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Parasound Halo C1 Controller Owner's Manual

Parasound halo c1 controller owner's guide
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Summary of Contents for Parasound Halo C1 Controller

  • Page 1 C 1 Controller Owner’ s Guide...

  • Page 2: Thank You

    Parasound. We’re proud to offer you this exceptional audio component that will bring you many years of enjoyment and dependability. Here at Parasound, we design our products to perform at a higher level of flexibility and sonic performance than you may have expected. We encourage you to read this entire manual to learn all the features and capabilities of your new Halo C 1 Controller.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Unpacking And Placement Guidelines For the C 1 Getting Started ..........Controls and Operation .

  • Page 4: Unpacking And Placement Guidelines For The C

    While you are unpacking your C 1, inspect it thoroughly for possible shipping damage and tell your Parasound dealer right away if you find any. If possible, save and store both the inner and outer cartons and–most especially–the foam packing inserts, so you can use them if you have to ship the C 1, or to protect it when you move.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    GETTING STARTED The Parasound C 1 Controller is a complete home theater control center. With it, you can feed signals from any of four analog and digital audio and six audio/video components to your surround sound and video system, simultaneously feeding video and stereo audio (even from a different source) to rooms in a second entertainment zone, and integrate the C 1 into multi-room home-control systems.
  • Page 6 GETTING STARTED continued The various types of video jacks (composite, S-Video, and component) use differing connector types, but the so-called “RCA” type used for composite video (simply labeled “Video” on the back panel) is also used for analog and digital audio. The RCA jacks on the C 1 are color-coded: red and white for right-and left-channel analog audio, yellow for composite video, black for digital inputs, and red for digital output;...

  • Page 7: Controls And Operation

    GETTING STARTED continued Power switch or unplug either end of the AC cord before the C 1 has first been turned off by the remote control or front panel On-Off button! If AC power is removed from the C 1 before it is turned off you will lose the selections you made during setup and you may hear some nasty thumps in your speakers.
  • Page 8 When the front-panel ON-OFF button is switched off, the halo around it glows soft blue and the • Parasound logo glows soft red. When the C 1 is turned on, the logo becomes brighter, the halos around the other buttons glow, and the front-panel display turns on. (Always turn the C 1 off with this button, or with one of the remote controls, before turning off the master power switch on the rear panel;...

  • Page 9: Using The Main Controls

    On-Off When the C 1 is turned off, the On-Off button’s halo glows a soft blue and the Parasound logo above the display glows a soft red. (If nothing is lit, either the C 1 is not plugged into a live outlet or the power switch on the rear panel is turned off.) Turning the unit on makes the button’s halo and...
  • Page 10 USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued Mute Volume + Volume – Thumbpad Volume and Muting The large knob on the C 1 front panel normally controls volume. However, when you press the front-panel SOURCE or SURROUND buttons, it will control those functions for the next 5 seconds, or for as long as you keep using the knob to change those functions’...
  • Page 11 PC and the Halo version of the MX-Editor software; this software and its instructions can be downloaded from www.parasound.com/halo. A separate user manual is supplied with the remotes, and additional copies can be downloaded from the same Web site.

  • Page 12: Selecting Sound Patterns (Listening Modes)

    USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued feedback, producing a loud, very unpleasant noise through your speakers until you change the source or press MUTE. Because the signal for the Zone output is selected separately, you can use that output to record one input source on an audio or video recorder while a different source is playing in the main zone.
  • Page 13 The amount of reverberation can be adjusted through Audio Setup (page 25). Party feeds duplicated front-channel stereo signals to the surround (but not surround back) speakers; this spreads the sound more uniformly throughout the room. Online Sources for Further Information: www.dolby.com, www.dtsonline.com, www.thx.com, www.parasound.com/halo nel sur-...
  • Page 14 USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued Listening Modes and the Signals They Work With TYPE OF DOLBY DIGITAL INCOMING SIGNAL Available Modes: Mono Stereo Direct Stereo96 Dolby Modes: Pro Logic Pro Logic II Movie Pro Logic II Music Dolby EX (Yes) DTS Modes: Neo:6 Cinema Neo:6 Music...

