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After you have connected all speakers and source components you may
start using the RMDS-1 without any further set-up procedures and get
excellent performance in most homes. One of the many benefits of the
Polk RM Digital Solution system is that the electronics and speakers
have been perfectly optimized for the highest Dolby Digital performance
without the need for complicated set-up and calibration procedures.
There are only two adjustments you may want to perform to optimize
the system for your room and speaker placement. Those adjustments
are “Channel Balance” and “Delay.” The factory presets for these two
optional adjustments were selected to provide high quality balanced
sound in the vast majority of set-ups. If you are anxious to listen to
your new system right now (we understand), skip this section and come
back to it later.
Setting Channel Balance
This procedure sets the relative volume of the 5 satellite speakers so
that you hear equal sound from every speaker, even if you are sitting
closer to one speaker than the others. You may do these adjustments by
ear or by using a Sound Pressure Level meter (available at Radio Shack
for $40 -$60). Consult the meter’s operating manual for its proper use.
1. Sit in your normal listening position.
2. Turn on the TV that is connected to the video output of the RMDS-1
preamp/processor. Adjust the main volume control on the remote or
front panel to a typical listening level. If you are using an SPL meter,
set the volume to 70dB.
3. Select a multi-channel source input such as DVD or LD.
4. Select Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic processing by pressing
the “Surround On/Off” button on the remote control or the
preamp/processor front panel.
5. Press the “Balance” button on the remote control. You should see
this menu on your TV screen:
6. Use the up/down directional buttons on your remote control ▲▼ to
move the arrow-shaped cursor h to “TEST TONE.”
7. Use the right directional button on the remote control
h to select Test Tone “ON.”
8. A “shhhhhhhh” noise should now be coming from the Front Left speaker.
9. Use the left/right directional arrows on the remote control gh to
raise or lower the tone to a comfortable volume level. The SPL meter
should read “0.”
SET-UP AND CALIBRATION
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If at any time during this procedure the test tone comes from the wrong
speaker, you have made a speaker connection mistake. Push the
“Balance” button on the remote to cancel this procedure. Re-read the
“Subwoofer and Speaker Connections” section of this manual and
correct the wiring error before returning to this procedure.
10. You will see a small square indicator cursor next to the current
speaker. Use the ▲▼ directional buttons on the remote to “pick up”
the indicator and move it to the next speaker in the array, “Center.”
11. The test tone should now come from the center speaker.
12. Use the left/right directional arrows on the remote control
gh to raise or lower the tone volume of the Center speaker to
match the volume of the Left Front speaker.
13. Repeat this procedure for all channels until all 5 speakers sound
like they are playing at the same volume level. In most cases the range
of needed adjustment should not be more than a few dB up or down.
14. Use the up/down directional buttons on the remote ▲▼ to move
the arrow shaped cursor to “EXIT.”
15. The “Save” should be highlighted. If it isn’t, use the left directional
arrow to highlight “Save.”
16. Press the Enter button on the remote control to save and exit this
menu. The preamp/processor will now go back to normal operation.
17. If you feel like you have made errors and wish to cancel the
adjustments you have just made, highlight “NO SAVE” and exit. The
balance settings will return to where they were.
18. To return to the factory preset balance settings, move the cursor to
“DEFAULTS,” select “ON” and exit.
Once you have completed this procedure you can leave it alone. You
may occasionally encounter a movie or recording that was produced
in such a way that it doesn’t sound channel-balanced even though you
are certain that your system is properly balanced. Don’t sit there and
suffer. Push the balance button to go to the Channel Balance menu and
make whatever adjustment you feel will make that recording sound
good to you. Remember to “Save” the new settings before exiting.
The time delay circuit ensures that the sounds from all the speakers
arrive at your ears properly synchronized. This ensures that the
surround sound effects are as natural and enveloping as the recording
allows. The RMDS-1 is preset to default values that will yield excellent
sound quality in all but the most unusual room and speaker set-up
situations. If you want to be sure that your system is optimized for
your set up, use the following procedures.
Setting Dolby Digital Delay
The RMDS-1 is factory preset to default values of Center = 3mS and
Surround = 15mS in the Dolby Digital mode. These settings will give
excellent performance in the vast majority of homes and set ups.
To fine tune these settings, go on to the next page.
SETTING CHANNEL DELAY