Harman Kardon AVR 350 Owners Manual - Page 20

CONNECTIONS Audio Connections There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digital audio signals are of higher quality, and are required for listening to sources encoded with digital surround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. There are three types of digital audio connections: HDMI, coaxial and optical. Any one type of digital audio connection may be used for each source device, but never more than one for the same source. However, it's okay to make both analog and digital audio connections at the same time to the same source. NOTE: Since the AVR 350 is capable of processing the audio and video portions of most HDMI signals, if your video display device has an HDMI input, you may make a single HDMI connection from your HDMI 1.1-or-higher source device (such as a DVD player) to the AVR. In that case, no separate digital audio connection is required. Make sure to turn the volume on your television all the way off. Digital Audio The AVR 350 is equipped with two 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 350 is Simplay HD-verified for compatibility via the HDMI connection with other Simplay HD-verified products. There are different versions of HDMI, depending on the capability of the source device and the type of signal it is capable of transmitting via the HDMI connection. In addition, receivers and processors such as the AVR 350 may handle the incoming signal in several different ways, depending on their capability as well. The AVR 350 uses HDMI version 1.2a, and is capable of processing both the audio and video components of the HDMI data, minimizing the number of cable connections in your system. NOTE: Some multichannel audio devices, such as DVD-Audio, SACD, HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc players, output certain audio formats only through the source's multichannel analog outputs. These include DVDAudio players with HDMI version 1.0, and HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players that do not decode the digital audio. In those cases, make separate analog audio and video connections in addition to the HDMI connection, which is still used if you wish to listen to Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM materials that may be stored on the disc. To play a multichannel disc, select the AVR 350's 6-Channel Analog Audio Inputs as the source. You may select a composite, S- or component video connection to associate with the audio source input. However, the HDMI connection is not available with the 6-channel audio input. In addition, the AVR 350 will convert analog video signals to the HDMI format, upscaling to high-definition 720p resolution. Source signals with 1080i or 1080p resolution are passed via the HDMI Output to your display at their original high-quality resolution, depending on your display's capabilities. You may view the AVR 350's own on-screen display menus using the HDMI output. 20 IMPORTANT NOTE: The AVR 350 cannot convert 1080i or 1080p analog video signals to the HDMI format, but passes 1080i signals in their native format to the Component Video Outputs. This affects users of Microsoft® Xbox® 360 systems and some older set-top boxes. If your digital cable television set-top box outputs 1080i or better video via component video outputs and is not equipped with an HDMI output, contact your cable operator for a replacement. For Xbox 360 and satellite television customers, either change the settings on your source device to ensure that it outputs only 720p video through its component video outputs, which the AVR can convert to the HDMI format, or connect the AVR's Component Video Monitor Outputs to the video display. Although you could connect the source device's component video outputs directly to your video display, you would then have to select the correct video input on the display, depending on which source input on the AVR was in use. The physical HDMI connection is simple. The connector is shaped for easy plug-in (see Figure 4). If your video display has a DVI input, you may use an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (not included) to connect it to the AVR's HDMI Output, but the HDMI-to-DVI connection will not carry audio. Figure 4 - HDMI Connection HDMI cable runs are usually limited to about 10 feet. The AVR 350 incorporates a repeater, which allows an additional 10 feet of cable between the source device and the video display. If your video display or source device is not HDMI-capable, use one of the analog video connections (composite, S- or component video) and if available on your source device, either a coaxial or optical digital audio connection. 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 5. Coaxial digital audio cable Coaxial Figure 5 - Coaxial Digital Audio Optical digital audio connectors are often 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 6. Optical digital audio cable Optical Figure 6 - Optical Digital Audio Due to the nature of digital signals as binary bits, they aren't subject to signal degradation the way analog signals are. Therefore, the quality of all digital audio connections should be the same, although it is important to limit the length of the cable. Whichever type of connection you choose, Harman Kardon recommends that you always select the highest quality cables available within your budget. 20