What is a receiver?
A receiver is so big, heavy thing to connect the speakers and other components (such as a DVD player, TV, CD player, Xbox, PlayStation, iPod, etc.). This is the 'brain' of the show, really. The idea of connecting all the components of a receiver is the concept of audio / video switching, allowing you to switch to different video sources (such as TV, DVD, camcorder) on your TV
thereby changing the audio source, like - all without touching anythingbut the recipient.
Of course, the main objective underlying audio / video switching with a receiver to drive audio to external speakers, such as stereo or surround sound.
Most receivers have a variety of inputs, up to 8 speakers and a subwoofer (more commonly, 5.1 or five speakers and a subwoofer), multiple video inputs, and even HDMI inputs. You can connect your Xbox, Plasma and DVD player to the receiver and use a remote to switch between all the different video sources(Games, TV, DVD-Video) and the speakers pump out surround sound. Let's start with inputs and outputs. If you do not understand, read the entire how-to, as most of them are explained in detail.
Remember that a receiver is the hub of the entire home theater, so this How-To actually run through the basics of connecting your home theater complete.
So, what the hell all this "stuff" is on the back of the receiver?
I'm just goingon everything that is on the back of the receiver. What I'm supporting these instructions from a Harman Kardon AVR-247 I will start from the top of the left and on my way to the right, I point at the beginning of the next line on the left and so on.
The first three inputs are for antennas. An FM antenna cable would be the first woman and two power cables made in the remaining slots for the plug. Of course, there is no need to connect to your antennas, but if you wantas the AM / FM reception through your speakers, you want to go ahead and do it. These are the default ports, so if you lose one of your antennas, just go buy a new one for a few euro.
You have probably heard of composite video. This is a very simple video connection from almost all components (TV, DVD, VCR especially) used. Its common and cheap. As such, its very low quality.
Using a composite RCA cable for video (yellow) and two RCA cables for audio (red and white, stereo). L 'The problem is that a composite video cable combines luminance and chrominance with the same cable, reducing the image quality. You lose a bit 'of sharpness, color and begins to break down from the original source. Its useful when you connect the auxiliary input or the device needs to composite video. Otherwise, use something else, such as component video. Sounds like, very different.
S-Video is the next, according to the composite. It uses a different type of connection (five pinsin a circle) and offers slightly better video quality. There is also a video only cable, so you have to separate the audio plug. In this case, probably with a pair of red and white RCA cables for audio inputs.
Next up: a ton of composite audio inputs. These inputs use left channel and right channel RCA cables, usually white and red. They look like the yellow composite video cable, and you might even yellow for video and audio, but we hold theScheme as it is;) Composite Audio is the bottom-of-the-barrel-Audio. Its perfectly fine to use for the most part, but if you are a high quality surround sound, and not composite. game systems like the Wii or Xbox, and very basic DVD players are the perfect complement to the composite audio.
The same applies to VCRs, CD players, and all that only a composite audio output. Plus, if you do not have surround sound, or the receiver is only two channels (2.1, stereo audio), isnot able to use something different composite audio. Note that there is a composite audio input under each composite video input, which makes it easy to match. Put in the wrong entries and will not be sound when it is in this video input.
Here is one of the least used features of a modern receiver: input 6 (or 8)-direct channel. SACD or DVD-Audio: This is only used for two purposes. SACD is an acronym for Super Audio CD. This is a proprietary audio formatSony has developed special CDs that are recorded in 5.1 surround sound. This means you need a CD or a DVD / CD, SACD, a receiver with SACD support (as shown), and naturally supports Super Audio CD. DVD-Audio is the same idea, different brands, different media (its a DVD and CD!).
DVD Audio discs are special DVDs that are recorded in 5.1 surround sound and can be played only on devices for their support. These CDs are all the way up to 7.1 surround sound, which meansWe have two front, two rear enjoy, two side speakers and a subwoofer full 7.1 surround. Most receivers support up to 7.1 hours, but you will not find DVDs with that kind of capacity for the film. Surround 5.1 is still the de facto standard, so you do not run out and buy more speakers in the foreseeable future.
