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Operation
DTS
DTS is another digital audio system that is capa-
ble of delivering 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 audio. Although
both DTS and Dolby Digital are digital, they use
different methods of encoding the signals, and
thus they require different decoding circuits to
convert the digital signals back to analog.
DTS-encoded sound tracks are available on select
DVD and LD discs, as well as on special audio-
only DTS CDs. You may use any LD, DVD or CD
player equipped with a digital output to play
DTS-encoded special audio-only CDs with the
AVR 5500, but DTS-LDs can be played on LD
players and DTS-DVDs on DVD players only. All
that is required is to connect the player's digital
output to either the Optical or Coaxial input on
the rear panel
or front panel
In order to listen to DVDs encoded with DTS
sound tracks, the DVD player must be compatible
with the DTS signal as indicated by a DTS logo
on the player's front panel. Note that early DVD
players may not be able to play DTS- encoded
DVDs. This does not indicate a problem with the
AVR 5500, as some players cannot pass the DTS
signal through to the digital outputs. If you are in
doubt as to the capability of your DVD player to
handle DTS DVDs, consult the player's owner's
manual.
Please note that some DVD players are shipped
with their output set for Dolby Digital only. To
insure that DTS data is being sent to the AVR,
please check the setup menu system on your
DVD player to make certain that DTS data output
is enabled.
PCM Audio Playback
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is the non- com-
pressed digital audio system used for compact
discs, Non-Dolby Digital/DTS Laserdiscs and some
special PCM encoded DVDs. The digital circuits in
the AVR 5500 are capable of high quality digital-
to-analog decoding, and they may be connected
directly to the digital audio output of your
CD/DVD or LD player (LD only for PCM or DTS
programs, for Dolby Digital laser discs an RF
adapter is needed, see "Dolby Digital" above).
Connections may be made to either the Optical
or Coaxial inputs
on the rear panel or the
front panel Digital Inputs
.
To listen to a PCM digital source, first select the
input for the desired source (e.g., CD) to feed its
video signal (if any) to the TV monitor and to
provide its analog audio signal for recording.
Next press the Digital Select button
and then use the
buttons
/
remote, or the Selector buttons
front panel, until the desired choice appears in the
, HDCD
®
, High Definition Compatible Digital
States and/or other countries. HDCD System manufactured under license from Pacific Microsonics, Inc.
Main Information Display
Set button
When a PCM source is playing, the PCM indica-
tor
will light. During PCM playback you may
select any surround mode except Dolby Digital or
DTS. When an HDCD encoded disc is being
played (see below) and the CD player is connect-
ed to the AVR 5500 via a digital connection,
select Surround Off as the Surround mode to
enjoy the benefits of the HDCD process.
HDCD
HDCD, which stands for High Definition
Compatible Digital
that enables the AVR 5500 to deliver outstanding
digital-to-analog decoding of PCM signals from
.
any DVD or CD player, connected to a digital
input on the AVR 5500 even when normal, non-
HDCD-compatible players are used (only a digital
output is needed).
When a CD with the HDCD recording is played,
the AVR 5500 is able to take advantage of the
special recording process that is used in the cre-
ation of HDCD disc. The special circuitry enables
audio with extraordinary fidelity, stunning resolu-
tion and the highest possible overall quality.
As long as a digital input and the pure Stereo
mode (Surround Off) are selected, the AVR 5500
will automatically sense that it is an HDCD
recording and the HDCD indicator
minate on the front panel to remind you that an
HDCD disc is playing.
It is important to note that the HDCD process is
completely compatible with standard recordings.
Indeed, the high-quality digital-to-analog
circuitry that is part of HDCD and the HDCD
decoder chip, replacing the monolithic digital
filters used in conventional DACs, will enable
enhanced performance also with normal,
non-HDCD encoded program material.
MP3 Audio Playback
The AVR 5500 is one of the few A/V receivers to
provide on-board decoding for the MP3 audio
format used on specific computer audio files and
by portable MP3 players/recorders. In addition,
some new CD and DVD players are capable of
playing back optical discs that are recorded with
MP3, rather than standard CD audio information.
By offering MP3 decoding, the AVR 5500 is able
to deliver more precise conversion of the digital
signals to an analog output, along with the ben-
efits of listening to MP3 audio through the AVR
5500's high current amplifier and the speakers
from your surround system, rather than the
on the
smaller speakers and low powered amplifiers typ-
on the
ically used with computers.
®
and Pacific Microsonics
, then press the
to confirm the choice.
®
, is a sophisticated process
will illu-
™
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Pacific Microsonics, Inc., in the United
To take advantage of the AVR 5500's MP3 capa-
bilities, simply connect the digital (SPDIF) output
of a computer sound card able to feed the MP3
format to its digital output, or the digital (SPDIF)
output of MP3 compatible CD or DVD players or
of a portable MP3 player with a digital output to
either the rear panel Digital Inputs
the front panel Digital Inputs
digital MP3 signal is received, the MP3
Bitstream Indicator
will light, and the
audio will begin playing.
NOTES:
• The AVR 5500 is only capable of playing sig-
nals in the MP3 (MPEG 1/Layer 3) format. It is
not compatible with other computer audio
codecs.
• The MP 3 DSP mode found in the new
AVR 5500 requires an MP3 SPDIF stream.
Presently, only a few units provide this but in the
coming generations of motherboards and operat-
ing system updates this will follow, since SPDIF is
the standard for audio & video hardware.
• The digital audio input signal may be either
optical or coaxial, but the signal must be in the
MP3 SPDIF format. Direct connection of USB or
serial data outputs is not possible, even though
the signals are in the MP3 format. If you have
any questions about the data output format from
your computer or a sound card, check with the
device's Owner's Manual or contact the manu-
facturer's technical support area.
• If your computer or sound card's digital output
is not capable of direct connection to the AVR or
if the output is not capable of delivering MP3
data stream, you may use an optional, external
transcoder, such as those available from Harman
Kardon to convert the USB output of a computer
to a format compatible with the AVR. Contact
your Harman Kardon dealer for additional details.
Selecting a Digital Source
To utilize either digital mode you must have
properly connected a digital source to the
AVR 5500. Connect the digital outputs from DVD
players, HDTV receivers, satellite systems or CD
players to the Optical or Coaxial inputs on the
rear or front panel
. In order to pro-
vide a backup signal and a source for analog
stereo recording, the analog outputs provided on
digital source equipment should also be connect-
ed to their appropriate inputs on the AVR 5500
rear panel (e.g., connect the analog stereo audio
output from a DVD to the DVD Audio inputs
on the rear panel when you connect the
source's digital outputs).
OPERATION 33
or
. When the
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