Harman Kardon AVP-1 Owners Manual - Page 3

• Ill • • Ill • III • II III III • III • III • • II • • III II • • A home theater also requires a large screen television and the best possible video sources. The best A/V sources are laser disc or home satellite followed by off-the-air television, cable or VHS HiFi. A 31"-35" direct view television may be appropriate in smaller rooms but cannot impart the theatrical experience of having your field of vision dominated by the size of the image on the screen. Attaining this effect with a 35" television requires sitting uncomfortably close to the screen. ELECTRONICS PLACEMENT • Cabinets should be used to conceal equipment which must be placed near the screen. The lights and visual displays on the equipment should not distract the viewer. II Ample ventilation must be provided, preferably through convection, to avoid fan noise. VIDEO VIEWING REQUIREMENTS • The primary seating areas should be centered in front of the picture. • NTSC video looks best at a seating distance from 3-5 times the width of the screen for maximum perceived clarity. However, you may choose to sit as little as 2.5 times the screen width to achieve maximum visual impact and involvement. • Ambient light should be minimized to maximize video contrast performance particularly with projection video display systems. • The main front speakers should flank the screen and be placed with reasonable symmetry with respect to adjacent walls. IN The screen should be well away from side walls. The front speakers have broad horizontal dispersion and it is best to minimize side wall reflections. SPEAKER PLACEMENT The AVP1 may be used with conventional, high quality speaker systems or with Home THX-certified loudspeaker systems. There are some general installation guidelines that apply to both types of systems in terms of achieving optimum performance. Select speakers designed to meet your system requirements. Don't, for example, flush-mount a book shelf speaker designed for different mounting applications. If the room is quite large, you may require two or more subwoofers to achieve optimum performance. Acoustically dead rooms may require higher efficiency speakers to achieve louder sound levels. If you have questions regarding the proper installation of your speakers consult your dealer or the manufacturer. MAIN LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT SPEAKERS (LCR) The Left and Right front (UR) speakers should be placed close to the edges of the screen to eliminate the disorientation which results when sounds appear to occur well away from their visual on-screen location. Some allowance must be made for those installations involving screens smaller than five or six feet measured diagonally. Placing the Elements of the Home THX Audio System: Home THX Front Loudspeakers Controlled Vertical Dispersion • Reduces reflections from floor and ceiling • Projects more direct energy toward listeners figure 1 2