  • Page 15: Dual-Zone Operation

    USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued Using the Status and Info Buttons and the Displays The C 1 controller’s front-panel display screen can be set to show the current main-zone operat- ing status (source, audio and video signal types, audio mode, and volume setting) continuously. If you wish to see this information when the display is showing the video program currently selected for the main zone, pressing the STATUS button on the front panel or the Master remote, or the INFO button on the SideKick remote, will bring that information to the screen...

  • Page 16: Using The Master And Sidekick Remote Controls

    “Program” at the top of MX-Editor window, then on “IR Database”), and a manual and tutorial (under “Help”). You can download this software from www.parasound.com/halo. The C 1 comes with the cable you need to connect the remotes to a PC’s serial port.
  • Page 17 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued Page 1 of the C1/C2 Menu ers were selected during Setup, or the source signal does not include surround channels. In the first instance, the display will read “No Surround-back Speakers”; in the second, it will read “Incompatible Source.
  • Page 18 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued right front, right surround, right back, left back, left surround, and subwoofer. When used for manual level setting, it can be directed to whichever channel you’re adjusting. This feature is only available in “Level setup” on the “Speaker setup” menu. 7.1: Switches to the C 1 Controller’s 7 .1-channel analog unbalanced inputs, for use with multi- •...
  • Page 19 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued Like the STATUS button on the front panel of the C 1, the STATUS button on the Master remote • and the INFO button on the SideKick can be pressed to show the current main-zone operating sta- tus (source, audio and video signal types, audio mode, and volume setting) on the C 1 controller’s front-panel display or on any video projector or monitor connected to the “OSD”...

  • Page 20: Controlling Other Components In Your System

    USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued Controlling Other Components In Your System Exactly what your remotes do when controlling other components will depend on what compo- nents you have and how the remotes are custom-programmed. If your remotes have not been set up for your specific system, you’ll find the Master remote already programmed to control various popular TVs, DVD players, VCRs and more, so that its device-control pages can give you some idea of how it might be re-programmed to control your system.
  • Page 21 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued PREV CH recalls the last cable or satellite channel you were watching, as long as your cable or • satellite tuner supports this function. GUIDE commonly displays your satellite or cable company’s program guide. •...

  • Page 22: Using The Sidekick

    Universal’s Web site, www.hometheatermaster.com, together with the MX-Editor software and a tutorial and programming manual for it. However, the MX-Editor version at our Web site, www.parasound.com/halo, is specifically adapted for the version supplied with the C 1.

  • Page 23: Adjustments, Menus, And Setup

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP As you’ve probably gathered from the many earlier references to this chapter, just about every aspect of the C 1 Controller’s operation is customizable to suit your preferences and your home theater system. Don’t rush your setup; it might take a few hours or more. But this time will be amply rewarded with years of incredible performance and ease of operation.
  • Page 24 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued the current menu, press the center of the thumbpad or turn the front-panel knob one click. To save your changes and get out of setup altogether, press the STATUS button on the front panel or the MENU button on the Master remote. To get out of setup without saving your changes, press ESC (Escape) on the Master remote.

  • Page 25: Audio Setup (Dolby/Dts, Bass Limiter, Presets, Treble And Bass, Lfe Level, Reverb)

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Audio Setup signal, the “ .1” of a 5.1-channel digital surround signal (such as Dolby Digital or DTS) or a 7 .1- channel signal (Dolby Digital Surround EX, THX EX, DTS-ES). This is not the same as a sub- woofer-level setting, because the subwoofer output may, depending on your speaker setup, include bass from the main and surround channels as well as the LFE.
  • Page 26 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Bass Limiter Setup match your subwoofer’s capabilities. (The bass limiter is not needed with subwoofers meeting THX Ultra2 standards, so it is not available if you selected such a sub under “THX Audio Setup. ” ) To set the bass limiter, first press the MENU button on the C 1 front panel or the thumbpad on the Master remote to move the cursor to “Limiter noise, ”...

