MP3 Audio Playback

Operation

Playback from PCM sources may also benefit from the Logic 7. When playing a stereo or sur- round-encoded PCM source, such as an LD or CD or a PCM audio track from DVD, use the Logic 7 C or Cinema mode. For stereo or surround encod- ed pure music recordings use the Logic 7 M or Music mode for a wider front sound stage (see Surround Mode Chart page 28).

HDCD

HDCD, which stands for High Definition Compatible Digital®, is a sophisticated process that enables the AVR 5000 to deliver outstanding digital-to-analog decoding of PCM signals from any DVD or CD player, connected to a digital input on the AVR 5000, no matter what type of CD or DVD is played and even when normal, Non-HDCD-compatible players are used (only a digital output is needed).

When a CD with the HDCD logo is played, the AVR 5000 is able to take advantage of the spe- cial recording process that is used in the creation of HDCD disc. The special circuitry enables audio with extraordinary fidelity, stunning resolution and the highest possible overall quality.

The AVR 5000 will automatically sense that it is an HDCD recording and the HDCD indicator

Awill illuminate on the front panel to remind you that an HDCD disc is playing.

It is important to note that the HDCD process is completely compatible with standard recordings. Indeed, the high-quality digital-to-analog circuitry that is part of HDCD and the HDCD decoder chip, replacing the monolithic digital filters used in conventional DACs, will enable enhanced performance also with normal, non-HDCD encoded program material.

The AVR5000 is one of the first A/V receivers to provide on-board decoding for the MP3 audio format used on specific computer audio files and by portable MP3 players/recorders. In addition, some new CD and DVD players are capable of playing back optical discs that are recorded with MP3, rather than standard CD audio information. By offering MP3 decoding, the AVR5000 is able to deliver more precise conversion of the digital signals to an analog output, along with the ben- efits of listening to MP3 audio through the AVR5000’s high current amplifier and the speak- ers from your surround system, rather than the smaller speakers and low powered amplifiers typ- ically used with computers.

To take advantage of the AVR5000’s MP3 capa- bilities, simply connect the PCM output of a com- puter sound card able to feed the MP3 format to its digital output, or the PCM output of MP3 compatible CD or DVD players or of a portable MP3 player with a digital output, to either the

rear panel Digital Inputs

or the front

panel Digital Inputs #%. When the digital MP3 signal is selected, the MP3 Bitstream Indicator Awill light, and the audio will begin playing.

NOTES:

•The AVR5000 is only capable of playing signals in the MP3 (MPEG 1/Layer 3) format. It is not compatible with other computer audio codecs.

•The MP 3 DSP mode found in the new AVR5000 requires an MP3 SPDIF stream. Presently, only a few units provide this but in the coming generations of motherboards and operat- ing system updates this will follow, since SPDIF is the standard for audio & video hardware.

•The digital audio input signal may be either optical or coaxial, but the signal must be in the PCM format. Direct connection of USB or serial data outputs is not possible, even though the sig- nals are in the MP3 format. If you have any ques- tions about the data output format from your computer or a sound card, check with the device’s Owner’s Manual or contact the manu- facturer’s technical support area.

Selecting a Digital Source

To utilize either digital mode you must have properly connected a digital source to the AVR5000. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial inputs on the rear or front panel #%. In order to pro- vide a backup signal and a source for analog stereo recording, the analog outputs provided on digital source equipment should also be connect- ed to their appropriate inputs on the AVR5000 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD inputs on the rear panel when you connect the source’s digital outputs).

When playing a digital source such as DVD, first select its input using the remote or front panel controls as outlined in this manual in order to feed its video signal (if any) to the TV monitor and to provide its analog audio signal for record- ing. When the digital input appropriate with the DVD player is not selected automatically (due to the input settings made earlier during the system configuration, see page 21), select the digital source by pressing the Digital Input Selector button GÚand then using the ⁄/¤ buttons

Don the remote or the Selector buttons 5 on the front panel to choose any of the OPTICAL or COAXIAL inputs, as they appear in the Main Information Display Y, Display Indicator BEor on-screen display. When the digital source is playing, the AVR5000 will automatically detect whether it is a multi- channel Dolby Digital or DTS source or a HDCD, MP3 or conventional PCM signal, which is the standard output from CD players. A Bitstream Indicator Awill light in the Main

Information Display Ûto confirm that the digital signal is Dolby Digital, DTS, MP3, PCM or HDCD.

Note that a digital input (e.g. coaxial) remains associated with any analog input (e.g. DVD) as soon as it is selected, thus the digital input need not be re-selected each time the appropriate input choice (e.g. DVD) is made.

Digital Status Indicators

When a digital source is playing, the AVR5000 senses the type of bitstream data that is present. Using this information, the correct surround mode will automatically be selected. For example, DTS bitstreams will cause the unit to switch to DTS decoding, and Dolby Digital bitstreams will enable Dolby Digital decoding. When the unit senses PCM data, from CDs and LDs and some music DVDs or certain tracks on normal DVDs, it will allow the appropriate surround mode to be selected manually. Since the range of available surround modes depends on the type of digital data that is present, the AVR5000 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 and the input channels recorded on the disc.

When a digital source is playing, a Bitstream Indicator Awill 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 audio track selected on the source player and number of channels on the disc, different surround modes are possible. Note that only one channel without subwoofer, called ”1.0” audio, or all five channels with subwoofer (”5.1” audio) or all steps between can be record- ed on digitally surround encoded audio tracks (see NOTE below). With all those tracks, except ”2.0” audio, only the Dolby Digital and VMAx modes are available. When the Dolby Digital sig- nal is only two channel (”2.0”) these two chan- nels (l and r) often contain Pro Logic surround informations. With those tracks the AVR5000 automatically switches to the Pro Logic mode, but you may also select the Vmax mode.

DTS: When the DTS indicator lights, a DTS bit- stream is being received. When the unit senses this type of data, only the DTS mode may be used.

PCM: When the PCM indicator lights, a standard Pulse Code Modulation, or PCM, signal is being received. This is the type of digital audio used by conventional compact disc and laser disc record- ings. When a PCM bitstream is present, all modes except Dolby Digital and DTS are available. Note that the PCM signal format can be selected on the DVD player with any audio track, even with Dolby Digital tracks (but not with Dolby Digital decod- ing). So, if selected, even ”2.0” D.D. audio tracks

30OPERATION