Lexicon DC-1 Owner's Manual
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Lexicon DC-1 Owner's Manual

Digital controller dolby digital and dts versions
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Owner's Manual
Lexicon
DC-1 Digital Controller
Software V4
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  • Page 1 Owner's Manual Lexicon DC-1 Digital Controller Software V4 ® Dolby Digital ® Versions...

  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    "Logic 7" and "Auto-Azimuth" are trademarks of Lexicon, Inc. Copyright ©1999 Lexicon. Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Patent numbers 4,862,502; 5,136,650 and 5,796,844; other patents pending on the DC-1. Lexicon, Inc.• 3 Oak Park • Bedford MA • 01730-1441 • Tel: 781-280-0300 • Fax: 781- 280-0490 • info@lexicon.com • www.lexicon.com...
  • Page 3 Dansk Vigtig information om sikkerhed Gem denne vejledning til senere brug. Følg alle anvisninger og advarsler på apparatet. Apparatet skal altid tilsluttes den korrekte spænding. Der henvises til brugsanvisningen, der indeholder specifikationer for strømforsyning. Der gøres opmærksom på, at ved varierende driftsspændinger kan det blive nødvendigt at bruge andre lednings- og/eller stiktyper.
  • Page 4 Deutsch Wichtige Sicherheitsanweisungen Heben Sie sich diese Sicherheitsanweisungen auch für später auf. Befolgen Sie alle auf der Vorrichtung stehenden Anweisungen und Warnungen. Immer nur mit der richtigen Spannung verwenden! Die Gebrauchsanweisungen des Herstellers informieren Sie über die elektrischen Anforderungen. Vergessen Sie nicht daß bei verschiedenen Betriebsspannungen ggf. auch verschiedene Leitungskabel und/oder Verbindungsstecker zu verwenden sind.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    AC Connections ... 6 Wiring Considerations ... 7 Audio/Video Cables • Speaker Connections Audio/Video Connections DC-1 Connections ... 8 Video Connections • Digital Audio Connections "AC-3 Ready" Laser Disc and LD/DVD Players 2 System Configuration Restore Factory Defaults ... 11 Equalization ...
  • Page 6 • Restoring the original parameter values of an Effect • Naming your custom Effect • Restoring the original Effect Name • Listening to only the DC-1 Effect • Front/Back Fader 3 PCM Effects and Parameters Panorama ... 35 Nightclub ...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Introduction The DC-1 can be thought of as four units in one. At its heart is a reference- quality 8-channel music and film digital audio computer capable of creating or recreating a limitless amount of listening environments. This digital audio computer is mated to an 8-channel Digital-to-Analog converter that rivals the most exotic and costly stand-alone devices.
  • Page 8 To understand the overall organization of the unit, it is helpful to define those few terms which are unique to the DC-1. AC-3 FX The term AC-3 FX (Dolby Digital Effects) is used to describe all of the effects which are compatible with Dolby Digital input signals.
  • Page 9 Effect An effect is a configuration that determines how the DC-1 will process an input signal. The DC-1 can contain as many as 24 effects: Panorama, Nightclub, Concert Hall, Church, Cathedral, Party, 2-Channel, Music Surround, Music Logic, Logic 7, TV Matrix, Pro Logic, THX Cinema, Mono Logic, 5.1 2- Channel, 5.1 Music, 5.1 Logic 7, Dolby Digital, THX 5.1, DTS 2-Channel, DTS...

  • Page 10: Installation

    1. ON/OFF 3. REC/ZONE 2 ON/OFF alternately puts the Press and hold to activate DC-1 into and out of standby. Zone 2 control with the On/ Turning the DC-1 off with this Off, Input Selector, Volume button (or with the remote) and Mute buttons.

  • Page 11: The Rear Panel

    Installation The Rear Panel CAUTION: Never make or break any connections to the DC-1 with the rear-panel power ON. Make sure any associated amplifiers are turned off before turning this master power switch on or off. 1 AUDIO INPUTS 3 MAIN OUTPUTS...

