Q&A # 21 - July 23, 1997
Staff
Q You mentioned in your review on the Millenium decoder that you can use it with a standalone AC-3 decoder and a 5.1 input receiver. Can you also use it with a standalone AC-3 decoder with an A/V preamp?
A Yes, the analog outputs from the AC-3 decoder pass through the Millennium DTS Decoder to the receiver or A/V preamp. The Millennium detects which signal is coming in (DTS digital bitstream or analog output from AC-3 decoder) and automatically switches that signal to the outputs of the Millennium.
Q I am considering adding a 5.1 DTS Processor to my system. They ask that your pre-amp be "digital ready". Why? Will my non-digital-ready pre-amp, amp setup with this processor give me 5.1 audio?
A "Digital-Ready" can mean a number of things. For speakers, it has meant that they are heavy-duty, so that the intense sound from a digital sound source (could be CDs, laserdiscs, DVD) will not overload them. For a receiver, it could mean that it is expected to have a powerful amplifier section, digital inputs, or a set of 5.1 analog input jacks. If you are getting a 5.1 processor, its outputs will be analog. There will be 3 outputs for the front left/center/right and 2 outputs for the rear left/right. There will also be a subwoofer (LFE or Low Frequency Effects) output. Since the processor you are purchasing is separate from the receiver, regardless of whatever they are referring to, you will need the set of 5.1 input jacks on the receiver to enjoy DTS sound. You will also need 5 channels of amplification and a powered subwoofer.
Q A front projector I am interested in accepts S-video and RGB inputs [as well as composite]. The separate line doubler accepts component inputs. What input to the projector would provide the best result?
A Feed the linedoubler all of your source inputs, and feed the RGB & Sync
(output) signals from the linedoubler to the projector. As far as which source outputs to feed the doubler, when using DVD and DSS use the component or S-video (Always use component when available!) For an LD player you would have to test the S-video and composite to see which
is better.
Q What is the best way to connect cable from the satellite dish to its receiver? Are all RG-6 cables equal? I know that Times Fibre makes a Series 11 75 ohm cable that has reduced attentuation as compared to their RG-6. Would this
be importation over a 80 ft run?
A Use RG-6. I played around with different types of cable, RG-59 etc. I
tried different brands of RG-6, and I did not really notice a difference. You
should stick with the RG-6 cable though. You should be ok with any RG-6 up
to 100 feet. If you need to go beyond 100 feet you might think about an
in-line amplifier. These are available for around $19.95.
Q Please help me out regarding the combination of NHT's 2.5 with Harman Kardon's AVR80. My question is that in your opinion would such a combo yield decent sound? Or should I get another amplifier that will do justice to
NHT 2.5's abilities of spreading sound? If I must require another
amplifier, which one would you guys reccomend? I do have a very limited
budget though. Also, these will be used mainly for home theater which is
located in a 12' x 11' room. The reason I ask this is that I already own
an HK AVR 80, and found a great deal on NHT 2.5s on the internet, but am not
sure if the AVR80 can compliment the speakers with its internal power
supply. I have auditioned NHT 2.5 at a local dealer, and loved the
speakers, but the setup was being powered by Adcom hardware. I'd appreciate
your response.
A The NHT 2.5i is a 6 Ohm nominal impedance speaker, 86 dB/w/m sensitivity, rated at 35 watts - 200 watts input. You should not have difficulty powering them with the Harman Kardon, but as with just about every receiver that has built-in power amplifiers, you can end up with clipping somewhat easier than with a good outboard power amplifier. The 2.5i really should have more power available because of its modest sensitivity, so if you get them, plan on upgrading within a year or so to a higher powered system such as an A/V preamp and outboard power amplifier of at least 125 watts/channel.
Q I have been looking through your website - which I discovered from another link, and I must say your site seems to be
the most user-friendly and non-condescending I have seen. It is really
helpful to those of us who don't aspire to get into the esoteric aspects of
audio-video - who just want to be able to push a few remote buttons and get
our systems to do what they're designed to do!
I have a question which I'm sure you have fielded and responded to many
times, and I have looked through your site for the info I'm seeking before
sending you this email - I did not find exactly what I need, so I'm asking
for help in connecting my system components. I have also looked at many
other websites, and, like another reader mentioned, have e-mailed the
manufacturers of my components with this request, but they have not
responded.
My system includes the following:
Sony 27" Trinitron, model KV-something or other (the manual is written for
several KV-models, and I'm at work so I don't know exactly which one I
have.) It has two A/V In ports, an S-video port and a port labeled L/R
Audio Out var/fix.
