ADVANCED FUNCTIONS
Figure 65 – Dolby Surround Menu Screen
CENTER WIDTH: This setting affects how vocals sound through the three front speakers. A higher number (up to 7) focuses the vocal information tightly on the center channel. Lower numbers broaden the vocal soundstage across the three speakers.
DIMENSION: This setting affects the depth of the surround presentation, allowing you to “move” the sound toward the front or rear of the room. The setting of “0” is a neutral default. Setting
PANORAMA: With the Panorama mode turned ON, some of the sound from the front speakers is moved to the surround speakers, creating an enveloping “wraparound” type of effect.
NIGHT MODE: Night mode is available with some Dolby Digital programs, if it has been encoded in the material. It compresses the peak sound levels, maintaining the intelligibility of the dialogue and quieter passages, while reducing the loudness of special effects and louder passages to avoid disturbing others. Three levels of compression are available:
OFF: At this setting, there is no compression, as the Night mode is deactivated.
MID: A mild compression is applied.
MAX: More compression is applied.
We suggest that you experiment with the modes to find a setting that meets your needs.
The Night mode may also be adjusted without using the
UPSAMPLING: The last line of the Surround Select menu activates upsampling, only available with the Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, Dolby Pro Logic II Music and Dolby Pro Logic modes. Normally set to OFF, upsampling, when activated, processes digital sources at a higher resolution for improved sound quality. This feature can be useful to eliminate distortion in some
Default Modes
During initial use or after a processor reset, the AVR 154 defaults to the Logic 7 Music mode for all analog and PCM audio inputs. Subsequently, when a source input is selected and an analog or PCM signal is received, the AVR will switch to the last surround mode used for that source input/incoming signal combination.
Dolby Digital and DTS digital signals are handled slightly differently. Consult Table 2 for the alternate surround modes available when one of these digital signals is detected. For example, you may prefer Dolby Digital Stereo when a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal is present if only two speakers are connected to the AVR. By default, the AVR selects the mode encoded in the incoming bitstream, i.e., Dolby Digital 5.1 in the example.
To change the AVR’s default behavior so that it always selects the alternate mode when the digital bitstream is present:
1.Select the desired alternate mode when the digital mode is present. In this case, play a Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD and press the Dolby Surround Mode Button on the remote repeatedly to select Dolby Digital Stereo mode.
2.Change the DEFAULT SURR MODE setting in the System Setup menu to OFF.
Table 2 provides descriptions of all surround modes available on the
AVR 154, along with the incoming bitstreams or signals that the particular mode may be used with. Feel free to experiment and simply cycle through all of the available modes at any time; you cannot cause any problems for the AVR 154 by doing so.
System Settings
The AVR 154 offers several system settings that make the receiver easier to use rather than directly affecting performance. Access these settings by pressing the OSD Button and navigating to the SYSTEM SETUP line of the MASTER MENU. Press the OK Button to display the submenu. See Figure 66.
Figure 66 – System Setup Menu Screen
VFD FADE TIME OUT: Some people find the brightness of the AVR’s
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