Harman-Kardon AVR 2700, AVR 3700 Advanced Functions, Audio Processing and Surround Sound

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AVR

Advanced Functions

Much of the adjusting and configuration your AVR requires is handled automatically, with little intervention required on your part. You can also customize your AVR to suit your system and your tastes. In this section we will describe some of the more advanced adjustments available to you.

Audio Processing and Surround Sound

Audio signals can be 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. Your AVR is able to process two-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/IIz, HARMAN Virtual Speaker, DTS Neo:6, Logic 7, 5 CH and 7 CH Stereo modes. To select one of these modes, press the Surround Modes button.

Digital Audio Signals

Digital audio signals offer greater flexibility and capacity than analog signals, and allow the encoding of discrete channel information directly into the signal. The result is improved sound quality and startling directionality, since each channel’s information is transmitted discretely. High-resolution recordings sound extraordinarily distortion-free, especially in the high frequencies.

Surround Modes

Surround-mode selection depends upon the format of the incoming audio signal as well as your personal taste. Although there is never a time when all of the AVR’s surround modes are available, there is usually a wide variety of modes available for a given input. Table A12 in the Appendix, on page 50, 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 available only in Dolby Digital 2.0 (two-channel) or PCM two-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 disc player’s audio output is set to the original bitstream rather than two-channel PCM. Stop play and check the player’s output setting.

Multichannel digital recordings are produced in five-channel, six-channel or seven- channel formats, with or without a “.1” channel. The channels included in a typical 5.1-channel recording are front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right and LFE (low-frequency effects). 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. Your AVR 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 Manual Speaker Setup, on page 36 for more information.

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), two-channel PCM modes in 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz, and 5.1 or 7.1 multichannel PCM.

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

The first number indicates the number of front channels in the signal: “1” represents a monophonic recording (usually an older program that has been digitally remastered or, more rarely, a modern program for which the director has chosen mono as a special effect). “2” indicates the presence of the left and right channels, but no center channel. “3” indicates that all three front channels (left, right and center) are present.

Advanced Functions

The second number indicates whether any surround channels are present: “0” indicates that no surround information is present. “1” indicates that a matrixed surround signal is present. “2” indicates discrete left and right surround channels. “3” is used with DTS-ES bitstreams to represent the presence of the discrete surround back channel, in addition to the side surround left and right channels. “4” is used with 7.1-channel digital formats to indicate the presence of two discrete side surround channels and two discrete back surround channels.

The third number is used for the LFE channel: “0” indicates no LFE channel. “.1” indicates that an LFE channel is present.

The 6.1-channel signals – Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES Matrix and Discrete – each include a flag that signals the receiver to decode the surround back channel, indicated as 3/2/.1 EX-ON for Dolby Digital EX materials, and 3/3/.1 ES-ON for DTS-ES materials.

Dolby Digital 2.0 signals may include a Dolby Surround flag indicating DS-ON or DS-OFF, depending on whether the two-channel bitstream contains only stereo information or a downmix of a multichannel program that can be decoded by the AVR’s Dolby Pro Logic decoder. By default, these signals are played in Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie mode.

When a PCM signal is received, the PCM message and the sampling rate (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz) will appear.

When only two channels – left and right – are present, the analog surround modes may be used to decode the signal into multiple channels. If you would prefer a different surround format than the native signal’s digital encoding, press the Surround Modes button to display the Surround Modes menu (see Selecting a Surround Mode, on page 32).

The Auto Select option sets the surround mode to the native signal’s digital encoding, e.g., Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio. For two-channel materials, the AVR defaults to the Logic 7 Movie mode. If you prefer a different surround mode, select the surround-mode category: Virtual Surround, Stereo, Movie, Music or Video Game. Press the OK button to change the mode.

Each surround-mode category is set to a default surround mode:

ssVirtual Surround: HARMAN virtual speaker.

ssStereo: 7-CH Stereo or 5-CH Stereo (depending on how many main speakers are present in the system).

ssMovie: Logic 7 Movie.

ssMusic: Logic 7 Music.

ssVideo Game: Logic 7 Game.

