Harman-Kardon HA160-0004-A - Manual (Page 65)

Appendix C
61
Signature 2.0
DTS
DTS is a digital audio delivery system used by both
audio-only labels as well as an optional, alternative
digital sound system for DVD and LD. DTS delivers
high-quality, discrete 5.1 audio using a digital delivery
system that is similar in concept to Dolby Digital, but
with different bit rates and encoding algorithms.
The physical connection for DTS playback is identical to
the connections used for Dolby Digital, in that either coax
or optical connections are made to the source player. The
main difference between the two systems with regard to
hook-ups is that when DTS audio tracks are present on a
laser disc, they are played back as standard PCM audio
streams, and thus no RF demodulator is required. If you
own a laser player and plan to play back DTS discs, make
certain that a connection is made from the optical or coax
output of your LD player to one of the 2.0’s digital inputs.
Using the Input Assignment options in the Source
Configuration menus described on page 28 it is possible
to take advantage of the 2.0’s flexibility to assign the
same video output to both the analog and digital decoding
sections of the 2.0.
It is worth noting the DTS has also issued a library of
audio-only discs that may be played back using any CD
player that features a digital output. To take advantage of
these discs, make certain there is a connection between
the digital audio output of your CD player and one of
the digital inputs of the 2.0.
Programs encoded with DTS always have a native 5.1
channel mode, but depending on the configuration of your
specific system you may not always want to play a pro-
gram back in the 5.1 channel mode. For that reason, the
2.0 provides not only the pure DTS 5.1 mode, but also
provides the capability to decode the DTS data streams,
but down mix the incoming signal so that it is sent to
the front left and right speakers only (DTS 2 Chan)
or to the front left and right channels and left and right
surround channels. The center channel is downmixed
into the front left and right channels (DTS 2 Chan).
Applicable Mode Groups: As DTS is used for both audio-
only discs as well as movies and other video-related
programs, all DTS modes are available in both the Music
and Movies mode groups. Note that when a DTS 5.1
program is playing and you press the Stereo button y,
the 2.0 will indicate DTS 2 Chan.
NOTE: Due to the way in which DTS operates, there
is no data available when the Display button x is
pressed while a DTS source is playing.
Movie Modes
The 2.0’s digital audio processing system provides a
number of alternative modes that may be used when
listening to movies via an analog input source. For
movies, a series of four different modes is available
that use the basic matrix decoding to extract center
and surround channels from two-channel audio, similar
to Pro Logic. The Movie modes, however, vary from
Pro Logic in that they add additional blending of the
channels to offer different simulations.
Each of the four Movie modes is slightly different, and
the best way to find if one of them suits your taste and
the specific acoustic conditions of your listening room is
to try them all, using Dolby Pro Logic as a baseline for
comparison. Nothing will be “hurt” or damaged by trying
the different modes.
Applicable Mode Groups: The Movie modes are available
only in the Movie mode group, and only when an analog
source is being played.
NOTE: The Movie and Music modes are available
only when an analog or PCM digital source is playing.
If you attempt to select one of these modes when a
Dolby Digital or DTS source is playing, the front panel
Information Display will flash to remind you of the
mismatch. At the same time, the 2.0 will automatically
select an appropriate mode. The suggested mode may
be identified by pressing the Display button x and
viewing the on-screen display.