Operation
Surround Mode Selection
One of the most important features of the AVR 120 is its ability to reproduce a full multichannel surround sound field from digital sources, analog matrix
Selection of a surround mode is based on per- sonal taste, as well as the type of program source material being used. For example, motion pictures or TV programs bearing the logo of one of the major
NOTE: Once a program has been encoded with matrix surround information, it retains the sur- round information as long as the program is broadcast in stereo. Thus, movies with surround sound may be decoded via any of the analog surround modes such as Pro Logic II or Logic 7, when they are broadcast via conventional TV stations, cable, pay TV and satellite transmission. In addition, a growing number of
at www.dolby.com.
Even when a program is not listed as carrying intentional surround information, you may find that the Pro Logic II, Logic 7, VMAx and the Hall or Theater modes often deliver enveloping surround presentations through the use of the natural information present in all stereo recordings. However, for stereo, but not surround programs, we suggest that you experiment with the other modes.
Surround modes are selected using either the front panel controls or the remote. To select a surround mode from the front panel, press the Surround Mode Selector 7 to scroll up or down through the list of available modes. To select a surround mode using the remote, press the Surround Mode Selectorj and then press the ⁄/ ¤ Buttons mq to change the mode. As you press the buttons, the Surround mode name will appear in the Main Information Display F, and an individual mode indicator will also light up BCDEG HI. As the surround modes change, a green LED will light next to the current mode in the
Surround Mode Indicators ˜ list on the
front panel.
NOTE: The name of each Surround Mode will scroll across the Main Information Display
Fwhile the modes are being selected. To avoid exiting from the surround mode selection process, be certain to push the ▲ or ▼ Button mq while a mode name is still visible.
Note that the Dolby Digital and DTS modes may only be selected when a digital input is in use. In addition, when a digital source is present, the AVR 120 will automatically select and switch to the correct mode (Dolby Digital or DTS), regardless of the mode that has been pre- viously selected. For more information on select- ing digital sources, see the following section of this manual.
To listen to a program in traditional
Digital Audio Playback
Digital audio is a major advancement over older analog matrix surround systems. It delivers five discrete channels:
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital (originally known as
a standard part of the DVD format, and is also part of the new digital broadcasting system and it is available with many satellite receivers and some digital cable boxes, as well as with specially encoded LD discs.
Note that an optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 120 to listen to the Dolby Digital sound tracks available on laser discs. Connect the RF output of the LD player to the demodulator and then connect the digital
output of the demodulator to the the Optical or Coaxial Inputs de#$ of the AVR
120.No demodulator is required for use with DVD players or
DTS
DTS is another digital audio system that is capable of delivering 5.1 audio. Although both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use dif- ferent methods of encoding the signals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.
In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound tracks, the DVD player must be compati- ble with the DTS signal as indicated by a DTS logo on the player’s front panel. Note that early DVD players may not be able to play DTS- encoded DVDs. This does not indicate a prob- lem with the AVR 120, as some players cannot pass the DTS signal through to the digital out- puts. If you are in doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to handle DTS discs, consult the player’s owner’s manual. Please note that some DVD players are shipped with their output set for Dolby Digital only. To insure that DTS data is being sent to the AVR, please check the setup menu system on your DVD player to make certain that DTS data output is enabled.
Selecting a Digital Source
To utilize either digital mode you must have properly connected a digital source to the AVR 120. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs de#$. In order to provide a backup sig- nal and a source for analog stereo recording, the analog outputs provided on digital source equipment should also be connected to their appropriate inputs on the AVR 120 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD Audio Inputs § on the rear panel when you connect the source’s digital outputs).
When playing a digital source such as DVD, first select the input using the remote or front panel