Video Adjustments
The AVR 347 includes sophisticated DCDi by Faroudja video processing that delivers enhanced video quality, even for older analog video source components, as well as upgraded on-screen displays. When upscaling video materials from a lower resolution to a higher one (the AVR 347 upscales to a maximum of 720p), the processor is adding pixels to the original image. Sometimes when converting interlaced video (displays all odd rows then all even rows of the frame) to progressive-scan video (displays all rows at once) and increasing the resolution, the interpolation of new pixels can cause jagginess, or a staircase effect, at edge transitions, such as the stripes in an American flag. Faroudja engineers developed the DCDi (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) algorithm to ensure that the additional pixels follow the edge, virtually eliminating the jagginess and enhancing upscaled images.
The video processor is set at the factory to automatically provide the best picture as it detects the capabilities of your video display and the incoming source video signals. However, you may experiment with the Video Setup menu adjustments to try to improve the picture further. The Video Setup menu includes a reset feature in the event you wish to return to the factory defaults and try again.
To access the Video Setup menu, press the OSD Button L to display the menu system, and navigate to the Video tab. Press the Set Button
Fto access the Video Setup menu, shown in Figure 31.
Figure 31
Output Format: This setting is used to specify the resolution of the AVR’s video output as 576i, 576p or 720p.
When the HDMI Output is active, 576i output is not available. If you select the 576i setting and the video display is capable of 720p resolution, the AVR will automatically select the higher resolution. If the display is not capable of 720p resolution, the AVR will select the 576p setting.
If your source signal is 1080i or 1080p, it will be passed through to the HDMI Output as is, but you may not select that output format on this line, as upscaling to these resolutions is not supported. If you are using the Component Video Monitor Outputs, you will not be able to view 1080p materials, but 1080i sources will be passed through. In any event, when the source signal is 1080i or 1080p, the semi-OSD messages will not appear, including the volume bar. Full OSD displays will appear, but at a lower resolution.
Viewing Preference: This setting allows you to select factory-predetermined picture setting that is optimized for various types of program materials. You will notice that when you change this setting, the Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast and Color settings will change accordingly. The available options are CINEMA, SPORT, NATURE and VIVID.
Sharpness: You may adjust the Sharpness setting from 0 to 100 in increments of 4-5 units. We recommend leaving this setting as low as possible, as contrary to what you might expect, a less sharp image can appear clearer on screen. In addition, increasing the Sharpness requires additional video processing, which may lead to loss of sync with the audio or visual artifacts. However, there is no harm in experimenting with this setting.
Brightness: This control adjusts the level at which black is delivered. We recommend leaving it at its factory setting, although there is no harm in experimenting if you are using a test signal.
Contrast: This control adjusts the difference between black and white in the picture. We recommend leaving it at its factory setting, although there is no harm in experimenting if you are using a test signal.
Color: This control adjusts the hue of the colors in the picture, and may be set between 0 and
100.Select a setting in which people and objects on screen look natural. There is no “recommended” setting, and no harm in experimenting.
Reset: If you wish to return the video settings to their factory defaults, select this line and press the Set Button F.
Advanced Features
The AVR 347 is equipped with a number of ad- vanced features that add extra flexibility to the unit’s operation. While it is not necessary to use these features to operate the unit, they provide additional options that you may wish to use.
Front-Panel-Display Fade
In normal operation, the front-panel displays and indicators remain on at full brightness, although you may also dim them or turn them off as shown on page 46. As an additional option, you may also set the AVR so that the displays are on whenever a button is pressed on the front panel or remote, but then fade out after a set period of time.
To set the front-panel displays to the Fade mode, press the OSD Button L to bring the main menu to the screen. Press the ⁄/¤ Navigation Button D so that the System -tab is highlighted in white, and press the Set Button F to enter the SYSTEM SETUP menu (Figure 32).
Figure 32
With the SYSTEM SETUP menu on your video display, press the ⁄/¤ Navigation Button D so that the blue cursor bar is high- lighting the VFD Fade Timeout -line. Next, press the Set Button F, followed by the ‹ / › Navigation Button E so that the amount of time that you wish the displays to fade out after a button is pressed is shown.
Once this time is set and the unit returned to normal operation, the displays will remain on for the time period selected whenever a button is pressed on the front panel or remote. After that time they will gradually fade out, with the exception of the lighting surrounding the Standby/On Switch 3, which remains on to remind you that the AVR is turned on. Note that if the displays have been turned completely off using the Dim Button, as shown on page 46, the Fade function will not operate.
