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14
INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER
This introductory section will help you to familiarize yourself with some basic
concepts unique to multichannel surround sound receivers, which will make
setup and operation smoother.
Typical Home Theater System
A home theater typically includes an audio/video receiver, which controls the
system; a disc player; a source component for television broadcasts (cable
box, satellite dish receiver, HDTV tuner or antenna connected to the TV); a
video display (television); and loudspeakers.
Multichannel Audio
The main benefit of a home theater system is the placement of loudspeakers
around the room to produce “surround sound.” Surround sound immerses you
in the presentation for increased realism.
The AVR 160 may have up to seven speakers connected directly to it plus a
subwoofer. Each main speaker is powered by its own amplifier channel inside
the receiver. A system with more than two speakers is called a multichannel
system.
Front Left and Right
•
– The main speakers are used as in a 2-channel
system. In many surround modes, these speakers are secondary, while the
main action, especially dialogue, is moved to the center speaker.
Center
•
– The center speaker is used for dialogue in movies and
television programs, allowing the dialogue to originate near the actors’
faces, for a more natural sound.
Surround Left and Right
•
– The surround speakers improve
directionality of ambient sounds. In addition, more loudspeakers play
dynamic soundtracks 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 of
ambient sounds and allowing for more realistic pans.
The surround back speakers are used with surround modes designed
for 7.1-channel systems, such as Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus,
Dolby TrueHD, DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix), DTS-HD High Resolution
Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio and Logic 7 (7.1 modes). The surround back
speakers are optional, and the AVR 160 may be set up with a 5.1-channel
system in the main listening area.
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 artists use the surround
speakers for ambient effects only, and they program their materials to
steer very little sound to these speakers.
Subwoofer
•
– A subwoofer is designed to play only the lowest
frequencies (the bass). It augments smaller, limited-range satellite
speakers used for the other channels. Many digital-format programs,
such as movies recorded in Dolby Digital, contain a low-frequency effects
(LFE) channel which is directed 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. Some people use
two subwoofers, for additional power and even distribution of the sound.
Surround Modes
There are different theories as to the best way to present surround sound and
to distribute information to the speakers. A variety of algorithms have been
developed in an effort to reproduce the way we hear sounds in the real world,
resulting in a rich variety of options.
Several companies have taken surround sound in different directions:
Dolby Laboratories
•
– Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital,
Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II and IIx
DTS
•
– DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, DTS-ES
(Discrete and Matrix), DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24
Harman International (the Harman Kardon parent
•
company)
– Logic 7, Harman Virtual Speaker, Harman Headphone
Stereo Modes
•
– Generic modes that expand upon conventional
2-channel stereo, including 5- and 7-channel stereo
Table A9 in the appendix contains detailed explanations of the mode groups
and the mode options available within each group. Digital modes, such as
Dolby Digital and DTS, are only available with specially encoded programs,
such as HDTV, Blu-ray Disc media and digital cable or satellite television.
Other modes may be used with digital and analog signals to create a different
surround presentation, or to use a different number of speakers. Surround
Mode selection depends upon the number of speakers in your system, the
materials you are watching or listening to, and your personal tastes.