Surround Mode Selection
One of the most important features of the AVR 225 is its ability to reproduce a full multichannel surround sound field from digital sources, analog matrix sur- round-encoded programs and standard stereo pro- grams. In all, a total of 16 listening modes are avail- able on the AVR 225.
Selection of a surround mode is based on personal taste, as well as the type of program source material being used. For example, motion pictures or TV pro- grams bearing the logo of one of the major surround- encoding processes, such as Dolby Surround®*, DTS Stereo®* or UltraStereo™ * may be played in either the Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II or Logic 7 Cinema surround modes, depending on the source material.
NOTE: Once a program has been encoded with matrix surround information, it retains the surround information as long as the program is broadcast in stereo. Thus, movies with surround sound may be decoded via any of the analog surround modes such as Pro Logic II or Logic 7, when they are broadcast via conventional TV stations, cable, pay TV and satellite transmission. In addi- tion, a number of made-for-television programs, sports broadcasts, radio dramas and music CDs are also recorded in surround sound. You may view a list of these programs at www.dolby.com.
Even when a program is not listed as carrying intentional surround information, you may find that the Pro Logic II, Logic 7, VMAx and the Hall or Theater modes often deliver enveloping surround presentations through the use of the natural information present in all stereo recordings. However, for stereo, but not surround programs, we sug- gest that you experiment with the other modes.
Surround modes are selected using either the front- panel controls or the remote. To select a surround mode from the front panel, press the Surround Mode Selector 7 to scroll up or down through the list of available modes. To select a surround mode using the remote, press the Surround Mode Selectorj and then press the ⁄/ ¤ Buttons mq to change the mode. As you press the buttons, the Surround mode name will appear in the lower third of the on-screen display and in the Main Information Display S, and an individual mode indicator will also light up BC DEGHI. As the surround modes change, a green LED will light next to the current mode in the Surround Mode Indicators ˜ list on the front panel.
NOTE: The name of each Surround Mode will scroll across the bottom of the on-screen display and through the Main Information Display S while the modes are being selected. To avoid exiting from the surround mode selection process, push the ▲ or ▼ Button mq while a mode name is still visible.
Note that the Dolby Digital and DTS modes may only be selected when a digital input is in use. In addition, when a digital source is present, the AVR 225 will automatically select and switch to the correct mode (Dolby Digital or DTS), regardless of the mode that has been previously selected. For more information on selecting digital sources, see the following section of this manual.
To listen to a program in traditional two-channel stereo, using the front-left and front-right speakers only (plus the subwoofer if installed and configured), follow the instructions shown above for using the remote until SURR OFF appears in the Main Information Display S. Note that the Stereo-Direct (Bypass) mode may only be selected when an analog input is in use.
Digital Audio Playback
Digital audio is a major advancement over older analog matrix surround systems. It delivers five discrete chan- nels: left-front, center, right-front, left-surround and right- surround. Each channel reproduces full frequency range (20Hz to 20kHz) and offers dramatically improved dynamic range and significant improvements to signal-to- noise ratios. In addition, digital systems have the capa- bility to deliver an additional channel that is specifically devoted to low-frequency information. This is the “.1” channel referred to when you see these systems described as “5.1”. The bass channel is separate from the other channels, but since it is intentionally bandwidth-limited, sound designers have given it that unique designation.
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital (originally known as AC-3®*) is a standard part of the DVD format, and is also part of the new digital broadcasting system and it is available with many satellite receivers and some digital cable boxes, as well as with specially encoded LD discs.
Note that an optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 225 to listen to the Dolby Digital soundtracks available on laser discs. Connect the RF output of the LD player to the demodulator and then connect the digital output of the demodulator to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs be#$ of the AVR 225. No demodulator is required for use with DVD players or DTS-encoded laser discs.
DTS
DTS is another digital audio system that is capable of delivering 5.1 audio. Although both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use different methods of encod- ing the signals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.
DTS-encoded soundtracks are available on select DVD and LD discs, as well as on special audio-only DTS
discs. You may use any LD or CD player equipped with a digital output to play DTS-encoded discs with the AVR 225. All that is required is to connect the player’s output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on the rear panel be or front panel #$.
In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound- tracks, the DVD player must be compatible with the DTS signal as indicated by a DTS logo on the player’s front panel. Early DVD players may not be able to play DTS-encoded DVDs. This does not indicate a problem with the AVR 225, as some players cannot pass the DTS signal through to the digital outputs. If you are in doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to handle DTS discs, consult the player’s owner’s manual. Please note that some DVD players are shipped with their output set for Dolby Digital only. To ensure that DTS data is being sent to the AVR, please check the setup menu system on your DVD player to make certain that DTS data output is enabled.
Selecting a Digital Source
To utilize either digital mode you must have properly connected a digital source to the AVR 225. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs be#$. In order to provide a backup signal and a source for analog stereo record- ing, the analog outputs provided on digital source equipment should also be connected to their appropri- ate inputs on the AVR 225 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD Audio Inputs 31 on the rear panel when you connect the source’s digital outputs).
When playing a digital source such as DVD, first select the input using the remote or front-panel controls as described on page 17. Next, select the digital source by pressing the Digital Input Selector Button pÚ and then using the ⁄/¤ Buttons mq on the remote or the Selector Buttons 5 on the front panel to choose any of the optical or coaxial inputs, as they appear in the Main Information Display S, the Digital Input Indicators UV or the on-screen display. Alternatively, you may use the INPUT SETUP menu (Figure 2) to select among the digital or analog inputs as described on pages 17–18. When the digital source is playing, the AVR 225 will automatically detect whether it is a multi- channel Dolby Digital or DTS source, or a conventional PCM signal, which is the standard output from CD players. A Bitstream Indicator A will light in the Main Information Display Û to confirm that the digital signal is Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM.