You may select a different mode for each category. Below is a complete list of available surround modes. (The actual surround modes available will depend on the number of speakers in your system.)

ssVirtual Surround: HARMAN virtual speaker.

ssStereo: 2-CH Stereo, 5-CH Stereo or 7-CH Stereo.

ssMovie: Logic 7 Movie, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie, Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

ssMusic: Logic 7 Music, DTS Neo:6 Music, Dolby Pro Logic II Music, Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music, Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

ssVideo Game: Logic 7 Game, Dolby Pro Logic II Game, Dolby Pro Logic IIx Game, Dolby Pro Logic IIz.

Once you have programmed the surround mode for each type of audio, select the line from the Surround Modes menu to override the AVR’s automatic surround-mode selection. The AVR will use the same surround mode the next time the source is selected.

NOTE: Dolby Pro Logic IIx is available only if you have set up the AVR’s Assigned Amp to Surround Back; Dolby Pro Logic IIz is available only if you have set up the AVR’s Assigned Amp to Front Height. See Manual Speaker Setup, on page 36, for more information.

Please refer to Table A12 in the Appendix for more information on which surround modes are available with different bitstreams.

ENGLISH

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Contents AVR 3700,AVR AVR 2700,AVR AVR Table of ContentsPlace the Receiver Supplied AccessoriesIntroduction Front-Panel Controls Front-Panel Controls Volume knob Turn this knob to raise or lower the volumeFront-Panel Controls Network Rear-Panel ConnectorsConnector Rear-Panel Connectors Rear-Panel ConnectorsSystem Remote Control Functions System Remote Control Functions System Remote Control FunctionsZone 2 Remote Control Functions AVR 3700/AVR 370 only Zone 2 Remote Control Functions AVR 3700/AVR 370 only Multichannel Audio Introduction to Home TheaterIntroduction to Home Theater Typical Home Theater SystemPlace Your Speakers Place Your SpeakersSource Device Connections Types of Home Theater System ConnectionsSpeaker Connections Subwoofer ConnectionsVideo Connections USB Port RS-232 ConnectorNetwork Connector Radio ConnectionsConnect Your TV or Video Display Making ConnectionsConnect Your Speakers Connect Your SubwooferMaking Connections Assigned Connectors Connected DeviceSource Buttons and Assigned Connectors Making Connections Connect Your Video Recorder USB and iOS DevicesConnect Your Analog Audio Devices Connect Your Audio RecordersAVR 3700/AVR 370 only Install a Multizone SystemConnect to Your Home Network Connect the Radio AntennasConnect IR Equipment Speaker WireAVR and Source Devices Installed Inside of Cabinet Mono 1/8-inch Connect to AC PowerAC Input Connector External IR Receiver Zone 2 Speakers Connect the Trigger OutputAUX Controls Hdtv tuner boxes, CD players, VCRs and PVDs Set Up the Remote ControlSet Up the Remote Control Install the Batteries in the Remote ControlLearning AVR 3700/AVR 370 only Set Up the Remote ControlUsing the On-Screen Menu System Set Up the AVRSet Up the AVR Configure the AVR for Your SpeakersThrough the speakers Set Up the AVRSet Up Your Sources For multizone operationCreating Hdmi Bypass Inputs Set Up the NetworkUsing your iOS 5 device to join the wireless network Wired Network SetupWireless Network Setup AVR 3700/AVR Operating Your AVR Operating Your AVRListening to Media on a USB Device Operating Your AVRSelecting a Source Listening to FM and AM RadioPlaying files on a USB device IPod or iPhone Function Remote Control KeyListening to an iPod/iPhone/iPad Device Press the Menu button to view the slide-out menu Listening to vTuner Internet RadioListening to Media via Your Home Network To share media on PCs Selecting a Surround ModeAudio Effects Video ModesAudio Processing and Surround Sound Advanced FunctionsAdvanced Functions Audio Effects Button Advanced FunctionsVideo Processing Color Adjustment How to Adjust the Custom Picture SettingsBrightness Adjustment Contrast AdjustmentManual Speaker Setup Manual Speaker SetupCrossover Size Manual Speaker SetupWrite down the settings in Table A6 in the Appendix Sub ModeStep Four Setting Channel Output Levels Manually Status This line lets you turn Zone 2 on or off Listening in ZoneGeneral AVR Settings System SettingsSystem Settings Hdmi SettingsSystem Info Settings LockMenu Appearance Processor Reset Advanced Remote Control ProgrammingSleep Timer Resetting the RemoteSymptom Cause Solution TroubleshootingSpecifications SpecificationsVia USB Appendix Default settings, worksheets, remote product codesCable/Sat RadioPosition All Digital and Two-Channel Your SettingsTable A3 Speaker/Channel Setting Defaults AppendixServer Default Cable/Sat Disc Media RadioDisc Media Network GameDisc Media Radio USB Network Game Table A7 Video Modes Settings DefaultDisc Media Radio Default Table A10 System Settings FeatureTable A11 Zone 2 Settings Source Input Default Dolby Pro Logic Ss#ENTER 7IDTHDADJUSTS Widthdof VocalcsoundstageSs0ANORAMA ADJUSTS Wraparound Surround Effect Dolby Digital StereoDolby Pro Logic IIz DTS-HDDTS Neo6 Appendix Remote Control Function List ReferenceRew WW Table A13 Remote Control Function ListRadio Media Server Button Name Blu-ray/DVD DMC1000 USB/iPodRew Play RewTable A14 Remote Control Product Codes TV Table A16 Remote Control Product Codes AUX-VCR Table A15 Remote Control Product Codes AUX-HDTVTable A18 Remote Control Product Codes DVD Table A17 Remote Control Product Codes AUX-CDTable A21 Remote Control Product Codes Cable Table A19 Remote Control Product Codes SATTable A20 Remote Control Product Codes Game Table A24 Remote Control Product Codes AUX- TiVo Table A22 Remote Control Product Codes Media Server

