Operation
AVR 520 will automatically detect whether it is a multichannel Dolby Digital, DTS source, MP3 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.
Digital Status Indicators
When a digital source is playing, the AVR 520 senses the type of bitstream data that is pres- ent. Using this information, the correct sur- round mode will automatically be selected. For example, DTS bitstreams will cause the unit to switch to DTS decoding, and Dolby Digital bit- streams will enable Dolby Digital decoding. When the unit senses PCM data from CDs and LDs, it will allow the appropriate surround sources to be selected manually. Since the range of available surround modes is depend- ent on the type of digital data that is present, the AVR 520 uses a variety of indicators to let you know what type of signal is present. This will help you to understand the choice of modes.
When a digital source is playing, a Bitstream Indicator A will light to show which type of signal is playing:
DOLBY D: When the DOLBY D indicator lights, a Dolby Digital bitstream is being received. Depending on the settings on the source player and specific surround information and number of channels on the disc, a number of surround modes are possible. For discs with full 5.1 audio, only the Dolby Digital and VMAx modes are available.
DTS: When the DTS indicator lights, a DTS bit- stream is being received. When the unit senses this type of data, only the applicable DTS mode may be used.
PCM: When the PCM indicator lights, a stan- dard Pulse Code Modulation, or PCM, signal is being received. This is the type of digital audio used by conventional compact disc and laser disc recordings. When a PCM bitstream is pres- ent, all modes except Dolby Digital and DTS are available.
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:When this indicator lights in con- junction with the PCM indicator, the CD that is playing is encoded through the special High Definition Compatible Digital® process. HDCD®
discs use
MP3: When the MP3 indicator lights, a com- patible MPEG 1/Layer 3 digital signal is being received. This is the popular audio format used by many computer programs for recording com- pressed audio files. When an MP3 bitstream is present, the sound will automatically be played in the Stereo (Surround Off) mode. The sur- round modes are not available during MP3 playback.
In addition to the bitstream indicators, the
AVR 520 features a set of unique
Figure 8
These indicators are the L/C/R/LFE/SL/SR/SBL/ SBR letters that are inside the center boxes of the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators Q in the front panel Main Information Display ˜. When a standard analog signal is in use, only the “L” and “R” indicators will light, as analog signals have only left and right channels.
Digital signals, however, may have two, five, six or seven separate channels, depending on the program material, the method of transmission and the way in which it was encoded. When a digital signal is playing, the letters in these indi- cators will light in response to the specific sig- nal being received. It is important to note that although Dolby Digital, for example, is referred to as a “5.1” system, not all Dolby Digital DVDs or programs are encoded for 5.1. Thus, it is sometimes normal for a DVD with a Dolby Digital soundtrack to trigger only the “L” and “R” indicators.
NOTE: Many DVD discs are recorded with both “5.1” and “2.0” versions of the same sound- track. When playing a DVD, always be certain to check the type of material on the disc. Most discs show this information in the form of a
listing or icon on the back of the disc jacket. When a disc does offer multiple soundtrack choices, you may have to make some adjust- ments to your DVD player (usually with the “Audio Select” button or in a menu screen on the disc) to send a full 5.1 feed to the AVR
520.It is also possible for the type of signal feed to change during the course of a DVD playback. In some cases, the previews of special material will only be recorded in 2.0 audio, while the main feature is available in 5.1 audio. The AVR 520 will automatically sense changes to the bitstream and channel count and reflect them in these indicators.
The letters used by the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators Q also flash to indicate when a bitstream has been interrupted. This will happen when a digital input source is selected before the playback starts, or when a digital source such as a DVD is paused. The flashing indicators remind you that the play- back has stopped due to the absence of a digi- tal signal and not through any fault of the AVR 520. This is normal, and the digital play- back will resume once the playback is started again.
Night Mode
A special feature of Dolby Digital is the Night mode, which enables specially encoded Dolby Digital input sources to be played back with full digital intelligibility while reducing the mini- mum peak level by 1/4 to 1/3. This prevents abruptly loud transitions from disturbing others, without reducing the impact of the digital source. The Night mode is available only when Dolby Digital signals with special data are being played.
The Night mode may be engaged when a Dolby Digital DVD is playing by pressing the Night Mode Button l on the remote. Next, press the ⁄/¤ Buttons n to select either the middle range or full compression versions of the Night mode. To turn the Night mode off, press the ⁄/¤ Buttons n until the mes- sage in the lower third of the video display and the Main Information Display Y reads
The Night mode may also be selected to always be on at either level of compression using the options in the Surround Select menu. See page 22 for information on using the menus to set this option.
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,HDCD®, High Definition Compatible Digital® and Pacific Microsonics™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Pacific Microsonics, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. HDCD system manufactured under license from Pacific Microsonics, Inc.
30OPERATION