Harman-Kardon AVR 445 owner manual Operation, Dolby Digital, Selecting a Digital Source

OPERATION

specifically devoted to low-frequency information. This is the “.1” channel referred to when you see these systems described as “5.1,” “6.1” or “7.1.” The bass channel is separate from the other channels, but since it is inten- tionally bandwidth-limited, sound designers have given it that unique designation. When a digital soundtrack

is playing, the number of channels available will vary according to the way in which the program was recorded. Although most movies recorded with digital sound have 5.1 soundtracks, some have 6.1 or 7.1 sound, while others retain the original two-channel or even monaural sound. When the program source is a broadcast, cable or satellite delivered digital program, only one type of soundtrack may be delivered at a time, while optical sources such as DVD may provide more than one audio option. In either case, the deci- sion of what type of sound track and how many chan- nels to offer is up to the program’s producer. With the AVR 445 you are able to not only play back the origi- nal compatible digital format, but using the processing power of the Texas Instruments DSP processor, it is possible to decode the basic digital track for 2.0 or

5.1sound and then select an additional “post-pro- cessing” mode to deliver additional channels.

Dolby Digital

Dolby Digital is the default format for DVD discs and for the (ATSC) high-definition system used in the United States and Canada. It is also used by the digital satellite program services and is available on most digital cable set-top boxes. When the AVR 445 is connected to a blue-laser-based high-definition optical disc player via a coaxial or optical digital audio con- nection, the soundtrack may be available in the stan- dard Dolby Digital or DTS format so that it may be decoded by the AVR.

An optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 445 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 Optical or Coaxial Inputs KLab of the AVR 445. A demodulator is not required for use with high-definition optical disc or DVD players, or with DTS-encoded laser discs.

In order to provide maximum playback compatibility with DVDs, the AVR 445 receiver will always default first to the playback mode embedded in a disc’s digital “flag” information. For Dolby Digital discs, the following playback modes are initially selected after the AVR locks on to the incoming digital audio data stream:

•When a Dolby Digital 5.1 data stream is detected, the choice of which surround mode is activated is determined by the setting on the DEFAULT SURR line of the SURROUND SETUP menu (Figure 5), as shown on page 24.

•When a disc with the Dolby Digital EX flag is played, your system will automatically switch to the EX mode when seven main speakers are available.

•When a disc with 2.0 Dolby Digital data is detected, the default mode is Dolby Digital with Pro Logic II postprocessing when you have a 5.1 speaker sys- tem, or Dolby Digital with Dolby Pro Logic IIx post- processing when you have a 7.1 speaker system.

•Depending on the number of speaker channels available in your system, once the AVR locks on to the digital signal, you may select any surround mode or postprocessing option that is available, based on the incoming data stream’s possible restrictions and the number of speakers in your system. For example, when a 5.1 or 2.0 audio stream is in use, you may select alternate post- processing such as Logic 7/7.1-channel Movie mode postprocessing to create the rear surrounds in 7.1 speaker systems.

DTS

DTS is another digital audio system that is capable of delivering 5.1 or 6.1 discrete or matrix sound field reproduction. Although both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use different methods of encoding the sig- nals, and thus they require different decoding circuits to convert the digital signals back to analog.

DTS-encoded soundtracks 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 445. All that is required is to connect the player’s output to either an Optical or Coaxial Input on the rear panel ab or front panel KL.

In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound- tracks, the DVD player must be compatible with the DTS signal, which is indicated by a DTS logo on the player’s front panel. Early DVD players may not be able to play DTS-encoded DVDs. If you are in doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to handle DTS discs, consult the player’s owner’s manual.

When the AVR 445 is connected to a blue-laser- based high-definition optical disc player via an HDMI, coaxial or optical digital connection, the soundtrack from the player is also available in the standard DTS format so that it may be decoded by the AVR.

NOTE:

•Some DVD players have a default setting that does not pass through the DTS signal. Before playing DVDs with a DTS soundtrack, make certain that the settings in your DVD player have been properly adjusted so that DTS audio is passed through. Consult the owner’s manual for your DVD player for more information on making these settings.

•When selecting surround modes, any mode where the setting in its mode group (Dolby, DTS, Logic 7, PCM, etc.) has been set to OFF in one of the

SURROUND CONFIG menus will not appear and may not be selected. You may change the settings in this list at any time by following the instructions on pages 24–25.

Selecting a Digital Source

To utilize either digital mode, you must have properly connected a digital source to the AVR 445. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD players to the Optical or Coaxial Inputs KLab. In order to provide a backup signal 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 445 rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio output from a DVD to the DVD Audio Inputs Z on the rear panel when you connect the source’s digital outputs).

If you have not already configured an input for a digital source using the on-screen menus, as shown on page 22, first select the input using the remote or front-panel controls, as outlined in this manual. Next, press the Digital Select Button E, then press the ‹/› Navigation Buttons D© on the remote or the ‹/› Button H on the front panel to choose any of the OPTICAL or COAXIAL inputs, as they appear in the Upper Display Line # or on- screen display. When the digital source is playing, the AVR 445 will automatically detect which type of digital data stream is being decoded and display that infor- mation in the Upper Display Line #.

When both a digital and an analog connection are made between a source device and the AVR, the digi- tal input is the default. If the digital stream is not pres- ent or is interrupted, the unit will automatically switch over to the analog inputs for the selected source.

If you wish to disable the auto-polling feature, you may do so by following the instructions shown for the IN/OUT SETUP menu (Figure 2), as shown on page 22.

Digital Bitstream and Surround Mode Indications When a digital source is playing, the AVR 445 senses the type of bitstream data that is present, and auto- matically selects the proper surround mode. For exam- ple, DTS bitstreams will cause the unit to switch to DTS decoding, and Dolby Digital bitstreams will enable Dolby Digital decoding. When the unit senses PCM data from CDs or LDs, you may select any of the stan- dard Dolby or DTS surround modes or Logic 7. Since the range of available surround modes is dependent on the type of digital data that is present, the AVR 445 shows you what type of signal is present to help you understand the choice of modes.

36 OPERATION