What is a receiver?

A receiver is that big, heavy thing that you plug your speakers and other components (like a DVD player, TV, CD player, Xbox, PlayStation, iPod, etc..) His "brain" of the question, really. The idea of all the components to a receiver is the concept of audio, video switching, allowing you to different video sources (eg TV, DVD, camcorder) on your TV
and thus change the audio source – all without touching anything,but the recipient.

Of course, the main objective, audio / video switching with an audio receiver to the external speakers as the surround speakers or stereo is run.

Most receivers have a variety of inputs, and more specifically to 8 speakers and a subwoofer (, 5.1 or five speakers and a subwoofer), multiple video inputs, and even HDMI. You can plug Xbox, Plasma and DVD player to your receiver and use a remote to switch between all the different video sources(Games, TV, video) and have pumped your speaker surround sound. Start with the inputs and outputs. If you do not understand something, read the full how-to, most of which will be explained in detail.

Remember that a receiver is the hub for all your complete home theater, so this How-To actually perform the basics of connecting your home theater.

So what the hell is all this "stuff" on the back of the receiver?

I only goYou can find almost anything on the back of the receiver. The one I'm off base this guide is a Harman Kardon AVR-247, I'll start from the top of the camera left and on my way to the right, then I will start with the left next row and so on.

The first three entries are for antennas. An FM antenna cable would slide on the choice of the two first son, she could in the remaining slots for AM-plug. Of course, you do not need to connect your antenna to connect to, but ifThey AM / FM reception through your speakers, you want to go ahead and do it. These are standard connections, so if you lose one of your antennas, just go buy a new cheap.

You've probably heard of composite video. It is a very simple video connection is used by most components (TV, DVD, VCR, etc.). Its policy and affordable. As such, the very low quality.
Uses a composite RCA cable for video (yellow) and two RCA cables for audio (red and white stereo). TheProblem is that a composite video cable combines luminance and chrominance in the same cable, reducing the image quality. You lose a lot of sharpness and color begins to deteriorate from the original source. Be useful if you have the extra supplies or equipment that you need a composite video connection. Otherwise, use something else, like component video. Sounds like very different.

S-Video is the next in line after composite. It uses a different type of connector (five-pinin a circle) and offers a slightly better video quality. It is also just a video cable, you must connect audio separately in touch. In this case, you should probably use a pair of RCA cables, red and white for your audio inputs.

Next up: a ton of composite audio inputs. These inputs use left channel and right channel RCA cables, red and white. They look like the yellow composite video cable, and you can even them for video and the yellow for audio, butLet the paint as it is;) Composite Audio is the bottom of the barrel-in audio. Its perfect for most, but if you are looking for high quality surround sound, you do not want composite. Game systems like the Wii or Xbox and DVD player very simple form a perfect combination for audio composite.

The same goes for VCRs, CD players, and everything that has only a composite audio output. Even if you do not have surround sound or your receiver only two channels (2.1, StereoSound), you will not be able to use anything but composite audio. Note that there is a composite audio input under each composite-video input, so it is easy to fit. Plug them in the entries are wrong and you do not have sound when you on this particular video input.

Here we have one of the least-used features of a modern receiver: 6 (or the direct preparation. It is only used for two purposes: SACD or DVD-Audio. SACD stands for Super Audio CD. This is a propertyAudio format developed by Sony for CDs that are special recorded in 5.1 surround. This means that you are) a CD or DVD / CD player, SACD, a receiver with SACD support (as seen in picture, and need, of course, Super Audio CD support. DVD-Audio is the idea of different brands, different media (sound of a DVD, not CD!).

DVD-Audio discs are special DVDs in 5.1 surround sound is recorded and can be played for them for any support. These CDs go all the way up to 7.1 surroundSound, which means that two front must have enjoyed two rear, two side speakers and a subwoofer 7.1 surround sound. Most receivers support up to 7.1 now, but you will not find DVDs with that kind of capability for movies. 5.1 surround is still the de facto standard, so do not run out and buy more speakers anytime soon.

You can skip this next little item because it is unique to this brand of receiver (Harman Kardon). The Bridge "is an exclusive connection they developed for youContact
an iPod. You must buy a separate component that includes a docking station and special cables to connect to the iPod. It fits perfectly with the receiver, the display
Menus and songs on the LCD screen in front of the receiver. You can easily pump your tunes through the speakers, whether stereo or surround.

