Harman-kardon HS 500 User Manual download pdf (Page 17)

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 two types of digital audio connections commonly used:

coaxial and optical. Either type of digital audio connection may be used

for each source device, but never both simultaneously for the same

source. However, it’s okay to make both analog and digital audio con-

nections at the same time to the same source.

The HS 500 allows you to connect different devices to each of the

TV and Auxiliary analog audio inputs, and the coaxial or optical digital

audio inputs.

Digital Audio

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 4.

Figure 4 – Coaxial Digital Audio

Optical digital audio connectors are normally covered by a shutter to

protect them from dust. The shutter opens as the cable is inserted.

See Figure 5.

Figure 5 – 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 coaxial and optical 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.

Analog Audio

Analog connections require two cables, one for the left channel (white)

and one for the right channel (red). See Figure 6. These two cables are

often attached to each other for most of their length. Most sources that

have digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks, although some

older types of sources, such as tape decks, have only analog jacks. For

sources that are capable of both digital and analog audio, you may wish

to make both connections. If you wish to record materials from DVDs or

other copy-protected sources, you may only be able to do so using

analog connections. Remember to comply with all laws regarding copy-

right if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

Figure 6 – Analog Audio

Video Connections

Although some sources produce an audio signal only (e.g., tape deck),

many sources output both audio and video signals (e.g., cable television

box, HDTV tuner, satellite box, VCR, DVR). You will need to connect one

of the HS 500’s video outputs to your video display.

Digital Video Connections

The HS 500 is equipped with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia

Interface) output. HDMI is capable of carrying digital audio and video

information using a single cable, delivering high-quality picture and

sound.

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.

The physical HDMI connection is simple. The connector is shaped for

easy plug-in (see Figure 7). If your video display has a DVI input, you

may use an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (not included) to connect it to the

HDMI Output.

Figure 7 – HDMI Connection

Analog Video Connections

There are three types of analog video connections: composite video,

S-video and component video.

Composite video is the basic connection most commonly available.

The jack is usually color-coded yellow, and looks like an analog audio

jack, although it is important never to confuse the two. Do not plug a

composite video cable into an analog or coaxial digital audio jack, or

vice versa. Both the chrominance (color) and luminance (intensity)

components of the video signal are transmitted using a single cable.

See Figure 8.

Figure 8 – Composite Video

S-video, or “separate” video, transmits the chrominance and luminance

components using separate wires contained within a single cable. The

plug on an S-video cable contains four metal pins, plus a plastic guide

pin. Be careful to line up the plug correctly when you insert it into the

jack on the receiver, source or video display. See Figure 9.

Figure 9 – S-Video

Component video separates the video signal into three components –

one luminance (“Y”) and two sub-sampled color signals (“Pb” and “Pr”) –

that are transmitted using three separate cables. The “Y” cable is

color-coded green, the “Pb” cable is colored blue and the “Pr” cable

is colored red. See Figure 10.

S-video cable

Composite

video cable

nalog audio

cable (RCA)

Optical digital

audio cable

Coaxial

Coaxial digital

audio cable

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Harman-kardon HS 500 User Manual Page 17

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