You can skip this next item just because it is unique to this handset brand (Harman Kardon). The Bridge "is a proprietary compound that is designed to connect
aiPod. You must have a separate component that includes the purchase of a connected iPod dock and special cables. E 'fully integrated with the receiver display
The menus and songs on the front LCD display of the recipient. This allows you to easily pump your music through the speakers, stereo sound or full surround.
Of course, the music on your iPod is stereo sound, then the best you can surround or stereo surround sound simulates playing the same music,the two front channels
is set through the rear and center channels. Some receivers, this intelligent than others, but more on that later.
Here's our high-end audio inputs / outputs. In principle, the same performance that have fiber optic connections (with the square shape) and coaxial digital (like an RCA cable).
Both are 100% digital, and analog composite. The only way to get true surround sound from any source, from one of theseConnections (or SACD / DVD audio)
Almost all DVD players these days are either optical or coaxial digital outputs (or both). Many high-definition cable and satellite have also come to
Connections to up to 5.1 surround sound high definition channels. The choice between the two, there's really no different in terms of sound quality, so do not hesitate to use
what you want (or what one is forced).
I do not think I need a framework for the next plug. This is aA pair of power inputs. One is to power the receiver and the other for what you want. In this way, when you turn
the receiver, gives you the power to another device (either a DVD player, CD player, cable box, etc.). I'm not necessarily recommend, especially if it fits
Their needs. E 'useful when you are low on outlets, of course.
Otherwise you will never use: D-bus RC-5 input / output. This is used for infrared remote controls to take your home theaterSystem. Honestly, is not something any of us ever use. Some of the Junkies real high-end, perhaps with something for him, but I've never come across a device that uses this technology. Keep the remote that came with your device, or to buy control of product quality universal remote. You do not need this option. An alternative use for this is perhaps a bit 'more often: if the receiver's front panel is locked (as in a closet) you could get an infrared transmitter on the front barit. This transmitter would have agreed to hook another device anywhere in the room, the signals from the remote. The receiving device then transmits the remote commands to the receiver (via the channel has been connected to the front over the regular infrared transmitter).
Pre-outs, just under the remote control in / out. Pre-outs are used when you want an amplifier to push your system to power (and hence volume / audio quality). Media
Users are notUse this for anything other than the subwoofer preamp output. They want to offer to run a subwoofer cable from the subwoofer to the subwoofer pre-out
the right frequencies. This is the right way to connect your subwoofer to the surround sound system here. All other items will not be used unless you plan to add
an amplifier. This is highly unnecessary for home use. You could add an amp if you try to fill a space the size of a small house with enough sound, but are notright?
speaker inputs: here we finally got to the meat of the system! Harman Kardon use bind posts for connecting speakers, as shown in the figure. You
The work by themselves as they loose their turn counterclockwise, then the speaker wire sneak in under the covers and pull back in a clockwise direction. In this way
Give your speaker cable has a nice tractor in the form that is unable to resolve over time. Other trademarks, other types of connectors, butbind posts are very common.
He could have said, this is a 7.1 channel receiver because the speaker revenue.
You have room for 2 front left and right, 2 rear speakers have left and right,
a center channel and two on the left and right "surround" channels that are somewhere between the front and rear speakers in September ("border", or 7.1). If you have enough
Speakers, you can go ahead and put the extra 2 side aisles, but will not play any soundall on a DVD 5.1. Need a DVD that supports 7.1
Surround Sound, and at that time, there is simply no market for it. CDs explosion like stereo surround through all 7 speakers, but for some larger rooms, which is a
Advantage.
Our last set of connectors for this receiver: component video. The best you can find a composite video or S-Video. You will notice that there are a series of three cables (all for video)
normally red, green and blue. Do not think that what theWhen cable - it separates the video signal by luminance and two separate color channels. Component in the past
It 'was in fact accounted for R, G, B (splitting the primary colors in transmit and recombining them to the target device), but that is not used in current component video
Compounds. Component video can carry high-definition signals all the way up to 1080p, then the entry is cheaper and easily available in high definition.
Not seen on this receiverDVI and HDMI are the two all-digital video connections.
HDMI is the newest, the fastest connection and powerful video and audio on the market. It 's the only one cable for audio and video transmitted to a degree - not to mention, in high definition.