  • Page 12: The Remote Control

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller 1 ON, FP and OSD ON turns the DC-1 on and selects the input last used with main and Zone 2 volume levels set to the levels cho- sen in the OUTPUT LEVELS menu. FP (ON) turns on the front panel display backlight and the Lexicon logo.

  • Page 13: Alternate Remote Control Functions Using The

    Installation Alternate Remote Control Functions Using the Shift and Record/Zone 2 buttons You can access an additional set of controls with the DC-1 remote control by using the Shift key. Lexicon...
  • Page 14 Installation DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Zone 2 controls are accessed by holding down the Record/Zone 2 button.

  • Page 15: Connection

    The DC-1 has a master power switch on the rear panel above the IEC standard AC power receptacle. This switch may be left ON continuously when the unit is in regular use. When the DC-1 will not be used for an extended period of time, or whenever you are connecting or disconnecting any cables to the unit, this switch should be turned OFF.

  • Page 16: Wiring Considerations

    There is debate over the audible effects of different types of interconnects. Good engineering practices have minimized the effect that cables might have on the inputs and outputs of the DC-1 — but feel free to evaluate different interconnects in your system. Be conscious, however, of the mechanical stress from repeated insertion and overly tight connectors, and the possibly corrosive nature of some contact-enhancing fluids.

  • Page 17: Dc-1 Connections

    This enables use of a digital input for the main zone, and the corresponding analog input for the Record/Zone 2 outputs. Note the use of Y-connectors to feed the DC-1 Record output to both the VCR and the tape deck.

  • Page 18: Ready" Laser Disc And Ld/Dvd Players

    S-Video outputs. Composite input signals will not be output as S-Video. You can assign any video source to any (or all) of the eight DC-1 inputs via the Input Configuration submenu of the Setup menu. This can be very useful in systems which use a VCR1 as the tuner for TV viewing, as the video feed from the VCR can be assigned to both the VCR1 and TV inputs.

  • Page 19: System Configuration

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Although the DC-1 memory is cleared before it leaves the factory, it is good practice to restore the factory defaults with the following procedure before system configuration. Turn the DC-1 OFF with the remote control. Turn the unit back ON and immediately press and hold the MUTE button on the remote.
  • Page 20 A Loudness Contour parameter which boosts bass information, provides more balanced reproduction at low volume listening conditions. Once you have calibrated DC-1 output levels, set the LOUDNESS parameter ON to provide the ideal amount of boost for any given volume setting. This parameter does not affect the sound of the rear or side speakers.

  • Page 21: Display Adjustment

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Depending on the location of the DC-1 in your room, you may need to adjust the front panel display contrast for optimum viewing. To do this, press the or SELECT buttons on the Remote to enter the Main Menu. Press twice to select DISPLAY ADJUST.
  • Page 22 Adjusting the position allows you to move the DC-1 display items to a location where they will not interfere with any other video overlays or signals your system may generate.

  • Page 23: Input Configuration

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller The DC-1 has eight inputs, each of which can be associated with any of the five video and eight digital audio inputs. Selecting Input Configuration from the Setup menu displays a sub-menu which lists these inputs and allows you to select them individually for adjustment.

  • Page 24: Input Effect "Fx" Assignment

    For example, if you primarily listen to CD’s with the CONCERT HALL effect, the DC-1 can be set to load this effect when the CD input is chosen. (You can listen to any similar type of effect using the EFFECT button on the front panel or FX button on the remote control.) If you select USE...

  • Page 25: Fx Format

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller The DC-1 can also be set up to automatically switch to an appropriate effect whenever PCM, AC-3 or DTS encoded material is detected at the input. This allows one input to be used for different formats. For example, in the factory default state, the V-DISC input will automatically load the appropriate version of Logic 7 when an AC-3, DTS, or PCM signal is present.
  • Page 26 DC-1 automatically reselects the DTS MUSIC effect. To go back to the effect selected as a default, simply press the input button. * As the DC-1 is in AUTOMATIC mode, there may be a brief burst of noise before normal playback begins.
  • Page 27 If PCM ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT for a given input, only PCM effects in the DC-1 can be used. When the DC-1 receives a signal which is not PCM encoded, it will mute and display "NO PCM AUDIO."...