AVR 2700, AVR 3700 specifications

The Harman-Kardon AVR 3700 and AVR 2700 are high-performance audio-video receivers that offer impressive features and technologies for home theater enthusiasts. Designed for those who value both sound quality and versatility, these models stand out with their powerful amplifications and comprehensive connectivity options.

The AVR 3700 boasts a 7.2-channel architecture, delivering a robust audio experience with a total output of 100 watts per channel. It supports the latest surround sound formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, ensuring a cinematic audio experience that is both immersive and detailed. With Harman-Kardon's proprietary DSP algorithms, users can enjoy dynamic sound staging and precision sound imaging.

The AVR 2700, while slightly less powerful with its 7.1-channel setup, still provides 80 watts per channel and supports similar advanced audio formats. It offers excellent sound quality, making it an ideal choice for users who may not require the higher output levels of the AVR 3700.

Both models incorporate advanced HDMI technology, with multiple HDMI inputs and outputs that support 4K video pass-through, allowing seamless integration with modern 4K televisions and other high-definition sources. The AVR 3700 includes up to eight HDMI inputs, while the AVR 2700 features six, providing ample connectivity for streaming devices, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players.

Furthermore, the Harman-Kardon receivers come equipped with AirPlay and Bluetooth for easy wireless streaming. This allows users to play their favorite music directly from smartphones, tablets, or computers without the hassle of cables. Both models also support DLNA, enabling access to networked audio files.

Another key feature of both receivers is the MultEQ room calibration technology. This sophisticated system analyzes the room’s acoustics and adjusts the receiver’s audio output accordingly, optimizing sound quality for various listening environments.

The AVR 3700 and AVR 2700 also feature intuitive user interfaces, making it easy to navigate settings and options. A user-friendly remote control, along with mobile app compatibility, further enhances the overall experience.

In summary, the Harman-Kardon AVR 3700 and AVR 2700 represent excellent choices for anyone seeking to elevate their home entertainment system. With their powerful audio capabilities, extensive connectivity options, and advanced audio technologies, these receivers are engineered to provide a rich and engaging audio-visual experience. Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or gaming, both models ensure that every sound is delivered with clarity and precision.
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