Surround Mode Selection, Dolby Digital

Operation

Surround Mode Selection

One of the most important features of the AVR5000 is its ability to reproduce a full multi- channel surround sound field from digital sources, analog matrix surround encoded pro- grams and standard stereo or even mono pro- grams. In all, a total of thirteen listening modes are available on the AVR5000.

Selection of a surround mode is based on personal taste, as well as the type of program source mate- rial 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†† should be played in either the Dolby 3 Stereo or Dolby Pro Logic surround modes depending on the source material and speakers in use.

However to create wider, enveloping sound field environments and more defined pans and flyovers with all analog stereo and surround recordings select Harman Kardon’s exclusive Logic 7 mode, that creates a stereophonic left and right rear signal, just as recorded in real life (e.g. sound being recorded from left rear side will be heard from that side only) for a dramatic improvement in comparison to Dolby Pro Logic.

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 sur- round modes such as Pro Logic or Logic 7, when they are broadcast via conventional TV stations, cable, pay TV and satellite transmission. In addi- tion, a growing number of made-for-television 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, Dolby 3 Stereo or Logic 7 modes often deliver enveloping surround presen- tations through the use of the natural surround information present in all stereo recordings. However, for stereo programs without any sur- round information the Theater, Hall and 5CH Stereo modes should be tried (5CH Stereo is effec- tive particularly with old ”extreme” stereo record- ings) and for mono programs, we suggest that you try the Theater or Hall modes. And when you use only two front channel speakers you should select Harman’s patented VMAx mode, delivering a virtu- ally three dimensional sound space with two speakers only.

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 7to scroll through the list of available modes. To select a surround

mode using the remote, press the Surround Mode SelectorA, and then press the ⁄/ ¤ buttons Dto 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 CDFHIJKLN. As the sur- round 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 or DTS modes may only be selected when a digital input is in use. In addition, when a digital source is present, the AVR5000 will automatically select and switch to the correct mode (Dolby Digital or DTS), regard- less of the mode that has been previously select- ed. For more information on selecting 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 speak- ers only (plus the subwoofer if installed and con- figured), 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 past systems such as Dolby Pro Logic. It delivers five dis- crete channels: left front, center, right front, left sur- round and right surround. Each channel reproduces full frequency range (20Hz to 20kHz) and offers dramatically improved dynamic range and signifi- cant improvements to signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, digital systems have the capability to deliver an additional channel that is specifically devoted to low frequency information. This is the “.1” channel referred to when you see these sys- tems descibed as “5.1”. The bass channel is sepa- rate from the other channels, but since it is inten- tionally 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 broadcasts 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 AVR5000 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 Optical or Coaxial inputs #% of the AVR5000. No demodulator is required for use with DVD players or DTS-encoded laser discs.

DTS

DTS is another digital audio system that is capa- ble of delivering 5.1 audio. Although both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use different 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 CDs. You may use any LD, DVD or CD player equipped with a digital output to play DTS-encoded special audio-only CDs with the AVR5000, but DTS-LDs can be played on LD players and DTS-DVDs on DVD players only. All that is required is to connect the player’s output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on the

rear panel

or front panel #%.

In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound tracks, the DVD player must be compatible 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 problem with the AVR5000, as some players cannot pass the DTS signal through to the digital outputs. If you are in doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to handle DTS DVDs, consult the player’s owner’s manual.

PCM Audio Playback

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is the non- com- pressed digital audio system used for compact discs, Non-Dolby Digital/DTS Laserdiscs and some special PCM encoded DVDs. The digital circuits in the AVR5000 are capable of high quality digital- to-analog decoding, and they may be connected directly to the digital audio output of your CD/DVD or LD player (LD only for PCM or DTS programs, for Dolby Digital laser discs an RF adapter is needed, see ”Dolby Digital” above).

Connections may be made to either the Optical

or Coaxial inputs on the rear panel or the front panel Digital Inputs #%.

To listen to a PCM digital source, first select the input for the desired source (e.g., CD) to feed its video signal (if any) to the TV monitor and to provide its analog audio signal for recording. Next press the Digital Select button ÚG and then use the ⁄/ ¤ buttons Don the remote, or the Selector buttons 5on the front panel, until the desired choice appears in the Main Information Display Y, then press the Set button ÔFto confirm the choice.

When a PCM source is playing, the PCM indica- tor Awill light. During PCM playback you may select any surround mode except Dolby Digital or DTS. When an HDCD encoded disc is being played (see below) and the CD player is connect- ed to the AVR 5000 via a digital connection, select Surround Off as the Surround mode to enjoy the benefits of the HDCD process.

OPERATION 29