How to Install Satellite Cable to a TV

By Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Check the back of both the TV and the receiver to find out what jacks you can use to connect them.
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DirecTV and Dish Network provide satellite television programming to customers throughout the United States as an alternative to cable. New customers will typically have everything installed including the satellite antenna and the cabling from the dish to the receiver and then to the TV, but sometimes you may need to connect the cable to a different television or move the entire setup after the initial installation. Whether you are using DirecTV or Dish Network, the cable connection must go from the wall to the satellite receiver and then to your television.

Step 1

Turn off and unplug the television and the satellite receiver, if applicable. Place the receiver near the TV and the satellite cable outlet.

Step 2

Connect a coaxial cable from the outlet to the back of the satellite receiver's "Sat In" jack, if this is not already connected.

Step 3

Check the back of the satellite receiver -- look for output jacks -- and the back of the television for similar input jacks available. Use one of the next three steps to connect the satellite receiver to your television depending on what jacks you have on both components.

Step 4

Connect a HDMI cable from the receiver to the television, if you have a HD receiver and an HD TV. Use the HDMI jacks on both.

Step 5

Use a RCA cable, if there are no HDMI jacks. Connect one end of the cable to the back of the satellite receiver using the "Audio/Video Out" jacks and connect the other end to the back of the television using the "Audio/Video In" jacks. Match the colors of the cable's connectors with the jacks.

Step 6

Connect a second coaxial cable from the satellite receiver to the television, if no other connection is possible. Attach one end of the cable to the "Out to TV" on the receiver and the other end to the "Antenna In" jack on the television.

Step 7

Plug the receiver and television into a power source. Turn on both devices to watch satellite programming.

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