Tips And Tricks - Marantz SR5004 Manual

The Outlaws' Guide to the Marantz SR5004

Tips and Tricks

The following items detail several features, capabilities, shortcuts, and conveniences
that we felt deserved some special mention.
Multiple Inputs Configured for a Single Source
The Listening Modes menu allows a great deal of control over which listening modes
are used with each input and audio format, but there may still be cases where more
control flexibility is needed. Some users may prefer to use two different listening modes
for a single audio format from the same source. An example would be a DVD player that
is also used as a CD player. When listening to CD's, the preferred listening mode for
stereo/PCM may be "Stereo" or even "Direct." When watching DVD's, you may want to
listen to the occasional stereo/PCM material in "Pro Logic IIx Movie" or "All Stereo."
Similar cases may exist with other sources. Manually changing the listening mode is an
annoyance in cases like this.
One solution is to configure more than one input for a single source. Stereo analog
inputs, the multichannel analog input, and HDMI inputs can only be associated with a
single input, but the coaxial and optical digital inputs can each be assigned to multiple
inputs. A coaxial digital audio cable from one source could be assigned to both the CD
and the DVD inputs, each using different listening mode preferences, and the user need
only select a different input. When using an audio-only input such as CD, a specific
video input can still be viewed by selecting the video input before selecting the CD input
(the video switching will remain in its previous state).
Maximizing Video Inputs by using Front Input "AUX"
Some users may find that they start to run out of rear panel connections if their system
includes many sources. Between DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, cable/satellite, and a game
console or three, even the SR5004's offerings can begin to get crowded. One option for
a system that includes HDMI sources is to assign one HDMI connection to the AUX
input. This front panel audio/video input cannot be used with rear panel component,
coaxial, or optical connections, but it can be tied to any one of the three HDMI
connections, thus allowing other components that use component video or composite
video connections to have access to the rear panel connections.
Note that if you are using the SR5004 with a separate power amplifier and the amplifier
is being triggered by the SR5004, you will need to use an AC adapter instead of a
trigger cable. See page 26 for more information.
Dimming the Front Panel
Ambient light control is important to the total home theater experience. With that in
mind, the SR5004 offers a way to turn off the front panel display. The DISPLAY button
(available on both the remote control and the front panel) toggles between three
options. The first will cause the front panel to display current volume level in place of the
surround processing mode. Pressing DISPLAY a second time will select "Auto Display"
mode, in which the front panel display will only turn on when a change occurs (volume,
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