Harman-Kardon AVR 154 Audio Connections, Digital Audio, Analog Audio, Video Connections

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. The AVR 154 uses two types of digital audio connections: 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 connections to the same source.

NOTE: Although HDMI cables are capable of carrying digital audio signals, the AVR 154 is not designed to process those signals. Therefore, if your source and video display are both HDMI-capable, use the HDMI connections for video only. Make a separate audio connection from the source device to the AVR 154, and consult the owner’s manual for the source device for instructions on muting the device’s HDMI audio output.

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. See Figure 4.

Coaxial digital	Coaxial
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. See Figure 5.

Optical

Optical digital audio cable

Figure 5 – 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 6. 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 copyright laws if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

Analog audio	L
cable (RCA)	R

Figure 6 – 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 7.

Front Surround Center

Multichannel analog audio cable (RCA)

Subwoofer

Figure 7 – Multichannel Analog Audio

NOTE: When using the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs, make an analog video connection for the device. To enjoy a multi- channel disc, select the source input for the video connection, e.g., DVD, or simply use the component video inputs assigned to the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs (see Initial Setup section for an explanation on assigning video inputs), then select the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs as the source. If no signal is present at the component video inputs assigned to the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs, the AVR 154 will use the last-selected analog video input, which is DVD in this example. It is not possible to select an HDMI input for video while using the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs for audio.

The AVR 154 also offers an Auxiliary Audio Input on the rear panel in the form of a stereo 1/8" mini jack. Connect the headphone output of any audio source, such as an MP3 player or portable CD player, to the Auxiliary Audio Input. See Figure 8.

Figure 8 – Auxiliary Audio Input

Video Connections

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, make one type of video connection for each of these sources (but only one at a time for any source).

Digital Video

The AVR 154 is equipped with three HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs, and one output. HDMI is capable of carrying digital audio and video information using a single cable, thus delivering the highest possible quality picture and sound.

The AVR 154 is capable of switching the HDMI data, passing the incoming audio and video data (including 1080i and 1080p video), directly to your HDMI-capable video display, without processing any of the data. Although the AVR 154 is compatible with virtually any HDMI- capable source device and video display, a separate audio connection is required for each source, since the AVR 154 doesn’t have access to the audio data in the HDMI stream.

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