Parasound HALO C-2 Owner's Manual
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Parasound HALO C-2 Owner's Manual

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  • Page 1 C 2 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 2 Controller.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Unpacking And Placement Guidelines For the C 2 ......Getting Started ..........Controls and Operation .

  • Page 4: Unpacking And Placement Guidelines For The C

    While you are unpacking your C 2, 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 2, or to protect it when you move.

  • Page 5: Getting Started

    GETTING STARTED The Parasound C 2 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 2 into multi-room home-control systems.
  • Page 6 GETTING STARTED continued When you connect the C 2’s audio and audio-video inputs and outputs to the rest of your sys- tem (including your second entertainment zone, if you have one), you’ll find it easier if you start with the unbalanced analog audio jacks, which are on the bottom row, then work your way up the panel from there.

  • Page 7: Controls And Operation

    GETTING STARTED continued AC Connection and Power The C 2 operates on 90 - 260 volts, so no voltage selector switch is necessary. Plug its power cord into an AC outlet that is always live (unswitched). The C 2 will not operate properly if it’s plugged in to an AC outlet that might be switched off.
  • 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 – Volume + Thumbpad Volume – Mute Volume and Muting The large knob on the C 2 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 soft- ware 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 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. Changes in volume-control settings do not affect the signals at the analog audio Record outputs and Tape Monitor Rec/Out jacks, so you can readjust volume without making the signal levels in your recordings fluctuate.
  • Page 13 The amount of reverberation can be adjusted through Audio Setup (page 24). Party feeds dupli- cated 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...
  • Page 14 USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued Listening Modes and the Signals They Work With TYPE OF DOLBY DIGITAL STEREO INCOMING SIGNAL 3/2.1 ES Discrete ES Matrix 3/2.1 2/0 (DVD) PCM (CD) Analog Available Modes: Mono Stereo Direct Stereo96 (Yes) Dolby Modes: Pro Logic Pro Logic II Movie Pro Logic II Music...

  • Page 15: Dual-Zone Operation

    USING THE MAIN CONTROLS continued Using the Status Button and the Displays The display on the front panel of the C 2 Controller normally shows you the currently selected source, audio and video signal types, audio mode, and volume setting. If you have a video screen connected to one of the Controller’s “OSD”...

  • 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 2 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 THX Surround EX will not activate if no surround-back speakers 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. ” When THX modes are selected for an incompatible source or speaker setup, the C 2 will remember the selection and will automatically apply it if the setup is changed or a compatible source is selected.
  • Page 18 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued Page 2 of the C1/C2 Menu The factory-default input titles, shown here, match the factory defaults of the C 2. The inputs on this list and on the C 2 can be renamed by your dealer or installer to correspond to the sources in your system.

  • Page 19: Controlling Other Components In Your System

    USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued The circular thumbpad on the Master remote changes the • C 2 source input in either of two ways. Rocking it to the right or left makes the C 2 scan up or down through its input choices;...
  • Page 20 USING THE MASTER AND SIDEKICK REMOTES continued Even when the remotes are customized, however, the printed buttons will usually have the following functions: Previous Channel Channel Selection Guide Menu Players & Recorders Favorite Numerical Keypad The buttons surrounding the Master remote’s thumbpad are labeled for use as transport con- •...

  • Page 21: 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 2.

  • Page 22: 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 2 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 23 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued and the on-screen display would show something like this: Once again, pressing MENU brings you to the next option, as shown by the on-screen cursor and the second line of the front-panel display on the C 2. And once again, turning the front- panel knob slightly or rocking the thumbpad on the Master remote brings up a list of options.

  • Page 24: Audio Setup (Dolby/Dts, Bass Limiter, Presets, Treble And Bass, Lfe Level, Reverb)

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Audio Setup The settings made on this screen are “global, ” affecting all inputs and modes unless specifically overridden by settings made via other screens or via the remote. Treble and Bass can be set here in 1-dB steps for up to 12 dB of cut or boost.
  • Page 25 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Preset Setup The preset menu lets you create up five different sound profiles, each with its own memorized combination of Treble, Bass, Center level, Surround level, and Sub level adjustments. Each preset can then be assigned to one or more specific inputs in the “Source Setup”...

