The AV System Sequence
No Sound, No Picture, No Fun
Picture a slew of empty audio and video cardboard component boxes strewn across the floor.
A rookie home theater enthusiast, kneeling behind his system components.
He’s hopelessly entangled in a puzzling nest of audio and video cables.
Overwhelmed and exhausted, he reaches for a lifeline, his buddy “the home theater expert.”
“His Expert”
“His expert’s” result — no sound, no picture, and no fun.
Our rookie enthusiast is crushed.
He has three remaining options.
#1 Give up.
#2 Seek professional help
#3 Apply the AV System Sequence.
Option one is an impulsive, emotional response.
I don’t like it.
Take a deep breath.
Clear the mind.
Calmly consider options two and three.
Option two is solid.
Call your retailer for guidance.
Some gifted retailers, as air traffic controllers, can execute successful landings over the phone.
On the other hand, you can pay for a house call installation.
However, if the system was purchased online or in the big Box, this option is jeopardized.
Option three:
Engage the AV System Sequence.
Rise from your knees.
Dig out from behind the components.
Untangle puzzling cables.
Light up the TV screen.
Immerse your ears in audio pleasure.
I like this option.
The AV System Sequence
The “Sequence” is an AV road atlas that logically maps out system interconnecting cable routing.
By the way, this ‘road atlas’ can be applied to any audio or video system.
Yes, this includes stereo audio, home theater, car audio, commercial, studio, and PA systems.
The “Sequence” maps the path of selected AV sources through the system components that reproduce their sound and or video. It’s a mandatory path of component exits to only component entrances.
Non-conformity results in silence and a blank video screen.
Our rookie enthusiast will hear sound & see video only when the mandatory sequence has been established.
First off, I recommend that our AV rookie engage option three from scratch.
Clear away all interconnecting cables and place them neatly on the floor.
Then proceed.
The Sequence
The Source > The Preamp/AV Pre-pro > The Amplifier > The Speaker & or TV
Note:
Sequence components can be combined (integrated) with another or more than one component.
I list examples in a closing note at the bottom of the page.
The Source
The source is the initial component of the “Sequence.”
Sources include audio & video streaming boxes, turntables, CD players, DVD players, Blu-ray players, game consoles, cable boxes, satellite receivers, cassette tape decks, open-reel tape decks, & AM/FM tuners.
CD Player
Blu-Ray Player
Each source includes output jacks that feed the input jacks of the “next Sequence”.
Bluetooth source devices connect wirelessly to the next Sequence.
Select this LINK for examples of prevailing plugs and jacks: HDMI, RCA, 5-way binding, Toslink, USB, RF, XLR.
Note:
Video sources, such as the Blu-ray player, can be connected directly to a TV’s HDMI input jacks.
TVs include a version of the remaining sequence steps. But this option significantly sacrifices sound quality.
The Audio Preamp / AV Pre-Pro
The next step in the sequence path is the ‘audio preamp’ or the ‘AV pre-pro’.
Audio Preamp
The audio preamp connects only audio sources.
The AV Pre-pro
The AV pre-pro adds video HDMI source connections.
Sources “enter” the audio preamp and the AV pre-pro via labeled input jacks.
The audio preamp and the AV pre-pro switch between connected sources via a labeled-front panel knob or button. Onscreen menus manage wireless Bluetooth sources.
The audio preamp RCA or XLR output jacks and the AV pre-pro RCA or XLR audio jacks, plus HDMI video output jacks, feed the input jacks of the “next sequence.
Note:
Before the sources reach preamp/pre-pro output jacks, selected sources are manipulated and/or processed via a knob, button, or setup menu. Manipulation includes volume, balance, bass/treble, and equalization. Processing includes surround formats and a phono preamp stage.
The Amplifier
The next step in the sequence path is the ‘audio amplifier’ or the ‘video amplifier’.
Audio Amplifier
The audio preamp & the AV pre-pro audio output jacks feed the input jacks of the audio amplifier.
The audio amplifier boosts/amplifies the audio signal.
Stereo Two-channel audio amplifier
Five-channel home theater audio amplifier
The audio amplifier output jacks feed the input jacks in the next Sequence, “The speaker.”
Video amplifier
The video signal is routed from the AV Pre-pro HDMI output to a TV HDMI input.
The video amplifier, integrated with the TV video decoding circuitry, boosts the video signal.
The Speaker and or TV
The Speaker
The amplifier speaker output jacks connect to the speaker input jacks.
The speaker reproduces the audio.
and or TV
The AV Pre-pro HDMI output jack feeds a TV’s HDMI input jack.
The TV’s integrated video decoder/amplifier illuminates the pixel elements of the TV screen.
& TV Notes:
#1 “& TV” also includes video projectors & their screen.
#2 TVs include several labeled HDMI input jacks. Select the labeled TV input button to view the video.
#3 TVs also include built-in video sources such as streaming video apps and a TV off-air tuner. They are selected via an input button or on-screen menu option.
#4 The Audio Return Channel (ARC). If the TV & AV Pre-pro are ARC-enabled, TV sources can reroute (return) audio to the AV Pre-pro via the connected HDMI cable.
#5 Engaging a TV’s digital audio output Toslink jack is also an audio “return” option.
Sound, Picture, Fun
Our rookie enthusiast stood tall with the knowledge of the AV System Sequence.
He rose from his knees to apply the “Sequence”.
He is no longer buried behind his system components.
He untangled the puzzle of the audio and video interconnects.
His empty component boxes are in storage.
And his home theater system looks and sounds great.
What about you?
Is your TV screen blank?
Is your speaker system silent?
Well, get up from your knees.
Engage the logical path of the AV System Sequence.
Then tell your AV enthusiast friends about “The AV System Sequence.”
The Sequence fosters efficient and successful system setups.
It’s a mandatory path that also assists in diagnosing system problems.
That’s it …
… well, almost.
here’s a closing note.
The sequenced components are available in many configurations.
They’re configured as stand-alone separate components or as follows:
• Preamp + Stereo Amplifier = Stereo Integrated Amplifier.
• AM/FM tuner + Preamp + Stereo Amplifier = Stereo Receiver.
• Stereo Receiver + Video Switching = AV Stereo Receiver.
• AM/FM Tuner + AV Pre-Pro + Multi-channel Amplifier = Home Theater Receiver.
• TV tuner + Pre-Pro + Video amplifier + Audio amplifier + Speakers + Display Screen = Television.
• Remove TV tuner = Video Monitor.
• AM/FM Tuner + Preamp + Amplifier + Speaker = Table, Portable, or Pocket Radio.
If you hear audio and see the video, The Sequence is correctly mapped.
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