Of course, the music from your iPod is stereo sound, so the best that can happen is to simulate a surround sound or stereo surround sound, the sameMusic in two front channels
is set through the rear channels and in the middle. Some receivers of this intelligent than others, but more on that later.

Here we have our high-end audio inputs / outputs. Basically, have the same performance, you need fiber optic connections (with the square) and digital coaxial (like a cinch) cable.
These two elements are digitally to 100%, while Composite is analog. The only way you can use true surround sound from any source;one of these links (or / option SACD DVD-Audio)

Almost all DVD players these days have either optical or coaxial digital outputs (sometimes both). Many high-definition cable and satellite boxes also come with these
Connections you 5.1 surround sound on HD channels. The choice between the two, there's really no difference between audio quality, so feel free to use
what you want (or what you are forced to).

I do not think that I have a picture for the nextSheet. His two current inputs. One is to the receiver power and one for everything you want. In this way, when you turn
on the receiver, give power to another device (either a DVD player, CD player, cable or other). I'm not necessarily recommend, unless it specifically suits
Your needs. It is useful if you are short on outlets, of course.

Something else will you never use: D-bus RC-5 input / output. It is used for infrared remote controls to support yourHome Theater System. Frankly, this is not something to use what most of us never. Some of the real high-end junkies could with something for them, but I've never used a camera that uses this technology. Keep up on the remote that came with your device, or purchase a high quality universal remote. It is not necessary for this option. Or you can take this a bit more common: When the front of the receiver is locked (as in a closet), you could get an infrared transmitter on the chestbefore. This transmitter is to another device anywhere in your room, the signals accepted by the remote control attached. The receiving device then transmits the remote control of the receiver (via the channel you have connected to the front over the regular infrared transmitter).

Pre-outs, is located in the remote in / out. Pre-outs are used when an (increase amplifier to your system to power and thus) the volume and audio quality.Average
Users will not use it for anything other than the subwoofer pre-output. You want to give a cable from the subwoofer subwoofer subwoofer pre-run-out to
Frequencies on the right. It is the right way to connect the subwoofer to your surround system. Other entries are not used to it if you want to add
an amplifier. This is very useful for home use. You can add an amplifier if you fill a space the size of a small house with a rather tryingbut you're not, right?

Here we finally get the meat of the system inputs speakers! Harman Kardon query posts for connecting speakers, as shown in the photo. They
Work is in the row as it counter-clockwise, then sneak into the speaker wires under the CAP, and again draw released by turning clockwise. This will
Give your speaker cable adjustment Tug of Nice, is not likely to loosen itself over time. Other BrandsCan other types of connections that bind but contributions are very common.
You might be able to say this is a 7.1-channel receiver because the speaker inputs.

They are for 2 front left and right, 2 rear left and right
a central channel and two on the left and right "surround" channels that are somewhere between the front and back side (side surround or 7.1). If you have enough
Speakers, you can proceed to plug-and –in those extra 2 side, but they will not play any sound at all to DVD 5.1. You need a DVD that supports 7.1
Surround sound, and this time there is simply no market for them. CD like blast stereo surround through all 7 speakers, but also for some larger rooms, it is a
Advantage.

Our last set of connectors for this receiver: component video. The best video you can change the composite or S-video. It is their a series of three cables (note for allVideo)
Envoy Red, Green and Blue. Do not think that's what cable, though – it separates the video signal luminance and two color channels. In the past component
Has he, in fact, R, G are, B (splitting the primary colors in the transmission and recombination) on the target device, but is not in the current component video
Connections. Component video can carry high-definition signals all the way up to 1080p, making it the most profitable andeasily accessible introduction to high definition.
Not seen on this receiver are DVI and HDMI, both digital video connections.

HDMI is the new, faster, stronger now, video and audio connection. It is the cable, which produces audio and video does not mention in one – that is in high definition.
HDMI is supported by the source and use the monitor to connect to all its properties. Not all DVD players, cable boxes, support or the recipient of both
Audio and Video –HDMI. The more standard now support both. The advantage is obvious: less clutter, higher quality audio and video. You can
to 1080p high-definition video and 7.1 surround sound via an HDMI cable. The new cable and satellite boxes, DVD players, DVD players, HD receivers and more expensive
supports the full capability of HDMI. It's the best you can, like all non-digital goes.

