Harman-Kardon AVR 500 manual Digital Audio Playback, Selecting a Digital Source, Dolby Digital

Operation

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desired mode (îïðñ ò. To select a surround mode using the remote, press the Surround Mode Selector 31 , and then press the Ú/ Û buttons g to change the mode. As you press the buttons, the Surround mode name will appear in the Main Information Display V, and an individual mode indicator will also light up FGHI JK.

Note that the Dolby Digital or DTS modes may only be selected when a digital input is in use. 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 speak- ers only (plus the subwoofer if installed and configured), press the Surround Off button ô on the front panel, or follow the instructions shown above for using the remote until SURR OFF appears in the Main Information Display V. When the AVR 500’s surround cir- cuits are turned off, and it is in the Stereo mode, the SURR OFF indicator Lwill illuminate in the Information Display 35.

Digital Audio Playback

Digital audio such as Dolby Pro Logic is a major advancement over past systems. It delivers five discrete channels: left front, center, right front, left surround and right surround. Each channel is full range and offers dramatically improved dynamic range and significant improvements to signal-to- noise ratios. In addition, both of the digital sys- tems have the capability 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 descibed as “5.1”. The bass channel is totally separate 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 avail- able on DVD and LD discs and is a part of the new high-definition television (HDTV) system.

Note that an optional, external RF demodulator is required to use the AVR 500 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 d e of the AVR 500. No

demodulator is required for use with 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 dif- ferent methods of encoding the signals, 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 500. All that is required is to connect the player’s output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on the rear panel d e.

In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS sound track, 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 500, 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.

Selecting a Digital Source

To utilize either digital mode you must have a digital source properly connected to the AVR 500. Connect the digital outputs from DVD players, HDTV receivers and CD players to the Optical or Coaxial inputs on the rear panel

de. In order to provide a backup signal and a source for analog stereo recording, the ana- log outputs provided on digital source equip- ment should also be connected to their appro- priate inputs on the AVR 500 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 source’s digital outputs).

When playing a digital source such as DVD, first select the input using the remote or front-panel controls as outlined in this manual. Next, select the digital source by pressing the appropriate Digital Input Selector button ø and then using the Ú/ Û buttons g on the remote or the Selector buttons 34on the front panel to choose either of the two OPTICAL or COAXIAL inputs, as they appear in the Main Information Display V or on-screen display. Press the Set button iù to enter

the desired choice. When the digital source is playing, the AVR 500 will automatically detect whether it is a multichannel Dolby Digital or DTS 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 digital signal is Dolby Digital F or PCM E and if the source is OPTICAL C or COAX A.

Digital Status

When a digital source is playing, the AVR 500 will automatically switch to the proper surround mode. It is important to note, however, that not all Dolby Digital or DTS sources are encoded with the full complement of five channels plus LFE. When a digital source is playing, the Main Information Display V or on-screen display will change to show the input source and digital type (OPTICAL or COAX). When a source with digital encoding is playing, the input source name will appear in the Information Display or on-screen display, fol- lowed by a numeric key indicating the type and number of channels being decoded as follows:

3/2.1: This message appears when a full complement of Dolby Digital signals is present: 3 front channels (left, center and right), 2 surround channels (surround left and surround right) and “1” channel, which is the dedicated Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel.

3/1: This message indicates the system is decoding a standard Dolby Pro Logic sig- nal with left-front, center and right-front channels and a single mono surround channel.

2/0: This message indicates that the sys- tem is decoding a traditional two-channel stereo signal and that no center, surround or LFE signals are present.

1/0: This is a monaural signal that plays through the center-channel speaker only. There is no sound at the front-left, front-right or surround speakers.

The current status of the AVR may also be obtained by pressing the OSD Button s until the Full-OSD appears on your video display’s screen.

Night Mode

A special feature of Dolby Digital is the Night mode, which enables AC-3 input sources to be

23OPERATION