  • Page 26: Speaker Setup (Level, Distance, Size, Aux/Programmable Channels)

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Speaker Setup To hear the closest possible match to what the filmmak- ers heard when they mixed their soundtracks, your home theater must be set up so that each speaker gets the proper signals, that no speaker is louder or softer than it should be, relative to the others, and so that the sound from each speaker arrives at the proper time.
  • Page 27 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 28 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Aux (Programmable) Channel Setup The C 2 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 29 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 30 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Level and Distance Autocalibrate First, prepare the calibration microphone supplied with the C 2, 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 31: 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 2 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 32 ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Presets: The “Preset” menu line enables you to associate the source with any of the five preset combinations of bass, treble, and individual-channel level adjustments and bass and treble boost or cut (for the front left, center, and right channels only) and center, surround, or subwoofer level adjustments controlled by the “Preset setup”...

  • Page 33: Display Setup

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Display Setup The options on this screen affect the appearance of the on-screen display (OSD). TV system sets the OSD to NTSC (the television system used in the Western hemisphere and some Asian coun- tries) or PAL (the system predominant in Europe). If this is set incorrectly, the OSD information will roll up or down your video screen when the C 2 is set to an audio-only source;...

  • Page 34: Trigger Setup

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued Distance units controls whether the “Distance setup” screen shows speaker distances in feet or meters. OSD Output gives you the choice of sending on-screen display information to the composite video OSD output, the S-video OSD output, both, or neither (“Off”). If you set this for an output you’re not using, or to “Off, ”...

  • Page 35: Thx Audio Setup (Thx Ex Enable, Boundary Gain Compensation, Asa/Advanced Speaker Array)

    ADJUSTMENTS, MENUS, AND SETUP continued THX Audio Setup THX features are called “post-processing” because they are enhancements, not replacements, for Dolby Digital and DTS. THX provides further realism with most sources (see the chart on page 14). With THX post-processing switched on, THX Surround EX is selected automatically if a Dolby Digital soundtrack includes the digital “flag”...

  • 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 2, you can use this pro- gram to set up the C 2 and to store settings you’ve made through the setup menus described...

  • Page 37: Connecting Audio And Video Sources And Recorders

    Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Output Optical 1 Optical 3 Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Optical Coax 2 Coax 4 Optical 2...

  • Page 38: Summary Table

    CONNECTING AUDIO AND VIDEO SOURCES AND RECORDERS continued Unbalanced Lines, ” page 58. Balanced and unbalanced input signals normally appear at both the bal- anced and unbalanced outputs (including the recording outputs). However, in Bypass mode (see the chapter on “ Adjustments, Menus, and Setup, ” page 34), when the balanced input is selected its signal passes straight to the front left and front right balanced outputs, and unbalanced signals go only to the unbalanced outputs.
  • Page 39 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Video 2 Video 4 Video 6 Main...
  • Page 40 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Output Optical 1 Optical 3 Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Video 2 Video 4 Video 6 Main...
  • Page 41 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Optical Coax 2 Coax 4 Optical 2 Optical 4...

  • Page 42: Recorders

    Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Coax 4 Video 2 Video 4 Video 6...
  • Page 43 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Optical Coax 2 Coax 4 Optical 2 Optical 4...
  • Page 44 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Coax 4 Video 2 Video 4 Video 6...
  • Page 45 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Output Optical 1 Optical 3 Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Video 2 Video 4 Video 6 Main...

  • Page 46: Connecting The Audio And Video Outputs

    Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. Control San Francisco California, USA Jacks Video 2 Video 4 Video 6...
  • Page 47 Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Video 2 Video 4 Video 6 Main...

  • Page 48: Connecting Video Displays

    Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Output Optical 1 Optical 3 Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Video 2 Video 4 Video 6 Main...

  • Page 49: Connecting A Second Entertainment Zone

    Coax 3 S-Video Inputs S-Video Outputs Optical 1 Optical 3 Output Digital Out Controller Component Video Inputs and Output Main Parasound IR Inputs – 12V Triggers – Products, Inc. San Francisco California, USA Optical Coax 2 Coax 4 Optical 2 Optical 4...

  • Page 50: 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 51 CONNECTING THE AUDIO AND VIDEO OUTPUTS continued Add a rear-channel subwoofer: try 50% B, 25% LS, and 25% RS. Then add low-pass filtering, if • needed, and a delay time for the sub’s distance from your seat. If you prefer to add subwoofers on the sides of the room, try feeding the left sub 100% L + 60% C + 100% LS + 60% LFE, and feed the right sub 100% R + 60% C +100% RS + 60% LFE.

