Multizone Operation

ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

complex, and require proper training and experience to avoid worsening the situation. Therefore, it is recommended that if you are unable to improve the picture using the available controls, contact the video display manufacturer’s authorized service representative for assistance.

When you have finished making any video adjustments, press the Back/Exit Button to back out of the menu system.

The AVR 254 offers the benefits of multizone operation, a rarity in a receiver this affordable. With the multizone system in use, you may enjoy an exciting 5.1-channel home theater presentation in the main listening area, while others listen to the same materials or an entirely different presentation in another room.

Although installation of a multizone system is not complicated, it requires running wires inside walls. We urge you to check your local building codes and comply with the requirements for in-wall wiring systems to prevent the possibility of a dangerous situation. If you have any ques- tions about installing a multiroom system, we strongly recommend that you contact a professional custom installer.

Installing a Multizone System

A typical multizone system consists of only one remote room in the remote zone. That is, you connect only one pair of loudspeakers to the AVR 254, placing those speakers in the remote room the same way you would place the front left and right speakers in the main listening room. It is not recommended that you place the left and right multizone speakers in different rooms.

To use the AVR 254 with more than one remote room, purchase a multichannel external amplifier that enables you to connect several pairs of loudspeakers. However, the AVR 254 only outputs one remote zone, meaning that only one signal is sent through the multizone system.

All remote rooms will hear the same source, even when a multichannel amplifier is used.

There are two ways of connecting the remote speakers to the AVR 254:

a)Connect the speakers to the left and right SB/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs on the rear panel of the AVR 254. This is the simplest type of multizone system. However, it is not recommended for long speaker-wire runs (e.g., more than 25 feet), as the audio signal tends to degrade over long distances. If your application would require a long speaker-wire run, consider option b) below.

b)Purchase an external amplifier. Connect the SB/Zone 2 Preamp Outputs to the amplifier’s inputs. You may place the amplifier either in the main listening room or the remote room. Placing the amplifier in the main listening room would require the use of long speaker wires to reach the remote room, while placing the amplifier in the remote room calls for the opposite – long interconnect cables and short speaker wires.

When you use either the SB/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs or the Preamp Outputs for a multizone system, you will not be able to use the surround back speakers with your main system, which will then be limited to 5.1channels.

However, when the multizone system is turned off, you may reassign your remote speakers to the main listening room for 7.1-channel operation.

You may install an optional remote infrared (IR) receiver in the remote room and connect it to the Zone 2 IR Input on the back of the receiver. This lets you use an optional second-zone remote, a keypad or another control device to turn the multizone system on or off, select a source input, and operate any source devices that are connected in daisychain fashion to the AVR 254’s Remote IR Output. You may use the main AVR 254 remote control in the remote zone, or you may purchase a second-zone remote by contacting Harman Kardon customer service through our Web site.

You may use the above connection methods simultaneously to increase the total number of remote rooms in your system. Remember that sending control commands from one room in the system will affect the entire remote zone of the multizone system.

Operating the Multizone System

The AVR 254’s multizone system is accessed using the on-screen Zone 2 menu. Press the AVR Button to display the menu System, and use the ⁄ /¤ Buttons to navigate to the Zone 2 line. Press the

OK Button to display the Zone Control menu. See Figure 69.

Figure 69 – Zone 2 Menu

Status: This line is used to turn the multizone system on or off. When no one is listening in the remote room, leave this setting at the default of OFF.

Source: This line indicates the source input selected for the remote zone. You may select any source input for which a device has been connected to the AVR 254, even when a different source is being enjoyed in the main listening area. However, if the tuner has been selected for simultaneous operation in both the main listening area and the remote zone, listeners in both areas will hear the same radio station.

NOTE: Only analog audio sources are available to the multizone system. To hear digital devices, such as a CD player, in the remote zone, follow these steps:

1.In addition to a digital audio connection, connect the source device’s analog audio outputs to any available analog audio inputs on the AVR, noting in Table A5 in the appendix which set of inputs was used.

2.In the Setup Source menu, leave the Audio Source setting at the digital audio input. However, scroll down to the Zone 2 Audio setting and select the analog audio source used in step 1.