Harman Kardon AVR-254 Service manual

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AVR254

7 X 50W 7.1 CHANNEL A/V RECEIVER

SERVICE MANUAL

CONTENTS

ESD WAR N ING……………………………….2

LEAKAGE TESTING……………….…..…....3

BASIC SPECIFICATIONS…………………..4 PACKAGING…………………………….……5

FRO NT PANEL CO NTRO L S ………..…..…..6

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS………….…9

REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS……….12

CONNECTIONS/INSTALLATION………....15

OPERATION………………………...………28

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE…...……..…32

REMOTE & PR OCESSOR R ESETS……....33

harman/k ar don, Inc.

250 Crossways Park Dr. Released 2008 Woodbur y, New York 11797 Rev0 5/2008 Discontinued XXXX

DISASSEM BLY…...…………………………..34

UNIT EXPLOD ED VI EW…………..…….…..35

EXPLODED VIEW PARTS LIST……………36 AMP BIAS ADJUSTMENT……………….…37 BLOCK DIAGRAM…………………………..38 PCB DRAWINGS……………………………39 ELECTRICAL PARTS LIST………..….……46 SEMICONDUCTOR PINOUTS…….………88

SCHEMATICS……………………………….176

WIRING DIAGRAM………………………….189

AVR254

harman/kardon

Some semiconductor (solid state) devices can be damaged easily by static electricity . Such components commonly are called

Electrostatically Sensitive (ES) Devices. Examples of typical ES devices are integrated circuits and some field effect transistors and

semiconductor "chip" components.

The following techniques should be used to help reduce the incidence of component damage caused by static electricity.

1. Immediately before handling any semiconductor component or semiconductor -equippedassembly,drain off any electrostatic charge on

your body by touching a known earth ground. Alternatively, obtain and wear a commercially available discharging wrist strap device,

which should be removed for potential shock reasons prior to applying power to the unit under test.

2. After removing an electrical assembly equipped with ES devices, place the assembly on a conductive surface such as aluminum foil, to

prevent electrostatic charge build-up or exposure of the assembly .

3. Use only a grounded-tip soldering iron to solder or unsolder ES devices.

4. Use only an anti-static solder removal device. Some solder removal devices not classified as "anti-static" can generate electrical charges

sufficient to damage ES devices.

5. Do not use freon-propelled chemicals. These can generate electrical change sufficient to damage ES devices.

6. Do not remove a replacement ES devicefrom its protective package until immediately before you are ready to install it.(Most replacement

ES devices are packaged with leads electrically shorted together by conductive foam, aluminum foil or comparable conductive material.)

7. Immediately before removing the protective material from the leads of a replacement ES device, touch the protective material to the

chassis or circuit assembly into which the device will be installed.

CAUTION :

8. Minimize bodily motions when handling unpackaged replacement ES devices. (Otherwise harmless motion such as the brushing together

or your clothes fabric or the lifting of your foot from a carpeted floor can generate static electricity sufficient to damage an ES devices.

Be sure no power is applied to the chassis or circuit, and observe all other safety precautions.

Eachprecautioninthismanualshouldbefollowedduringservicing.

Components identified with the IEC symbol in the parts list are special significance to safety .When replacing a component identified with

, use only the replacement parts designated, or parts with the same ratings or resistance, wattage, or voltage that are designated in the

parts list in this manual. Leakage-current or resistance measurements must be made to determine that exposed parts are acceptably

insulated from the supply circuit before retuming the product to the customer.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The following check should be performed for the continued protection of the customer and service technician.

LEAKAGE CURRENT CHECK

Measure leakage current to a known earth ground (water pipe, conduit, etc.) by connecting a leakage current tester between the earth ground and all exposed metal parts of the appliance (input/output terminals, screwheads, metal overlays, control shaft, etc.). Plug the AC line cord of the appliance directly into a 120V AC 60Hz outlet and turn the AC power switch on. Any current measured must not exceed o.5mA.

ANY MEASUREMENTS NOT WITHIN THE LIMITS OUTLINED ABOVE ARE INDICATIVE OF A POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD AND MUST BE CORRECTED BEFORE RETURNING THE APPLIANCE TO THE CUSTOMER.

AVR254

Reading should not be above

0.5mA Device under test

Leakage current tester

harman/kardon

Test all exposed metal surfaces

Also test with plug reversed (Using AC adapter plug as required)

Earth ground

AC Leakage Test

AVR254

harman/kardon

AVR 254 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Audio Section

Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC)

65 Watts per channel,20Hz–20kHz, @ <0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms

Seven-Channel Surround Modes Power per Individual Channel

Front L & R channels: 50 Watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Center channel: 50 Watts @ <0.07% THD,20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Surround (L & R Side, L & R Back) channels: 50 Watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Input Sensitivity/Impedance

Linear (High-Level) 200mV/47k ohms Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A) 100dB Surround System Adjacent Channel Separation

Pro Logic I/II 40dB

Dolby Digital (AC-3) 55dB

DTS 55dB Frequency Response

@ 1W (+0dB,–3dB) 10Hz – 130kHz High Instantaneous

Current Capability (HCC) ±35 Amps Transient Intermodulation

Distortion (TIM) Unmeasurable Slew Rate 40V/µsec

FM Tuner Section

Frequency Range 87.5–108.0MHz

Usable Sensitivity IHF 1.3µV/13.2dBf

Signal-to-Noise Ratio Mono/Stereo 70/68dB

Distortion Mono/Stereo 0.2/0.3%

Stereo Separation 40dB @ 1kHz

Selectivity ±400kHz, 70dB

Image Rejection 80dB

IF Rejection 90dB

Please register your AVR 254 on our Web site at

www.harmankardon.com. NOTE:

You’ll need the product’s serial number. At the same time,you can choose to be notified about our new products and/or special promotions.

