Harman-Kardon AVR 460 Audio Processing and Surround Sound, Analog Audio Signals, Surround Modes

Page 4

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

Much of the AVR 460/AVR 360’s performance is handled automatically, with little intervention required on your part. The AVR 460/AVR 360 is capable of being customized to suit your system and your tastes. In this Advanced Functions Manual, some of the more advanced adjustments available are described.

Audio Processing and Surround Sound

Audio signals output by sources are encoded in a variety of formats that can affect not only the quality of the sound but the number of speaker channels and the surround mode. You may also manually select a different surround mode, when available.

Analog Audio Signals

Analog audio signals usually consist of two channels – left and right. The AVR 460/AVR 360 offers three options for playback:

1.Analog Bypass Mode: The 2-channel signal is passed directly from the input to the volume control, without being digitized or undergoing any processing for bass management or surround sound. To select analog bypass mode:

a)The analog audio inputs for the source must be selected. If necessary, press the Info Button on the remote and use the LK Buttons to scroll to the Audio Input from source setting.

b)The tone controls must be disabled by setting the Tone Control to Off. Press the Audio Effects Button to access the Tone Control setting.

c)The 2-channel Stereo mode must be selected. Press the Surround Modes Button to access the STEREO line of the Surround Modes submenu. Press the OK Button to select 2-channel Stereo.

When the Tone Control setting is Off, the front speakers will be set to Large automatically. When the Tone Control setting is turned On, if you have set the front speaker crossover to a numeric setting, the front speakers will return to the Small setting.

NOTE: Audio from The Bridge III source is analog, and when 2-channel Stereo mode is selected, the audio will be played in Analog Bypass mode.

2.DSP Surround Off Mode: The DSP Surround Off mode digitizes the incoming signal and applies the bass management settings, including speaker configuration, delay times and output levels. Select this mode when your front speakers are small, limited-range satellites and you are using a subwoofer. To select this mode, use a digital audio input, or turn the Tone Control setting off, and select 2-channel Stereo mode.

3.Analog Surround Modes: The AVR 460/AVR 360 is able to process 2-channel audio signals to produce multichannel surround sound, even when no surround sound has been encoded in the recording. Among the available modes are the Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx modes, the Harman Virtual Speaker modes, the DTS Neo:6 modes, the Logic 7 modes and the Stereo modes.

Digital Audio Signals

Digital audio signals offer greater capacity, which allows the encoding of center and surround channel information directly into the signal. The result is improved sound quality and startling directionality, since each channel is reproduced discretely.

Even when only two channels are encoded, the digital signal allows for a higher sampling rate that delivers greater detail. High-resolution recordings sound extraordinarily distortion-free, especially at high frequencies.

Surround Modes

Surround mode selection is dependent upon the format of the incoming audio signal, as well as personal taste. Table A12 offers a brief description of each mode and indicates the types of incoming signals or digital bitstreams the mode may be used with. Additional information about the Dolby and DTS modes is available on the companies’Web sites: www.dolby.com and www. dtsonline.com.

When in doubt, check the jacket of your disc for more information on which surround modes are available. Usually, nonessential sections of the disc, such as trailers, extra materials or the disc menu, are only available in Dolby Digital

2.0(2-channel) or PCM 2-channel mode. If the main title is playing and the display shows one of these surround modes, look for an audio or language setup section in the disc’s menu. Also, make sure your player’s audio output is set to the original bitstream rather than 2-channel PCM. Stop play and check the player’s output setting.

For any incoming signal, only a limited number of surround modes are available. Although there is never a time when all of the AVR 460/AVR 360’s surround modes are available, there is usually a wide variety of modes available for a given input.

Multichannel digital recordings are found in the 5.1-, 6.1- or 7.1-channel formats. The channels included in a 5.1-channel recording are front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right and LFE. The LFE channel is denoted as “.1” to represent the fact that it is limited to the low frequencies.

6.1-Channel recordings add a single surround back channel, and 7.1-channel recordings add surround back left and surround back right channels to

the 5.1-channel configuration. New formats are available in 7.1-channel configurations. The AVR 460/AVR 360 is able to play the new audio formats, delivering a more exciting home theater experience.

NOTE: To use the 6.1- and 7.1-channel surround modes, the Surround Back channels must be enabled. See the Manual Speaker Setup section on page 6 for more information.

The Digital formats include Dolby Digital 2.0 (two channels only), Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital EX (6.1), Dolby Digital Plus (7.1), Dolby TrueHD (7.1), DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio (7.1), DTS-HD Master Audio (7.1), DTS 5.1, DTS-ES (6.1 Matrix and Discrete), DTS 96/24 (5.1), 2-channel PCM modes in 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz, and 5.1 or 7.1 multichannel PCM.

