Harman-Kardon AVR 145 Audio Connections, Digital Audio, Video Connections, Analog Audio

CONNECTIONS

Audio Connections

There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digital audio signals are of higher quality, and are required for listening to sources encoded with digital surround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. There are two types of digital audio connections commonly used: coaxial and optical. Either type of digital audio connection may be used for each source device, but never both simultaneously for the same source. However, it’s okay to make both analog and digital audio con- nections at the same time to the same source.

Digital Audio

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.

Coaxial digitalCoaxial

audio cable Figure 4 – 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.

Multichannel analog connections are used with advanced sources where the digital content is copy-protected and all surround processing is per- formed inside the source. These types of connections are usually used with DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD and other advanced players.

Front Surround Center

Multichannel analog audio cable (RCA)

Subwoofer

Figure 7 – Multichannel Analog Audio

Figure 8 – The Bridge

Harman Kardon receivers also include a proprietary, dedicated audio connection called “The Bridge/DMP”. If you own an iPod with a dock connector, you may separately purchase The Bridge and connect it to The Bridge/DMP port on the receiver. Dock your iPod (not included) in The Bridge, and you may listen to your materials through your high-per- formance audio system. You may even use the AVR 145 remote to control the iPod, with navigation messages displayed on the front panel and on the screen of a video display connected to the AVR.

Optical digital audio cable

Optical

Video Connections

Figure 5 – Optical Digital Audio

Due to the nature of digital signals as binary bits, they aren’t subject to signal degradation the way analog signals are. Therefore, the quality of coaxial and optical digital audio connections should be the same, although it is important to limit the length of the cable. Whichever type of connection you choose, Harman Kardon recommends that you always select the highest quality cables available within your budget.

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. Most sources that have digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks, although some older types of sources, such as tape decks, have only analog jacks. For sources that are capable of both digital and analog audio, you may wish to make both connections. If you wish to record materials from DVDs or other copy-protected sources, you may only be able to do so using analog connections. Remember to comply with all laws regarding copyright if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

Analog audio	L
cable (RCA)	R

Figure 6 – Analog Audio

Although some sources produce an audio signal only (e.g., CD player, tape deck), many sources output both audio and video signals (e.g., DVD player, cable television box, HDTV tuner, satellite box, VCR, DVR). In addition to the audio connection, you will need to connect one type of video connection for each source (never more than one at the same time for any source).

There are three types of analog video connections: composite video, S-video and component video.

Composite video is the basic connection most commonly available. The jack is usually color-coded yellow, and looks like an analog audio jack, although it is important never to confuse the two. Do not connect a composite video jack to an analog or coaxial digital audio jack, and vice versa. Both the chrominance (color) and luminance (intensity) compo- nents of the video signal are transmitted using a single cable.

Composite video cable

Figure 9 – Composite Video

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