Frequently Asked Questions - B&K Reference 50 Owner's Manual

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My collection of equipment differs from the labels on the back of my processor, how can I hook them up?
Your processor provides 5 identical sets of inputs - V1, V2, DVD, CD, and SAT. Each of these has analog
audio, composite video, S-video, coaxial digital audio, and optical digital audio. It is convenient to connect
components as labeled on the back of your processor, but since all the inputs are identical, you can connect any
compatible source to any set of inputs. For example, you can connect a DAT player to V1 instead of a VCR. You
can program your processor to display any 5-character name for any input (see System Setup - Inputs).
The sixth input, TV, is identical to the others except that there is no optical digital. You can also connect
portables to any other coaxial digital input using adapters or special cables. If you have a source with only optical
digital output don't connect it to TV.
The seventh input, TAPE, has analog audio, composite video and S-video, but has no digital inputs. It is
primarily intended for analog recorders such as VCRs or cassette decks. If you have a three-head cassette or
reel-to-reel tape deck you will prefer the TAPE input since it allows a full tape monitor capability. Tape monitor
allows you to listen to what is actually on the tape as you are recording it. The V2 input also provides full tape
monitor capabilities for Zone 2. If you don't use Zone 2 you can use V2 as a second independent analog tape
monitor loop. V1 includes a line level output but does not provide true tape monitor capability.
My DVD player (or other source) has both optical and coaxial digital outputs. Should I connect both?
No, connect only one digital cable per source.
Do I need an AC-3 RF demodulator (B&K DT-1 or equivalent) to playback Dolby Digital
DVDs?
No, this is required only for Dolby Digital laser discs.
Do I need an AC-3 RF demodulator (B&K DT-1 or equivalent) to playback DTS laser discs?
No, this is required only for Dolby Digital laser discs.
Do I need to connect both analog and digital audio from my DVD player (or other digital audio source) to
the processor?
In general, it is simpler to connect both. However, if you can meet all of the following criteria you need
only connect digital:
1. I do not use Zone 2. (Zone 2 is analog only - if you use Zone 2 you must connect both left and right
analog to hear audio.)
2. I do not own any old laser discs. (Early laser discs contained only analog audio tracks - you must
connect both left and right analog audio to play these back.)
3. I do not use Tape Monitor. (It is possible to tape digital-only sources. However, if you wish to listen
directly to the tape as you are recording - you must connect both left and right analog audio - the tape
monitor loops are strictly analog.)
If the tape monitor loop is strictly analog, how do I make an analog recording of a digital-only source?
Do not select TAPE. Select the source you wish to record. Select STEREO 9, the LtRt mode. If that
source is digital, the converted digital-to-analog will appear at the tape and V1 outputs. V2 out, like Zone 2 out, is
analog only. (See also Operation - Audio Mode.)
I want to make direct digital recordings from my CD player (or other digital source) on my CD Recorder,
DAT (or other digital recorder). Can my processor make this connection for me?
Yes, your processor's digital outputs act much like the analog tape outputs. When you select a source, if
that source has a digital connection to your processor, then that digital signal will appear on the processor's
coaxial and optical digital outputs. Simply connect all of your sources digital outputs to your processors digital
inputs. You can then connect up to three digital recorder inputs to your processor's three digital outputs.
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