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Bass Management - Dolby Digital and DTS formats contain up to 5 full range channels plus LFE. Only a system
with five full-range (large) speakers plus a subwoofer can directly reproduce these formats. However, almost all
commercially available center channel speakers are small and incapable of reproducing the lowest bass
frequencies without distortion or even damage to the speaker. Many people also use small speakers in the rear of
their system, while others use small speakers all around. Use of a subwoofer is almost mandatory when using five
small speakers, but people with at least two large speakers may or may not choose to use a subwoofer. Some
people may not use a center channel or rear speakers at all. In order to handle any possible combination of large,
small, or missing speakers, a home theater system must contain good bass management, a concept often
missing from two-piece systems where the Dolby Digital or DTS decoder is separate from the preamp. Your A/V
System Controller contains a complete bass management system. You can use as few as two large front left and
right speakers or two small left and right speakers plus a subwoofer or as many as five full range speakers plus a
subwoofer or any combination in between without missing any information. Wherever small speakers are used the
bass management system prevents low bass information from going to that speaker (“high pass”). This bass
information is rerouted to a speaker that can handle it, usually a subwoofer, but it can also send center, rear, or
LFE bass to large front speakers if no subwoofer is available. When center or rear speakers are not used at all,
the missing channel is sent (“downmixed”) to the front speakers.
Preamp - A preamp typically includes the capability to select from a number of sources, adjust volume levels and
route the data to an amplifier. Your A/V System Controller includes a high quality preamp.
Processor - A processor typically includes the capability to decode one or more surround formats, and convert
between digital and analog as required. Your A/V System Controller is capable of decoding the surround formats
described above.
Zone - A zone is usually a room with speakers installed in it. Your A/V System Controller includes a full
preamp/processor for zone 1 plus an additional analog stereo preamplifier for zone 2. This allows, for example,
watching a Dolby Digital movie in zone one while simultaneously using the built-in AM/FM tuner in another room.
Amplifier - An amplifier takes the output of a preamp/processor and increases its level to that necessary to drive a
speaker. Your A/V System Controller includes direct preamp/processor surround outputs for connecting to
external amplifiers and/or powered speakers. You must also provide external amplification for the second zone if
you should use that capability.
Speakers - A surround sound system typically uses 5 speakers located left front, center front, right front, right
rear, and left rear plus a subwoofer located anywhere in the room. Best results are achieved using five identical
full range speakers plus subwoofer. This is not always practical. Excellent results can be achieved using smaller
and/or fewer speakers, as long as you go through the set up procedures described later in the manual.
Composite vs. S-video - Composite video is the oldest standard for color video. It combines the luminance
(brightness or black-and-white) and chrominance (color) information onto a single conductor. These signals must
be separated again for display resulting in some degradation of the video quality. S-video is a newer standard that
uses separate conductors for the luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) information resulting in better video quality.
Your A/V System Controller is capable of switching both composite and S-video signals, but it cannot convert
between video types.
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