AM Tuner Section

Frequency Range 520–1720kHz Signal-to-Noise Ratio 45dB Usable Sensitivity Loop 500 µV Distortion 1kHz, 50% Mod 0.8% Selectivity ±10kHz, 30dB

Video Section

Television Format NTSC Input Level/Impedance 1Vp-p /75 ohms Output Level/Impedance 1Vp-p /75 ohms

Video Frequency Response (Composite and S-Video) 10Hz–8MHz (–3dB)

Video Frequency Response (Component Video) 10Hz–100MHz (–3dB)

™

HDMI

General

Power Requirement AC 120V/60Hz Power Consumption 65W idle,540W maximum

Dimensions (Product) (Shipping) Width 17-5/16 inches (440mm) 21-7/8 inches (555mm) Height 6-1/2 inches (165mm) 10-1/2 inches (266mm) Depth 15 inches (382mm) 18-5/16 inches (465mm)

Weight 27.1 lb (12.3kg) 32.8 lb (14.9kg)

Depth measurement includes knobs,buttons and ter minal connections. Height measurement includes feet and chassis. All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Harman Kardon and Logic 7 are trademarks of Harman International Industries,Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries.EzSet/EQ, Designed to Entertain and The Bridge logo are trademarks of Harman International Industries,Incorporated.

iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Audiovox is a registered trademark of Audiovox Corporation. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association. CEA is a registered trademark of the Consumer Electronics Association. Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark of Cirrus Logic,Inc. Dolby and Pro Logic are registered trademarks,and MLP Lossless is a trademark, of Dolby Laboratories. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of

DTS-HD Master Audio are trademarks, of DTS, Inc. Manufactured under license under U.S. Patent #’s: 5,451,942; 5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762; 6,226,616; 6,487,535; 7,003,467 and other U.S. and worldwide patents issued and pending.© 1996-2007 DTS,Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Faroudja DCDi Cinema is a registered trademark of Genesis Microchip Inc. HD-DVD is a trademark of the DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation (DVD FLLC). HDMI is a trademark or registered trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC. SACD is a trademark of Sony Corporation. TiVo is a registered trademark of TiVo Inc. XM and XM Ready are registered trademarks of XM Satellite Radio.

Version 1.3a with 10-bit Deep Color

(7 channels driven)

(Product) (Shipping)

AVR254

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AVR254

FRONT-PANEL CONTROLS

Main Power Switch:This mechanical switch turns the power supply

on or off. It is usually left pressed in (On position), and cannot be turned on using the remote control.

Standby/On Switch: This electrical switch turns the receiver on

for playback, or leaves it in Standby mode for quick turn-on using this switch or the remote control.

See the Advanced Functions section for more information on surround modes.

Analog Audio,Video and Digital Audio Inputs: Connect a

source component that will only be used temporarily, such as a digital camera or game console,to these jacks.Use only one type of audio and one type of video connection.

Power Indicator:This LED has four possible modes:

• Main Power Off: When the AVR is unplugged or the Main Power

Switch is off, this LED is off.

• Standby: The LED is amber, indicating that the AVR is ready to be turned on.

• On: The LED is white,when the AVR is on and operating normally.

• Protect: If the PROTECT message ever appears,tur n off the AVR

and unplug it. Check all speaker wires for a possible short. If none is found, bring the unit to an authorized Harman Kardon service center for inspection and repair before using it again.

Source List: Press this button to select a source device,which

is a component where a playback signal originates,such as DVD, cable TV, satellite or the tuner.

Volume Knob:Turn this knob to raise or lower the volume. Message Display:Various messages appear in this two-line display

in response to commands and changes in the incoming signal. In normal operation, the current source name appears on the upper line,while the surround mode is displayed on the lower line.When the on-screen display menu system (OSD) is in use,the current menu settings appear.

Headphone Jack/EzSet/EQ Microphone Input: Plug a 1/4"

headphone plug into this jack for private listening. This jack is also used to connect the supplied microphone for the

EzSet/EQ procedure described in the Initial Setup section.To begin EzSet/EQ,plug the supplied microphone into this jack, place the microphone at the listening position, and follow the directions given in the Speaker Setup-Automatic Setup-EzSet/EQ on-screen menu.

NOTES:

• Each of these connections (analog audio,digital audio and video) may be independently assigned to any source.See the Initial Setup section for information on setting up sources, including assigning audio and video inputs to a source.

• Although these jacks are labeled Optical 3,Coaxial 3 and Video 4 on the AVR, the AVR’s menus refer to them as the Optical Front, Coaxial Front,Composite Front, S-Video Front and Analog Front inputs.

Speaker/Channel Input Indicators:The box icons indicate

which speaker positions you have configured (see the Initial Setup Section), and the size (frequency range) of each speaker.The letters will light inside the boxes to indicate which channels are present in the incoming signal.

Navigation: These buttons are used to navigate the AVR’s menus

and to operate the tuner.

Remote IR Sensor:This sensor receives infrared (IR) commands

from the remote control. It is important to ensure that it is not blocked. If covering the sensor is unavoidable,such as when the AVR 254 is placed inside a cabinet, you may use an optional Harman Kardon HE 1000, or other infrared receiver, connecting it to the Remote IR Input on the AVR 254’s rear panel.Alter natively,connect the Remote IR Output of another compatible component to the AVR 254’s Remote IR Input. Point the remote at the other device’s remote sensor, and the command will be transmitted to the AVR 254. An external IR “blaster” may also be used, positioned to point at this area.

AVR Settings Button:Press this button to access the AVR’s

main menu.

Info Settings Button: Press this button to directly access the

Surround Modes: Press this button to select a surround sound

(e.g., multichannel) mode.The Surround Modes menu will appear on screen, and the menu line will appear in the front-panel display.

AVR’s Source Info submenu,which contains the settings for the current source.

