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Chapter 2: Connecting
32
• Do not place an IEEE 1394 device between the
media center and the display.
• Do not make a loop with the last device in the
chain. When the device chain is looped, the
media center may not be able to work with the
other devices.
• Place devices that have only a mechanical (two-
position) power switch at the end of the chain or
leave the power switch in the On position. When
turned Off, IEEE 1394 signals may not be able to
pass through the device to other devices.
• Place devices with the slowest communication
speed at the end of the chain. Sometimes the
communication speed will be marked near the
IEEE 1394 connector with an “S” number. The
higher the number, the faster the communication
speed. This media center has a communication
speed of S400. Devices with slow communication
speed can interfere with IEEE 1394 signals from
faster devices. When using NetCommand to set
up a digital recording between a faster and slower
device, the slower device should be the source
and the faster device should be the recorder.
• Do not use an IEEE 1394 cable longer than 15 feet
between each device.
• The media center is an IEEE 1394a Device. IEEE
1394b is currently under development. This
system will provide for longer distances and multi-
room applications. Included in the IEEE 1394b
systems are IEEE 1394a to IEEE 1394b converters
to maintain compatibility with this media center
and other IEEE 1394a devices.
Compatible IEEE 1394 Device
It is possible to connect devices to the media center that
have IEEE 1394 connectors but are not compatible with
the media center or with the NetCommand
®
control
system. Areas of compatibility to consider are:
1. Digital Video Signals
The media center is able to decode MPEG2 video. Other
types of digital video, such as DV video provided by
some camcorders, must be decoded by the source
device and sent to the media center as analog video or S-
Video. If the camcorder uses a compatible digital control
system, the IEEE 1394 cable can still provide control for
the camcorder while the display is receiving the analog
video or S-Video signals.
2. Digital Audio Signals
The media center is able to decode Dolby Digital signals
and MPEG audio signals. Other types of digital audio as
provided by some digital recording devices, such as MP3
audio and DTS audio, cannot be decoded by the media
center when received over IEEE 1394.
The media center may not be able to pass incompatible
digital audio signals on the coaxial digital audio output,
however these signals may pass on the IEEE 1394 cable
to other devices.
3. Digital Control Signal
The media center is able to act as the control center for
IEEE 1394 audio/video devices, such as VCRs, A/V Discs,
tuners, cable boxes and amplifiers that are compatible
with the following IEEE 1394 control standards.
• EIA-775 is designed for tuning devices such as cable
boxes allowing the device to send simple graphics.
However, this standard does not allow the media
center to control the cable box by IEEE 1394.
• AV/C (Audio Video Control) is designed to provide
basic controls such as play, stop, channel selection
and volume, as appropriate for the device.
Some devices may be a combination of two or more
types of devices. For example, there may be a recording
device that is also a tuning device. Each portion of the
device is called a sub-unit. When you select a device on
the Device Selection menu that has sub-units, a pop-
up menu will appear so you can select which sub-unit
section you wish to use.