  • Page 28: Audio In

    This option in the INPUT CONFIG menu determines which audio input connector on the DC-1 rear panel will be used for the MAIN zone. Using the digital inputs will always yield better performance, and these should be used whenever a source component has a digital audio output.

  • Page 29: Record/Zone 2

    “zone” in multi-room installations. The Record and Zone 2 outputs on the DC-1 are wired in parallel so that the input selection will always be the same for both. For example, if the CD input is selected for Record, the CD input is also output to Zone 2.
  • Page 30 2 CH, Party, TV M, andMusic These controls sets the master volume level to the following levels. When Zone 2 mute is engaged, these controls set the Zone 2 volume level without disengaging mute. -30dB Party -20dB TV M -10dB Music +00dB Lexicon...

  • Page 31: Remote Trigger Assignment

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller This menu item assigns the status for the programmable trigger (PWR CTL) on the DC-1 rear panel. +12VDC is provided for controlling ancillary equipment or functions. Selections are ENABLE or DISABLE for the se- lected input. The factory default is ENABLE (high) for A/V inputs and DISABLE (low) for audio only inputs.
  • Page 32 120Hz are available as settings for the -3dB point). For any 5.1 channel inputs, selecting SMALL routes the low frequency information to the subwoofer output. Selecting NONE mutes the rear outputs and directs all surround informa- tion to the side outputs. Lexicon...

  • Page 33: Surround Ex Configuration

    SURROUND EX setup with two side and two rear speakers, and with all filters set to 80Hz. These settings are not adjustable. When DC-1 input and output levels are set properly, the entire system will be calibrated to play films at the level intended by the director. Setting the output levels is easy with a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter.

  • Page 34: Note On External Noise Calibration • Subwoofer

    In the absence of an SPL meter, it is possible to set the output level by ear. Use the internal noise generator in the DC-1 to adjust all volumes to be the same as they cycle around the various speakers. Depending on timbre variations between your speakers, this may be difficult to judge —...
  • Page 35 DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Digital AC-3 signal is coming in, the DC-1 will load the DOLBY DIGITAL effect with the factory preset settings. If a DTS signal is coming in, the DC-1 will load the DTS FILM effect with the factory preset settings.

  • Page 36: Zone 2 Power On Volume

    This control in the Output Levels menu allows you to select the volume at which the DC-1 will power on. You can choose from a range of -80 to +12dB, or elect to have the system power on at the last level used (LAST LVL).
  • Page 37 The DC-1 rounds off distance settings into discrete steps – choose the closest step to the actual distance in these cases. If a speaker distance is further than the DC-1 can accommodate, set it to the maximum allowable distance. (This will vary, depending on your intial entry for NEAREST SPKR.)
  • Page 38 (L001,L002,L003...L127), CENTER, or to the right of center (R001,R002,R003...R127). The numbers represent ap- proximately 1/3", but are provided primarily as a general reference. Panorama is now calibrated. Press DONE repeatedly to step back to the main setup menu. Lexicon...

  • Page 39: Customization

    Second, consider locking the settings so that they cannot be inadvertently changed. The last item in the Setup menu allows you to lock the DC-1 settings, as well as to change the name displayed during power up.

  • Page 40: Using Dc-1 Effects

    Press DONE to confirm the change and move on to the next menu item. Each DC-1 Effect and its parameter menu is described in the following sections. Although the list of available parameters will vary with different effects, the last item in each menu is always CUSTOM.
  • Page 41 FILM, DTS THX, DTS LOGIC 7. Selecting EFFECT ONLY allows you to listen to only the effects added by the DC-1 to the currently loaded program. With this function selected, use to turn this function on or off. This control allows you to adjust the front/rear balance for the current effect.

  • Page 42: Pcm Effects And Parameters

    The location of the front speakers and the listening position are crucial to Panorama’s effectiveness and for best results your system and the DC-1 together should be set up and calibrated according to the procedure in Chapter 2. The strength of the Panorama effect drops off as you move away from the prime listening position, especially to the sides.

