How to connect a DVD player to your computer: step-by-step instructions

A DVD player in our time can be called almost the most universal source, which allows you to play most formats of audio and video. From this article you can learn how to connect a DVD player to a computer, what you may need for this, and what mistakes should be avoided.

Varieties of connectors

To get the best image, to avoid significant signal loss during transmission, it is worth considering how best to connect the DVD player to the computer. To do this, consider the types of cables, their positive and negative sides:

1. Component cable

Also called color difference. Its essence lies in the content of three independent coaxial cables, through which all components of the video signal are transmitted.

The ends of the cable are typically RCA connectors. On the player, the cable outputs will be blue, green and red, located next to each other. The picture when using this type of connection becomes more clear, stable, with much better and more accurate color reproduction. Even better, changes are noticeable when using high-quality players and screens with a wide diagonal (more than 29 inches).

1. RGB-cable.

The same type of connection provides separate transmission of the three primary colors and the synchronization signal (hence the more precise name RGBS - red, green, blue, sync). Information is transmitted using 3-4 separate coaxial cables (if 3 cables are used, the transmission is green and synchronization signal passes together) containing RCA / RGBS connectors at the ends, or transmission passes through universal Scart.

Separate variety of this connection can be considered RGBHV, in which 5 individual cables (3 transmit primary colors, the fourth - vertical, and the fifth - horizontal synchronization). This eliminates the possibility of using Scart.

In addition to 5 separate coaxial cables with an RCA or BNC connector, one VGA cable can be used. You can also use a cable that has 5 BNC connections on one side and one VGA on the other.

1. HDMI-cable.

Presented by high-resolution multimedia interface. Using this type of transmission, the video signal is transmitted in digital format, multichannel audio in digital form, as well as control signals for AV equipment. In addition, the device is equipped with a user electronic control system, which facilitates the solution of minor problems associated with the operation of the equipment. The benefit of this feature is best seen when using the remote control - eliminating the need for an infrared repeater for all devices.

HDMI is able to support the formats of any screens that are within the maximum bandwidth of the interface. The video signal of 1,080 lines using this type of connection can be transmitted with frequencies of 24, 25, 40, 50 and 60 Hz.

The holder of the HDMI connection and related devices can also take advantage of additional settings that can ensure high quality video and sound. The user can change the following image parameters: color space, aspect ratio, encoding method and many others.

The connector for the format is separate - 19-pin, small in size, which makes the connection especially convenient when using portable devices (by connecting a DVD player not to a desktop computer, but to a laptop).

Nowadays, an HDMI cable is a guarantee of the best sound and picture quality among other connecting cables. In second place are component and RGBS connections, the choice between which in our case is inclined to the second option, since the first, most likely, will not be available when connected to a personal to the computer.

Step-by-step connection instructions

If a person wants to connect a DVD player to a computer, you should understand that you have to tinker. You can find more than one way to connect on the Internet, but depending on the device, many of them may not work, and examples will be given below why you should not use such connections.

Before connecting, you should make sure that, in addition to the computer and player, you have:

1. PATA-USB adapter.
2. A TV tuner or a video capture card (you must understand that this equipment costs a lot, and buying it should not be in vain).
3. If you want to connect a DVD-player, which is part of the home theater, it is worth checking whether there is a five-channel input on the computer’s motherboard.

For the device connection process to be successful, the user must make the following settings:

1. Format the hard disk in the FAT-32 file system. The audio and video recordings that you want to watch on a DVD player should be written to the same disc (this is done so that the hard drive can be like a normal flash drive that stores information).
2. After the connection between the PC and the DVD player is correctly established, follow the path “Panel Controls ”-“ Equipment and Sound ”-“ Sound ”, where in the parameters you need to specify the number of speakers (usually as minimum 5). Tuning is carried out to adjust the sound reproduction, corresponding to the new environment.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Format the hard drive.
2. Connect the tuner or video capture card through the appropriate connectors.
3. To connect the DVD player speaker system to the computer audio card, take a cable and connect the inputs and outputs (to the first “mini-jack” and “tulip” to the second).
4. Make audio settings.
5. Connect the DVD player to the network and specify the desired audio output channel in its settings. While watching a video / listening to audio recordings, you can use the equalizer value editor using the computer's audio card settings or use the player’s menu for this.

You can also connect via an HDMI cable or a 5-channel connection (if available on your computer) using the same sequence of actions, but with a different cable.

Above was given instructions for connecting a DVD player to a computer with the Windows XP operating system, 7, 8, 10. And connecting a DVD player to an operating system such as Windows Vista has its own characteristics. The difference mainly lies in the fact that the computer on which this operating system is installed can perform the function of a flash drive (data storage). In this case, you do not need to format the disk at all, although there are few examples of such a connection due to the low prevalence of the operating system.

The following video demonstrates how to properly connect a DVD player to a computer.

Possible difficulties and errors

The most common mistakes people make when trying to connect a DVD player to a computer:

1. Uses a regular USB cable. As soon as an inexperienced user sees that the player has the specified connector, he immediately tries to connect through it. It is worthwhile to understand that even though these connectors are identical in appearance, they exist for completely different functions (on a player, only firmware is installed, on the computer this input has wider functionality and is used mainly for reading files from portable carriers).

The saddest possible consequence is a device malfunction. The bottom line is that the computer and player, being the “masters,” will not be able to determine which of them should be “slaves” (device conflict).

1. Using other connections without purchasing a tuner or video capture card. In the best case, the connection simply will not establish. In the worst case (especially if the hard drive was not configured) - a device malfunction.
2. The operating system may require initialization of the disk (player) when connected. If you have not yet made the settings, then confirming this action of the computer is strictly prohibited. The Internet contains many examples of how, after actions of this nature, a DVD player ceases to recognize almost any data, which makes it useless.

If you want to connect a DVD player to your computer and expect to connect again (in as an experiment), then feel free to buy additional equipment and proceed according to instructions. The main thing is to follow all the rules and the order of the work, without innovative ideas.