Sony SAT-B2 DSS satellite receiver, with two A/V ports, VHF/UHF In and
VHF/UHF Out, one RF remote, one Control "S" In "S" link, one VCR
mouse/Control "S" Out, and one Optical Digital Out, besides the Satellite
In and telephone ports.
JVC Model HR-VP618U Hi Fi VCR, with one A/V Out, one A/V In, one RF Out,
one Antenna In, and two ports which I don't think I'll be using much - an
RA Edit port and an "AV Compu Link" connector, which I believe makes other
JVC components work together.
Sony Model STR-D611 FM Stereo/FM-AM Surround Sound receiver, which among
all the speaker ports, phono, CD and Tape/DAT ports, has two A/V Ins, one
labeled Video 1 (there is also an A/V 1 Out) and one labeled Video 2/LD In
(there is no companion "Out" to this port.) There is also a port labeled
Monitor Video Out.
I believe I have enough cables (mostly RCA) to connect properly. I have a
75-ohm coax coming in from the satellite dish, and a 300-ohm twin lead
cable coming in from my rooftop TV antenna. I also have a Radio Shack A/B
splitter with three 75-ohm connectors which I think I'm going to have to
incorporate into this configuration somehow. I also have several 75-ohm
connecting cables of various links.
I can get almost all the way through trial and error. Some of the
connections are obvious, but my real dilemma is how to hook up the
components so I can receive satellite programming on one Surround Sound
channel and local TV reception on the other SS channel, and just change
between the two with the splitter. I also want to be able to record (both
spur-of-the-moment and programmed) from both signal sources.
If you can help me complete this, I would be greatly appreciative. If you
just point me to another source, preferably with diagrams, in your archives
or elsewhere on the 'Net, that would be great.
I've bookmarked your site and plan to re-visit on a regular basis. Thanks
a lot.
A Ok, lets see where we need to start.
-------------------------------RF Cable
connections-------------------------------------------
1. Antenna RF --> Sat. Rec. (SAT-B2)
2. DSS Dish RF --> Sat. Rec.
3. Sat. Rec. RF output --> VCR RF input.
4. VCR RF output --> RF in on Sony TV.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
------------------------------Sat. Rec. Into VCR for
Recording------------------------------
1. Sat. Rec. Composite Video & L/R Audio outputs --> VCR (Used for
recording off Sat. 'High Quality') VCR should be set on video input. I
believe it is called 'Aux' on JVC VCR's.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
---------------Video connections from VCR and
DSS------------------------------------
1. VCR Video cable (Composite) --> TV
2. Sat Rec. Video cable (S-Video) --> TV
2a. You can also run the Audio L/R cables from your DSS to the TV with the
S-Video connection for when you do not feel like using your surround
receiver.
****You are going to run the video cables from your VCR and DSS straight to
the TV as this will give you the best results, especially the DSS! Do not run
the video through the surround receiver. You will have to use input 1 and
input 2, and do not plug both of the cables (S-video and composite) into the
same input on the TV. Some TVs will ignore the composite when an S-video
cable is plugged into the same input.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
--------------Audio Cables from your sources to Surround
Receiver----------------
1. VCR audio outputs --> Sony Surround Rec. Video1. (There should be 1
video and 1 pair of audio inputs for both the Video 1 and Video 2 inputs.)
2. DSS audio outputs --> Sony Surround Rec. Video2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
With the following setup you can record from your antenna and DSS using the
RF input (i.e., channel 3 or 4, which ever one you have set the VCR and DSS
for. They should both be set for the same channel.)
When you have your VCR set on the video input you can record straight
from the DSS using the separate A/V cables. This will make a higher
quality dub.
You will have to switch the video input on your TV when watching the VCR or
DSS (this is for the best quality). You can also watch the DSS through the
VCR but with lower quality, or through the RF input on the TV (channel 3 or
4) for the lowest quality.
In this setup, you will not be able to use the video input from the VCR
without your surround sound receiver on. (You will get the video, but no
sound because you only have one set of audio outputs on the VCR and those
are being fed to the receiver.) If you want to watch the VCR without the
surround receiver, you must use the RF input (i.e., channel 3 or 4)
This whole process will require two remote control button selections,
one on the TV remote for your video, and one on the surround sound
receiver for your audio. I have eliminated your switcher since it is not
really necessary with only two sources.
I hope this is clear, but if not, please feel free to write again.
� Copyright 1997
Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity
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