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Connecting HDTV

Cables, Connectors, and Accessories

A number of interconnecting cables will be needed to join all the equipments together and these should be of good quality and well installed to make the system fully reliable. The number and types to be used depend on the details of your specific installation noted below in each of the reference connection diagrams. Typical cables are illustrated here so they can be identified easily.

analog-video.jpg (5508 bytes) Analog Video and Audio.
Analog component connection of HDTV is made using component-grade cables using the RCA connectors illustrated. Component cables are color coded , green for Y, red for Pr and blue for Pb. For very short lengths, other similar cables may work but with possible reduction in signal quality. Audio cables are color coded, red for Right audio and white for Left audio.
Digital Video and Audio.
Digital interconnection of the video will result in the highest quality on the screen. Some HD televisions and may use either the DVI connection or the HDMI connection.
dvic.jpg (3293 bytes) DVI High speed digital connections for HDTV can be made using the DVI (Digital Visual Interface) which uses a number of variants of the 24 pin connection. Illustrated is the dual-channel DVI-I version commonly used to enable bi-directional or two channel connection between interactive STB’s or computers and some high-end displays. DVI connections carry only video so that audio must be carried by other cables. Pre-formed cables for DVI up to 10 ft. in length are available. Longer lengths require specialized materials and are expensive.
hdmi.jpg (5343 bytes) HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface. HDMI is designed to carry digital HDTV (uncompressed), audio and control between consumer devices, such as an STB and a display. The signals are backward compatible with DVI but HDMI uses smaller connectors and include. multi-channel audio. The interface can be bi-directional, thus enabling interactive TV or device control. Cables to interconnect DVI and HDMI devices are available. HDMI uses either a 19 pin connector for single link (HDTV) or a larger 29 pin connector for the dual link.
db-15.jpg (3639 bytes) Mini DB 15 RGB Monitor Cables. Some STB’s and HDTV monitors are equipped with analog RGB interfaces which, when connected through this cable with Mini DB 15 pin connectors, yields a very high quality picture on the screen. This connection may also be used to connect a PC to the HDTV display. The cables are usable directly in lengths up to 5 m. with special cables needed beyond that. The connectors are secured with screw locks to ensure reliable connection.
fwire.jpg (2406 bytes) Firewire/1394 Some digital video connections may be made using the Firewire (IEEE1394) connection, commonly used on digital video cameras. Usually both video and audio are carried together. The four pin version of the connector is illustrated here but a six pin version may also be encountered on some devices. Prefabricated cables up to 3 m. long and adapters between the two versions are available in electronics dealers.
ac3.jpg (2466 bytes) Fiber link The data stream of the Dolby Digital audio in SPDIF format is frequently made available in optical form (IEC-958) for sending to the decoder in the audio system. An optical fiber cable may be employed for this purpose and is referred to as an “Optical audio output cable”. Care should be taken to avoid excessive bending or twisting of these cables to avoid breaking the fiber inside. In some cases this digital audio stream connection may be in electrical form using RCA coaxial jacks. The cable used is then similar to that for analog audio illustrated above.
NTSC Connections
rca-gif.gif (5520 bytes) The SDTV NTSC signal from external devices, such as a DVD or VHS player are connected using RCA cables and jacks similar to those illustrated above for HDTV components. However, they do not have to meet the same performance characteristics and are color coded differently. Yellow is used for NTSC SD analog video, red for analog audio Right and white for analog audio Left. If the SD video is in analog component form, component cables similar to those described for HDTV may be used.
ss-video1.gif (4559 bytes) S-Video Cables. Available in various lengths and used in some televisions to improve picture quality of NTSC signals, for instance when down-converted from HDTV. If the choice exists, use of the S-Video connection will give better quality of picture. With S-Video interconnection, audio must be interconnected separately using RCA cables (see above).
bncj.jpg (4071 bytes) BNC Cables. Coaxial cables used to interconnect professional and prosumer equipment. Not commonly used in DTV equipments.
RF Signal connections
fcoax.jpg (2544 bytes) F Cables The connection to the TV cable system, the antenna or to the satellite dish will make use of coaxial cable with F connectors. Dependent on the length of the cable needed, one of several possible cables may be selected. For short lengths, RG-59 (shown here) is acceptable, but for longer runs to a roof-top antenna a low-loss cable may be needed. An expert installer should consulted in this case for guidance.

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