Resolution: Each press of this button changes the AVR’s video output

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Use the front-panel or remote menu line:Auto Select, Virtual Surround, Stereo,Movie,Music or Video Game.Each line represents a type of audio signal, and is set to the preferred surround mode that you manually select.

Press the OK Button when the menu line is highlighted, and the available surround mode options for the current signal will appear.

⁄/¤

Use the OK Button to engage it. Press the Back/Exit Button to exit the Surround Modes menu.

Buttons to select the desired mode,and press the

Buttons to highlight a different

resolution to these settings: 480i, 480p, 720p,1080i or 1080p.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the AVR’s video output resolution is set higher than the capabilities of the actual connection, you will not see a picture.If the best video connection from the AVR to the TV is either composite or S-video,press this button until the resolution is set to 480i.

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Resolution

Source

List

Navigation

Video Modes

Back/ Exit

Navigation

Headphone Jack/EzSet/EQ Microphone Input

Digital Audio Inputs (Optical 3 and Coaxial 3)

Video 4 Video Inputs

Video 4 Analog Audio Inputs

Surround Modes

Audio Effects

AVR Info

Power Indicator

Main Power

Switch

Standby/On Switch

Volume

Message Display

Speaker/Channel Input Indicators

Remote IR Sensor

AVR254

harman/kardon

NOTE: To make it easier to follow the instructions throughout the manual that refer to this illustration, a copy of this page may be downloaded from the Product Support section at www.harmankardon.com.

AVR254

FRONT-PANEL CONNECTIONS

Audio Effects: Press this button to directly access the Audio Effects

submenu, which allows adjustment of the tone and other controls. See the Initial Setup section for more information.

Video Modes: Press this button for direct access to the Video Modes

submenu, which contains settings that may be used to improve the picture if necessary after you have adjusted the picture settings using the video display or TV.

OK: Press this button to select the currently highlighted item. Back/Exit: Press this button to return to the previous menu, or

to exit the menu system.

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AVR254

REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS

AM and FM Antenna Terminals: Connect the included AM

and FM antennas to their respective terminals for radio reception.

XM Antenna Jack: Plug in an XM Connect and Play or Mini Tuner

antenna module here.The XM antenna module is purchased separately, and should specify that it is for home use with an XM Ready You will need to subscribe to the XM service, which is available separately, and activate the service for your antenna module.(XM service is not available in Alaska and Hawaii.)

Front,Center and Surround Speaker Outputs: Use two-

conductor speaker wire to connect each set of terminals to the correct speaker. Remember to observe the correct polarity (positive and negative connections).Always connect the positive lead to the colored terminal on the receiver and the red terminal on the speaker. Connect the negative lead to the black terminal on both the receiver and the speaker. See the Connections section for more information on connecting your speakers.

product.

Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs:These speaker

outputs are used for the surround back channels in a 7.1-channel home theater, or may be reassigned to a remote room for multizone operation. When these outputs are reassigned for multizone operation, only a

5.1-channel configuration will be available in the main listening room. Use the on-screen menu system to configure these channels as desired.

As with the other speaker outputs,remember to observe proper polarity by connecting the positive and negative output terminals to the corresponding terminals on each speaker.

Subwoofer Output: If you have a powered subwoofer with a

line-level input, connect it to this jack.

Preamp Outputs: Connect these jacks to an external amplifier if

more power is desired. The Surround Back/Zone 2 Preamp Outputs may be used with an

external amplifier to power the surround back channels,or to power the remote zone of a multizone system. Use the on-screen menu system to configure these channels as desired.

Remote Infrared (IR) Input and Output:When the remote IR

receiver on the front panel is blocked, such as when the AVR is placed inside a cabinet, connect an optional IR receiver to the Remote IR Input jack for use with the remote control.The Remote IR Output may be connected to the Remote IR Input of a compatible product to enable remote control through the AVR. This is particularly useful in multizone applications to control a source device from the remote room (when used with the Zone 2 IR Input).When several source devices are used, connect them in “daisy chain”fashion.

Zone 2 Infrared (IR) Input: Connect a remote IR receiver located

in the remote zone of a multizone system to this jack to control the AVR (and any source devices connected to the Remote IR Output) from the remote zone.

Composite and S-Video 1, 2 and 3 Video Inputs:These

jacks may be used to connect your video-capable source components (e.g.,VCR, DVD player,cable TV box) to the receiver. Use only one type

of video connection for each source.These inputs are assignable, which means they may be paired with any analog or digital audio inputs.This will be explained in more detail in subsequent sections of this manual.

NOTE: The Video 2 inputs are associated with a set of outputs. Consider connecting a video recorder here.

Composite and S-Video 2 Outputs: Connect one of these

analog video outputs to the composite or S-video inputs of a recording device.A signal is available at these outputs whenever an analog video source is playing.HDMI and component video signals are not available for recording.

Composite and S-Video Monitor Outputs: If any of your

sources use composite or S-video connections,connect one or both of these monitor outputs to the corresponding inputs on your television or video display. If your video display is equipped with HDMI or component video inputs,these connections are unnecessary.Connect the HDMI Monitor Output (if available,otherwise use the Component Video Monitor Output) to your TV, and the AVR 254 will convert the composite or S-video source signal to the correct format for a single video cable connection to the TV.

HDMI Inputs and Output: HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia

Interface) is a connection for transmitting digital audio and video signals between devices.With the AVR 254’s powerful processor, you may connect up to three HDMI-equipped source devices to the HDMI inputs using a single-cable connection, while benefiting from superior digital audio and video performance.If your video display is not HDMI-compatible, connect the device to one of the analog video inputs,then pair it with an analog or digital audio input.

If your video display has an HDMI input, make just the HDMI video connection to your display; the AVR 254 will automatically transcode analog video signals to the HDMI format, upscaling to as high as 1080p.

