Harman Kardon DVD 38 User Manual download pdf (Page 16)

INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER

The DVD 38 may be the first multichannel surround sound component

you’ve owned. This introductory section will help to familiarize you with the

basic concepts, which may 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 17.

Typical Home Theater System

A home theater typically includes your audio/video receiver, which con

trols

the system; a DVD player; a source component

for television broadcasts;

(e.g., a cable box, a satellite dish receiver, an HDTV tuner or simply an

antenna connected to the TV); a video display (TV); and loudspeakers.

All of these components are connected by various types of cables for

audio and video signals.

Multichannel Audio

The benefit of a home theater system is that several loudspeakers are

used in various locations around the room to produce “surround sound,”

immersing you in the musical or film presentation for increased realism.

The receiver used with the DVD 38 may have up to seven speakers

connected to it (plus a subwoofer). 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 and dialogue are 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.

• Surround Back Left and Right – Additional surround speakers may be

placed behind the listening position, improving the precision with which

ambient sounds may be placed and allowing for more realistic-sounding

pans. By using more speakers in the system, the same sound levels may

be attained with less burden placed on any individual speaker.

The surround back speakers may also be used with specialized

surround modes that are designed for use with 7.1-channel systems,

such as Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES

(Discrete and Matrix) and Logic 7

(7.1 modes). However, the surround back speakers are optional.

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 sound

tracks use the surround speaker 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 (bass). It is used to augment the

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

that 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.

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 different

directions. It is helpful to group the numerous surround modes either

by their brand name, or by using a generic name:

• Dolby Laboratories Modes:

Í Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX – These modes are encoded in

the program material either on a disc or within a television broad-

cast. They provide up to five or six separate main audio channels

and a dedicated low-frequency effects (LFE) channel.

Í Dolby Pro Logic

II/IIx – These modes are derived by an analog

decoder that creates five or six full-range, discrete main audio

channels from matrix surround-encoded or 2-channel analog

sources. Select from Movie mode, which is optimized for movies

and television programs; Music mode, which is optimized for

music selections; or Dolby Pro Logic, the original version that

steers a mono signal containing information below 7kHz to the

surround channels.

• DTS Modes – DTS is a digital surround format that is encoded in

the program material. It uses a different encoding and decoding

method than Dolby Digital to provide up to 5 discrete main channels,

plus an LFE channel. The DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix) and DTS

Neo:6

modes offer up to six main channels, either encoded or

derived. DTS 96/24

is a mode encoded in special high-resolution

audio-only discs.

• Stereo Mode – Two-channel mode with no surround sound.

Surround modes are selected using your receiver or processor. The

availability of multichannel surround sound depends on the capabilities of

your receiver/processor; consult its owner’s manual for more information.

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Harman Kardon DVD 38 User Manual Page 16

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