How to Connect a Vizio LCD to DISHTV
By Adrian Grahams
Connecting a Dish Network satellite-television receiver to your Vizio TV set allows you to watch output from the Dish Network box on the TV's screen. You can connect the Vizio TV set to the Dish Network box with a component video cable, composite video cable or HDMI cable. Component and composite cables offer only standard definition resolution, while an HDMI connection provides optimal video quality and high-quality digital audio. An HDMI connection is a requirement if you want to watch your favorite movies and TV shows in high-definition resolution on the many HDTV channels offered as part of the Dish Network package.
Step 1
Power on the Vizio TV set. Switch off the Dish Network box.
Step 2
Insert one end of the HDMI connection cable into a free HDMI port on the back of the Vizio TV set. Plug the other end into the "HDMI" or "HDTV" port on the rear panel of the Dish Network box. If you decide to connect with a composite or component cable, connect the color-coded cable jacks into the corresponding sockets on the rear of both the TV set and the Dish Network box.
Step 3
Write down the HDMI port number if connecting with an HDMI cable.
Step 4
Power on the Vizio TV set and the Dish Network box.
Step 5
Press the "Menu" button on the Vizio remote control to launch the set's on-screen menu.
Step 6
Scroll to the "Settings" option with the remote's directional arrows and then press the "OK" button.
Step 7
Select "Input Source" on the screen and press "OK."
Step 8
Scroll to the input source for the connected equipment -- "HDMI-1," "HDMI-2," "HDMI-3," "Component" or "AV" for composite connections.
Step 9
Press the "OK" button to select the output of the Dish Network box.
Step 10
Press the "Exit" button to leave the on-screen menu and view the Dish Network programming on the TV screen. Use the Dish Network remote to change channels or use the box's personal video recorder and other functions.
References
Tips
- Composite video cables -- also known as RCA cables -- come as a bundle of three cables, each with red, white and yellow connector jacks. Component video cables come with green, blue and red video jacks and a separate audio cable with red and white jacks. If using the component connection, ensure that you also connect the audio cables or you won't be able to hear the audio output from the Dish Network box.
Writer Bio
Adrian Grahams began writing professionally in 1989 after training as a newspaper reporter. His work has been published online and in various newspapers, including "The Cornish Times" and "The Sunday Independent." Grahams specializes in technology and communications. He holds a Bachelor of Science, postgraduate diplomas in journalism and website design and is studying for an MBA.