The last link of this article is DVI. DVI is alsoLike all digital HDMI, but it can not process audio signals. May a HDMI picture offer technically superior
but I do not think you can make a difference. DVI supports HD video up to 1080p, and HDMI. His being is now used less frequently,
But if you bought a new computer or video card in your PC recently, it probably has a DVI cable (or two) connector on it. Most computer monitors use DVI now and video cards
have followed suit. HDMI is edge its way intothe PC market, but its dominance is seen in the home theater arena.

Now that you are familiar with common connections, let's plug it all together.

This part of the recipient's How-To will walk you through hooking a 5.1 surround sound guide (5 speakers and a subwoofer) with an HDTV, high-definition cable box or satellite receiver, DVD player and a version 5.1 receiver.

Your TV & Components

When you turn on your TV depends on their size,How big is your room where you sit. If the 50-inch, remain no more than 10-15 meters, but also no less.
A set of 60 "is perfect for 12-20 feet. If you have a set of 32 inches, try further than 8-12 feet sit. Your receiver, DVD player, cable and other components should obviously close but do not place them physically interdependent. They are all hot, especially the receiver. If you have no choice but to drag a piece of plywood between the components in order to dispense the heat.

Have Speaker

The first step is to define your configuration. Different rooms call for different locations for your speakers and subwoofer. If your room is a typical rectangle, go ahead and put the two front left and right anywhere with the TV flush on this side of the room. Your left speaker goes to the left corner of the right speaker to the right corner. Do not bother with> Speaker cable yet (unless your speakers with speaker wire attached already to have in this case, simply hang up now). Please note that the President is right or left solely dependent on how you connect to your receiver. Your speakers are not really known as "left" or "right".

Depending on how you acquired your speakers, front speakers can be larger than your rear speakers. That's how you know them at the front. Otherwise, all your speakers arethe same shape and size, and you can each use for any purpose.

An exception is the central channel. In general, a center channel is much shorter and wider than the other speakers. It should be used for the center channel. Sometimes all be the same 5 speakers, a configuration is usually very cheap. You can one of these speakers for a particular purpose.

Your center channel should always go directly above or below your TV.How ever you need to do is ask! They are called the central channel for nothing, you know. Each film will pump about 90% of the voices you hear, and the rest of the sounds through the central channel. It is a very important component to the surround-sound setup.

Your subwoofer should always be on the floor. If you do not place on the floor, put it on the ground as possible to close. Be placed behind the objections or in the closetReduce their impact. In a perfect design, the subwoofer would be (on the floor near the TV to the left or right) in the line of sight. Nothing can escape from the side of the subwoofer unit, air (usually by a grille to protect the subwoofer itself covers).

When it comes to a good place for your speakers, you can mount it. You can usually buy speaker terminals brackets online or in stores. You can also
existing usePlaced shelves, my shelves or on tables or other objects. No matter how you do this, try to keep the speakers at ear level as close as possible. A loudspeaker on the ceiling of your room you do not receive the optimal listening experience.

The last one, remember what they say about the plot, is the son of the housing. Perhaps at least 100 meters pregnant by the son, but even more often with the help if you
trying to thread through yourCeiling, under carpeting, up through the basement or hidden objects. The measurements and buy the wire, at least 10% more than
You think you need. You will probably be it!

Wiring

You need different types of housing available to the son to know you before you leave your home theater. If you have a (HTIB Home Theater purchased) in a box, it probably came with 100 feet of wire horribly cheap speaker. You do not want that! Do yourself a favor buy:High quality, 14-gauge speaker wire. All that is higher than 14-gauge only thin and likely Interent, loss of quality and low quality over long distances. Fourteen gauge is a good thickness and suitable for most home theater systems. Also, make sure its not too thick – some speaker wire simply not on cable outlets in speaker to get some receivers.

Some receivers use proprietary speaker inputs. Sony is an example. Many Sony receivers havespecial connectors for speaker wire and will not accept wireless speaker standard. You either have to use the Sony-provided speaker wire to take the ends of Sony speaker wire and put it on your own or purchase these special connectors from Sony directly in your thread of the pregnant body. My recommendation? Avoid any receivers with non-standard jobs Speaker Wire / connector / plug. Looking to link contributions, or other measures that you slip intoand suppress a typical speaker wire.