Analog 1– 5: Connect the left and right analog audio outputs of

a source device to any of these inputs.These inputs are assignable, which means they may be paired with any video inputs,as explained in subsequent sections of this manual.

NOTES:

• The Analog 3 through 5 connectors physically line up below the Video 1 through 3 (composite and S-video) connectors. For convenience, consider using Analog 3 with Video 1,Analog 4 with Video 2 and Analog 5 with Video 3, if appropriate for your system.

• The Analog 1 and 2 connectors don’t physically line up with any analog video inputs.Consider using them for audio-only devices,such as a CD player or cassette tape deck.

• The Analog 2 and 4 inputs are each associated with a set of outputs.Consider using the Analog 2 connectors for an audio recorder, and the Analog 4 connectors for a video recorder (along with the Video 2 connectors).

• You may optionally connect a source to both an analog and digital audio input.This is useful for making recordings, for multizone applications or simply as a backup.

harman/kardon

AVR254

REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS

Analog 2 and 4 Outputs: Connect either of these analog audio

outputs to the analog audio inputs of a recording device.A signal is available at these outputs whenever an analog audio source is playing. However, the AVR 254 does not convert digital audio sources to analog for recording.

Coaxial 1/2 and Optical 1/2 Digital Audio Inputs:If a

source has a compatible digital audio output, and if you are not using an HDMI connection for audio for the device,connect it to one of these jacks to hear digital audio formats,such as Dolby Digital, DTS and linear PCM. Use only one type of digital audio connection for each source.

Coaxial Digital Audio Output:If a source is also an audio

recorder, connect a coaxial digital audio output to the recorder’s input for improved recording quality. Only PCM digital audio signals are available for recording.

RS-232 Mode: Leave this switch popped out in the Operate position

unless the AVR 254 is being upgraded.

RS-232 Reset:This switch is only used during a software upgrade.

A standard processor reset is performed by pressing and holding the front-panel OK Button.

Switched AC Accessory Outlet: You may plug the AC power

cord of one source device into this outlet, and it will turn on whenever you turn on the receiver. Do not use a source that consumes more than 50 watts of power.

AC Power Cord:After you have made all other connections, plug

the AC power cord into an unswitched outlet.

Stereo Jack: Enjoy audio from an iPod (not included), CD player or

other portable player by connecting its headphone jack to this input using a 1/8” stereo mini-plug cable (not included).Video and still-image playback are not available at this input.

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6-/8-Channel Inputs: Connect the multichannel analog audio

™

outputs of a DVD-Audio,SACD (or any other external decoder) to these jacks to enjoy these formats.

NOTE: When the multichannel player has an onboard digital decoder, it is not necessary to connect it to the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs. Only a digital audio connection (HDMI, coaxial or optical) is needed.

, Blu-ray Disc™or HD-DVD™player

Component Video 1 and 2 Inputs:If a video source (e.g., DVD

player or HDTV tuner) has analog component video (Y/Pb/Pr) capability, and if you are not using an HDMI connection for the device,then connect the component video outputs of the source to one of the two component video inputs.Do not make any other video connections to that source.

Component Video Monitor Outputs:If you are using one of

the Component Video Inputs and your television or video display is component-video-capable,and if you are not connecting the HDMI Output to your display, connect these jacks to the corresponding inputs on your video display.

NOTES:

• Due to copy-protection restrictions,there is no output at the Component Video Monitor Outputs for copy-protected sources.

• Composite and S-video signals are upscaled to as high as 1080i and available at these outputs.If your video display’s best connection is component video,it is the only video connection required from the AVR to the display.

RS-232 Serial Port:This specialized connector may be used with

your personal computer in case we offer a software upgrade for the receiver at some time in the future.

FM Antenna

Antenna

AM Antenna

S-Video 2 Output

Composite 2 Output

Composite 1, 2 and 3

S-Video 1, 2 and 3

Video Monitor Outputs

HDMI 1, 2 and 3

AC Power Cord

Component 1 and 2

Stereo Jack

HDMI Monitor Output

Component Video Monitor Outputs

Subwoofer Output

Preamp Outputs

Front Speaker Outputs

Surround Speaker Outputs

6-/8Channel Inputs

Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs

Center Speaker Outputs

Switched AC Accessory Outlet

RS-232 Reset

RS-232 Serial Port

Coaxial Digital Audio Output

Coaxial 1 and 2 Digital Audio

Optical 1 and 2 Digital Audio

Analog 1-5 Inputs

Zone 2 IR Input

Remote IR Input

Remote IR Output

Analog 2 Outputs

Analog 4 Outputs

RS-232 Mode

AVR254

harman/kardon

AVR254

REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

The AVR 254 remote is capable of controlling 7devices,including the AVR itself. During the installation process,you may program the codes for each of your source components into the remote.Each time you wish to use the codes for any component, first press its Selector button. This changes the button functions to the appropriate codes.

Each Source Selector has been preprogrammed to control certain types of components,with only the codes specific to each brand and model changing,depending on which product code is programmed. The AUX Source Selector may be used for any of five device types: a CD player, an HDTV set-top box, a PVD recorder used with cable or satellite television, a TiVO on the product code programmed into the AUX Source Selector as described in the Initial Setup section. CD players use codes beginning with a 0, 1 or 2;VCRs use codes beginning with a 3 or 4; HDTV set-top boxes use codes beginning with a 6; PVDs use codes beginning with a 7 and TiVO set-top boxes use codes beginning with an 8. The remote automatically switches to the correct device mode,and it will operate the device as described in the function list in Table A13 in the appendix.

Similarly, the CBL/SAT Source Selector automatically selects cable or satellite television operation depending on the first digit of the product code: 0, 1 or 2 for cable and 3 or 4 for satellite boxes.

