Introduction - Harman Kardon AVR 245 Owner's Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon!
With the purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 245
you are about to begin many years of listening
enjoyment. Designed to provide all the excitement
and detail of movie soundtracks and every nuance
of musical selections, the AVR is truly a multichan-
nel receiver for the new millennium. In addition to
the traditional 5.1 digital decoding modes such as
Dolby Digital and DTS, it offers the latest advance-
ments in surround technology such as Dolby Pro
Logic II and IIx, the full suite of DTS-ES 6.1 modes,
DTS Neo:6 and the latest 7.1 channel versions of
Harman's own Logic 7 technology.
The AVR has been engineered so that it is easy
to take advantage of all the power of its digital
technology. On-screen menus, fully color coded
connection jacks and terminals make installation
fast and simple. However, to obtain the maxi-
mum enjoyment from your new receiver, we urge
you to read this manual. A few minutes spent
learning the functions of the various controls will
enable you to take advantage of all the power
the AVR is able to deliver.
If you have any questions about this product, its
installation or its operation, please contact your
retailer or custom installer. They are your best
local sources of information.
Description and Features
The AVR is among the most versatile and multi-
featured A/V receivers available, incorporating a
wide range of listening options. In addition to
Dolby Digital and DTS decoding for digital
sources, a broad choice of surround modes for
Matrix surround-encoded or Stereo recordings are
available for use with sources such as CD, VCR, TV
broadcasts and the AVR's own FM/AM tuner.
Along with Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II
and IIx, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24, Dolby 3 Stereo, 5
Channel or 7 Channel Stereo and Hall and Theater
modes, the AVR offers Harman International's
exclusive Logic 7 process in both 5.1 and 7.1 ver-
sions to create a wider, more enveloping field
environment and more defined fly-overs and pans.
Dolby Virtual Speaker is available to create
enveloping sound fields from front left and right
speakers, and the latest Dolby Headphone
circuitry creates an amazing sense of openness
with headphones.
In addition to providing a wide range of listening
options, the AVR is easy to configure so that it
provides the best results with your speakers and
specific listening-room environment.
On-screen menus combine with the EzSet+
system to automate speaker configuration and
overall setup, resulting in a perfectly balanced
sound field presentation that accurately
reproduces the artist's intent.
**Compatible with all iPod models equipped with a dock connector, including third-generation "Click Wheel" models and newer. Not compatible with iPod
shuffle models. Although iPod photo models are compatible, images stored on the iPod may not be viewed.
A Stereo-Direct mode bypasses the digital proces-
sor to preserve all of the subtleties of older analog,
two-channel materials, while bass management,
available in the surround and Stereo-Digital
modes,improves your ability to tailor the sound to
suit your room acoustics or taste.
The AVR 245 takes the "video" part of its name
seriously. Along with two HDMI inputs and three
60MHz analog component video inputs, the
AVR 245 converts incoming analog signals to
component for single wire connections. Tying
audio and video together, the AVR 245 provides
A/V sync delay so that the lip sync errors – com-
monly seen when digital video processing is used
in a source, program or video display – are
eliminated.
For the ultimate in flexibility, the AVR features
connections for five video devices, all with both
composite and S-Video inputs. Two additional
audio inputs are available, and a total of six digi-
tal inputs and two outputs make the AVR 245
capable of handling all the latest digital audio
sources.
Coax and optical digital outputs are available for
direct connection to digital recorders. A video
recording output and a color-coded eight-channel
input make the AVR 245 virtually future-proof,
with everything needed to accommodate to-
morrow's new formats right on board.
Until now, Harman Kardon AVRs have been able
to accommodate almost any source device
equipped with line-level analog, optical digital or
coaxial digital outputs, including most digital
media players. With one simple connection
between the AVR 245 and the optional
Harman Kardon , you are able to listen
to materials stored on your compatible Apple
iPod ® **. Your AVR's system remote control has
been preprogrammed with control codes that
enable you to select tracks for playback and
navigate many of your iPod's functions, even from
across the room. The Bridge ™ will even let you
charge your iPod.
The AVR 245's flexibility and power extend
beyond your main home theater or listening
room. The AVR includes a sophisticated multizone
control system that allows you to select one
source for use in the main room and a different
one (Audio only) in a second room. Complete
control over volume is possible with a separate
infrared control link.
Additional multiroom options include the option
to assign two of the AVR's output channels to the
multiroom system.
The AVR 245's powerful amplifier uses traditional
Harman Kardon high-current design technologies
to meet the wide dynamic range of any program
selection.
Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity
receiver more then fifty years ago. With state-of-
the-art circuitry and time-honored circuit designs,
the AVR 245 is the perfect combination of the
latest in digital audio technology, a quiet yet
powerful analog amplifier in an elegant,
easy-to-use package.
■ Dolby*Digital, Dolby Digital EX and
Dolby Pro Logic* II and IIx Decoding, and
the full suite of DTS
DTS-ES ® 6.1 Discrete & Matrix and
Neo:6 ®.
■ Seven channels of high-current
amplification.
■ Harman Kardon's exclusive Logic 7
processing, available for the first time
with both 7.1 and 5.1 processing in a
variety of modes.
■
system with included micro-
phone automatically configures
speakers and sets delay times and out-
put levels for optimal sound
presentation.
■ Stereo-Direct Mode for Two-Channel
Sources Bypasses DSP Processing to Pre-
serve the Integrity of Analog Materials.
■ Stereo-Digital Mode for Programmable
Bass Management of Low Frequencies
Between Main Speakers and Subwoofer.
■ Two HDMI
™ 1.1 and three assignable
high-bandwidth analog component
inputs for compatibility with the latest
high-definition video sources.
■ Front panel analog A/V inputs.
■ Front panel digital inputs for easy
connection to portable digital devices
and the latest video game consoles.
®
■ Connects to Harman Kardon's
(optional) for charging, playback and
control of a compatible Apple
device.
■ Input titling for all input sources (except
tuner).
■ Multiple digital inputs and outputs.
■ On-screen menu and display system with
choice of blue or black background
screen.
■ A/V Sync delay adjustable for each input
delivers perfect lip sync with digital
programs or video displays.
■ 6-Channel/8-Channel Direct Input for
Use with Future Audio Formats.
■ Extensive bass management options,
including four separate crossover
groupings.
■ Extensive multiroom options, including
assignable amplifier channels for
listening to a separate source in a
remote zone.
■ Main Remote with Internal Codes.
® modes, including
®
® iPod ®
INTRODUCTION 3