Home Theater: Understanding Receiver Inputs


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  Step 1:  Gauging Your Needs

The back of a receiver is usually just covered with audio inputs -- it can be overwhelming to contemplate. The most important step is to consider what gear you will be connecting. EVERYTHING in your home theater will have outputs that need to get to your receiver. Not just your DVD player, but your tape deck, your CD player, your VCR, your cable or satellite receiver, your HDTV tuner, even your videogaming console. Before you choose a receiver, take stock of these item and make sure your receiver can support them.
  Step 2:  Counting Up Audio Inputs

Analog audio inputs are used for a variety of devices. VHS, cassette decks, some game consoles, some CD players, many cable set top boxes, and even unexpected items like satellite radio tuners or camcorders will use a pair of analog audio inputs. If you're considering DVD-A or SACD, you'll need a special set of SIX analog audio inputs (often labeled "5.1 input") to support the multichannel analog outputs of those devices.
  Step 3:  Counting Up Video Inputs

You will also run most, if not all, of your video sources through your receiver. Consider the number (and type) of inputs you find on a DVD player, a VHS, a videogaming console, a laserdisc player, a camcorder, and any TV sources like cable set top boxes or satellite receivers. Most TVs simply don't have enough inputs to take all of these devices at once, but many receivers do; which can simplify the operation of your home theater -- simply select, for example, DVD on the remote , and video will be routed to the receiver.
  Step 4:  Understanding Digital Inputs

Some audio devices can forgoe analog audio inputs and use digital inputs instead (either optical or coaxial). This provides a simpler hook up process (1 cable instead of 2), and can provide better audio quality, as digital connections are less susceptible to noise and interference. For digital surround sound sources (like DVD, gaming consoles and some TV sources) you MUST use digital connections to take advantage of Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound.
  Step 5:  Counting Up Digital Inputs

At a minimum, you will need a digital audio input on your receiver for you DVD player. If you use digital cable or satellite TV, you'll want one for that device as well. Newer game consoles like Xbox or Playstation 2 also require a digital audio input for games with surround sound. If you have an HDTV tuner in your home theater, that too will require a digital input. Even devices, like CD players, which don't require digital inputs, will usually sound better if connected digitally.
  Step 6:  Planning for the Future

Keep in mind that your home theater may not be complete and finished the day you install it. While no piece of electronic gear is immune to becoming obsolete, you push that day off by choosing a receiver with more inputs than you need. This is particularly true when it comes to digital inputs, as more and more home theater components (like Media Center PCs) are coming equipped with digital audio connections. Digital audio inputs are essential for surround sound.
  Step 7:  Looking at Front Panel Inputs

Most of your inputs are one-time affairs. Plug something into the back of your receiver and forget it. Some devices, however, may be more portable. Many receivers have begun to feature at least one set of analog audio and video inputs on the front panel; a few even include a digital input on the front. This front panel input is exceedingly handy for devices like camcorders or game consoles that get moved around the house, but occasionally end up in the home theater.
  Step 8:  Understanding Assignable Inputs

Some inputs can be "assigned" after you've set up your home theater receiver. This is particularly true of digital audio inputs. What this means is that the input is not particularly tied to any button on your receiver. For example, you may have a digital audio input that is labeled DVD, but which can be reassigned. If you need to use this input for another device , you can assign it to work with a different video input , so when you select that input on the remote, the receiver finds the correct audio and video combination.
  Step 9:  Understanding Tape Loops

Cassette decks (and digital recorders like DATs and minidiscs) require a special set of inputs (and outputs) known as tape loops. A tape loop simply provides an input running from the recording device (so you can listen to the tape), and a set of analog audio outputs which can route any other audio input from the receiver to the recorder (which provides the material you want to record). Some receivers also include a digital output, which can send a pure digital signal to a digital recorder, avoiding any analog conversions.
  Step 10:  Understanding Phono Inputs

It may seem old fashioned, but many home theaters still include a phonograph. LP records are still produced (mainly for imports and independent record labels), and many home theater enthusiasts maintain old collections of records. Although the output of a phonograph is indeed analog, it can not be plugged into any analog audio input. Instead, a special input (usually labeled "phono") is required to "equalize" the phono output and make it work with the receiver.