Most of the buttons on the remote have dedicated functions,although the precise codes transmitted will vary depending on which source device has been selected for operation. Due to the wide variety of functions unique to various source devices,we have included only a few of the mostoften used functions on the remote,including alphanumeric keys,transport controls,television-channel control, menu access and power on and off. Please refer to the descriptions below for more specific information.

Some buttons are only used to operate the AVR, and their functions are available at any time,even if the remote has been switched to another device’s mode:AVR Power On and Off, Audio Effects,Video Modes, Surround Modes,Volume and Mute. Press the AVR Settings button near the bottom of the remote to return it to AVR mode.

Any given button may have different functions,depending on which component is being controlled. Some buttons are labeled with these functions.For example,the Page Up/Down Buttons are labeled for use as Channel Up/Down Buttons when controlling a television or cable box. See Table A13 in the appendix for listings of the different functions for each type of component.

set-top box or a VCR.The device mode will depend

IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the AVR 254’s audio and video inputs are independently assignable.As explained in the Initial Setup section, it is necessary to set up each source,which includes selecting the inputs to which the device is physically connected.Any device may be connected to any compatible input and given any name (e.g. DVD or Game).The Source Selectors’ device types may be changed. For example, the TV Source Selector may be reprogrammed to operate a DVD player.

IR Transmitter Lens: As buttons are pressed on the remote,

infrared codes are emitted through this lens.Make sure it is pointing toward the component being operated.

AVR Power On Button:Press this button to turn on the AVR. The

Master Power Switch on the AVR 254’s front panel must first have been switched on.

Device Power Off Button:When the remote has been switched to

a device’s mode by pressing its Source Selector, press this button to turn off the device.

Device Power On Button:When the remote has been switched

to a device’s mode by pressing its Source Selector, press this button to turn on the device.

Mute Button: Press this button to mute the AVR 254’s speaker and

headphone outputs temporarily. To end the muting,press this button or adjust the volume.Muting is also canceled when the receiver is turned off.

AVR Power Off Button:Press this button to turn off the AVR 254. Source Selectors: Press one of these buttons to select a source

device,which is a component where a playback signal originates,e.g., DVD, CD,cable TV, satellite or HDTV tuner.This will also turn on the receiver and switch the remote’s mode to operate the source device. The first press of the Radio Selector switches the AVR to the last-used tuner band (AM, FM or XM). Each successive press changes the band.

Audio Effects: This button is only used to operate the AVR.Press it

to directly access the Audio Effects submenu,which allows adjustment of the tone and other controls.Each successive press scrolls to the next line in the menu. See the Initial Setup section for more information.

Video Modes: This button is only used to operate the AVR.Press it

for direct access to the Video Modes submenu,which contains settings that may be used to improve the picture if necessary after you have adjusted the picture settings using the video display or TV. Each successive press scrolls to the next line in the menu. See the Advanced Functions section for more information.

Surround Modes: This button is only used to operate the AVR.Press

it to directly access the Surround Modes submenu. Each successive press scrolls to the next line in the menu, or use the to scroll to the next line:Auto Select, Virtual Surround, Stereo,Movie, Music or Video Game. Each menu line represents a type of audio signal, and is set to the preferred surround mode that you manually select.

Press the OK Button when the menu line is highlighted, and the available surround mode options for the current signal will appear. Use the Buttons to select the desired mode,and press the OK Button to engage it. Press the Back/Exit Button to exit the Surround Modes menu and display the next higher menu in the hierarchy.

See the Advanced Functions section for more information on surround modes.

Sleep Settings Button: Press this button to activate the sleep timer,

which turns off the receiver after a programmed period of time of up to 90 minutes.Each successive press increases the timer by 10 minutes, ending with the “Sleep Off”message.

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⁄/¤

Buttons

⁄/¤

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

Source Selectors

Audio Effects

Alphanumeric Keys

Teletext

Volume

Mute

Device Power On Device Power Off

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Navigation

Activity

Disc Menu

Channel

Sleep Settings

Transport Controls

Source Settings

IR T ransmitter Lens

Last

Back/Exit

Record

Info Settings AVR Settings

Zone Selector

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REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

Volume Control:Press this button to raise or lower the volume. Navigation (

used to make selections within the menu system.These buttons are also used to operate the tuner.

Alphanumeric Keys: Use these buttons to enter numbers for

radio station frequencies or to select station presets.Use the alphabetic keys with other products as required.When prompted for a text entry, the first press of the key displays the first letter printed above the key. Each additional press displays the other letters.When the desired letter appears,wait a moment for it to be entered before moving to the next character.

⁄/¤

›

/‹/

) and OK Buttons: These buttons are

Zone Selector: Use this switch to select whether AVR commands

will affect the main listening area (Zone 1) or the remote zone of a multizone system (Zone 2). For normal operation, leave the switch in the Zone 1 position.

Track Skip: These buttons have no effect on the receiver, but are

used with source components to change tracks or chapters.

Transport Controls: These buttons have no effect on the receiver,

but are used to control many source components.

Last Channel:When controlling a cable,satellite or HDTV set-top

box or a TV, press this button to return to the previous television channel.

Activity:This button may be programmed to transmit a series of

commands with a single press,which is useful for powering on all devices and selecting the correct settings on each device,or for selecting multi-digit channels with a single press.See the Advanced Functions section for more information on Activities.

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Back/Exit: Press this button to return to the previous menu or to exit

the menu system.This button may have the same effect with some source devices.

Menu Button:This button is used to display the main menu on some

source devices.To display the AVR 254’s main menu, press the AVR Settings Button.

Disc Menu:While a DVD is playing,press the DVD Source Selector,

then this button, to display the disc’s menu.

Teletext Buttons: Use these buttons with a Teletext-capable televi-

sion if your broadcast, cable or satellite provider offers Teletext ser vice. They are normally not used in North America.These buttons are also used to operate some source devices.See Table A13 in the appendix for details.