  • Page 27: Speaker Setup (Level, Distance, Size, Aux/Programmable Channels)

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Speaker Setup Size Setup as “Small” or “Large, ” try both settings and see which sounds best. Main speakers, the left and right front speakers, may be set as “Large” or “Small. ” Center speaker may be set to “Large, ” “Small, ” or “No. ” If your system has no center speaker, set this to “No”...
  • Page 28 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Level Setup For proper surround, the sounds reaching you from the different speakers should have the same relative levels as the sounds reaching the audio engineer who mixed the soundtrack. Because home systems vary, the simplest way to do that is to send a standard test signal through each of the speakers in turn, measure each one’s sound levels at the main listening position, and then adjust each channel’s signal level so that all the sound levels are equal.
  • Page 29 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Aux (Programmable) Channel Setup The C 1 includes Parasound’s exclusive 7 .5-Channel Enhanced Surround with four auxiliary (Aux) channels that provide wonderful options for enhancing your home theater. Two of these auxiliary channels provide for greater low-frequency power and accuracy. You can program the other two auxiliary channels to solve acoustical problems, add greater reality, or provide whatever audio enhancements or extensions your home theater needs.
  • Page 30 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Programming Aux Channels 9 and 10 Each of these two channels has independently adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters and provision for deriving content from any or all of the other eight channels, mixed in any proportion you like.
  • Page 31 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Level and Distance Autocalibrate First, prepare the calibration microphone supplied with the C 1, by unscrewing its barrel to open the battery compartment, inserting the AA battery supplied with its + (button) end toward the switch, screwing the barrel back on, and pushing the microphone’s On-Off switch toward the dot.

  • Page 32: Source Setup (Inputs, Titles, Preset Selection, Analog Monitor, Balanced Inputs)

    “VID 1, ” “AUD 3, ” and so on. To change those screen titles, you’ll need to use a PC and the MX- Editor software. (The software can be downloaded from www.parasound.com/halo) Digital input: The C 1 has eight digital inputs, four coaxial jacks and four optical jacks. By rock- ing the thumbpad side to side, you can associate any of those eight digital jacks with the source you’re currently setting up.
  • Page 33 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued adjustments controlled by the “Preset setup” submenu under “ Audio setup. ” When you select a source that has an associated preset, the preset’s bass and treble settings replace those made on the main “ Audio setup” screen and the center, surround, and subwoofer level changes are added to the values selected in “Level setup.

  • Page 34: Display Setup

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Display Setup The options on this screen affect the appearance of any information displayed on the C 1 Controller’s built-in screen and on any video screen connected to the Controller’s “OSD” video output jacks. Superimpose: When “On, ” this superimposes system status information over the video pro- gram currently shown on the built-in display screen and on any video monitors or projectors connected to the “OSD”...

  • Page 35: Trigger Setup

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Trigger Setup Many home theater components (including amplifiers, retractable screens, and some lighting equipment) can be controlled by DC trigger signals. The C 1 has three trigger outputs, two of which, P1 and P2, are programmable through this setup screen: Polarity does not change the trigger jack’s + output to –...

  • Page 36: Halo Setup Software

    An additional setup aid is HaloSetup.exe, a Windows program that can be downloaded from our Web site (www.parasound.com/halo). With a standard serial cable (available from computer stores) connecting your PC to the RS-232 connector on the back of the C 1, you can use this pro- gram to set up the C 1 and to store settings you’ve made through the setup menus described...

  • Page 37: Connecting Audio And Video Sources And Recorders

    Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Main Analog Audio Outputs Tape Monitor 7.1 Channel Input Analog Inputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For...

