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Portable and Large Projection TVs; S-Video and Composite A/V Cables

Some special issues can arise with portable televisions and large projection sets or other televisions with S-video connections.

Portable Televisions:  If the existing television is a portable analog television with an “Antenna In” connection (either an RF coaxial connector port or one with VHF terminal screws plus a transformer), it can be hooked up to a converter box just like any other television.  If it has only “one rabbit ear” (one pole) and does not have an “antenna in” connection, it will need one of the following:  (1) three RCA composite A/V cable jacks; or (2) two front A/V input jacks that can use the composite A/V cable which came with the converter box (the cable has three red, white, and yellow wires).  The yellow wire goes into the front video jack.  Using a Y connector, available from a specialty electronics store, the red and white wires can be combined into a single wire that plugs into the front audio jack.  If a Y connector is not available, either the red or the white wire can be plugged into the front audio jack to obtain sound.  (However, this method could affect the quality of programs recorded in stereo, such as concerts.)   If the portable television has none of the above, it has no simple method to be connected to a converter box and may not be able to receive digital signals after the DTV Transition (unless a special wiring solution is used; call the Fairfax County Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection - Communications Policy and Regulation Division at 703-324-5900 for further information).

Large Projection Televisions & S-Video Cables:  Large projection televisions and some older analog televisions may have a multi-pin “S-video” connection, which can be used to improve picture quality.  The S-video cable, which must be purchased separately, is used in combination with two red and white RCA audio cables to connect the converter box to the television.  The Apex DT250 is the only converter box model currently available in Fairfax County with an S-video connection.