Multiroom Operation; Multiroom Setup; Surround Channel Amplifier Assignment - Harman Kardon AVR 645 Owner's Manual

MULTIROOM OPERATION

The AVR 645 is fully equipped to operate as the con-
trol center for a complete multiroom system that is
capable of sending one audio source to a second
zone in the house while a separate source is listened
to in the main room. In addition to providing for con-
trol over the selection of the remote source and its
volume, the AVR 645 offers a comprehensive range of
options for powering the speakers in the second zone.
• Using the line-level Multiroom Audio Outputs
the selected source may be fed to optional, external
power amplifiers that may be matched to the
specifics of the installation.
• When the main room system is configured for 5.1
operation, the Surround Back Left/Right amplifier
channels may be used to power the remote zone so
that no additional amplifiers are required.
• Using built-in A-BUS/ technology, optional
READY
A-BUS modules may be connected to the AVR 645
via a single Category 5/5e or higher cable, so that
remote zone speakers may be powered directly
from the A-BUS module without the need for addi-
tional power, IR sensor or volume control wires to
be run to the second zone.
In addition, the AVR 645 includes a remote IR sensor
input so that remote control commands from the
ZR 10 remote included with the unit may be transmitted
to the unit, while standard IR input/output jacks allow
the remote zone's commands to be sent to compatible
IR-controlled source devices.
Installation
Although simple remote room systems may be
installed by the average do-it-yourself hobbyist,
the complexity of your multizone/multiroom system
involves running wires inside of walls where the ser-
vices of a specially trained installer may be required.
Regardless of who does the work, please remember
that local building codes may govern in-wall electrical
work, including proper specification of any wiring used
and the way in which it is connected. You are respon-
sible for making certain that all multiroom installation
work is done properly and in compliance with all appli-
cable codes and regulations.
For standard installations, follow the instructions shown
on page 19 for the connection of speaker wire and IR
remote wiring to the AVR 645.
For installations where the Surround Back Left/Right
amplifier channels are used to power the remote zone,
make certain that the system is configured for that
type of operation, as shown on this page.
46 MULTIROOM OPERATION
For installations where A-BUS modules are used, fol-
low the instructions provided with the A-BUS remote
modules or keypads. Additional information will also be
made available through the Harman Kardon Web site
at www.harmankardon.com.
RS-232 Control
The AVR 645 provides the capability for full bidirec-
tional remote control from compatible computers or
, specialized remote control systems. RS-232 program-
ming requires specialized programming knowledge
and for that reason we recommend that it only be
done by qualified professionals. For more information
on using the RS-232 port for remote control, visit the
Harman Kardon Web site at www.harmankardon.com
or contact our customer service department.

Multiroom Setup

Once the audio and IR link connections have been made,
the AVR 645 needs to be configured for multiroom
operation. To change a setting from its factory default,
use the MULTI-ROOM SETUP menu. Press
∫ to call up the MAIN
the OSD Button
MENU (Figure 1). Next, press the
© so that the cursor is next to
Buttons
MULTI-ROOM, then press the Set Button
œ. When the MULTI-ROOM SETUP
menu (Figure 25) appears, follow the instructions shown
below to make any needed configuration adjustments.
* M U L T I - R O O M S E T U P
→
M U L T I - R O O M : O F F O N
M U L T I I N : F M P R E S E T 0 1
M U L T I V O L : 2 5 d B
S B A M P S : M A I N
C A R R I E R O U T : Z O N E
B A C K T O M A S T E R M E N U
Figure 25
When the MULTI-ROOM menu appears, the
cursor will be at the MULTI-ROOM line. Since
this line is used to turn the system on and off, don't
make an adjustment here unless you wish to turn the
system on at this time. To turn the system on, press the
© so that ON is high-
Navigation Button
›
lighted. If you do not wish to turn the system on at this
time, or to proceed to the next step, press the
© so that the on-screen
Navigation Buttons
cursor is next to the MULTI IN line.
At the MULTI IN line, press the
Buttons
room system appears in the highlighted video. In addi-
tion to direct selection of any active input source, you
may also select the DSP DOWNMIX mode,
which outputs a two-channel down-mixed version
of multi-channel digital sources. When the selection
has been made, press the
© once so that the cursor is next to
MULTI VOL.
At the MULTI VOL line, press the
Navigation Buttons
ume level for the multiroom system is entered. DO
NOT use the regular volume control knobs for this set-
ting. When all settings for the multiroom setup have
been made, press the
© until the cursor is next to the BACK TO
MASTER MENU line. If you have no other
adjustments to make, press the OSD Button
∫ to exit the menu system.

Surround Channel Amplifier Assignment

/ Navigation
⁄ ¤
The AVR 645 is equipped with seven full-power
amplifier channels to allow for complete 7.1-channel
operation. However, if your system is only configured
for 5.1 channels in the main listening room, you may
take advantage of the "extra" two channels by using
them to power speakers placed in a second-zone
location. This enables you to use the multiroom capabili-
*
ties of the AVR 645 without the cost of an additional,
external power amplifier.
To change the setting so that the Surround Back
M U L T I
I I
amplifiers are fed by the source selected through
the Multiroom system rather than the SBL/SBR
channels of the main room, make certain that the
MULTI-ROOM SETUP menu (Figure 25)
is on the screen; then press the
Buttons
the SB AMPS line. Press the
Buttons
highlighted video. When this change is made, connect
the wires feeding the remote zone speakers to the
Surround Back/Multiroom Speaker Outputs
When the SBL/SBR speakers are set for multiroom
operation, you may still configure the AVR 645 for 7.1
modes in the main listening room by making certain
/
⁄ ¤
that the SURR BACK line in the SPEAKER
SIZE menu (Figure 20) is set to SMALL or
LARGE, as shown in the instructions on page 30.
When that is done, the word MULTI will appear
next to the large or small designator to alert you to the
fact that the internal SBL/SBR amplifiers are assigned
to the multiroom system, and that an optional, external
two-channel power amplifier must be connected to the
SBL/SBR Preamp Outputs ¡ in order to use sur-
round back channel speakers.
/ Navigation
‹ ›
© until the desired input to the multi-
Navigation Button
¤
/
‹ ›
© until the desired vol-
⁄ / ¤ Navigation Buttons
/ Navigation
⁄ ¤
© so that the cursor is pointing to
‹ ›
/ Navigation
© so that MULTI is shown in
.