, S-video and digital audio) only carry discs, so skip them. LINE IN 1 and the antenna jacks are only for recording.

Step 3, Option A: TV With Red, White and Yellow Inputs

  1. Plug each color of the AV cable into LINE OUT on the player.
  2. Plug the other end into the matching colors on the TV: white to L, red to R, yellow to VIDEO.

Step 3, Option B: TV With Only HDMI Ports

  1. Plug the AV cable from LINE OUT into the adapter's INPUT jacks, matching the colors.
  2. Connect the HDMI cable from the adapter to an HDMI port on the TV.
  3. Plug the adapter's USB cable into a USB wall plug or a USB port on the TV.

Step 4: Pick the TV Input

Turn on your TV. Press INPUT or SOURCE on the TV remote and pick the input you used: AV or Video for the red, white and yellow jacks, or the HDMI number for the adapter.

Step 5: Power On and Set Up the Remote

  1. Plug the player's power cord in last. On the SLV-D271P and SLV-D251P, wait until the time shows in the display before pressing anything.
  2. Set the switch at the top of the Sony remote to DVD·VIDEO.
  3. Press SELECT DVD for discs, or SELECT VIDEO for tapes.

Step 6: Play a DVD

  1. Press SELECT DVD.
  2. Press the open/close button next to the disc tray and set the disc in, label side up.
  3. Press PLAY. The tray closes and the movie starts.

These players play region 1 and region ALL discs.

Step 7: Play a VHS Tape

  1. Press SELECT VIDEO and push a tape into the slot, window side up.
  2. Press PLAY.
  3. Lines or jitter? Press TRACKING + or − until the picture clears.
  4. To take the tape out, press the eject button on the right.

Quick Fixes

  • No picture? Check the TV input, and make sure the cable is in LINE OUT, not LINE IN 1.
  • No picture on an HDMI-only TV? Check that the adapter's USB power cable is plugged in.
  • Buttons not doing anything? Check that the remote switch is on DVD·VIDEO, then press SELECT DVD or SELECT VIDEO.
  • DVDs look scrambled over the AV cable? Press SELECT DVD, then hold PAUSE on the player for five seconds to turn off progressive scan.

Owner's manuals: Sony manuals · All setup videos: teklinq.net/setup · Still stuck? Contact us or leave a comment on the video and we'll help you out.

Parts and Replacements

Teklinq is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony. Sony is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify compatible models.

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