Enjoying the listening modes

The surround sound of the AV Receiver enables you to enjoy the presence of a movie theater or concert hall in your room.

Before using any surround mode, make sure the Speaker Setup configurations have been set (see page 18).

The speaker configuration is very important for the surround sound. See ÒPositioning speakers/Connecting speakersÓ on pages 12 Ð 13. For operational instructions, refer to the page 29.

Following are the sound systems the AV Receiver can reproduce.

The Music mode uses the surround channels to provide a natural sound space that cannot be provided with normal stereo output.

This mode can be used with VHS and DVD videos with the mark and certain television programs. The Music mode

can be used with music compact discs and other stereo sources.

If no surround speakers are connected, then the surround sound is divided and output from the front left and right channels.

Dolby Digital surround, DTS (Digital Theater System) surround

This 5.1-channel digital surround format enables you to individually record and play five full-range (20 Hz-20 kHz) channels (left and right front, center, two surround channels) plus an LFE channel (Low Frequency Effect) for the low-range effect sound. It will create a realistic sound that could be heard in the theaters and concert halls.

Dolby Digital

Select this option when you play a DVD video that has a mark.

DTS

Select this option when you play a DVD player, LD, or CD that has

a mark.

¥If you press the pause or skip button on the player while playing a DTS source, a short noise may be heard. This is not a malfunction.

¥The DTS indicator on the HT-R420 lights up while it plays the DTS source. When playback concludes and the DTS signal transmission stops, the HT-R420 remains in DTS mode and the DTS indicator remains lit. This prevents noise when you operate the pause or skip button on the player. Therefore, if the source switches from the DTS signal to the PCM signal immediately, the PCM signal may not be played. In this case, stop the playback of the source on the player for about 3 seconds, then resume playback.

¥Some CD players and LD players may be unable to play DTS sources correctly even if you connect the player to the HT-R420 digitally. This is because the digital signal has been processed (such as the output level, sampling frequency, frequency response, etc.), and the HT-R420 cannot recognize the signal as DTS data. Therefore, you may hear noise when you play a DTS source while processing the signal.

¥The TAPE OUT or VIDEO 1 OUT jacks of the HT-R420 output analog audio. Do not record CDs or LDs that support DTS using these jacks. Otherwise, you will record a DTS encoded signal as noise.

Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie/Music)

This mode is a new generation 5-channel surround system that provides performance between the 4-channel (left front, right front, center, and monaural surround) Pro Logic Surround and the 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Surround. This mode can be set to the Movie mode designed for playing movies and the Music mode designed for listening to music.

In the Movie mode, the surround channels, which used to provide monaural output over only a narrow frequency range, now provide complete stereo output over the full frequency range. The result is viewing worth a realistic feel of movement.

Onkyo’s original Digital Signal Processing (DSP) modes

Analog sources include audio records, AM/FM broadcasting and cassette tapes. The PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signal is a kind of digital audio signal, which is recorded directly on CD or DVD without being compressed. When an analog or PCM source is played, you can enjoy unique surround modes to Onkyo as listed below.

Orchestra

This mode is suitable for classical and opera music. The center channel is cut and the surround channels are emphasized to widen the stereo image. It simulates a natural reverberation as created in a large hall.

Unplugged

This mode is suitable for acoustic instrumental sounds, vocals, and jazz music. By emphasizing the front stereo image, it simulates the acoustics in front of the stage.

Studio-Mix

This mode is suitable for rock and popular music. Lively sounds with a powerful acoustic image will make you feel as if you are in a club.

TV Logic

This mode offers the realistic acoustics of a TV program being aired in the TV studio. It enhances the entire surround sound and clarity of conversation.

All Ch St (All Channel Stereo)

This mode is useful for background music. The front and surround channels will create a stereo image.

Stereo mode, Direct mode

Stereo

This mode has all input sound is output from the left and right front speakers. Subwoofer also can be used for playback.

Direct

This mode delivers pure sound with minimum sound quality adjustment and filtration. The sound recorded for the left and right front channel is output to the left and right front speakers only and not output to the subwoofer.