Harman Kardon Harman/kardon AVR 154 Owner's Manual

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Harman Kardon Harman/kardon AVR 154 Owner's Manual Manual pdf 17 page image

1717CONNECTIONSAudio ConnectionsThere are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digitalaudio signals are required for listening to sources encoded with digitalsurround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. The AVR 154 uses twotypes of digital audio connections: coaxial and optical. Either type of digitalaudio connection may be used for each source device, but never bothsimultaneously for the same source. However, it’s okay to make bothanalog and digital audio connections to the same source.NOTE: Although HDMI cables are capable of carrying digitalaudio signals, the AVR 154 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 154, and consult the owner’s manual for the source devicefor instructions on muting the device’s HDMI audio output.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 AudioAnalog 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 AudioNOTE: When using the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs, makean 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 assignedto the 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs (see Initial Setup sectionfor an explanation on assigning video inputs), then select the6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs as the source. If no signal ispresent at the component video inputs assigned to the 6-ChannelAnalog Audio Inputs, the AVR 154 will use the last-selectedanalog video input, which is DVD in this example. It is not possibleto select an HDMI input for video while using the 6-ChannelAnalog Audio Inputs for audio.The AVR 154 also offers an Auxiliary Audio Input on the rear panel inthe form of a stereo 1/8" mini jack. Connect the headphone output ofany audio source, such as an MP3 player or portable CD player, to theAuxiliary Audio Input. See Figure 8.Figure 8 – Auxiliary Audio InputVideo 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, make one type of video connectionfor each of these sources (but only one at a time for any source).Digital VideoThe AVR 154 is equipped with three 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.The AVR 154 is capable of switching the HDMI data, passing theincoming audio and video data (including 1080i and 1080p video),directly to your HDMI-capable video display, without processing any ofthe data. Although the AVR 154 is compatible with virtually any HDMI-capable source device and video display, a separate audio connectionis required for each source, since the AVR 154 doesn’t have accessto the audio data in the HDMI stream.Multichannelanalog audiocable (RCA)Front Surround CenterSubwooferLRAnalog audiocable (RCA)OpticalOptical digitalaudio cableCoaxialCoaxial digitalaudio cable