Channel/Page Control:When the tuner has been selected,this

control selects a preset radio station. Press these buttons while operating a cable,satellite or HDTV set-top box or a television to change channels.The Page control may be available with some DVD players when playing a DVD Audio disc containing pages of images associated with a track.

Record Button: Use this button to make recordings when an audio

or video recorder is in use.

AVR Settings Button:Press this button to display the AVR’s Main

Menu. It is also used to switch the remote’s device mode from a source device to the AVR.

Info Settings Button: Press this button to display the AVR’s Info

Menu, which contains the settings for the current source.

Source Settings Button: Press a Source Selector and then this

button to display a source device’s settings menu.

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12 3

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CONNECTIONS

There are different types of audio and video connections used to connect the receiver to the speakers and video display, and to connect the source devices to the receiver.To make it easier to keep them all straight, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA a color-coding standard. See Table 1.

Table 1– Connection Color Guide

Audio Connections

Left Right Front (FL/FR) Center (C) Surround (SL/SR) Surround Back (SBL/SBR) Subwoofer (SUB)

Digital Audio Connections

Coaxial Optical

Video Connections

Component Y Pb Pr Composite S-Video

HDMI™ Connections (digital audio/video)

HDMI

Input

) has established

Bare wire cables are installed as follows (see Figure 2):

1. Unscrew the terminal cap until the pass-through hole in the collar is revealed.

2. Insert the bare end of the wire into the hole.

3. Hand-tighten the cap until the wire is held snugly.

Figure 2 – Binding-Post Speaker Terminals With Bare Wires

Subwoofer

The subwoofer is a specialized type of loudspeaker used to play only the low frequencies (bass), which require much more power than the other speaker channels.In order to obtain the best results,most speaker

Types of Connections

This section will briefly review different types of cables and connections.

Speaker Connections

Speaker cables carry an amplified signal from the receiver’s speaker terminals to each loudspeaker. Speaker cables contain two wire conductors,or leads,inside plastic insulation. The two conductors are usually differentiated in some way, by using different colors,or stripes, or by adding a ridge to the insulation. Sometimes the wires are different, colors e.g. copper-colored and silver.

manufacturers offer powered subwoofers,in which the speaker contains its own amplifier on board. Usually, a line-level (nonamplified) connection is made from the receiver’s Subwoofer Output to a corresponding jack on the subwoofer, as shown in Figure 3, but sometimes the subwoofer is connected to the receiver using the front left and right speaker outputs, as with passive in-wall subwoofers,and then the front left and right speakers are connected to terminals on the subwoofer.

Although the subwoofer output looks similar to the analog audio jacks used for the various components,it is filtered and only allows the low frequencies to pass.Don’t connect this output to any other devices.

Although doing so won’t cause any harm, performance will suffer. The differentiation is important because each speaker must be connected to the receiver’s speaker-output terminals using two wires,one positive (+) and one negative (–), referred to as speaker polarity. It’s important to maintain the proper polarity for all speakers in the system, or performance can suffer, especially for the low frequencies.

Figure 3 – Subwoofer

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Always connect the positive terminal on the loudspeaker, which is usually colored red, to the positive terminal on the receiver, which is colored as shown in the Connection Color Guide (Table 1). Similarly, always connect the black negative terminal on the speaker to the black negative terminal on the receiver.

The AVR 254 uses binding-post speaker terminals that can accept banana plugs

or bare-wire cables.Banana plugs are simply plugged into the hole in the middle of the terminal cap.See Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Binding-Post Speaker Terminals With Banana Plugs

Connecting Source Devices to the AVR

The AVR 254 is designed to process audio and video input signals,

playing back the audio and displaying the video on a television or

monitor connected to the AVR. These signals originate in what are

known as “source devices,”including your DVD player,CD player,DVR

(digital video recorder) or other recorder, tape deck, game console,

cable or satellite television box or MP3 player.Although the tuner is

built into the AVR, it also counts as a source,even though no external

connections are needed, other than the FM and AM antennas and the

XM antenna module.

Separate connections are required for the audio and video portions of

the signal, except for digital HDMI connections.The types of connections

used depend upon what’s available on the source device, and for video

signals,the capabilities of your video display.

Coaxial

Coaxial digital

audio cable

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CONNECTIONS

Audio Connections

There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog.Digital audio signals are required for listening to sources encoded with digital surround modes,such as Dolby Digital and DTS,or for non-compressed PCM digital audio.There are three types of digital audio connections: HDMI, coaxial and optical.Any type of digital audio connection may be used for each source device,but never more than one for the same source.However, it’s okay to make both analog and digital audio connections to the same source.

If your video display or source device is not HDMI-capable,use one of

the analog video connections (composite,S- or component video) and,

if available on your source device,either a coaxial or optical digital audio

connection.

Coaxial digital audio jacks are usually color-coded in orange.Although

they look similar to analog jacks,they should not be confused, and you

should not connect coaxial digital audio outputs to analog inputs or

vice versa. See Figure 5.

NOTE: Since HDMI signals may carry both audio and video, if your video display device has an HDMI input, make a single HDMI

Figure 5 – Coaxial Digital Audio

connection from your source device (such as a DVD player) to the AVR. No separate digital audio connection is usually required. Make sure to turn the volume on your television all the way down.

Optical digital audio connectors are normally covered by a shutter to

protect them from dust.The shutter opens as the cable is inserted.Input

connectors are color-coded using a black shutter, while outputs use a

Digital Audio

gray shutter. See Figure 6.

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The AVR 254 is equipped with three HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs,and one output. HDMI technology enables digital audio and video information to be carried using a single cable,thus delivering the highest quality picture and sound.

