RCA DRC8005N manual Explanation of Input Jacks and Cables, Back of the DVD Recorder

Chapter 1: Connections and Setup

Explanation of Input Jacks and Cables

This section describes the jacks and cables you can use to make connections (only S-Video and Audio/Video cables are packed with your DVD Recorder — you can purchase other cables by calling 1-800-338-0376, details are on page 55, or order online at www.rca.com, or go to your local electronics store). There are several ways to connect your DVD Recorder to your TV depending upon the cables you have and the jacks that are on the back of your TV.

Different jacks and cables provide a different level of performance. It’s important to remember, we’re talking about degrees of picture improvement for comparison. If your TV has Component jacks (Y, Pb, Pr), S-VIDEO, and composite video (often color-coded yellow and grouped with Audio Left and Right jacks that are white and red); Component (Y, Pb, Pr), would be considered excellent, S-Video would be very good, and the composite video jack (yellow) would be considered good.

Y

Pb

Pr

S-VIDEO

OUTPUT

VIDEO

L

AUDIO

R

Component Video (Y, Pb, Pr) Jacks and Cables

The Y, Pb, Pr jacks provide optimum picture quality because the video is separated into three signals (two signals are dedicated to the color portion of the image, and the other signal is dedicated to the black and white part of the image).

To ensure maximum picture quality, use three video-grade cables (not supplied) for the connection.There are bundled component video cables (not supplied) sold that are color-coded to match the Y, Pb, Pr jacks (red, green, and blue). Component Video Input jacks are usually found on high-end TVs, such as HDTVs; multimedia monitors; and some of the “flat” LCD and Plasma TVs or monitors.

Note: Also, remember to connect the left and right audio cables because the Y, Pb, Pr jacks and cables carry only the picture signal, not the

S-Video Jacks and Cables

The S-Video (separate video) jack provides better picture quality than a composite video jack (sometimes labeled VIDEO and color-coded yellow on TVs) because S-Video keeps the color (chrominance, also called chroma) part of the signal separate from the black and white (luminance) part of the picture. S-Video cables are designed to keep the color information separated. If your TV has an S-VIDEO jack, connect the DVD Recorder to the TV with an S-Video cable for a better quality picture. One S-Video cable is supplied with your DVD Recorder.

Note: Remember to connect the left and right audio cables because the S-Video cable carries only the picture signal, not the sound.

Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type)

Audio

These jacks are used to send the audio from the disc you’re playing in the DVD Recorder to the TV.The audio jacks and cables (supplied) are often color-coded (red for right audio, and white for left audio).You must connect audio cables to the AUDIO L and R jacks on the DVD Recorder and the corresponding Audio Input Jacks on the TV no matter which Video jack you connect (VIDEO; S-VIDEO;Y, Pb, Pr)

Note: If your TV has only one input for audio (mono), connect it to the left (white L/Mono) audio jack on the TV and don’t connect the right audio part of the cable.

Video

The basic Video jack (usually color-coded yellow) is also referred to as composite video. Composite video doesn’t keep color information separated (like S-Video), but it’s better than the video quality you get from an RF coaxial cable (the type used to plug the cable feed into a TV).

RF ANTENNA/CABLE

INPUT

INPUT		OUTPUT	COMPONENT
			VIDEO OUTPUT
VIDEO	S-VIDEO IN	VIDEO		DIGITAL
			Y
				AUDIO OUT
L		L	Pb
AUDIO		AUDIO		COAXIAL
			Pr
						PROG.
						SCAN
R	S-VIDEO OUT	R		OPTICAL
					OFF	ON

Back of the DVD Recorder

The back of your recorder might look a little overwhelming at first.This section explains what goes where and why.There are two sets of jacks on the back of your DVD Recorder — INPUT jacks and OUTPUT jacks.

Each jack is explained individually below, but the basic idea is about sending and receiving information to be played on or through your DVD Recorder and displaying that information on your TV screen.We call it Signal Flow.

INPUT The cables connected to INPUT jacks bring the signal that carries the content INTO the DVD Recorder, such as the cable signal (programming) from the cable company or satellite programming from a satellite receiver.

OUTPUT The cables connected to the OUTPUT jacks are sending the signal from the DVD Recorder OUT TO your TV so you can see it on the screen.The correct cables must be connected to the DVD Recorder’s Output jacks and the corresponding Input Jacks on the TV so you can see the program on the TV.You must also tune the TV to the correct channel, called a Video Input Channel (for details, go to page 16).

4 Graphics contained within this publication are for representation only.