Parasound Halo C1 Controller Connecting Audio And Video Sources And Recorders, Connection Types

CONNECTING AUDIO AND VIDEO SOURCES AND RECORDERS 37

There are more than 100 signal input and output jacks on the Halo processor’s rear panel–more than you’re likely to use, but enough to ensure you can make any type of connection you’re likely to need. To simplify things, the jacks are grouped by type and function:

Composite

Component

S-Video

Balanced Analog

Digital

Video Inputs

Video Inputs

Inputs

Audio Inputs

Audio Inputs

Component Video Inputs and Outputs

Pr

Y

Pb

CAUTION

C2 Controller

DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK,

Input 1

SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE,

Parasound Products, Inc.

SERVICE PERSONNEL.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED

San Francisco, California, USA

Balanced Analog Audio Inputs

Balanced Analog Audio Outputs

Input 2

Left

Right

Left

Right

Center

Subwoofer

Left Surround Right Surround Left Back

Right Back

Pro 1

Input 3

Output

Red

Green

Blue

H Sync

V

Coax Digital Audio Inputs

Composite Video Inputs

Video Outputs

S-Video Inputs

S-Video Outputs

Made In

Expansion Port For

Video 1 Video 3

Video 5

Record

Zone

Video 2 Video 3

Video 4

Video 5 Video 6

Record

Main

Coax 1

Coax 3

Finland

Future Technologies

Video 1

Optical 1

Optical 3

Digital Out

External Control

RS-232 Control

IR Inputs – 12V Triggers –

Video 2	Video 4	Video 6	OSD Main NoOSD		OSD	No OSD
Video 1	Video 2	Video 3	Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Audio 1 Audio 2 Audio 3 Audio 4	Audio 5	Record 1 Record 2 Zone
L				L
R				R
				Play/In Rec/Out
			Analog Audio Inputs	Tape Monitor	Analog Audio Outputs

Optical

Coax 2

Coax 4

Optical 2

Optical 4

RS-232 Control

Main

Zone

P1

P2

On-Off

Front

Surround

Center

Back

Front

Surround

Center

Back

Pro 1

Pro 2

AC Power

1

0

Sub

Sub

Pro 3

Pro 4

7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Main Analog Audio Outputs Programmable Out

Unbalanced Analog	Tape Monitor	7.1 Channel	IR	AC Cord
Audio Inputs	Input	Analog Inputs	Inputs	Inlet

Even if your C 1 was set up by an installer, it pays to know a bit about these connections in case you ever need to change them or trouble-shoot your system. (Cables and plugs can cause more problems in audio and home theater systems than the components they connect do.)

Connection Types

The C 1 has three types of video and four types of audio connector, and your other components may use some of each. The three video connection types, each of which uses a different type of connector, are Composite video, S-Video, and Component video, listed in order of increas- ing picture quality. For connections between video sources (such as VCRs, DVD players, and TV or satellite tuners) and the C 1, use the highest-quality output connection that source offers.

Signals from the S-Video inputs also appear at the composite output jacks of the C 1, but com- posite input signals appear only at the composite output jacks. Component-video input signals appear only at the component-video output jacks, respectively. So, to ensure that all video sources can be seen, use both composite and S-Video connections (and component video, too, if available) between the C 1 and your TV, video monitor, or projector.

Composite video connections (labeled simply “Video” on the rear panel of the C 1) uses “RCA” jacks, yellow-coded to distinguish them from the RCA jacks provided for analog and digital audio. S-Videoconnections use multi-pin plugs and jacks that must be oriented identically in order to fit together. This orientation is not standardized (the S-Video jacks on the C 1 are oriented as shown on the rear-panel diagrams). Since S-Video cables are thick and hard to twist, it pays to look at the end of the plug to line up its pins with the holes in the jack before trying to insert it. Component video connections use three cables (or five, for certain equipment which has sepa- rate synchronization jacks); The component-video jacks on the C 1 are the professional, BNC type, whose connectors lock firmly together when twisted, but adapters are provided for use with cables having the more common RCA plugs.

The four audio connections are unbalanced analog, balanced analog, coaxial digital, and optical digital.

Most analog sources (such as tuners, and tape decks), and the analog outputs of CD players and other digital sources, have unbalanced output circuits with one RCA jack per channel. The channels are fre- quently color-coded, usually red for the right stereo or right front channel and black or white for the left or left front. If your best analog source or your amplifiers have balanced connections (usually via three-pin XLR jacks), using them instead of the unbalanced RCA jacks will provide additional protection