There are different HDMI versions,depending on the capability of the source device and the type of signal it is capable of transmitting.

In addition, receivers and processors such as the AVR 254 may handle the incoming signal in several different ways,depending on their capability as well.The AVR 254 uses HDMI version 1.3a,and is capable of processing both the audio and video components of the HDMI data, minimizing the number of cable connections in your system.Thanks to the higher bandwidth and speed of HDMI version 1.3a, the AVR 254 implements Deep Color, which increases by an order of magnitude the shades of color that can be displayed; and the latest lossless multichannel audio formats,including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

NOTE: Some DVD-Audio,SACD,HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players,output mulitchannel audio only through the source’s multichannel analog outputs.For those devices,make a separate analog audio connection in addition to the HDMI connection, which is still used for video and to listen to Dolby Digital, DTS or PCM materials that may be stored on the disc.

In addition, the AVR 254 will convert analog video signals to the HDMI format, upscaling to high-definition 1080p resolution.You may view the AVR 254’s own on-screen display menus using the HDMI output.

The physical HDMI connection is simple.The connector is shaped for easy plug-in (see Figure 4). If your video display has a DVI input and is HDCP-compliant, you may use an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (not included) to connect it to the AVR’s HDMI Output, but a separate audio connection is required. HDMI cable runs are usually limited to about 10 feet, depending on the type of cable used.

Figure 4 – HDMI Connection

Optical digital audio cable

Figure 6 – Optical Digital Audio

Optical

Analog Audio

Analog connections require two cables,one for the left channel (white)

and one for the right channel (red).These two cables are often attached

to each other for most of their length. See Figure 7.

Most sources that have digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks,

although some older types of sources,such as tape decks,only have

analog jacks.For sources that are capable of both digital and analog

audio,you may make both connections.

The analog audio connection is strongly recommended if you intend to

use the source with the multizone system. It’s required if you will be

using the multizone preamp outputs with an external amplifier to power

your remote speakers,as the AVR 254’s multizone system is not capa-

ble of converting the digital signal to analog format. It’s suggested that

you also use the analog audio connections when using the Surround

Back/Zone 2 speaker outputs,in case another two-channel digital audio

source is in use in the main listening area.The AVR 254 is only capable

of processing one PCM source at a time.

You may only record materials from DVDs or other copy-protected

sources,using analog connections.Remember to comply with all copy-

right laws,if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

Analog audio cable (RCA)

Figure 7 – Analog Audio

L R

Multichannel analog connections are used with some high-definition

sources where the copy-protected digital content is decoded inside the

source.These types of connections are usually used with DVD-Audio,

SACD, Blu-ray Disc,HD-DVD and other multichannel players. See

Figure 8. However, the multichannel analog audio connection is not

S-video cable

Composite

video cable

AVR254

CONNECTIONS

required for DVD-Audio players compliant with HDMI version 1.1 or better, or HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players that decode the digital audio internally and output linear PCM signals in digital format. Consult the owner’s guide for your disc player for more information.

Multichannel analog audio cable (RCA)

Figure 8 – Multichannel Analog Audio

Front Surround Center

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Figure 10 – Composite Video

S-video,or “separate” video, transmits the chrominance and luminance

components using separate wires contained within a single cable.The

plug on an S-video cable contains four metal pins,plus a plastic guide

pin. Be careful to line up the plug correctly when you insert it into the

jack on the receiver, source or video display. See Figure 11.

Figure 11 – S-Video

Component video separates the video signal into three components – The AVR 254 also offers an analog audio input on the rear panel in the

form of a stereo 1/8" mini jack. Connect the headphone output of any audio source,such as an MP3 player or portable CD player, to the Stereo Jack input. See Figure 9.

one luminance (“Y”) and two sub-sampled color signals (“Pb” and “Pr”) –

that are transmitted using three separate cables.The “Y”cable is color-

coded green, the “Pb”cable is colored blue and the “Pr” cable is

colored red. See Figure 12.

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Figure 9 – Stereo Jack

Video Connections

Although some sources only produce an audio signal (e.g., CD player, tape deck), many sources output both audio and video signals (e.g., DVD player, cable television box, HDTV tuner, satellite box,VCR, DVR). In addition to the audio connection, make one type of video connection for each of these sources (only one at a time for any source).

Digital Video

If you have already connected a source device to one of the HDMI inputs as explained in the Digital Audio Connections section,you have automatically made a video connection at the same time,as the HDMI signal includes both digital audio and video components.

If the source device is not capable of transmitting its digital audio signal through the HDMI connection, use one of the coaxial or optical digital audio inputs for the source.

If a multichannel analog audio connection is required for certain lossless formats (e.g., DVD-Audio,SACD,HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc), you may make both audio connections.To listen to the multichannel disc, set the Audio Auto Polling setting to the 6/8CH inputs,and the AVR will automatically select it when no digital signal is output by the player.

Component video cable

Figure 12 – Component Video

If it’s available on your video display, an HDMI connection is recom-

mended as the best quality connection, followed by component video,

S-video and then composite video.

NOTES:

• Copy-protected sources are not available at the Component Video Monitor Outputs.

• Standard and high-definition analog video signals are upscaled to 1080i resolution for the Component Video Monitor Outputs.For improved video performance,consider upgrading to an HDMI-capable video display with 1080p resolution.

Antennas

The AVR 254 uses separate terminals for the included FM and AM antennas that provide proper reception for the tuner.

The FM antenna uses a 75-ohm F-connector. See Figure 13.

Analog Video

There are three types of analog video connections: composite video, S-video and component video.

Composite video is the basic connection most commonly available.The jack is usually color-coded yellow,and looks like an analog audio jack, although it is important never to confuse the two.Do not plug a composite video cable into an analog or coaxial digital audio jack, or vice versa. Both the chrominance (color) and luminance (intensity) components of the video signal are transmitted using a single cable.See Figure 10.

