Harman-Kardon AVR 310 Surround Mode Selection, Digital Audio Playback, Selecting a Digital Source

Surround Mode Selection

One of the most important features of the AVR 310 is its ability to reproduce a full multichannel surround-sound field from digital sources, analog matrix surround-encoded programs and standard stereo programs. In all, a total of thirteen listening modes are available on the AVR 310.

Selection of a surround mode is based on per- sonal taste, as well as the type of program source material being used. For example, motion pictures or TV programs 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 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 sur- round 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 or Logic 7, when they are broadcast via conventional TV sta- tions, cable, pay TV and satellite transmission. In addition, a growing number of made-for-televi- sion programs, sports broadcasts, radio dramas and music CDs are also recorded in surround sound. You may view a list of these programs

at the Dolby Laboratories Web site at www.dolby.com.

Even when a program is not listed as carrying intentional surround information, you may find that the Pro Logic, 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 suggest 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 Selectork and then press the ⁄/ ¤ buttons n to change the mode. As you press the buttons, the Surround mode name will appear in the Main Information Display Y, and an individual mode indicator will also light up CDFHI JKLN. 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 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 310 will automatically select and switch to the correct mode (Dolby Digital or DTS), regardless of the mode that has been pre- viously selected. For more information on select- ing 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 Y.

Digital Audio Playback

Digital audio is a major advancement over older systems such as Dolby Pro Logic. It delivers five discrete channels: 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 chan- nel 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 DVD, and is available on specially encoded LD discs and satellite broad- casts and it is a part of the new high-definition television (HDTV) system.

Note that an optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 310 to listen to the Dolby Digital sound tracks 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 the Optical or Coaxial inputs ij#% of the AVR 310. 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 dif- ferent methods of encoding the signals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.

DTS-encoded sound tracks 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 310. All that is required is to connect the player’s output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on the rear panel ij or front panel#%.

In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound tracks, the DVD player must be compati- ble with the DTS signal as indicated by a DTS logo on the player’s front panel. Note that early DVD players may not be able to play DTS- encoded DVDs. This does not indicate a prob- lem with the AVR 310, as some players cannot pass the DTS signal through to the digital out- puts. If you are in doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to handle DTS discs, consult the player’s owner’s manual.

Selecting a Digital Source

To utilize either digital mode you must have properly connected a digital source to the AVR

310.Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial inputs ij#%. In order to provide a backup sig- nal and a source for analog stereo recording, the analog outputs provided on digital source equipment should also be connected to their appropriate inputs on the AVR 310 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD Audio inputs § 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 outlined in this manual. Next, select the digital source by pressing the Digital Input Selector button qÚ and then using the ⁄/¤ buttons n 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 Y Display Indicator BEor on-screen display. When the digital