RSP-985
15
All RCA-type connections on the RSP-985 follow these standard
color codes:
Left channel audio = RCA jack with white inset
Right channel audio = RCA jack with red inset
Composite video = RCA jack with yellow inset
Connect the OUTPUTS of your source components to the appro-
priate INPUTS on the RSP-985. For example, if your system in-
cludes a CD player, connect its left and right channel analog
outputs to the RSP-985’s CD inputs. To hookup a video source,
connect its analog audio outputs to one pair of the RSP-985’s
VIDEO audio inputs and its video composite RCA output to the cor-
responding composite RCA video input.
S-Video Source Inputs
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[See Figure 5]
These mini-DIN inputs allow the RSP-985 to receive S-Video sig-
nals from appropriately-equipped source components as an alter-
native to the standard RCA video inputs described above.
If you opt for S-Video connections, remember that long S-Video
cable runs can cause significant signal degradation. In some diffi-
cult system configurations, composite connections may actually
be preferable. In all cases, keep your cables as short as possible
to insure the best performance.
Note: You may not get the best signal from a Laser Disc player by
using the S-Video output. Because the format is older, LD players
add a circuit to separate the luminance (black and white) from the
chrominance (color) information that make up the complete video
signal. This extra circuitry may actually degrade the apparent
resolution of an LD player’s S-Video output. Experiment to deter-
mine which output provides a sharper picture in your system.
S-Video hookup is straightforward. Simply connect the S-Video
output of each video source component to the appropriate S-
Video input on the back panel of the RSP-985 in place of the RCA
composite video connections. Remember that you will still need to
use the RCA-type connections for the audio signals from each
source component.
When connecting video source components, make sure that all
audio and video signals from one component connect to the same
set of inputs on the RSP-985. For example, if you connect your
VCR to the VIDEO 2 inputs, make sure that both the audio and
video signals are connected to the VIDEO 2 inputs.
Digital Audio Inputs
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The RSP-985 features a complete decoding and D/A conversion
capability which accepts digital input signals from source compo-
nents. These include digital signals from CD players (44.1kHz sam-
pling rate), satellite TV tuners (32kHz sampling rate), and 5.1
channel Dolby Digital and DTS signals from DVD and Laser Disc
players (32kHz to 48kHz sampling rate). The digital circuitry
senses the incoming signal type and adjusts to it automatically.
To take full advantage of various digital sources, the RSP-985 ac-
cepts digital signals from source components in two different for-
mats. The digital inputs are as follows:
OPTICAL: Allows connection of a standard optical digital output
from a digital TV tuner, DVD player, or other source component.
Requires an optical digital cable. Optical digital inputs are avail-
able on the back panel for the TUNER input and the VIDEO 4 input.
COAXIAL: Standard digital connectors for use with the digital out-
put of any component. Coax digital connectors are available for
the CD, VIDEO 1, VIDEO 2, and VIDEO 3 inputs.
Note: To connect a Laser Disc player’s AC-3 RF output connection,
you must use an external RF demodulator to convert the RF-modu-
lated AC-3 signal to a conventional digital signal which is then
connected to the RSP-985’s coax digital input.
To use the digital inputs, connect the appropriate cable from the
digital output of your source component to the corresponding
digital input on the RSP-985.
It is necessary to configure each source to use the desired input
(digital or analog). This configuration is done using the ON-
SCREEN MENU system and is memorized so that simply selecting
a SOURCE INPUT button activates the appropriate audio input.
Note: The RSP-985 is a digital component. Incoming analog sig-
nals are converted to the digital domain for processing. To avoid a
D/A conversion at the source component and subsequent A/D
conversion at the RSP-985 input stage, it is best to use digital sig-
nal connections whenever possible. However, you should still
hook up analog audio signal connections from each source be-
cause only analog inputs are available at the tape monitor out-
puts, for recording and for use in Zone 2.
5.1 Channel Audio Input
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This 25-pin input connects six discrete channels of analog infor-
mation from an outboard processor.
Many external adaptors provide a choice of RCA or DB25 outputs.
We suggest that you use a DB25-to-DB25 cable to reduce the
number of cables and to insure proper channel-to-channel conti-
nuity. If your external adaptor does not have a DB25 output, you
will need to purchase a multi-RCA to DB25 adaptor cable from
your authorized Rotel dealer. Be sure to observe proper channel
continuity.
Note: The 5.1 Channel Input is an audio-only signal. The video sig-
nal from the selected source remains active. The 5.1 Channel in-
put signal is not available for recording or for Zone 2.
RCA Tape Monitor Inputs
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A pair of standard RCA inputs accept the left and right analog au-
dio signals from a cassette deck or other audio tape recorder.
These inputs are activated when the front panel TAPE MONITOR
button is pressed.