If you have ordered your speaker cable, you need to do some cutting and stripping, if you chose to buy you. This is much easier than it seems, so do not worry!

Fairs cut the length of each individual at a time when the speaker wire, either with scissors or a sharp knife. Now you need to strip the wire ends. Use either a stripping tool, or the good old scissors. You can use the scissors on theCable and gently Apply Some Pressure, how to use the scissors to cut the cable back carefully into the plastic liner. Finally, it is low enough that you can slide just by dragging it with your fingers. You need at least 1 / 4 "of exposed wire.

Now you can connect your speakers are connected. Note on your speaker wire the difference between the two ends. You must use a positive and a negative one. Sometimes the coating is in a different color fromTwo or text on one and the other not. Keep these – depending on which side you positive your speakers, use it positively to the receiver. Crossing the two can cause damage, either immediately or in the future. It might work this way, but you do not want it!

Connecting the speakers is fairly simple. From left in front of the receiver, speakers on the left of center to center on your receiver, etc. .. Your speakers in May as a "surround"or "Surround" instead of just "back", but keep in mind if you have a receiver 7.1 or 8.1-channel "surround sound" can be shown on this page, surround speakers, no rear speakers.

Subwoofer

Your subwoofer is a bit more complicated. There are several ways to address these and several variations of inputs and outputs on the back of the subwoofer to do. I go with the first method, the more standard and efficient.

You need a cable to connect your subwooferSub. If you do not, or not to buy, you can replace a standard cable, red and white RCA (or a couple, because they are typically connected, leave the other hanging cables). It works, but really not the best way to do this. You also need an adapter called whats Y. On the back of the sub, it must be a left / right input (red and white). Connect the Y-adapter with these compounds and the cable from the subwoofer (or RCA cables) to the other end of the Y (Note: IfYou have no Y-adapter, you simply select the input to the left or right) to connect.

Now take the other end of the cable and plug it into your receiver
Subwoofer pre-output. I hope you have a powered sub, which means that plug into an electrical outlet. Everything you need to do is plug-and-subwoofer is good, d '.

If you do not have RCA jacks on your subwoofer, or that speaker cable connectors (and very likely not powered), you must connect to the formerFashioned Way. Your front left and right ouput jacks plug into the subwoofer instead of your receiver. You can then speaker wire from the left and right inputs on the subwoofer to your left and right speaker outputs of your receiver. In this way the field is driven by the recipient and will not work, as well as power. Also some power away from your front speakers with this method. A good idea is to buy a subwoofer, powered by the new lineRCA connectors.

Connecting the Dots

You have the stuff the hard way. Now it is finally connected to your TV, DVD and cable / satellite. Always try to see the options on first use. If your DVD —
HDMI and your receiver has to use. If your DVD S only via composite, S-Video and component, a component Use the video cable. When it comes to audio, you absolutely need
via the digital (coax are usually orange) or fiber optic (usually the object in the embeddedUnit and a door on them when the door is opened, a red light is visible). If you do neither, you will not get true surround sound! If all else fails, resort to composite (red and white) audio connectors.

Note: close to the terminals on your receiver look. Everything is like the first series of red, green and blue component video inputs can be labeled "Comp 1 with the designation". If you are using composite audio-cablesfor your sound, you need to plug into an outletto coordinate that with "Comp 1". This may not by the beneficiaries clearly understand manually into the receiver to the video inputs, audio inputs used to refer to. In most cases you will be able to configure from internal menu of the receiver with the remote.

On some receivers, all the component video inputs, for example in relation to a composite audio input (usually "DVD"), so if you are more than one component input, in order to competeTone, if more than one device is active. That's why you want to configure the component inputs to use different audio inputs.

My manual is the only way to understand how. Composite video is generally consistent with the composite audio inputs with naming conventions like Video 1 -> Video 1, Video 2 -> Video 2, etc., but such as cable and DVI component may not work. You should also configure digital audio inputs to video inputs match, you want to use. ForFor example, if you use a digital coaxial input (possibly "Digital 1"), and component video, you want to match "Digital 1" with "Comp 1". Again, consult your manual for how to do it.