  • Page 43: Concert Hall

    4.87 sec HALL SIZE 38 Meters PRE-DELAY 40ms ROLLOFF 2.6kHz SUBWOOFER LVL +00dB EFFECT LEVEL -01dB CUSTOM Lexicon Range 0-15 ON/OFF 20-30 Meters 453Hz-20.0kHz OFF, -30dB to +05dB -30 to +05dB Range 0-15 ON/OFF .89-13.42 sec 0.7, 1.0, 1.25xMID RT...

  • Page 44: Party

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller The Party effect allows unprocessed stereo signals to be played over all speakers for background music or for maximum acoustical output of the system. Parameter Initial Value CENTER LEVEL SIDE LEVEL +00dB REAR LEVEL +00dB...

  • Page 45: Music Logic

    Logic 7 contains the re-equalizer feature of the THX Cinema effect, as well as Lexicon's proprietary vocal enhancement feature. The combination of stereo surround information during music and decorrelated effects, with discrete steering to the sides and rears, gives Logic 7 unrivaled performance on matrix encoded films.

  • Page 46: Tv Matrix

    CUSTOM This effect provides Dolby Pro Logic Surround decoding designed for any Dolby Surround encoded movies, music, television programs or games. Lexicon's proprietary Auto Azimuth correction makes it one of the most accurate Pro Logic decoders available. Parameter Initial Value...

  • Page 47: Mono Logic

    This feature is offered specifically for true binaural recordings made with a dummy head. BASS ENHANCE derives stereo bass to provide low frequencies that are noticeably less localizable and more spacious in the playback room. Lexicon Range 0-16 ON/OFF 453Hz to 20.0kHz...
  • Page 48 PCM Effects and Parameters DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Note that results will vary depending on room acoustics and the low frequency capacity of the surround speakers. As side and/or rear speakers are used for bass enhancement, the effectiveness is improved with speakers capable of reproducing low frequencies (LARGE).
  • Page 49 PCM Effects and Parameters Lexicon LIVENESS adjusts the amount of recirculation within the effect. Higher values mimic more reflective surfaces in the simulated space and increase the amount of time it takes the sound to decay. At very high values, the decay is audibly less smooth than in the Church and Cathedral Effects, which are more effective at simulating very live spaces.
  • Page 50 SOUNDSTAGE controls the level of the surround speakers relative to the front speakers in a dynamic way. The DC-1 attempts to detect whether or not the sound source was originally encoded from a surround source by looking for occasional bursts of rear-steered material, and by identifying the directional orientation of the background sound between strong sounds.
  • Page 51 The set- tings also affect the side outputs. SURROUNDS selects the type of surround decoding used by the DC-1. STEREO provides extraction of five channels of surround information from a standard 4-2-4 matrix-encoded soundtrack (Dolby Surround, Ultra*Stereo, etc.) The drama of this effect is dependent on the source material and is most...

  • Page 52: Effects And Parameters

    If the program material was mixed so that dialog is at -31dBFS, then REF OFFSET=0dB. If the dialog was mixed at a "hotter" level, for example, -27dBFS, then REF OFFSET = -14dB and the DC-1 would adjust the levels down 4dB to bring dialog back to -31dBFS.

  • Page 53: 5.1 2-Channel

    REAR DLY OFFSET SIDE LEVEL +00dB REAR LEVEL +00dB LFE MIX LEVEL +0.0dB SUBWOOFER LVL +00dB CUSTOM Lexicon Range AUTO, ON, OFF 0-30 -5 to +5dB -127 to +127 -5dB to +5dB -20.0dB to +0.0dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB Range...

  • Page 54: Logic 7

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller 5.1 Logic 7 combines all the features of Dolby Digital AC-3 with enhance- ments by Lexicon and LucasFilm. This effect uses Logic 7 matrix technology to enhance the steering between the side speakers and the rear speakers, so sounds intended to come from behind the listener actually do come from behind.

