Harman Kardon AVR146 Service Manual

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Harman Kardon AVR146 Service Manual Manual pdf 14 page image

1717CONNECTIONSAudio ConnectionsThere are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digitalaudio signals are of higher quality, and are required for listening tosources encoded with digital surround modes, such as Dolby Digital andDTS. There are two types of digital audio connections: coaxial and optical.Either type of digital audio connection may be used for each sourcedevice, but never both simultaneously for the same source. However, it’sokay to make both analog and digital audio connections at the sametime to the same source.NOTE: Although HDMI cables are capable of carrying digitalaudio signals, the AVR 146 is not designed to process thosesignals. Therefore, if your source and video display are bothHDMI-capable, use the HDMI connections for video only. Makea separate audio connection from the source device to theAVR 146, and turn the volume on your TV all the way off.Digital AudioCoaxial digital audio jacks are usually color-coded in orange. Althoughthey look similar to analog jacks, they should not be confused, and youshould not connect coaxial digital audio outputs to analog inputs orvice versa. See Figure 4.Figure 4 – Coaxial Digital AudioOptical digital audio connectors are normally covered by a shutter toprotect them from dust. The shutter opens as the cable is inserted. Inputconnectors are color-coded using a black shutter, while outputs use agray shutter. See Figure 5.Figure 5 – Optical Digital AudioDue to the nature of digital signals as binary bits, they aren’t subjectto signal degradation the way analog signals are. Therefore, the qualityof coaxial and optical digital audio connections should be the same,although it is important to limit the length of the cable. Whichever type ofconnection you choose, Harman Kardon recommends that you alwaysselect the highest quality cables available within your budget.Analog AudioAnalog connections require two cables, one for the left channel (white)and one for the right channel (red). These two cables are often attachedto each other for most of their length. See Figure 6. Most sources thathave digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks, although someolder types of sources, such as tape decks, have only analog jacks. Forsources that are capable of both digital and analog audio, you may wishto make both connections. If you wish to record materials from DVDsor other copy-protected sources, you may only be able to do so usinganalog connections. Remember to comply with all copyright laws if youchoose to make a copy for your own personal use.Figure 6 – Analog AudioMultichannel analog connections are used with some high-definitionsources where the copy-protected digital content is decoded insidethe source. These types of connections are usually used with DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD and other multichannel players.See Figure 7.Figure 7 – Multichannel Analog AudioHarman Kardon receivers also include a proprietary, dedicated audioconnection called “The Bridge/DMP”. If you own an iPod with a dockconnector, you may purchase The Bridge separately and connect it toThe Bridge/DMP port on the receiver. See Figure 8. Dock your iPod(not included) in The Bridge, and you may play your audio and videomaterials through your high-performance system. You may even usethe AVR 146 remote to control the iPod, with navigation messagesdisplayed on the front panel and on the screen of a video displayconnected to the AVR.Figure 8 – The BridgeVideo ConnectionsAlthough 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 typeof video connection for each of these sources (never more than one atthe same time for any source).Digital VideoThe AVR 146 is equipped with two HDMI (High-Definition MultimediaInterface) inputs, and one output. HDMI is capable of carrying digitalaudio and video information using a single cable, thus delivering thehighest possible quality picture and sound.There are different versions of HDMI, depending on the capability of thesource device and the type of signal it is capable of transmitting via theHDMI connection.In addition, receivers and processors such as the AVR 146 may handlethe incoming signal in several different ways, depending on their capabilityas well. The AVR 146 is only capable of switching the HDMI data. Thatis, the incoming audio and video data, including 1080i and 1080p video,will be passed directly to your HDMI-capable video display, without theMultichannelanalog audiocable (RCA)Front Surround CenterSubwooferLRAnalog audiocable (RCA)OpticalOptical digitalaudio cableCoaxialCoaxial digitalaudio cable14AVR146 harman/kardon