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AVR

7

English

Rear-Panel Connectors, continued

Radio Antenna connectors: connect the included Am and fm antennas to their 

respective terminals for radio reception.
Analog Audio Input/Output connectors: use the AVr’s Analog Audio Input/output 

connectors for source devices that don’t have hdmI or digital audio connectors. use the 

rec out connectors to connect to the audio inputs of a Vcr or tape deck. See Connect 

Your Audio and Video Source Devices, on page 13, for more information.
Network connector: use a cat. 5 or cat. 5e cable (not supplied) to connect the AVr’s 

network connector to your home network to enjoy Internet radio and content from dlnA-

compatible devices that are joined to the network. See Connect to Your Home Network, 

on page 15, for more information.
Subwoofer connector: connect this jack to a powered subwoofer with a line-level input. 

See Connect Your Subwoofer, on page 13, for more information.
IR In and Trigger Out connectors: when the Ir sensor on the front panel is blocked 

(such as when the AVr is installed inside a cabinet), connect an optional Ir receiver to the 

Ir In jack. the trigger out connector provides 12V dc whenever the AVr is on. connect 

it to the trigger input of a device such as a powered subwoofer.
Speaker connectors: use two-conductor speaker wire to connect each set of terminals 

to the correct speaker. See Connect Your Speakers, on page 13, for more information.
HDMI

 Input connectors: the hdmI (high-definition multimedia Interface) feature is 

a connection for transmitting digital audio and video signals between devices. If your 

source devices have hdmI connectors, using them will provide the best possible video 

and audio performance quality. Since the hdmI cable carries both digital video and digital 

audio signals, you do not have to make any additional audio connections for devices you 

connect via hdmI connections. See Connect Your Audio and Video Source Devices, on 

page 13, for more information.
HDMI Monitor Out connector: If your tV has an hdmI connector and you have hdmI  

source devices, use an hdmI cable (not included) to connect it to the AVr’s hdmI monitor 

out connector. 

Notes on using the HDMI Monitor Out connector: 
•  When connecting a DVI-equipped display to the HDMI Monitor Out connector, use 

an hdmI-to-dVI adapter and make a separate audio connection.

•  Make sure the HDMI-equipped display is HDCP-compliant. If it isn’t, do not connect 

it via hdmI; use a composite analog video connection instead and make a separate 

audio connection.

Composite Video Input connectors: use composite video connectors for video source 

devices that don’t have hdmI or component video connectors. you will also need to make 

an audio connection from the source device to the AVr. See Connect Your Audio and Video 

Source Devices, on page 13, for more information.
Composite Video Monitor Output connector: If your tV or video display does not have 

an hdmI connector, or if your tV does have an hdmI connector but you are connecting 

some source devices with only composite video connectors, use a composite video cable 

(not included) to connect the AVr’s composite Video monitor out connector to your tV’s 

composite video input connector. 
Digital Audio Input connectors: If your non-hdmI source devices have digital outputs, 

connect them to the AVr’s digital audio connectors. note: make only one type of digital 

connection (hdmI, optical or coaxial) from each device. See Connect Your Audio and Video 

Source Devices, on page 13, for more information.
RS-232 connector: this connector is used to connect to external control hardware. 

consult a certified professional installer for more information.
Main Power switch: this mechanical switch turns the AVr’s power supply on or off. It is 

usually left on and cannot be turned on or off using the remote control.
AC Input connector: After you have made all other connections, plug the supplied Ac 

power cord into this receptacle and into an unswitched wall outlet.

Harman Kardon

AVR 170 / 230V Service Manual

Page 9 of 114

AVR

8

System Remote Control Functions

Ir transmitter lens

mute button

Source Selector buttons

channel Volume Adjust button

Volume up/down buttons

options button

Sleep button

ok button

delay Adjust button

number buttons

tuning mode button

rdS button (AVr 170)

macro buttons

transport control buttons

display dimmer button

disc Skip button (AVr 1700)

preset Station up/down buttons

clear button

left/right/up/down buttons

program Indicator led

AVr button

channel up/down buttons

oSd button

tone controls button

memory button

back button

direct Station entry button

tuning up/down buttons

night mode button

track Skip up/down buttons

test tone button

power off button

power on button

Harman Kardon

AVR 170 / 230V Service Manual

Page 10 of 114

AVR

9

English

System Remote Control Functions, continued

In addition to controlling the AVr, the AVr remote is capable of controlling five other 

devices, plus your tV and an ipod/iphone that is docked in the AVr’s front-panel uSb 

port. during the installation process, you may program the codes for each of your source 

components into the remote. (See Program the Remote to Control Your Source Devices 

and TV, on page 16, for programming information.) to operate a component, press its 

Source Selector button to change the remote’s control mode. 
A button’s function depends on which component is being controlled. See table A9 in the 

Appendix for listings of the functions for each type of component. most of the buttons 

on the remote have dedicated functions, although the precise codes transmitted vary 

depending on the specific device being controlled. due to the wide variety of functions 

for various source devices, we have included only a few of the most often-used functions 

on the remote: alphanumeric keys, transport controls, television-channel control, menu 

access and power on and off. to return the remote to the AVr control mode at any time, 

press the AVr button. 
IR Transmitter lens: As buttons are pressed on the remote, infrared codes are emitted 

through this lens.
Program Indicator LED: this led lights up to indicate various procedures when the 

remote is in the programming mode.
Power On/Off buttons: press these buttons to turn the AVr or the device being controlled 

on and off. the main power switch on the AVr’s rear panel must be on for this button to 

turn the AVr on and off.

button, on page 5 for more information.

Mute button: press this button to mute the AVr’s speaker-output connectors and 

headphone jack. to restore the sound, press this button or adjust the volume.
AVR button: press this button to switch the remote’s control mode to operate the AVr.
Source Selector buttons: press one of these buttons to select a source device, e.g., 

cable/satellite tuner, radio, etc. this action will also turn on the AVr and switch the 

remote’s control mode to operate the selected source device. 
•  The first press of the Radio Source Selector button switches the AVR to the last-used 

tuner band (Am or fm). each successive press changes the band.

•  The first press of the USB button switches the AVR to the last-used source (USB or 

ipod). each successive press cycles between the two sourcee.

•  The first press of the Network button switches the AVR to the last-used source (Network 

or vtuner). each successive press cycles between the two sources.

Test Tone button: press this button to activate the test tone for calibrating channel 

volume levels by ear.
Channel Volume Adjust button: press this button to activate the individual channel-

level adjustment. It lets you easily change the channel balance to suit different programs 

or seating arrangements. See Manual Speaker Setup, on page 24, for more information.
Channel Up/Down buttons: the channel up/down buttons have no effect on the AVr 

but are used to change channels on tVs and some video sources.
Volume Up/Down buttons: press these buttons to raise or lower the volume.
Tone Controls button: press this button to access the bass and treble controls. use the 

ok button to select an adjustment and use the up/down buttons to change the settings.
Delay Adjust button: pressing this button lets you adjust two different types of delay 

settings (use the up/down buttons to cycle through the settings):
•  A/V Sync: This setting lets you resynchronize the audio and video signals from a source 

to eliminate a “lip sync” problem. lip-sync issues can occur when the video portion of a 

signal undergoes additional processing in either the source device or the video display. 

use the left/right buttons to delay the audio by up to 180ms.

•  Front L/Center/Front R/Surr R/Surr L/Subwoofer: These settings let you set the delay for 

each speaker to compensate for the different distances they may be from the listening 

position. use the up/down buttons to cycle through each of the system’s speakers, 

and use the left/right buttons to set the distance each speaker is from the listening 

position. See Manual Speaker Setup, on page 24, for more information.

Back button: press this button to return to the previous menu screen when you’re using 

the on-screen menu (oSd) system.
Options button: this button allows you to adjust playback and various other options for 

the AVr’s built-in sources and when controlling other components.
OSD button: press this button to activate the on-screen display menu system.
OK button: this button is used to select items from the menu system.
Sleep button: press this button to activate the sleep timer, which turns off the AVr after 

a programmed period of time (up to 90 minutes).
Left/Right/Up/Down buttons: these buttons are used to navigate the menu system.
Number buttons: use these buttons to enter numbers for radio-station frequencies or 

to select station presets.
Direct Station Entry button: press this button before using the number buttons to enter 

a radio station frequency.
Clear button: press this button to clear a radio station frequency you have started to 

enter.
Memory button: to save the currently tuned radio station as a preset, press this button, 

then a number button.
Tuning Mode button: press this button to toggle the radio between manual (one 

frequency step at a time) and automatic (seeks frequencies with acceptable signal 

strength) tuning mode. It also toggles between stereo and mono modes when an fm 

station is tuned in.
Tuning Up/Down buttons: press these buttons to tune a radio station. depending on 

whether the tuning mode has been set to manual or automatic, each press will either 

change one tuning frequency increment at a time or seek the next higher or lower station 

with acceptable signal strength.
Preset Station Up/Down buttons: press these buttons to cycle through your preset 

radio stations.
Night Mode button: press this button to activate night mode with specially encoded 

dolby digital discs or broadcasts. night mode compresses the audio so that louder 

passages are reduced in volume to avoid disturbing others, while dialogue remains 

intelligible. each press of the button advances through the following settings:
•  Off: No compression is applied. Loud passages in the program remain as they were 

recorded.

•  Mid: Loud passages in the program are reduced moderately in volume.
•  Max: Loud passages in the program are reduced more in volume.
Disc Skip button (AVR 1700): this button is used with some optical disc changers to 

skip to the next disc. 
RDS button (AVR 170): when listening to an fm radio station that broadcasts rdS 

information, this button activates the various rdS functions.
Macro buttons: these buttons may be programmed to execute a series of up to 19 

commands with a single button press. they are useful for programming the command 

to  turn  on  or  off  all  of  your  components  or  for  accessing  specialized  functions  for  a 

different component from the one that you are currently operating. See Programming 

Macro Commands, on page 27, for information about programming macros.
Track Skip Up/Down buttons: these buttons are used with the AVr’s built-in sources 

(uSb, ipod, network, Airplay, etc) and many source components to change tracks or 

chapters.
Display Dimmer button: press this button to dim the AVr’s front-panel display partially 

or fully.
Transport Control buttons: these buttons have no effect on the AVr but are used to 

control many source components. by default, when the remote is operating the AVr, 

these buttons will control a harman kardon blu-ray disc

™

 player or dVd player.

Harman Kardon

AVR 170 / 230V Service Manual

Page 11 of 114

AVR

10

Introduction to Home Theater  

and Place Your Speakers

This introductory section will help you to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts 

unique to multichannel surround-sound AVrs, which will make it easier for you to set 

up and operate your AVr.

A home theater typically includes an audio/video receiver (AVr), which controls 

the system and supplies amplification for the loudspeakers; a disc player; a source 

component for television broadcasts (cable box, satellite dish AVr, hdtV tuner or 

antenna connected to the tV); a tV or video display; and multiple loudspeakers.

the main benefit of a home theater system is its ability to produce “surround sound.” 

Surround sound uses multiple speakers and amplifier channels to immerse you in the 

audio/video presentation for a dramatically increased sense of realism.
your AVr can have up to five main speakers connected directly to it, plus a subwoofer. 

each main speaker is powered by its own amplifier channel inside the AVr. A system 

with more than two speakers is called a multichannel system. the different main 

speaker types in a home theater system are:
•  Front Left and Right: the front left and right speakers are used as in a 2-channel 

system. In many surround-sound modes, these speakers are secondary, while the 

main action, especially dialogue, is reproduced by the center speaker.

•  Center: when you are watching movies and television programs, the center speaker 

reproduces most of the dialogue and other soundtrack information that occurs on the 

screen, anchoring it with the picture. when you are listening to a musical program, the 

center speaker helps to create a seamless front soundstage, creating a more realistic 

“you-are-there” listening experience.

•  Surround  Left  and  Right:  the surround left and right speakers produce ambient 

sounds that help create a realistic and immersive surround-sound environment. they 

als  o help recreate directional sound effects such as aircraft flyovers.

many people expect the surround speakers to play as loudly as the front speakers. 

Although you will calibrate all of the speakers in your system to sound equally loud 

at the listening position, most artists use the surround speakers for ambient effects 

only, and they create their programs to steer relatively little sound to these speakers.

•  Subwoofer: A subwoofer is designed to play only the lowest frequencies (the deep 

bass). It augments smaller, limited-range main speakers that are usually used for 

the other channels. many digital-format programs, such as movies recorded in dolby 

digital, contain a low-frequency effects (lfe) channel that 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 for even distribution of the sound.

there are different theories as to the best way to present surround sound and to distribute 

the individual channel information to the surround-sound system’s speakers. A variety of 

algorithms have been developed in an effort to recreate the way we hear sounds in 

the real world, resulting in a rich variety of options. Several companies have developed 

different surround-sound technologies, all of which can be accurately reproduced by 

your AVr:
•  Dolby Laboratories: dolby truehd, dolby digital plus, dolby digital, dolby digital ex, 

dolby pro logic II.

•  DTS:  dtS-hd

™

 high resolution Audio, dtS-hd master Audio

™

, dtS, dtS 96/24

™

  

dtS neo: 6

™

.

•  HARMAN International: logic 7, virtual speaker.
•  Stereo Modes: 2-channel stereo and 5-channel stereo.
Appendix table A8, on page 32, contains detailed explanations of the different surround-

sound options available on your AVr. digital surround-sound modes, such as dolby 

digital and dtS systems, are available only with specially encoded programs, such 

as those available via hdtV, dVd and blu-ray disc media and digital cable or satellite 

television. other surround 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 programs you are 

watching or listening to, and your personal tastes.

determine the locations for your system’s speakers according to their manufacturer’s 

directions and the layout of your listening room. use the illustration below as a guide for 

5.1-channel systems. 
to create the most realistic surround-sound environment possible, you should place 

your speakers in a circle with the listening position at its center. you should angle each 

speaker so it directly faces the listening position. use the diagram below as a guide.

tV

c

fl

fr

Sl

Sr

Sub

place the center speaker either on top of, below or mounted on the wall above or below 

the tV or video-display screen. place the front left and right speakers along the circle, 

about 30 degrees from the center speaker and angled toward the listener.
place the front left, front right and center speakers at the same height, preferably at 

about the same height as the listener’s ears. the center speaker should be no more than 

2 feet (0.6m) above or below the left/right speakers. If you’re using only two speakers 

with your AVr, place them in the front left and front right positions.

you should place the left and right surround speakers approximately 110 degrees from 

the center speaker, slightly behind and angled toward the listener. Alternatively, you can 

place them behind the listener, with each surround speaker facing the opposite-side front 

speaker. you should place the surround speakers 2 feet – 6 feet (0.6m – 1.8m) higher 

than the listener’s ears.

because a room’s shape and volume can have a dramatic effect on a subwoofer’s 

performance, it is best to experiment with placement so that you will find the location 

that produces the best results in your particular listening room. with that in mind, these 

rules will help you get started:
•  Placing the subwoofer next to a wall generally will increase the amount of bass in the 

room.

•  Placing the subwoofer in a corner generally will maximize the amount of bass in the 

room. 

•  In  many  rooms,  placing  the  subwoofer  along  the  same  plane  as  the  left  and  right 

speakers can produce the best integration between the sound of the subwoofer and 

that of the left and right speakers. 

•  In some rooms, the best performance could even result from placing the subwoofer 

behind the listening position.

A good way to determine the best location for the subwoofer is by temporarily placing it in 

the listening position and playing music with strong bass content. move around to various 

locations in the room while the system is playing (putting your ears where the subwoofer 

would be placed), and listen until you find the location where the bass performance is 

best. place the subwoofer in that location.

Harman Kardon

AVR 170 / 230V Service Manual

Page 12 of 114