  • Page 52: Control Connections (Rs-232, Ir Inputs, Trigger Outputs)

    The capabilities of such con- nections, and the programming 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 2.
  • Page 53 The C 2 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 2 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 2 is switched off or disconnected from the AC power line.

  • Page 54: Troubleshooting Guide

    TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE TROUBLE PROBABLE CAUSE REMEDY No power Power cord is disconnected Connect power cord Rear-panel AC switch is turned off Turn switch back on AC outlet is dead Check outlet by plugging in another device; if dead, check fuse or circuit-breaker Power on, but no sound Level control set too low Turn up volume...
  • Page 55 Switch off the progressive scan mode on the Audible dialog is out of synchronize the audio signal with DVD player. Check sync with speakers’ lip www.parasound.com/halo the video image in its progres- further information on this issue movements when playing sive-scan mode...
  • Page 56 “locked up” by its rear-panel switch, wait about one don’t work minute, and turn it back on again 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...

  • Page 57: Servicing Your C 2

    Procedure for Returning your C 2 to Parasound for Service If we determine that you should send your C 2 to Parasound, we’ll give you a Return Authorization (RA) number. This RA number must be clearly marked on the outer carton only.

  • Page 58: Technically Speaking

    CMRR. and superior sound quality of Parasound Halo power The Tape Monitor and its Many Uses amplifiers, especially when the amplifiers are mount- The Tape Monitor Play/In and Rec/Out jacks on the ed far away, near the speakers.
  • Page 59 Washers are source (the C 2 has inputs for two such sources) and a included in Parasound rack mount kits, and extras TV or projector with component video inputs, as the are available from Parasound.
  • Page 60 TECHNICALLY SPEAKING continued connections for horizontal and vertical sync signals (or, tracks to compensate for the acoustical differences sometimes R, G and B plus a composite sync), as do between home theaters and commercial movie the VGA video inputs and outputs on computers; the theaters;...
  • Page 61 While this message appears, you won’t hear any The following are the Web addresses for companies sound; so a slight delay whenever you tune your mentioned in this manual: satellite receiver to another station is quite normal. www.parasound.com Parasound: • Autocalibration Distance Measurements www.dolby.com Dolby Laboratories: •...

  • Page 62: C 2 Design Overview

    Our design brief for the Halo By Parasound C 2 was nels that can each be fed a user-selectable mix of to produce a component that could serve as the cen- signals from the other channels.
  • Page 63 PARASOUND C 2 DESIGN OVERVIEW continued Functionality whatever you decide those are. The C 2 has inputs and outputs to accommodate any Free, downloadable software lets users program home theater configuration, the ability to automatically the C 2 and both remotes from their PCs.

  • Page 64: C 2 Specifications

    TITLE GOES HERE PARASOUND C 2 SPECIFICATIONS THIS WOULD BE A SECOND LINE Audio Characteristics Video Characteristics Frequency Response Bandwidth Digital Inputs 20 Hz – 42 kHz Component Video 300 MHz Analog Inputs 20 Hz – 22 kHz Composite, S-video 30 MHz, no OSD 7 .1-Channel Input...

  • Page 65: Index

    INDEX Digital inputs and outputs, 6, 12, 15, INFO button, 15, 18 16, 17 , 31, 32, 38 (table), 39-46 Infrared (See: IR) AC cord, 7 Digital Theater Systems (See: DTS) Input, 6, 14, 37-38, 62, 64 AC outlet, 7 Digital-to-analog converter (See: D/A) Input Selection, 7 , 8, 9, 11, 17-19, 21, 31, 56 AC connection, 7...
  • Page 66 Transport controls on remotes, 20 Panorama (See: PL II Panorama) Signal type vs. Listening Mode (Table), 14 Treble controls (See: Tone controls) Parasound T 3 tuner, 16 Size setup, 26-27 Trigger 6, 34 (setup), 53 (connections) Party mode, 13-14, 60...

  • Page 67: Connection And Setup Notes

    CONNECTION AND SETUP NOTES Notes:...
  • Page 68 ® Parasound Products, Inc. 950 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 415-397-7100 / Fax 415-397-0144 www.parasound.com V 0.97/6.42 © Parasound Products, Inc. 2003.

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