HDMI must be supported by the source and the display is connected to not use all their functions. Not all DVD players, receivers and decoders support both
Audio and video in HDMI. Increasingly be a standard now support both.The advantage is obvious: less mess, audio and video quality. You can store up
1080p high-definition video and 7.1 surround sound with an HDMI cable. Newer cable and satellite receivers, DVD players, high-definition DVD players and more expensive receiver
the full capability of HDMI. It 's the best thing you can get is completely digital.
The last link in this post DVI. DVI is also all digital like HDMI, but can not process audio signals. HDMI is possiblea photo technically superior
but I do not think anyone can tell the difference too. DVI supports high definition video up to 1080p, as HDMI. Its being used less often now,
but if you bought a new computer or a video card for your PC recently, it probably has a DVI (or two) door on it. Most computer monitors use DVI now and video cards
followed. HDMI is slowly on his way in the PC market, but has seen its dominance in the home theaterArena.
Now that you're familiar with common links, we put everything together.
This part of the recipient how-to guide you through hooking a 5.1 surround sound (five speakers and a subwoofer) with a high-definition TV, high-definition cable or satellite box, DVD player guide, and a 5.1 receiver.
Your TV & Components
Where did your TV depends on how big, how big is your room, and sit where you are. If its 50Customs sitting no more than 10-15 feet, but not less.
A 60 is "ideal set for 12-20 meters. If you have set a 32-inch, do not try to sit more than 8-12 feet away. Receiver, DVD player should, cables and other components seem to be closely but not in their place physically on top of each other. All hot, especially in the receiver. If you have no other choice, run a thin plywood between the components to help, has decided not to heat.
Lay OutSpeakers
The first step is the layout of your facility. different rooms require different locations for the speakers and subwoofer. If your room is a typical rectangle, go ahead and insert the two front left and right somewhere flush with the TV on the side of the room. The left speaker goes to the left corner, right speaker to the right corner. Do not bother with speaker wire yet (unless the speakers connected with speaker wire already come, in this case, leaveare now). Note that the speaker is left or right, but depending on how you connect them to the receiver. The speakers are not really "left" or "right".
Depending on how the speakers, has won a front speaker may be larger than the rear speakers. Here's how you know they are for the front. Otherwise, all speakers have the same shape and size, and you can always use for any purpose.
The only exception: the center channel. Normally a centerThe channel is much shorter and wider than other speakers. It should only be used for the center channel. At times, it was all 5 speakers are the same, usually on a system of very low cost. You can use this to each speaker for any purpose.
Your center channel should always be positioned above or below the television. However, you must do this to get it done! It is called the center channel at all, you know. Each film will be pumped nearly 90% of the votes thatheard and most of the rest of the sounds through the central channel. This is a very important component to the surround sound setup.
The subwoofer should always be on the ground. If it is impossible, it is space on the ground to make it closer to the ground as possible. Behind the objections or in closets will diminish its effects. In a perfect system, the subwoofer would be on the floor near the TV (maybe to the right or left) in the line of sight. Nothing shouldLock the side of the subwoofer that air comes out (usually through a grill cover to protect the subwoofer).
When it comes to finding a good place for the speaker arrives, it is advisable to mount it. You can usually buy compatible speaker supports on-line or in stores. You can also
existing shelving, buy some shelves or tables or other objects. No matter how you do it, try the speakers kept as close to ear level as possible. A loudspeaker mountedthe ceiling of the room is the desire not to give you the best experience of sound.
The last thing to note about cable speaker placement. Probably at least 100 feet of power cables, but often with the help of a lot more if you
Try to wire the ceiling, under carpets, through the basement to hide, or objects. The measures and the purchase of at least 10% more than the wire
Think you might need. Probably yes!
Wiring
YouYou need different types of power cables are available before you know your home theater. If you bought an HTIB (home theater in a box), it probably came with 100 feet of cable horribly cheap. You do not want this! Do yourself a favor: buy some high-quality 14-gauge speaker wire. All that is greater than 14-gauge is thin and vulnerable to be interence loss of quality and low quality over long distances. Fourteen gauge is a good resistance and for the most homeTheatres. Make sure they are not too thick - some speaker wires are not easy to adapt to the speaker wire jacks on some receivers.
