Input Controls
Input Source Buttons 
Press any of the eight front-panel buttons to select an audio or video input source (the built- in tuner, CD, VCR, etc.) for listening. You will hear this source and, if you have selected a video source, see its picture on your TV monitor.
The front-panel display and the ON-SCREEN DISPLAY will show the name of the current lis- tening source selection. The labels for VIDEO sources can be customized to match your com- ponents.
All of the inputs (the five video inputs, the CD input, and the TAPE input) can accept either analog signals or digital signals from one of the five assignable digital inputs.
By default, the source input buttons are con- figured to select the analog input when pressed. However, each source input button can be configured using the ON-SCREEN DISPLAY menu system to give priority to the digital sig- nal. Then, a signal present at the assigned digital input when the source is selected is au- tomatically activated and the proper surround mode enabled. If no digital signal is present, the analog inputs are selected. This auto-sensing is the preferred configuration for digital source inputs such as DVD players. See the INPUT MENU section for configuration instructions.
The input source buttons can also be used (in conjunction with the REC button described in the next section) to select an analog input source signal to be available at the outputs for record- ing. Additionally, the input source buttons can be used with the ZONE button to select an analog input source for ZONE 2.
REC Button 
ZONE Button 
The RSX-972 can record from any analog source to a VCR or other recorder connected to the VIDEO 1, 2 or 3 outputs or the TAPE outputs, even while you are listening to a dif- ferent input source. To select an input source for recording, press the REC button on the front- panel (or the equivalent ZONE button on the remote). Then, press one of the INPUT SOURCE buttons within 5 seconds to select the signal you wish to record. After making your selec- tion (or if more than five seconds passes), the input source buttons return to their normal function, selecting a listening source.
Remember, this selection is independent of the listening source. While recording, you may still select a different source (for example, the built-in tuner) for listening. The record selec- tion appears in the display to the right of the listening selection.
NOTE: The RECORD function requires analog signals. If you use a digital connection from a CD player or DVD for listening, you should also connect an analog signal for recording.
5.1CH Input 
EXT IN 
The 5.1 CH button (or the EXT IN button on the remote) overrides all other inputs (both analog and digital) and connects an external digital adaptor to the RSX-972’s outputs. This provides an upgrade path to future software standards. When activated, the RSX-972’s digi- tal processing is bypassed. An indicator ap- pears in the front-panel display.
Surround Sound Controls
The RSX-972 decodes Dolby Surround® , Dolby Digital®, and DTS® surround sound source material as well as providing several DSP am- bience simulations for music.
Dolby Digital and DTS decoding of digital signals is automatic. When a digital signal en- coded with either of these is detected, the RSX-972 activates the proper decoding. In most cases, the RSX-972 will also recognize a digital signal Dolby Surround encoding and activate the proper Dolby® Pro Logic® decoding. Ad- ditionally, you can configure a default surround mode for each input using the ON-SCREEN DISPLAY menu system.
Four buttons allow manual control of the sur- round sound/ambience settings, overriding any configured default setting or auto-sensing. There are no right or wrong settings. Just because a mode is labelled 2 CHANNEL does not mean that you must use this mode every time you play a stereo CD. You may prefer one of the other surround modes.
As a general rule, we recommend using PRO LOGIC mode for all sources labeled Dolby Surround. Beyond that, use whatever settings sound best to you in your room with your system.
PRO LOGIC Button 
This setting decodes Dolby Surround encoded surround sound material, whether it be a music CD, videotape, videodisc, stereo TV broad- cast, or radio broadcast. It also can be used to create additional ambience in 2-channel mu- sical source material. Front, center, and rear speakers are activated. An indicator lights in the front-panel display when the PRO LOGIC button is pressed.
NOTE: Leaving the RSX-972 in PRO LOGIC mode offers satisfactory performance and con- venience for many source materials. It pro- vides automatic decoding of analog surround sound material and automatic selection of Dolby Digital or DTS processing when an appropriate digital source is played.
3 STEREO Button 
This mode provides proper playback of Dolby Surround material on systems that have front and center speakers, but lack rear surround speakers. It adds the rear channel signals to the front speakers for a larger, more ambient sound than conventional stereo. An indicator lights in the front-panel display to show that this mode has been activated.
DSP Button 
This button activates digital synthesis of four ambience modes (MUSIC 1, MUSIC 2, MU- SIC 3, and MUSIC 4) which simulate progres- sively larger acoustic environments and are used to recreate ambience when listening to music sources and/or other sources that lack surround sound encoding.
These four modes vary the amount of delay used for the rear surround signals. Experiment to find a setting which is most pleasing.
Press the button to activate the DSP mode. Each press of the button will step forward to the next mode in the following order: MUSIC 1 > MUSIC 2 > MUSIC 3 > MUSIC 4. An indica- tor lights in the front-panel display when DSP mode has been activated.
NOTE: As a general rule, the DSP modes pro- vide more exaggerated ambience effects than the PRO LOGIC mode. Experiment with the more spectacular DSP modes for particular recordings or effects.
