Nintendo of America

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NES AV to VCR Hookup

Note: This type of connection is not possible with the newer-style NES.

Installation Steps:

  1. Locate the Audio/Video inputs on the back of the TV.
  2. Place the yellow end of the AV cable into the Video "in" on the back of the VCR. Connect the white or red end of the cable to Audio "in" ("left" or "mono"). Use a slight twisting motion when inserting each cable and ensure the cables are firmly pressed into the input.
  3. On the other end of the AV cable, plug the yellow end into the "Video" (yellow) input. Plug the white or red end into the "Audio" (red) input, on the back of the NES.

After system is connected to the VCR:

  1. Insert the Game Pak firmly into the Control Deck.
  2. Plug the Controller(s) into the front of the Control Deck. Use the far left port for player one.
  3. Plug the AC Adapter into the back of the Control Deck. Plug the other end into a wall outlet.
  4. Set the VCR's TV/VCR button to VCR. You can put a movie in the VCR, press play, make sure you see the movie on the TV, then press stop. This puts your VCR into VCR mode.
  5. Turn on the NES by pressing the Power button on the front of the Control Deck.
  6. Turn on the VCR and locate the input select. It is often called: input select, AUX (auxiliary), Line, Line In, Input, Source, Select, In, or EXT (external). Switch the input select to show the Nintendo game.
  7. The Game image should now be displayed on the screen.

Recording Game Play

  1. Set up the NES to play a game.
  2. Insert a videotape and press Record. You can now tape your video game playing for posterity!

If after following these directions you are not able to view the game (for instance, if the red power light flashes off and on), try our Troubleshooting Tips.