  • Page 38: Summary Table

    CONNECTING AUDIO AND VIDEO SOURCES AND RECORDERS continued against hum and other noises, especially if your equipment rack is crowded with other components or your cables are more than 10 feet (3 meters) long. (For more information, refer to the “Balanced and Unbalanced Lines”...
  • Page 39 RCA or BNC plugs at the other (optional) DVD player with digital and analog audio outputs, plus com- • posite, S-video, and possibly component video outputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Right Surround Right Back Left Back...
  • Page 40 Play/In Rec/Out Tape Monitor Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Digital Optical DVD PLAYER Outputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Balanced Analog Audio Outputs Center Subwoofer Left Surround Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1...
  • Page 41 Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Main Analog Audio Outputs OUTPUTS Digital Optical Digital Coaxial Output Output C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For Finland...
  • Page 42 Record 1 Record 2 Zone Play/In Rec/Out Tape Monitor Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs CD PLAYER C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Balanced Analog Audio Outputs Subwoofer Left Surround Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1...

  • Page 43: Recorders

    Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Main Analog Audio Outputs Tape Zone & Monitor Record Outputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For Finland...
  • Page 44 Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Tape Zone & Monitor Record Record Input Outputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Balanced Analog Audio Outputs Subwoofer Left Surround Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In...
  • Page 45 Main Analog Audio Outputs Analog Analog Digital Record/ Playback/ Optical Input Output Input C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Made In Expansion Port For Finland Future Technologies External Control IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – RS-232 Control Main...
  • Page 46 Tape Monitor Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs S-Video Audio Audio Outputs Inputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Balanced Analog Audio Outputs Subwoofer Left Surround Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In...

  • Page 47: Connecting The Audio And Video Outputs

    7.1 Channel Main Analog Monitor Record Analog Inputs Outputs Input & Outputs Outputs C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For Finland Future Technologies External Control...
  • Page 48 Inputs Outputs CENTER CHANNEL SPEAKER TV-VIDEO MONITOR LEFT MAIN CHANNEL SPEAKER C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For Finland Future Technologies External Control RS-232 Control IR Inputs –...

  • Page 49: Connecting Video Displays

    Rec/Out Tape Monitor Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs Main Analog Audio Outputs Main Viewing Screen C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In Expansion Port For Finland Future Technologies...

  • Page 50: Connecting A Second Entertainment Zone

    Analog Audio Outputs 7.1 Analog Audio Inputs 2 CHANNEL ZONE AMPLIFIER Inputs Outputs LEFT SPEAKER C2 Controller Parasound Products, Inc. San Francisco, California, USA Balanced Analog Audio Outputs Left Surround Right Surround Left Back Right Back Pro 1 Made In...

  • Page 51: Using The Programmable Outputs

    A good installer can also suggest ways to enhance your second- zone system and make it better suited to your needs. If you don’t already have an installer, ask your Parasound dealer for recommendations. Using the Programmable (Aux) Outputs:...
  • Page 52 CONNECTING THE AUDIO AND VIDEO OUTPUTS continued from the appropriate-side surround channel and the back channel. Time delays for these new speakers should be set for the distance to the closest seats. Add a rear-channel subwoofer: try 50% B, 25% LS, and 25% RS. Then add low-pass filtering, if •...

  • Page 53: Control Connections (Rs-232, Ir Inputs, Trigger Outputs)

    The capabilities of such connections, and the pro- gramming and interfacing needed will depend on the automation system you select; consult your Parasound Dealer or Custom Installer for more information regarding interfacing an external control system to your C 1.
  • Page 54 The C 1 comes with two trigger-control wires. Each wire is 3 feet (1 meter) long, with a 3.5-mm mini plug to fit the C 1 trigger output jacks and a 2.5-mm sub-mini plug for the trigger input jacks on Parasound amplifiers and tuners. Additional wires are available from Parasound. CAUTION: Insert or remove trigger plug wires only when the C 1 is switched off or disconnected from the AC power line.