Some receivers use proprietary speaker inputs. Sony is an example. Many Sony receivers have special connectors for connecting cables and do not accept standard speaker cables. You must use the Sony-provided speaker wire, take the ends of speaker cables and Sony put it on your own, or buy some of these special connectors from Sony directly to placeon your speaker wires. My recommendation? Avoid any receivers with non-standard speaker wire / sockets / plugs. Look allow messages or other connectors that bind aluminum calipers and a typical power cable.
Once you have solved the speaker wires, you need some cutting and removing, if you make your purchase decision. This is much easier than it looks, so do not worry!
Measure the length each time, cutting the power cable to be really greatScissors or a sharp knife. Now, the ends of the metal strip. Use a tool for stripping or simple old scissors. You can close the gap on the wire and gently place Apply Some Pressure, such as turning the scissors around the cable gently into a plastic lining. Eventually you'll get weak enough that you just slide by dragging it with your fingers. You need at least 1 / 4 "of bare wire.
Now you can make your speakers. As for the speaker cableDifference between the two ends. You must be a positive and as one of them to be used as a negative. Sometimes the lining of a different color between the two or is there a text and not in others. Keep these - depending on which side you go for the positive speaker, use it for positive on your receiver. Crossing the two can cause damage, either immediately or in the future. It might work this way, but do not want!
Connecting the speakers is fairly easy. Frontleft towards the front of the receiver, speaker from center to center of the receiver, etc. .. left The rear speakers can be used as "surround" or "Rear Surround", instead of just being "back", but keep in mind if you have a 7.1-or 8.1-channel receiver, "Surround" may indicate side surround speakers have not , rear speakers.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer is a bit 'more complicated. There are several ways to do this and many variations of inputs / outputs on the back of the subwoofer.I will work with most standard and efficient method immediately.
You will need a cable to connect the subwoofer sub. If you do not have one or do not want to buy one, you can use a standard red / white RCA cable replacement (or a couple, since they are usually connected, leave the cord to hang than others). It will work, but in reality it is the best way to do it. You also need what is called a Y-adapter. On the back of the sub, should be a left / right input (red and white). YouConnect the Y-adapter for these compounds and then the subwoofer cable (or RCA cable) to the other end of the Y (Note: If you do not have a Y adapter, just choose the input to the right or left to plug).
Now take the other end of the cable and connect it to the receiver
Subwoofer pre-out. I hope you have an active subwoofer, that is connected to an outlet. All you have to do now is to be inserted into the subwoofer and it is good.
If you do not have RCA jacks on theSubwoofer, or it has only taken the speaker wires (and its most likely not included), you must link to the old way. Plug your front left and right in your subwoofer output jack instead of the receiver. You then run speaker wire from the left and right inputs on the subwoofer outputs on the receiver left and right speakers. In this way, the receiver and powered subwoofer will not work as well as a lively, Sub. They also have some power away fromThe speakers in this way. A good idea is to buy a new powered subwoofer with line in RCA jacks.
Connecting the Dots
You have the hard stuff of their way. Now finish by the TV, DVD and cable / satellite. First round always with the best options. If the DVD
has HDMI and use as the receiver. If the DVD is only composite, S-Video and component, use component video cables. When it comes to audio, make sure
when using digitalcoaxial (jacks are usually orange) or fiber (usually recessed into the jack and has a door on it, and when the door is open, a visible red light). If you use one of these two, you will not get true surround sound! If anything, use the composite (red and white) audio connectors.
Note: Look closely at the connections to the receiver. Everything is labeled as the first group of red, green and blue component video inputs can be labeled "Comp 1". IfUse composite cablesfor sound audio, you must connect the jacks that coordinate with "Comp 1". This could not be clearer by the recipient, so you can find the manual for the receiver to find out which video inputs use the audio inputs. In most cases, they post a menu inside of the receiver with the remote control to configure.
On some receivers, all the component video inputs, for example, a single composite audio input are (usually"DVD") so if you connect more than one component input, will be competing for sound when more than one device is active. This is why you want to configure the component inputs on various audio inputs to be used.
The manual is the only way to learn how. usually correspond to composite video inputs with composite audio naming conventions like Video 1 -> Video 1, Video 2 -> Video 2, etc., but what DVI and component. It should also beto configure digital audio inputs match with video inputs that are in the planning. For example, if you want a digital coaxial input (possibly "Digital 1"), and use component video, click on "Digital 1" with "Comp 1" match. Also, consult the manual on how to do this.
