Operation

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Surround modes are selected using either the front panel controls or the remote. To select a surround mode from the front panel, simply press the button that corre- sponds to the desired mode (îï ð. To select a surround mode using the remote, press the Surround Mode Selector y, and then press the Ú/ Û buttons gto change the mode. As you press the buttons, the surround mode name will appear in the Main Information Display S, and an individulal mode indicator will also light up D/ F/ J.

Note that the Dolby Digital Mode may only be selected when a Dolby Digital source is playing. For more information on Dolby Digital, see the following section of this manual.

To listen to a program in traditional two- channel stereo, using the front left and front right speakers only (plus the sub- woofer if installed and configured), press the Surround Off button òon the front panel, or follow the insturctions shown above for using the remote until SURR OFF appears in the Main Information Display S. When the AVR45’s surround circuits are turned off, and it is in the Stereo mode, the BYPASS indicator B will illuminate in the Information Display ý.

Digital Audio Playback

Dolby Digital

Dolby Digital (also known as AC-3) is the latest advancement in surround-sound technology, delivering up to five full- range surround channels (left, center, right, left surround and right surround) plus a special dedicated Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) channel. This represents a major advancement over traditional analog surround in that each surround channel is fully discrete and capable of full bandwidth reproduction. Dolby Digital is available on DVD and LV discs, and it will be a part of the new high- definition television (HDTV) system when digital broadcasting begins in

1998. Dolby Digital for the home is based on the same system used to deliver digital audio sound tracks in movie theaters, enabling true cinema reproduction in your home.

To utilize the Dolby Digital mode you must have a digital source properly connected to the AVR45. Connect the Digital datastream outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers and CD players to the AC-3/PCM Coaxial or Optical inputs on the rear panel ¡á. In order to provide a backup signal and a source for recording, the analog outputs provid- ed on digital source equipment should also be connected to their appropriate inputs on the AVR45 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 digital outputs.)

When playing back a digital source, first select the input using the remote or front panel controls as outlined above. Next select the digital source by pressing the appropriate Digital Input button w

öand then using the Ú/ Û buttons g on the remote or the Selector buttons üon the front panel to choose either

COAXIAL or OPTICAL, as it appears in the Main Information Display S. Press the Set button i ÷ to enter the desired choice. When the digital source is playing, the AVR45 will automatically detect if it is a multichannel Dolby Digital source or a conventional PCM signal, which is the standard output from CD players. An indicator will light in the Information Display to confirm the digi- tal signal is AC-3 H or PCM I and if the source is OPTICAL E or COAX G.

When an AC-3 source is playing, the AVR45 will automatically switch to the Dolby Digital surround mode. It is impor- tant to note, however, that not all AC-3 sources are encoded with the full comple- ment of five channels plus LFE. When a digital source is playing, the Main Information Display S will change to show the input source and digital type (OPTICAL or COAX). When a source with Dolby Digital encoding is playing, the input source name will appear in the Information Display, followed by a numeric key to the type and number

of channels being decoded as follows:

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Image 27
Harman-Kardon AVR45 owner manual Digital Audio Playback, Dolby Digital, Channels being decoded as follows