  • Page 55: Troubleshooting Guide

    TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE TROUBLE PROBABLE CAUSE No power Power cord is disconnected Rear-panel AC switch is turned off AC outlet is dead Power on, but no sound Level control set too low Muting enabled Headphones plugged in Wrong input selected Input source inactive Source setup wrong Amplifiers turned off One channel dead...
  • Page 56 DVD player. Check the video image in its progres- further information on this issue sive-scan mode Remote zone turned off Turn remote zone on Remote infrared sensor plugged Move sensor cable to correct jack into wrong jack www.parasound.com/halo...
  • Page 57 Difficult to read status mes- Display screen too dim sages on built-in screen Note: Additional information can be found by checking the Product FAQs (frequently-asked questions) and tech bulletins on our Web site, www.parasound.com/halo REMEDY Change setup so beam reaches only one sensor...

  • Page 58: Servicing Your C 1

    Procedure for Returning your C 1 to Parasound for Service If we determine that you should send your C 1 to Parasound, we’ll give you a Return Authorization (RA) number. This RA number must be clearly marked on the outer carton only.

  • Page 59: Technically Speaking

    The C 1’s balanced outputs enable you to take full advantage of the inherent noise-rejection capability and superior sound quality of Parasound Halo power amplifiers, especially when the amplifiers are mount- ed far away, near the speakers. The balanced input on the C 1 also ensures the best possible analog connec- tion to a source component having balanced output.
  • Page 60 These break the ground loops caused by metal-to-metal contact between the rack, the units, and their rack-mount bolts. Washers are included in Parasound rack mount kits, and extras are available from Parasound. Headphone Circuit The C 1 includes a high-quality headphone amplifier.
  • Page 61 TECHNICALLY SPEAKING continued Using Unmatched Power Amplifiers: While it’s best to use identical amplifiers for all chan- nels, it’s sometimes more convenient or economical to use a mixture of amps, especially if you already have some. If you do, observe the following: Check with your amplifiers’...
  • Page 62 While this message appears, you won’t hear any sound; so a slight delay whenever you tune your satellite receiver to another station is quite normal. Helpful Web Addresses The following are the Web addresses for companies mentioned in this manual: www.parasound.com Parasound: • www.dolby.com Dolby Laboratories: •...

  • Page 63: C 1 Design Overview

    Episodes I and II) and by other production companies. Our design brief for the Halo By Parasound C 1 was to produce a component that could serve as the cen- terpiece for even the most complex home theater, provide for future technical developments, and meet the needs of the most critical listener and viewer.
  • Page 64 PARASOUND C 1 DESIGN OVERVIEW continued Functionality The C 1 has inputs and outputs to accommodate any home theater configuration, the ability to automatically decode all current surround signal formats, and a con- trol and interface structure that’s totally programmable.

  • Page 65: C 1 Specifications

    PARASOUND C 1 SPECIFICATIONS Audio Characteristics Frequency Response Digital Inputs 20 Hz – 42 kHz Analog Inputs 20 Hz – 22 kHz 7 .1-Channel Input 5 Hz – 200 kHz, - 3 dB 20 Hz – 20 kHz, - 0.5 dB...

  • Page 66: Index

    INDEX AC cord, 6 AC outlet, 6 AC connection, 6 AC power switch, 6 AC voltage, 6 A/D (Analog-to-Digital) Converters, 12, 63 Adaptive Decorrelation, 61 Advanced Speaker Array (ASA), 36, 61 Amplifiers, unmatched, 47 , 61 Analog Monitor, 33, 55 Analog audio sources, connecting, 37- 39, 41, 42 ASA (see: Advanced Speaker Array)
  • Page 67 PAL video system, 34, 40 Signal type vs. Listening Mode (table), 14 Panorama (see: PL II Panorama) Size setup, 27 Parasound T 3 tuner, 16 Software (see: Halo Setup, MX-Editor) Party mode, 13-14 Sound level, 7 , 10, 28, 30, 31, 62...
  • Page 68 ® Parasound Products, Inc. 950 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 415-397-7100 / Fax 415-397-0144 www.parasound.com V 0.96/6.37 © Parasound Products, Inc. 2003.

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