Harman Kardon DVD 38 Owners Manual - 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 controls 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 broadcast. 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. 16