Installation and Connections

System Installation

After unpacking the unit, and placing it on a solid surface capable of supporting its weight, you will need to make the connections to your audio and video equipment.

Audio Equipment Connections

We recommend that you use high-quality inter- connect cables when making connections to source equipment and recorders to preserve the integrity of the signals.

When making connections to audio source equipment or speakers it is always a good prac- tice to unplug the unit from the AC wall outlet. This prevents any possibility of accidentally sending audio or transient signals to the speak- ers that may damage them.

1.Connect the analog output of a CD player to the CD inputs ¦.

NOTE: When the CD player has both fixed and variable audio outputs it is best to use the fixed output unless you find that the input to the receiver is so low that the sound is noisy, or so high that the signal is distorted.

2.Connect the analog Play/Out jacks of a cas- sette deck, MD, CD-R or other audio recorder to the Tape In jacks f. Connect the analog Record/In jacks on the recorder to the Tape Out jacks g on the AVR 500.

3.Connect the output of any digital sources to the appropriate input connections on the AVR 500 rear panel. Note that the Optical and Coaxial digital inputs d e may be used with a Dolby Digital or DTS source or the output of a conventional CD or LD player’s PCM (S/P-DIF) output.

4.Connect the Coax or Digital Outputs » on the rear panel of the AVR to the matching digital input connections on a CD-R or MiniDisc recorder.

5.Assemble the AM Loop Antenna supplied with the unit as shown below. Connect it to the AM and GND screw terminals £.

6.Connect the supplied FM antenna to the FM (75 ohm) connection ¢. The FM antenna may be an external roof antenna, an inside powered or wire lead antenna or a connection from a cable TV system. Note that if the antenna or connection uses 300-ohm twin-lead cable, you must use the 300-ohm-to-75-ohm adapter sup- plied with the unit to make the connection.

7.Connect the front, center and surround

speaker outputs ÜÝÞ to the respective speakers.

To assure that all the audio signals are carried to your speakers without loss of clarity or reso- lution, we suggest that you use high-quality speaker cable. Many brands of cable are avail- able and the choice of cable may be influenced by the distance between your speakers and the receiver, the type of speakers you use, personal preferences and other factors. Your dealer or installer is a valuable resource to consult in selecting the proper cable.

Regardless of the brand of cable selected, we recommend that you use a cable constructed of fine, multistrand copper with a gauge of 14 or smaller. Remember that in specifying cable, the lower the number, the thicker the cable.

Cable with a gauge of 16 may be used for short runs of less than ten feet. We do not recom- mend that you use cables with an AWG equiva- lent of 18 or higher due to the power loss and degradation in performance that will occur.

Cables that are run inside walls should have the appropriate markings to indicate listing with UL, CSA or other appropriate testing agency stan- dards. Questions about running cables inside walls should be referred to your installer or a licensed electrical contractor who is familiar with the NEC and/or the applicable local build- ing codes in your area.

When connecting wires to the speakers, be cer- tain to observe proper polarity. Remember to connect the “negative” or “black” wire to the same terminal on both the receiver and the speaker. Similarly, the “positive” or “red” wire should be connected to like terminals on the AVR 500 and speaker.

We also recommend that the length of cable used to connect speaker pairs be identical. For example, use the same length piece of cable to connect the front-left and front-right

or surround-left and surround-right speakers, even if the speakers are a different distance from the AVR 500.

NOTE: While most speaker manufacturers adhere to an industry convention of using black terminals for negative and red ones for positive, some manufacturers may vary from this config- uration. To assure proper phase and optimal performance, consult the identification plate on your speaker or the speaker’s manual to verify polarity. If you do not know the polarity of your speaker, ask your dealer for advice before pro- ceeding, or consult the speaker’s manufacturer.

8.Connections to a subwoofer are normally made via a line level audio connection from the Subwoofer Output Ú to the line-level input of a subwoofer with a built-in amplifier. When a passive subwoofer is used, the connection first goes to a power amplifier, which will be con- nected to one or more subwoofer speakers. If you are using a powered subwoofer that does not have line-level input connections, follow the instructions furnished with the speaker for con- nection information.

Video Equipment Connections

Video equipment is connected in the same man- ner as audio components. Again, the use of high- quality interconnect cables is recommended to preserve signal quality.

1.Connect a VCR’s audio and video Play/Out jacks to the Video 1 In jacks Áon the rear panel. The audio and Record/In jacks on the VCR should be connected to the Video 1 Out jacks ª on the AVR 500.

2.Connect the analog audio and video outputs of a satellite receiver, cable TV converter or television set or any other video source to the Video 2 In jacks a.

3.Connect the analog audio and video outputs of a DVD or laser disc player to the DVD jacks °.

4.Connect the digital audio outputs of a DVD player, satellite receiver, cable box or HDTV con- verter to the appropriate Optical or Coaxial Digital Inputs d e.

5.Connect the TV Monitor Out b jacks on the receiver to the composite or S-Video input of your television monitor or video projector.

13INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS