DOWNLOAD Harman Kardon AVR 80MK II (serv.man4) Service Manual ↓ Size: 480.31 KB | Pages: 40 in PDF or view online for FREE

Advanced Features

ual taste and the acoustic conditions in
your listening room or home theater.

The factory setting is appropriate for
most rooms, but some installations cre-
ate an uncommon distance between the
front and surround speakers that may
cause the arrival of front channel sounds
to become disconnected from surround
channel sounds.

To re-synchronize the front and surround
channels, follow these steps:

1. Measure the distance from the lis-
tening/viewing position to the front
speakers.

2. Measure the distance from the lis-
tening/viewing position to the sur-
round speakers.

3. Subtract the distance to the sur-
round speakers from the distance to
the front speakers and add 15. The
resulting number is the ideal delay
time for your room. For example,
if the front speakers are 10 feet away
and the surround speakers are 5
feet away, the formula will be
“10–5+15=20”. Thus, the correct
delay time in this room would be
20ms.

NOTE: The delay time may only be
adjusted in certain modes.

If the delay time needs to be changed,
it may be increased by pressing the

button

@ p

on the front

panel. The delay time will be briefly
displayed on the video menus as well as
the front panel.

In addition to the use of the delay time
formula, it is a good idea to understand
the features of each of the AVR80

’s sur-

round modes when entering delay time.
The chart on the next page provides an
explanation of the suggested for each
mode. The chart also contains the delay
time limits for each of the modes.

Direct Digital Decoding
The AVR80

’s digital signal processing

uses sophisticated microprocessors and
advanced digital audio engines that
manipulate sound in the digital domain.
In order to work with sound, these cir-
cuits must first convert the incoming
analog audio input to a digital signal.
After processing, the digital audio signal
must be converted back to analog for vol-
ume control and amplification.

While the digital to analog (D/A) and
analog to digital (A/D) circuits in the
AVR80

are high quality, any time an

audio signal is digitized or reconstructed
to analog there is the possibility of quali-
ty loss. This helps you to avoid un-needed
A/D and D/A conversion from any laser
disc player equipped with a coaxial digi-
tal output.

If your player has this type of output,
connect the LD player to the AVR80

with a high quality digital or coax inter-
connect. The connection should be made
to the

jack

S

on the

rear panel.

Once this connection is made, the
AVR80

will accept the digital output

directly from your LD player. To select the
direct digital input, press the LD button

7c

and hold it for three seconds. This

means that audio signals will remain in
their pure digital state until after all sur-
round processing has taken place.

NOTE: This connection is for standard
two channel 44.1 kHz PCM digital audio,
as provided by LD or CD machines. It is
NOT an input for multichannel digital
audio signals such AC-3 or DTS. Improper
connection to the wrong type of digital
output may cause damage to the AVR80

or other components in your audio system
and are not covered by the AVR80

war-

ranty. Consult your dealer or installer if
you have any questions about this input.

6 Channel Direct Operation
Since 1993, an increasing number of
theatrical motion pictures have been
recorded with digital sound tracks.
With these new processes such as Dolby
Surround Digital

™

, DTS

®

and Sony’s

SDDS

®

, five or more discrete sound

channels are available along with a dedi-
cated subwoofer channel for low frequen-
cy sounds. The replacement of analog
matrix theatrical audio, such as Dolby
Stereo with these new systems has greatly
increased the enjoyment of movie sound.

Advances in electronics technology now
make it possible to bring these discrete
digital audio soundtracks into your
home. Many of today’s new LD players
and an increasing number of LD movie
releases provide for Dolby Digital sound-
tracks. In the future, high definition tele-
vision (HDTV) broadcasts will also carry
multichannel digital audio information.

To prevent your AVR80

from obsoles-

cence, special jacks are provided for use
with external multichannel audio
adapters.

If an adapter such as the Harman
Kardon ADP303 is installed in your sys-
tem, connect its six analog audio outputs
to the

jacks

ø

on the AVR80

’s rear panel.

When listening to programs using an
external adapter, press the

button

zÔ

on the remote or

front panel. All surround processing will
be disabled when 6 Channel Direct is in
use, as none is required with discrete
audio signals. Volume is controlled in the
normal fashion.

NOTE: Audio reproduced from the
6 Channel Direct inputs may not be
recorded.

31

 •AVR80mkII 120 (f).qx  2/5/99  9:56 AM  Page 32

32

Advanced Features

DOLBY PRO LOGIC

THX CINEMA

DOLBY 3 STEREO

MOVIE SURROUND

HALL SURROUND

MATRIX SURROUND

MONO

STEREO

Dolby Pro Logic is the standard mode for surround sound decoding. It uses informa-
tion encoded in a two channel stereo recording to produce four distinct channels: 
Left, Center, Right and Surround. Use this mode for accurate reproduction of pro-
grams bearing the Dolby Surround, DTS Stereo, UltraStereo or other “Surround”
logos. Surround encoded programs include videocassette and LD movies, TV and 
cable programs, radio programs and audio CDs. Dolby Pro Logic processing 
may also be used to provide a pleasing surround effect with source material that 
does not carry surround encoding.

THX Cinema is a patented process developed by Lucasfilm Ltd. as an enhancement 
to surround processing. It includes additional enhancements that greatly improve 
the spectral and spatial realism of motion pictures that are recorded with surround
encoding. THX Cinema’s exclusive processing is designed to overcome the differences
in acoustics between movie theaters and home listening rooms so that movie sound
tracks will sound the same way at home as they did in the mixing room where they
are created. Use this mode when viewing motion pictures on video.

Dolby 3 Stereo uses the information contained in a surround encoded program to 
create center channel information. In addition, the information that is normally sent
to the rear channel surround speakers is carefully mixed in with the front left and
right channels for increased realism. Use this mode when you have a center channel
speaker, but no surround speakers.

Movie Surround uses decoding similar to Pro Logic, but it permits delay 
times up to 90 ms. Use this mode instead of Pro Logic or THX to experiment with 
surround times above 30 ms, or if the delay time formula suggests a 
larger time delay for your room.

This mode is designed for use with stereo recordings. It provides a sound field effect
that simulates the complex combination of direct and reflected sounds that create 
the rich reverberant atmosphere of a medium sized circular concert hall.

This mode is designed for use with sports broadcasts, live concerts or other programs
where the feeling of a wide surround effect is desired.

This mode is intended for use with old movies, televisions shows and other programs
that have a monaural sound track. All sound will be reproduced through the center
channel speaker, if installed. If there is no center channel speaker, monaural sound is
reproduced from the front left and right speakers.

This mode turns off all surround processing and presents the pure left and right 
channel presentation of two channel stereo programs.

15 ms – 30 ms
Initial Setting = 20 ms

15 ms – 30 ms
Initial Setting = 20 ms

No Surround Channels

40 ms – 90 ms
Initial Setting = 20 ms

10 ms – 90 ms
Initial Setting = 20 ms

10 ms – 90 ms
Initial Setting = 20 ms

No Surround Channels

No Surround Channels

Surround Mode Chart

 •AVR80mkII 120 (f).qx  2/5/99  9:56 AM  Page 33

Multiroom Operation

The AVR80

is unique among A/V

receivers in that it is equipped to operate
as the control center for a sophisticated
multiroom operation with accessories as
simple as a remote IR sensor or as
sophisticated as a specialized external
amplifier and a special version of the
world-famous AudioAccess wall mounted
keypad controls. Although some multi-
room installations will require the ser-
vices of a specially trained installer, it is
possible for the average do it yourself 
hobbyist to install a simple remote room
system. For additional information on
using the AVR80

in multiroom installa-

tions we suggest that you contact your
dealer or custom installer.

Installation
The key to remote room operation is to
link the remote room to the AVR80

’s

location with wire for an infrared receiv-
er and speakers or an amplifier.

IR Link
The remote room IR receiver should be
connected to the AVR80

via standard

coaxial cable. Plug the IR connection
cable into the mini jack inside the 

area in the middle of the AVR80

’s rear

panel.

œ

If other Harman Kardon compatible
source equipment is part of the main
room installation, the 

jack on the rear panel 

∑

should

be connected to IR IN jack on the CD
player or cassette deck. This will enable
the remote room location to control

source equipment functions as well as
the remote room input and volume.

NOTE: All remotely controlled compo-
nents must be linked together in a daisy
chain. Connect the 

jack of one

unit to the 

of the next to establish

this chain.

Audio Link
Depending on the distance from the
AVR80

to the remote room, two options

are available. 

The preferred method is to run high
quality, shielded audio interconnect
cable from the AVR80

’s location to the

remote room. At the remote room, con-
nect the interconnect cable to a stereo
power amplifier. The amplifier will be
connected to the room’s speakers. No vol-
ume control is required, as the AVR80

and the remote IR link will provide that
function. At the AVR80

, plug the audio

interconnect cable into the 

jacks 

®

at the top left corner of the

AVR80

’s rear panel.

NOTE: The remote power amplifier must
have signal sensing capability or be left
on constantly to assure automatic opera-
tion at the remote room.

As an alternative, the amplifier may be
placed at the same location as the
AVR80

, with a standard audio intercon-

nect between the two. Speaker wires
should then be run to the remote room.
High quality AWG-12 speaker wire is pre-
ferred.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any cables run
inside walls should be CL3/FT4 rated, or
carry any other certification that is
required by the NEC, NFPA or state and
local building and electrical codes. To
avoid interference, audio and speaker
cables should not be parallel to, or in
the same conduits with AC cables. If you
have any questions about multi-room
wiring consult your dealer, custom
installer or a licensed contractor or
electrician.

Set-up 
Once the equipment connections have
been made, the AVR80

needs to be con-

figured for multiroom operation by fol-
lowing these steps:

1. Press the 

r

to bring the

MAIN MENU

to the screen (Figure #1).

Press the 

¤

button 

q

four times until

the on screen 

>

cursor is pointing to

MULTI ROOM SEL

and press

r

. The video screen 

will move to the

MULTI ROOM

SELECTOR

menu (Figure #17).

2. Press the 

›

button 

q

until the

desired input source for the multi room
system is selected.

33

 •AVR80mkII 120 (f).qx  2/5/99  9:56 AM  Page 34

Multiroom Operation

3. When the source is selected, press the

¤

button until the 

>

cursor is next to

RETURN TO MAIN MENU

. Press

. 

4. At the 

MAIN MENU

, press the 

¤

but-

ton once so that the 

>

cursor is pointing

to 

SET UP MENU

. Press 

.

5. This will bring 

SET UP MENU 1

(Figure #2) to the screen. Press the 

¤

button twice until the 

>

cursor is point-

ing to 

GO TO SET UP MENU 2

. Press

.

6. When 

SET UP MENU 2

(Figure #3)

appears, the 

>

cursor will be pointing to

MULTI RM VOL

. Use the 

‹

or 

›

buttons 

q

on the remote to select one

of the following choices.

a. If the remote room is equipped
with a remote receiver only, volume
control will be performed by the
AVR80

using a remote control in

the second room. For this type of con-
trol, select the 

VARIABLE

option. 

b. If the volume control in the remote
room will be controlled by the ampli-
fier in the remote room, or if a spe-
cialized amplifier such as the
AudioAccess AVX-603 will be used,
select 

FIXED

.

7. After making a selection, press the 

¤

button once so that  the 

>

cursor is next

to 

SET LEVEL

.

8. Use the 

‹

or 

›

buttons 

q

on the

remote to establish a volume level for
turn on or constant level, as determined
by the previous selection.

a. If 

VARIABLE

volume has been

selected, this setting will determine
the volume level for the remote room
each time it is turned on.

b. If 

FIXED

volume has been select-

ed, this level will be the constant vol-
ume level at the remote room
location unless a local volume con-
trol is installed. Set the level as close
to “0 dB” as possible without distort-
ing the output signal.

9. When the level has been entered, press
the 

¤

button so that the 

>

cursor is

pointing to 

RETURN TO MAIN MENU

and press 

.

10. At the 

MAIN MENU

, use the naviga-

tional arrow buttons on the remote to
exit from the main system.

The AVR80

is now configured for multi

room operation.

Operation
Multi room operation is simple, and it
may be controlled from either the main
listening room where the AVR80

is

located, or from a remote room where an
IR receiver or AudioAccess keypad has
been installed.

Main Room Operation
In this option, the remote room feed is
controlled from the main listening room
using the AVR80

’s front panel controls.

To activate the remote room feed, press
the

button on the front panel

9

.

This will send the signal of the AVR80

’s

currently selected input source to the
remote room at the volume level estab-
lished in

SET UP MENU 2

.

34

M U L T I   R O O M   S E L E C T O R

> S E L E C T E D : T U N E R   T V

                    C D         L D

                    T A P E 1   V C R 1

  O F F             T A P E 2   V C R 2

                                A U X

R E T U R N   T O   M A I N   M E N U

T U R N   M U L T I - Z O N E   O F F

?

U S E R S   M A Y   B E   L I S T E N I N G

I N   O T H E R   R O O M S

P R E S S   A G A I N   T O   P R O C E E D

O R   " C L E A R "   T O   C A N C E L

 •AVR80mkII 120 (f).qx  2/5/99  9:56 AM  Page 35