  • Page 55: Thx 5.1

    CENTER MIX adjusts the level of the center channel applied to the two- channel downmix. The appropriate value for film is 16. The appropriate value for music is 11. Lexicon Range ON, OFF AUTO, ON, OFF ON, OFF -10.0dB to 0.0dB...
  • Page 56 AC-3 Effects and Parameters DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller COMPRESSION enhances the intelligibility of Dolby Digital material at low volume levels (-6dB or lower). When set to AUTO, this control auto- matically limits peak signals and boosts low level signals. The amount of compression increases proportionately as volume is decreased.
  • Page 57 AC-3 Effects and Parameters Lexicon SURROUND EX (available as of software version 4) extracts and repro- duces the additional rear channel mixed into SURROUND EX encoded soundtracks. This parameter is automatically set to ON when both SIDE and REAR speakers are selected in the SPEAKER CONFIGURATION menu, and will not operate unless SIDE and REAR speakers are selected.

  • Page 58: Dts Effects And Parameters

    Effects described in Chapter 4, are included in the DTS version of the DC-1. Any DTS-capable software and/or source components should be labeled with a DTS badge, similar to the one on the DC-1 front panel. This effect mixes DTS Digital 5.1 information for two-channel playback.

  • Page 59: Dts Logic 7

    DTS Film DTS Logic 7 combines all the features of DTS Digital with enhancements by Lexicon and LucasFilm. This effect uses Logic 7 matrix technology to enhance the steering between the side speakers and the rear speakers, so sounds intended to come from behind the listener actually do come from behind.

  • Page 60: Dts Thx

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller This effect provides THX 5.1 Cinema enhancements for film soundtracks recorded in the DTS format. This processing compensates for the acoustical differences between large mixing theaters and the typically smaller home environment. When SIDE and REAR speakers are selected in the SPEAKER CONFIGU- RATION menu, SURROUND EX is automatically set to ON for proper decoding of SURROUND EX soundtracks.
  • Page 61 DTS Effects and Parameters Lexicon RE-EQUALIZER equalizes the left, center, and right channel outputs to match the overall frequency balance of the original recording. Without this re-equalization, many films and some television programs will sound too bright. REAR DELAY OFFSET is an additional delay added to the rear channels when listening to LOGIC 7 and MUSIC SURROUND.

  • Page 62: Troubleshooting

    Possible Cause and Solution Check line cord to ensure good connection to the AC outlet and to the receptacle on the DC-1 rear panel. Check to make sure that the DC-1 rear panel power switch is ON. Check the Status menu (under DISPLAY ADJUST: ON-SCREEN or FRONT PANEL menu —...
  • Page 63 FCC rules and CE standards. If some interfering noise is noted, move AM loop and FM "T" type antennas away from the DC-1 and reorient them as necessary. Use shielded cable for FM and TV antenna feeds. Severe power surges or sags can confuse the DC-1 memory. To correct, or if you simply want to start over, restore the factory defaults with the procedure described at the end of this section.

  • Page 64: Routine Maintenance

    Note any settings you want to re-use before proceeding. Turn the DC-1 OFF with the remote. Turn the unit back ON and immedi- ately press and hold MUTE on the remote. (Make sure you do not block the infrared receiver on the DC-1 front panel.) The on-screen display will read:...

  • Page 65: Specifications

    DC-1 Version 4 Digital Controller Audio: Inputs: Video: Digital: 4: 2 coaxial (RCA), 2 optical (TosLink) Audio: Outputs: Video: PWR CTL: D/A Conversion: Audio: Frequency Response: 10 Hz-20 kHz, +0.5dB, Ref. 1kHz THD+Noise: Dynamic Range: Signal to Noise Ratio:90dB minimum, 22kHz bandwidth,...

  • Page 66: Installation Worksheet

    Installed by________________________________Phone____________________Date______________ Gain _______ Name ________________ Audio In _______ Video In _______ Trigger: enabled Gain _______ Name ________________ Audio In _______ Video In _______ Trigger: enabled V-DISC Gain _______ Name ________________ Audio In _______ Video In _______ Trigger: enabled Gain _______ Name ________________ Audio In _______ Video In _______...

This manual is also suitable for:

Dc-1 v4 - rev 1

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