Harman-Kardon AVR 254 owner manual Audio Connections, Digital Audio

CONNECTIONS

Audio Connections

There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digital audio signals are required for listening to sources encoded with digital surround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, or for non-compressed PCM digital audio. There are three types of digital audio connections: HDMI, coaxial and optical. Any type of digital audio connection may be used for each source device, but never more than one for the same source. However, it’s okay to make both analog and digital audio con- nections to the same source.

NOTE: Since HDMI signals may carry both audio and video, if your video display device has an HDMI input, make a single HDMI connection from your source device (such as a DVD player) to the AVR. No separate digital audio connection is usually required. Make sure to turn the volume on your television all the way down.

Digital Audio

The AVR 254 is equipped with three HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs, and one output. HDMI technology enables digital audio and video information to be carried using a single cable, thus delivering the highest quality picture and sound.

There are different HDMI versions, depending on the capability of the source device and the type of signal it is capable of transmitting.

In addition, receivers and processors such as the AVR 254 may handle the incoming signal in several different ways, depending on their capability as well. The AVR 254 uses HDMI version 1.3a, and is capable of processing both the audio and video components of the HDMI data, minimizing the number of cable connections in your system. Thanks to the higher bandwidth and speed of HDMI version 1.3a, the AVR 254 implements Deep Color, which increases by an order of magnitude the shades of color that can be displayed; and the latest lossless multichannel audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

NOTE: Some DVD-Audio, SACD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players, output mulitchannel audio only through the source’s multichannel analog outputs. For those devices, make a sepa- rate analog audio connection in addition to the HDMI connec- tion, which is still used for video and to listen to Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM materials that may be stored on the disc.

In addition, the AVR 254 will convert analog video signals to the HDMI format, upscaling to high-definition 1080p resolution. You may view the AVR 254’s own on-screen display menus using the HDMI output.

If your video display or source device is not HDMI-capable, use one of the analog video connections (composite, S- or component video) and, if available on your source device, either a coaxial or optical digital audio connection.

Coaxial digital audio jacks are usually color-coded in orange. Although they look similar to analog jacks, they should not be confused, and you should not connect coaxial digital audio outputs to analog inputs or vice versa. See Figure 5.

Coaxial digital	Coaxial
audio cable

Figure 5 – Coaxial Digital Audio

Optical digital audio connectors are normally covered by a shutter to protect them from dust. The shutter opens as the cable is inserted. Input connectors are color-coded using a black shutter, while outputs use a gray shutter. See Figure 6.

Optical

Optical digital audio cable

Figure 6 – Optical Digital Audio

Analog Audio

Analog connections require two cables, one for the left channel (white) and one for the right channel (red). These two cables are often attached to each other for most of their length. See Figure 7.

Most sources that have digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks, although some older types of sources, such as tape decks, only have analog jacks. For sources that are capable of both digital and analog audio, you may make both connections.

The analog audio connection is strongly recommended if you intend to use the source with the multizone system. It’s required if you will be using the multizone preamp outputs with an external amplifier to power your remote speakers, as the AVR 254’s multizone system is not capa- ble of converting the digital signal to analog format. It’s suggested that you also use the analog audio connections when using the Surround Back/Zone 2 speaker outputs, in case another two-channel digital audio source is in use in the main listening area. The AVR 254 is only capable of processing one PCM source at a time.

You may only record materials from DVDs or other copy-protected sources, using analog connections. Remember to comply with all copy- right laws, if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

The physical HDMI connection is simple. The connector is shaped for easy plug-in (see Figure 4). If your video display has a DVI input and is

Analog audio

L

HDCP-compliant, you may use an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (not included)

to connect it to the AVR’s HDMI Output, but a separate audio connection is required. HDMI cable runs are usually limited to about 10 feet, depending on the type of cable used.

Figure 4 – HDMI Connection

cable (RCA) R

Figure 7 – Analog Audio

Multichannel analog connections are used with some high-definition sources where the copy-protected digital content is decoded inside the source. These types of connections are usually used with DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD and other multichannel players. See Figure 8. However, the multichannel analog audio connection is not

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