System Configuration
and the surround speakers are 1 m away, the optimal delay time is figured as
NOTE: The DTS, Logic 7, 5CH Stereo, Hall and Theater modes use a fixed, nonadjustable delay time.
The Dolby Digital Mode also includes a separate setting for the center channel delay mode, since the discrete nature of these signals makes the location of the center channel speaker more crit- ical. To calculate the delay for the center chan- nel, measure the distance from the preferred lis- tening position in the center of the room to both the center channel speaker and either the left or right speaker.
If the distances are equal, no further adjustment is required and the center delay should be set to zero. If the distance to the front speakers is greater than the distance to the center speaker, you may wish to reposition the speakers by mov- ing the front left and front right speakers closer to the listening position or the center speaker further away from the listening position.
If repositioning of the speakers is not possible, adjust the center delay time, adding one milli- second of center channel delay for every 30 cm closer to the listening position the center speak- er is than the front speakers. For example, if the front left and front right speakers are each 3 m from the listening position and the center chan- nel speaker is 2.4 m away, the delay is figured as 300 cm
To set the delay time, continue within the MASTER MENU (Figure 1). If the system is not already at that point, press the OSD but- ton Lto bring up the master menu.To make the delay settings for the Dolby Digital mode (this will include the Center delay setting, and the surround delay for the Pro Logic mode will be set automatically), press the Set Fbutton and select any input now that is associated with a digital input and the Dolby Digital surround mode (the surround mode associated with each input selected will be indicated by the Surround Mode Indicators ˜in the front panel), then return to the master menu. Press the ¤ button Dand then the Set button F to bring up the surround setup menu, now press the ¤ button Donce.
As the Dolby Digital mode is selected, the › cur- sor will stop at the CENTER DELAY line. Press the ‹/› buttons E until the number calgulated using the formula shown above appears in the disply. When the CENTER DELAY is entered, press the ¤ button Donce to move to the SURR DELAY line so that the delay for the sur- round speakers may be set. Press the ‹/› but- tons E until the desired figure appears in the display, using the number calculated using the formula shown above for the Dolby Digital surround mode (item 3a). When the delay set- tings are complete, press the ¤ button D once to move to the next line.
Note that the delay settings may also be adjust- ed at any time when the Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic modes are in use by pressing the Delay button on the front panel Òor remote
,followed by a press of the Set button F. Next, press the ⁄/¤ buttons non the remote er the Selector buttons 5on the front panel until the desired figure appears in the Main Information Display Y.
Night Mode Settings
The Night mode is a feature of Dolby Digital that uses special processing to preserve the dynamic range and full intelligibility of a movie sound track while reducing the peak level. This prevents abruptly loud transitions from disturbing others, without reducing the sonic impact of a digital source. Note that the Night mode is only avail- able when Dolby Digital signals are played.
To adjust the Night mode setting from the menu, make certain that the › cursor is on the Night line of the SURROUND SETUP menu. Next, press ‹/› buttons E to choose between the following settings.
OFF: When OFF is in the highlighted video, the Night mode will not function.
MID: When MID is in the highlighted video, a mild compression will be applied.
MAX: When MAX is in the highlighted video, a more severe compression algorithm will be applied.
We recommend that you select the MID setting as a starting point and change to the MAX set- ting later, if desired.
Note that the Night mode may be adjusted directly any time that a Dolby Digital source is playing by pressing the Night button B. When the button is pressed, the words
When all settings for the surround setup have been made, press the ⁄/¤ buttons Dso that the › cursor is next to RETURN TO MENU, and press the Set button Fto return to the master menu.
Output Level Adjustment
Output level adjustment is a key part of the con- figuration process for any surround sound prod- uct. It is particularly important for a Dolby Digital receiver such as the AVR5000, as correct outputs will ensure that you hear sound tracks with the proper directionality and intensity.
NOTE: Listeners are often confused about the operation of the surround channels. While some assume that sound should always be coming from each speaker, most of the time there will be little or no sound in the surround channels. This is because they are only used when a movie director or sound mixer specifically places sound there to create ambiance, a special effect or to continue action from the front of the room to the rear. When the output levels are properly set it is normal for surround speakers to oper- ate only occasionally. Artificially increasing the volume to the rear speakers may destroy the illusion of an enveloping sound field that dupli- cates the way you hear sound in a movie the- ater or concert hall.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The output level can be adjusted for each digital and analog surround mode separately. This allows you to compensate for level differences between speakers, that may also vary with the surround mode selected, or to increase or decrease the level of certain speakers intentionally, depending on the surround mode selected.
Before beginning the output level adjustment process, make certain that all speaker connec- tions have been properly made. The system volume should be turned down at first. Finally, make certain that the Balance Control *is set to the center “12 o’clock” position.
24SYSTEM CONFIGURATION