When a digital signal is received, the AVR 460/AVR 360 detects the encoding method and the number of channels, which is displayed briefly as three numbers, separated by slashes (e.g., “3/2/.1”).

4

Page 3 Page 5
Image 4
Page 3 Page 5
Contents AVR 460/AVR Important Safety Instructions Important Safety InformationTable of Contents and Features Analog Audio Signals Digital Audio SignalsAudio Processing and Surround Sound Surround ModesDolby Surround Settings Indicates that an LFE channel is presentManual Speaker Setup Step Three Manual Setup MenuStep One Determine Speaker Crossover Step Two Measure Speaker DistancesAdjust Speaker Distance Menu Adjust Crossover Frequencies MenuSub Mode Step Four Setting Channel Output Levels Manually Audio EffectsVideo Adjustments Video ModesHow to Adjust the Custom Picture Settings Brightness AdjustmentContrast Adjustment Color AdjustmentSystem Settings General AVR SettingsMultizone Operation Operating the Multizone SystemAdvanced Remote Control Functions Menu AppearanceSystem Information Punch-Through ProgrammingResetting the Remote Learning AVR 460 onlyTable A2 Source Setting Defaults Appendix Default settings, worksheets, remote product codesTable A1 Recommended Source Component Connections Table A3 Speaker/Channel Setting Defaults Table A4 Delay Setting DefaultsChannel Analog Your Settings Audio Inputs PositionTable A5 Source Settings Table A6 Audio Effects SettingsMedia Default Cable/Sat Server Radio GameTable A7 Video Modes Settings Black Level Off Deinterlacing Film Mode DetectTable A8 Surround Modes Auto Select Logic 7 Movie Or native digital FormatTable A10 System Settings Table A9 Remote Control CodesTable A11 Zone 2 Settings Surround Mode Description Incoming Bitstream or Signal Table A12 Surround ModesTable A12 DTS-HDTuner Setting to be off DTS 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or CinemaAnalog 2-channel PCM 32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz Logic Three variants are available LogicTable A13 - Remote Control Function List Button NameCable/SAT Game DMC1000TiVo Table A15 Remote Control Product Codes AUX-HDTV Table A14 Remote Control Product Codes TVTable A16 Remote Control Product Codes AUX-VCR Table A18 - Remote Control Product Codes DVD Table A17 - Remote Control Product Codes AUX-CDTable A22 Remote Control Product Codes Media Server Table A24 Remote Control Product Codes AUX- TiVoFM Tuner Section AM Tuner SectionVideo Section General

AVR 360, AVR 460 specifications

The Harman-Kardon AVR 460 and AVR 360 are two outstanding models from the renowned audio equipment manufacturer, both designed to deliver high-quality sound experiences for home entertainment systems. These receivers combine advanced technologies with user-friendly features, making them popular choices among audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

The Harman-Kardon AVR 460 is equipped with a robust 7.1 channel surround sound system, boasting a total power output of 100 watts per channel. This receiver supports high-definition audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, ensuring immersive sound quality for movies and music alike. One of its standout features is the proprietary Harman Kardon Logic 7 technology, which enhances stereo sources to a multi-channel audio experience, maximizing the quality of any audio input.

On the other hand, the Harman-Kardon AVR 360 follows closely in features and audio performance, offering 7.1 channels as well but with a slightly lower power output of 80 watts per channel. It still excels in audio clarity and richness, making it suitable for any home theater setup. Both models provide extensive connectivity options, including HDMI inputs, legacy audio inputs, and built-in Bluetooth, allowing users to effortlessly stream music from their smartphones or tablets.

Another notable characteristic of the AVR 460 is its advanced video processing capabilities, enabling video upscaling to 1080p, ensuring that users can enjoy their content in the best possible resolution. Both receivers also incorporate multi-zone functionality, allowing different audio sources to be played in various rooms simultaneously. This feature makes them perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying music throughout the home.

The user interfaces for both models are designed with ease of use in mind, featuring intuitive on-screen menus and remote control functionality. They also support various audio calibration technologies, such as Harman's Room Correction, which optimizes sound output based on the specific acoustics of the listening environment.

In summary, the Harman-Kardon AVR 460 and AVR 360 are both exemplary audio/video receivers that combine advanced sound technologies, extensive connectivity options, and user-friendly features. Whether you are looking for immersive surround sound for movies or high-fidelity audio for music, these models are impressive choices that enhance any home theater setup, delivering exceptional performance for years to come.
Top Page Image Contents