Harman-Kardon AVR 146 - Manual (Page 15)

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INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER
The AVR 146 may be the first multichannel surround sound receiver
you have owned. Although it has more connections and features than
two-channel receivers, many of the principles are similar and the new
concepts are easy to understand. This introductory section will help you
to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts, which will make setup
and operation smoother.
If you are already familiar with home theater, you may skip this section
and proceed to the Connections section on page 16.
Typical Home Theater System
A home theater typically includes your audio/video receiver, which
controls the system; a DVD player; a source component for television
broadcasts, which may be a cable box, a satellite dish receiver, an HDTV
tuner or simply an antenna connected to the TV; a video display (televi-
sion); and loudspeakers.
All of these components are connected by various types of cables for
audio and video signals.
Multichannel Audio
The main benefit of a home theater system is that several loudspeakers
are used in various locations around the room to produce “surround
sound.” Surround sound immerses you in the musical or film presentation
for increased realism.
The AVR 146 may have up to five speakers connected directly to
it (plus a subwoofer). Each speaker is powered by its own amplifier
channel inside the receiver. When more than two speakers are used,
it is called a multichannel system.
• Front Left and Right – The main speakers are used the same way
as in a two-channel system. However, you may notice that in many
surround modes, these speakers are used more for ambient sound
while the main action, especially dialogue, is moved to the center
speaker.
• Center – The center speaker is usually placed above or below the
video screen, and is used mostly for dialogue in movies and television
programs. This placement allows the dialogue to originate near the
actors’ faces, for a more natural sound.
• Surround Left and Right – The surround speakers are used to
improve directionality of ambient sounds. In addition, by using more
loudspeakers in the system, more dynamic soundtracks may be
played without risk of overloading any one speaker.
Many people expect the surround speakers to play as loudly as the
front speakers. Although all of the speakers in the system will be
calibrated to sound equally loud at the listening position, most artists
use the surround speakers for ambient effects only, and they program
their materials to steer very little sound to these speakers.
• Subwoofer – A subwoofer is a special-purpose speaker designed
to play only the lowest frequencies (the bass). It may be used to
augment smaller, limited-range satellite speakers used for the other
channels. In addition, many digital-format programs, such as movies
recorded in Dolby Digital, contain a special low-frequency effects
(LFE) channel which is directed only to the subwoofer. The LFE channel
packs the punch of a rumbling train or airplane, or the power of an
explosion, adding realism and excitement to your home theater. Many
people use two subwoofers, placed on the left and right sides of the
room, for additional power and even distribution of the sound.
Surround Modes
There are different theories as to the best way to present surround
sound and to distribute soundtrack information among the various
speakers. A variety of algorithms have been developed in an effort to
accurately reproduce the way we hear sounds in the real world. The
result is a rich variety of surround mode options. Some modes are
selected automatically, depending on the signal being received from
the source. In many cases, you may select a surround mode manually.
Several companies have taken surround sound in slightly differing
directions. It is helpful to group the numerous surround modes either
by their brand name, or by using a generic name:
• Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Modes – Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II,
Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone
• DTS Modes – DTS, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24
• Harman International (Harman Kardon’s Parent Company) –
Logic 7
• DSP Modes – Generic modes that include Hall 1, Hall 2 and Theater
• Stereo Modes – Generic modes that expand upon conventional two-
channel stereo, including DSP Surround Off, Analog Bypass Surround
Off and 5-Channel Stereo
Table 5 on pages 43 – 44 contains detailed explanations of the
differences between the various mode groups, and the mode options
available within each group. Digital modes, such as Dolby Digital and
DTS, are only available with specially encoded programs, such as
DVDs and digital television. Other modes may be used with various
digital and analog signals to create a different surround presentation,
or to use a different number of speakers. Surround mode selection
depends upon the number of speakers in your system, the materials
you are watching or listening to, and your personal tastes.
Feel free to experiment.
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