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Operation
In addition to the Bitstream Indicators, the
AVR 3550 features a set of unique channel input
indicators that tell you how many channels of
digital information are being received and if the
digital signal is interrupted.
These indicators are the L/C/R/SL/SR/LFE letters
that are inside the center boxes of the
Speaker/Channel Input Indicators
front panel Main Information Display
When a standard analog stereo or matrix sur-
round signal is in use, only the "L" and "R" indi-
cators will light, as analog signals have only left
and right channels, respectively, even surround
recordings, carry surround information on the left
and right channels only.
Digital signals, however, may have one to six
separate channels, depending on the program
material, the method of transmission and the
way in which it was encoded. When a digital sig-
nal is playing, the letters in these indicators will
light in response to the specific signal being
received. It is important to note that although
Dolby Digital, for example, is referred to as a
"5.1" system, not all Dolby Digital DVD or audio
tracks selected on DVD or other Dolby Digital
programs are encoded for 5.1. Thus, it is some-
times normal for a DVD with a Dolby Digital
soundtrack to trigger e.g. only the "L" and "R"
indicators.
NOTE: Many DVD discs are recorded with both
"5.1" and "2.0" versions of the same sound-
track, the "2.0" version often is used with other
languages. When playing a DVD, always be cer-
tain to check the type of material on the disc.
Most discs show this information in the form of a
listing or icon on the back of the disc jacket.
When a disc does offer multiple soundtrack
choices you may have to make some adjustments
to your DVD player (usually with the "Audio
Select" button or in a menu screen on the disc)
to send a full 5.1 feed to the AVR or to select the
appropriate audio track and thus language
("2.0" audio tracks can be played with all Pro
Logic II or Vmax modes, see "Dolby Digital" on
page 28). It is also possible for the type of signal
feed to change during the course of a DVD play-
back. In some cases the previews of special
material will only be recorded in 2.0 audio, while
the main feature is available in 5.1 audio. As
long as your DVD player is set for 6-channel out-
put, the AVR will automatically sense changes to
the bitstream and channel count and reflect
them in these indicators.
The letters used by the Speaker/Channel Input
Indicators
also flash to indicate when a bit-
stream has been interrupted. This will happen
when a digital input source is selected before the
playback starts, or when a digital source such as
a DVD is put into a Pause mode. The flashing
indicators remind you that the playback has
stopped due to the absence of a digital signal
and not through any fault of the AVR. This is nor-
mal, and the digital playback will resume once
the playback is started again.
Night Mode
A special feature of Dolby Digital is the Night
mode, which enables Dolby Digital input sources
in the
to be played back with full digital intelligibilty
.
while reducing the maximum peak level and lift-
ing the low levels by
/
1
4
abruptly loud transitions from disturbing others
without reducing the impact of the digital source.
The Night mode is available only when Dolby
Digital mode is selected.
The Night mode may be engaged when a Dolby
Digital DVD is playing by pressing the Night
Button
on the remote. Next, press the
buttons
to select either the middle range or
full compression versions of the Night mode. To
turn the Night mode off, press the
until the message in the lower third of the
video display and the Main Information
Display
reads D-R OFF. When the Night
mode is active, the Night Mode Indicator
will also illuminate.
The Night mode may also be selected to always be
on at either level of compression as soon as the
Dolby Digital mode is turned on using the options
in the Surround Setup Menu. See page 22 for
information on using the menus to set this option.
IMPORTANT NOTES ON DIGITAL PLAYBACK:
1. When the digital playback source is stopped,
or in a pause, fast forward or chapter search
mode, the digital audio data will momentarily
stop, and the channel position letters inside the
Speaker/Channel Indicators
This is normal and does not indicate a problem
with either the AVR 3550 or the source machine.
The AVR will return to digital playback as soon as
the data is available and when the machine is in
a standard play mode.
2. Although the AVR will decode virtually all DVD
movies, CDs and HDTV sources, it is possible that
some future digital sources may not be compatible
with the AVR 3550.
3. Note that not all digitally encoded programs
and not all audio tracks on a DVD contain full
5.1-channel audio. Consult the program guide
that accompanies the DVD or laser disc to deter-
mine which type of audio has been recorded on
the disc. The AVR 3550 will automatically sense
the type of digital surround encoding used, indi-
cate it in the Bitstream Indicators
Channel Input Indicators
accommodate it.
4. When a Dolby Digital or DTS source is playing,
you normally may not be able to select some of
the analog surround modes such as Dolby Pro
Logic II, Dolby 3 Stereo, Hall, Theater, 5CH Stereo
or Logic 7, except with special audio tracks (see
indication "Dolby Digital" on previous page) or
data format selected (see "PCM" on previous
page).
5. When a Dolby Digital or DTS source is playing,
to
/
. This prevents
it is not possible to make an analog recording
1
3
using the Tape
puts, if the source is connected to any digital
input of the AVR only. But the analog two chan-
nel signal of that source, the "Downmix" to
Stereo or Dolby Surround, can be recorded by
connecting its analog audio outputs to the
appropriate analog inputs (e.g. DVD) of the AVR,
/
as soon as the appropriate analog input is
selected on the AVR. Note that DTS sources will
not be "downmixed" by the player unless its
buttons
/
digital output is set to "PCM". Additionally, the
digital signals will be passed through to the
Digital Audio Outputs
Tape Recording
In normal operation, the audio or video source
selected for listening through the AVR is sent to
the record outputs. This means that any program
you are watching or listening to may be recorded
simply by placing machines connected to the out-
puts for Tape Outputs
in the record mode.
When a digital audio recorder is connected to
any of the Digital Audio Outputs
able to record the digital signal using a CD-R,
MiniDisc or other digital recording system.
will flash.
Note that all digital signals will be passed
through to both, coaxial and optical, digital out-
puts simultanously, no matter which kind of digi-
tal input was selected.
NOTES:
• The AVR 3550 can convert an analog input to a
digital signal. This way the analog or digital signals
can be recorded on a CD-R via the digital output.
Note that the change of format (eg from Dolby
Digital to PCM or vice versa) is not possible.
In additon, the digital recorder must be compatible
with the output signal. For example, the PCM digi-
tal output from a CD player may be recorded on a
CD-R or MiniDisc, but Dolby Digital or DTS signals
may not.
• To make an analog recording of a Dolby Digital
or DTS source is not possible, if the source is con-
and
nected to a digital input of the AVR only. But the
and adjust to
analog two channel signal of that source can be
recorded (see item 5, "Important Notes on
Digital Playback" above).
or Video 1
record out-
.
or Video 1 Output
, you are
OPERATION 29
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