Decoding Modes - Arcam AV888 Handbook

decoding
modes
Introduction
Your AVR500/AVR600 receiver or AV888 pre-amp
provides all the key decoding and processing modes for
analogue and digital signals, including the latest high
definition audio formats over HDMI.
Modes for digital sources
Digital recordings are usually encoded to include
information about their format type. The unit detects
automatically the relevant format in a digital signal –
such as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD
Master Audio, Dolby Digital, or DTS – and switches in
the appropriate decoding.
Modes for analogue sources
Analogue recordings do not contain information about
their encoding formats, so the desired mode – such as
Dolby Pro Logic – needs to be selected manually.
Mode memory
Dolby Digital or DTS audio (including the high
definition formats) can be output in two mix modes,
selected using the button:
MoDE
Surround (e.g., five main channels plus a subwoofer
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for a 5.1 source)
Stereo downmix.
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Two-channel audio, regardless of whether it is analogue
or digital can also be output in two mix modes, selected
using the mode button:
Surround (e.g., Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, Neo:6
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Music, etc.)
Stereo.
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TheAVR500/AVR600/AV888 stores the settings for each
source (except MCH). Thus the decoding mode for
the following groups of source material can be stored
independently:
Dolby Digital (multichannel) and DTS source
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material
Two channel Dolby, PCM or Analogue source
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material
Two-channel source modes
The following decoding and surround modes are
available for standard and high definition Dolby Digital
2.0, DTS 2.0, PCM or analogue sources:
Stereo
Pro Logic II Movie
Pro Logic II Music
Pro Logic II Game
Pro Logic IIx Movie
Pro Logic IIx Music
Pro Logic IIx Game
Pro Logic
Neo:6 Cinema
Neo:6 Music
NOTE
Pro Logic IIx modes are only selectable when
Surround Back speakers are present.
Stereo
In this mode the unit works as a conventional high
quality audio amplifier. Note that if the subwoofer is
enabled in stereo mode, then some processing of the
signal will be carried out. To achieve ultimate sound
quality with analogue sources, select the Stereo Direct
function if an analogue connection is present.
dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby Pro Logic II decoding is designed to produce five-
channel output from two-channel source material.
There are three different modes available in Pro Logic II:
'Movie' , 'Music' and 'Game' modes, which are intended
for use as their names suggest. Due to the different
recording methods used for movies, music and video
games, it is recommended that the correct decoding
mode for your source material is used to obtain best
results.
Movie mode: This is intended for use with
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'cinematic' material, which is mixed and monitored
in a calibrated multichannel environment. Movie
mode is a 'fixed' mode that is designed to give a
similar sound when listening using a home cinema
system to that obtained in a cinema.
Music mode : Stereo music is not designed for
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surround processing, although good surround
effects can be obtained through careful production.
As the optimum decoding method varies according
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to the recording, Music mode allows the user
adjustment of the processing characteristics.
Game mode: Video games today are extremely
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sophisticated, with dramatic 5.1 surround
audio tracks. Game mode gives augmented bass
management to capture the full effect of game
sounds panned to the surrounds, ensuring the
bass impact from purer surround effects are fully
delivered to the subwoofer.
dolby Pro Logic IIx
Dolby Pro Logic IIx is an extension of the Dolby Pro
Logic matrix-decoding method. The decoder allows
the processor to derive seven outputs from a two or
multichannel (up to 5.1 with EX) source to take better
advantage of all amplifiers and speakers in a 7.1 setup.
As with Pro Logic, there are three different modes
available: Movie, Music and Game. Due to different
recording methods used for movies and music, you
should select the correct mode for your source material.
dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Pro Logic is a legacy mode that is designed
to produce a five-channel output from two-channel
source material. It should be used only when the source
material is encoded as Dolby Pro Logic; otherwise,
we recommend the use of Dolby Pro Logic II. This is
because Pro Logic processing on straight stereo sources
can sound muffled and compressed.
dTS neo:6
DTS Neo:6 provides up to six full-band channels of
decoding from stereo material. The AVR500, AVR600
or AV888 will derive separate channels corresponding to
the standard home theatre layout.
Cinema : A movie mode designed to reproduce a
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movie theatre environment. Neo:6 technology allows
various sound elements within a channel or channels
to be steered separately, and in a way which follows
the original presentation naturally.
Music : A music mode designed to produce a lively,
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high-integrity surround-effect from most two-
channel music sources from all available speakers.
Neo:6 music mode expands stereo recordings into
the five or six-channel layout without diminishing
the subtlety and integrity of the original stereo
recording.