Harman-Kardon AVR 125 Surround Mode Selection, Digital Audio Playback, Selecting a Digital Source

OPERATION

Surround Mode Selection

One of the most important features of the AVR 125 is its ability to reproduce a full multichannel surround sound field from digital sources, analog matrix sur- round-encoded programs and standard stereo pro- grams. In all, a total of 16 listening modes are avail- able on the AVR 125.

Selection of a surround mode is based on personal taste, as well as the type of program source material being used. For example, motion pictures or TV pro- grams bearing the logo of one of the major surround- encoding processes, such as Dolby Surround®*, DTS Stereo®* or UltraStereo™* may be played in either the Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II or Logic 7 Cinema sur- round modes depending on the source material.

NOTE: Once a program has been encoded with matrix surround information, it retains the surround 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 addi- tion, a number of made-for-television programs, sports broadcasts, radio dramas and music CDs are also recorded in surround sound. You may view a list of these programs at the Dolby Laboratories Web site 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 record- ings. 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 BCDEGHI. 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 F while the modes are being selected. To avoid exiting from the surround mode selection process, push the ▲ or ▼ Button mq while a mode name is still visible.

The Dolby Digital and DTS modes may only be select- ed when a digital input is in use. In addition, when a digital source is present, the AVR 125 will automatical- ly select and switch to the correct mode (Dolby Digital or DTS), regardless of the mode that has been previ- ously selected. For more information on selecting digital sources, 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 subwoofer if installed and configured), follow the instructions shown above for using the remote until SURR OFF appears in the Main Information Display F. The Stereo-Direct (Bypass) mode may only be selected when an analog input is in use.

Digital Audio Playback

Digital audio is a major advancement over older analog matrix surround systems. It delivers five discrete chan- nels: left-front, center, right-front, left-surround and right- surround. Each channel reproduces full frequency range (20Hz to 20kHz) and offers dramatically improved dynamic range and significant improvements to signal- to-noise ratios. In addition, digital systems have the capa- bility to deliver an additional channel that is specifically devoted to low-frequency information. This is the “.1” channel referred to when you see these systems described as “5.1”. The bass channel is separate from the other channels, but since it is intentionally bandwidth- limited, sound designers have given it that unique designation.

Dolby Digital

Dolby Digital (originally known as AC-3®) is 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.

An optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 125 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 con- nect the digital output of the demodulator to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs ·c#$ of the AVR 125. No demodulator is required for use with DVD players or DTS-encoded laser discs.

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 different methods of encoding the signals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.

DTS-encoded sound tracks are available on select DVD and LD discs, as well as on special audio-only DTS discs. You may use any LD or CD player equipped with a digital output to play DTS-encoded discs with the AVR 125. All that is required is to con- nect the player’s output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on the rear panel ·c or front panel

#$.

In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound tracks, the DVD player must be compatible with the DTS signal as indicated by a DTS logo on the player’s front panel. Early DVD players may not be able to play DTS-encoded DVDs. This does not indicate a problem with the AVR 125, as some players cannot pass the DTS signal through to the digital outputs. 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 125. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs ·c#$. In order to provide a backup signal and a source for analog stereo record- ing, the analog outputs provided on digital source equipment should also be connected to their appropri- ate inputs on the AVR 125 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD Audio Inputs h on the rear panel when you connect the source’s digital outputs).

When playing a digital source such as DVD, first select the source input using the remote or front-panel con- trols as described on page 21. Next, select the digital source by pressing the Digital Input Selector Button pÚ and then using the ⁄/¤ Buttons mq on the remote or the Selector Buttons 5 on the front panel to choose any of the OPTICAL or COAXIAL inputs, as they appear in the Main Information Display F, the Digital Input Indicators TU. When the digital source is playing, the AVR 125 will automatically detect whether it is a multichannel Dolby Digital or DTS source, or a con- ventional PCM signal, which is the standard output from CD players. A Bitstream Indicator A will light in the Main Information Display Û to confirm that the digital signal is Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM.

OPERATION 23