Harman Kardon AVR 745 Owners Manual - Page 3

INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon! With the purchase of a Harman Kardon® AVR 745, you are about to begin many years of listening enjoyment. The AVR 745 has the most extensive range of audio and video processing, control and connectivity options ever offered by Harman Kardon, enabling it to provide the best possible audio and video reproduction with any type of source material. Teaming advanced processing circuitry with proprietary technologies such as EzSet/EQ II, the AVR 745 seamlessly integrates every component in your entertainment system to deliver the best possible sound and images. Some of the leading-edge features that are available with the AVR 745, such as HDMI™ connectivity, XM-Ready® operation, DCDi by Faroudja® video processing with upscaling to 1080i, and the TC 30 activity-based remote, are new to even the most experienced home theater enthusiast. Although the power of the AVR 745 makes them easy to use, we strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to read this owner's manual to familiarize yourself with how the full suite of AVR 745 features and capabilities are configured and used in day-to-day operation. This small investment of time will yield significant dividends in taking the maximum advantage of this new addition to your home theater system. If you have any questions about this product, its installation or its operation, you may also access a wealth of information and assistance by visiting our Web site at www.harmankardon.com. Description and Features The AVR 745 serves as the hub of your home entertainment system, providing a wide range of listening possibilities for almost any audio or video program source, whether it is the broadcast of a movie or sporting event in HDTV or a vintage mono or stereo recording. When playing digital audio sources from either the conventional optical and coaxial inputs, or through the HDMI 1.1 compliant connections, the AVR 745 decodes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS and DTS-ES data streams. Two-channel stereo and matrix surround sources benefit from all current Dolby Pro Logic IIx modes and DTS Neo:6. The latest version of our proprietary Logic 7® process is onboard to create a wider, more enveloping sound field and more defined surround channel positioning, regardless of the type of source material. Additional audio playback and processing options include a direct connection to compatible computer-based sources through a direct USB connection. The AVR 745 takes the "video" part of its name seriously. Along with two HDMI inputs and three 100MHz analog component video inputs, the AVR 745's video processing allows you to individually adjust the video processing parameters for each input, and then scale the output signal to 720p or 1080i to match the requirements of your specific video display. Thanks to award winning Faroudja® technology, your video sources never looked better. Tying audio and video together, the AVR 745 provides A/V sync delay so that the lip sync errors - commonly seen when digital video processing is used in a source, program or video display - are eliminated. Thanks to a wide range of multizone options and a standard ZR 10 remote control, the AVR 745 makes it possible to watch and listen to a separate source in one room while the main home theater uses a different source. Using the assignable rear surround channel amplifiers, you may create a basic remote listening zone without any additional equipment, or the unit's multiroom outputs may be used to feed an optional, external power amplifier and volume control. For one-wire multiroom connectivity, the AVR 745 is A-BUS/READY®, requiring only a single Category 5/5e cable run and an optional remote module to power a pair of remote speakers while controlling volume and enabling full control over the program source and connected IR-controlled devices. Along with the latest advances in digital audio and video technology, Harman Kardon recognizes that some things remain constant, and in the case of the AVR 745 that is a requirement for audio power best served by our time-honored high-current, ultrawide bandwidth amplifier design. The AVR 745's sevenchannel amplifier provides the power to reproduce the loudest crescendos or cinema sound effects while remaining virtually free from distortion or system noise. With a combination of state-of-the-art circuitry, digital technology and proven performance with an elegant design that is compatible with the latest source components and video displays, the AVR 745 represents the culmination of Harman Kardon's fifty-plus year history of delivering the finest sonic performance. Í All popular digital and matrix surround modes, including Dolby® Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic® II, DTS®, DTS-ES® Discrete and Matrix, DTS Neo:6® and DTS 96/24® Í Seven channels of high-current, ultrawide bandwidth amplification with the surround back channels assignable to either main-room or remote-room use Í Harman Kardon's Logic 7® processing brings a new sense of reality to stereo and matrix surround sources Í Dolby Virtual Speaker processing for use when less than a full 5.1 or 7.1 speaker complement is available Í Dolby Headphone for spacious, open sound fields when using headphones Í USB connectivity for audio playback with compatible computers and quick system upgrades Í Two HDMI™ 1.1 and three assignable high-bandwidth analog component inputs for compatibility with the latest high-definition video sources Í Full bass management for all inputs, including the analog direct inputs for high-resolution DVDs, DVD-Audio and SACD™ players, including Quad Crossover settings and individual settings for each input Í Dual subwoofer outputs for 7.2 operation with improved low-frequency performance Í A/V sync delay adjustable for each input delivers perfect lip sync with digital programs or video displays Í Front-panel digital audio and analog audio/video jacks may be used as either inputs or outputs for connection to the latest portable digital products or video game consoles Í Extensive multiroom options, including a standard ZR 10 remote, audio and video outputs to the remote zone, assignable rear channel amplifier channels and A-BUS/READY® capability for listening to a separate source in a remote zone Í Harman Kardon's TC 30 activity-based remote with color LCD screen for total system control INTRODUCTION 3