Figure 13 – FM Antenna

The AM loop antenna needs to be assembled.Connect the two leads to the spring terminals on the receiver.As AM antenna leads have no polarity, it doesn’t matter which of the two terminals is used for either lead. See Figure 14.

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CONNECTIONS

Figure 14 – AMAntenna

To enjoy XM satellite radio,purchase an XM antenna module designed for use with XM Ready devices and a subscription to the XM service. We recommend the XM Mini Tuner and Home Dock Bundle, available at www.xmradio.com.The older Connect and Play module is also compatible with the AVR 254, but it may no longer be available in your area.

An XM Ready-compatible module uses the special connector on the AVR 254’s rear panel that allows you to use the AVR’s tuner, including its 40 preset station locations and remote control.Although you may use a module with standard audio connections,which may be indicated for “car and home use,”you will not be able to enjoy the AVR 254’s ease of control.

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RS-232 Serial Port

The RS-232 serial port on the AVR 254 is used only for software upgrades.If we release an upgrade for the receiver’s operating system at some time in the future,it may be downloaded to the AVR using this port. Complete instructions will be provided at that time.

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FR FL

SBR

SBL

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INSTALLATION

You are now ready to connect the various components to the receiver. Before beginning,turn off all components, including the AVR 254, unplug their power cords.

until you have finished making all of your connections.

Remember that the receiver generates heat while it is on. Select a location that leaves several inches of space on all sides of the receiver. Avoid completely enclosing the receiver inside an unventilated cabinet. It is preferable to place components on separate shelves rather than stacking them directly on top of the receiver. Some surface finishes are

Don’t plug in any of the power cords

delicate.Try to select a location with a sturdy surface finish.

and

AVR 254

SUB

Figure 18 – Subwoofer Connection

Step Three – Connect the Antennas

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Step One – Connect the Speakers

If you have not yet done so,place your speakers in the listening room, as described in the Speaker Placement section above.

Connect the center, front left, front right, surround left, surround right, surround back left and surround back right loudspeakers to the corresponding speaker terminals on the AVR 254. See Figure 17. Maintain the proper polarity by always connecting the positive and negative terminals on each speaker to the positive and negative terminals on the receiver. Use the Connection Color Guide on page 18 as a reference.

Figure 17 – Speaker Connections

NOTE: If you only have one surround back speaker, wait until after you have run the EzSet/EQ process in the Initial Setup section before connecting it to the Surround Back Left speaker outputs.

Step Two – Connect the Subwoofer

Connect the Subwoofer Output on the AVR 254 to the line-level input on your subwoofer. See Figure 18. Consult the manufacturer’s guide for the subwoofer for additional information.

When the system has two subwoofers for a 7.2-channel system, use a Y-Adapter (not included) with one male RCA plug and two female RCA jacks.Connect the male plug to the Subwoofer Output, and connect each female jack to a cable that is then plugged into the line-level input on each subwoofer.

Connect the FM and AM antennas to their terminals. If you have purchased an XM antenna module designed for connection to an XM Ready device,connect it now.To enjoy XM Radio,remember to purchase a subscription and activate your antenna module.More information is available at www.xmradio.com. See Figure 19.

Figure 19 – Antenna Connections

Step Four – Connect the Source Components

A source is a device where the audio and video signals originate.Some sources,such as CD players,only offer audio, while sources used for watching movies or broadcast-television programming deliver a video signal as well.

Referring to the photograph of the AVR 254 remote control on page 15, there is a section of 7 buttons near the top of the remote designated “Source Selectors”: Cable/Sat, DVD, Media Server, Radio,TV, Game and AUX.Each of these buttons corresponds to a “source input”.The AVR 254’s flexible design allows you to use almost any combination of audio and video connections for each source device.The goal of Step Four of the Installation is to match up each of your source devices, e.g., DVD player and cable television box, with the correct connectors on the AVR 254.

You may connect a source device to any appropriate input connectors. Note which audio and video inputs are used for each device in Table A5 in the appendix.Table A2 indicates the default input-connection assignments,any of which may be changed to match the actual connections in your system.

The precise connections to be made depend on the capabilities of the source device and your video display (TV). Select the best audio and video connections for each source.The types of connections are listed in order of preference:

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INSTALLATION

HDMI Connections

• Choose the HDMI connection if it’s available on your source device and your TV. A HDMI connection carries both digital audio and video, enabling a single-cable connection from the source device to the AVR.Except as noted below, no other audio or video connections are required.

NOTE: If your DVD-Audio,SACD,Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD player is not capable of outputting multichannel digital audio through its HDMI output,make additional 6-/8-channel analog audio connections.

outputting the multichannel audio through its HDMI output, make the following additional connections (see Figure 21):

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

Audio Connections (for non-HDMI sources)

• Choose one digital audio connection: Optical or Coaxial

• Optional, or where digital audio is not available:Analog audio for making recordings for personal use or as a backup.Analog audio is required for older analog sources that don’t have digital audio outputs, such as cassette decks.

Video Connections (for non-HDMI sources)

(choose only one,and make sure that type is available on your TV)

• Component video • Composite video

• S-video

NOTES:

• If the video display is equipped with a DVI digital video input, make sure it is also HDCP-compliant (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to display copy-protected materials.

Figure 21 – Connecting a Multichannel Audio Player

Component Video: If the DVD player or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors, connect the player as follows (see Figure 22):

• Connect the DVD player’s component video output to the Component Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR.

• Connect one of the DVD player’s digital audio outputs to one of the Coaxial or Optical inputs on the AVR.

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• If the source or video display has a DVI input, use an HDMIto-DVI adapter (not included), and make separate audio connections.

Connect a DVD, SACD, Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD Player HDMI Video:

connector, connect the player as follows (see Figure 20):

• Connect the DVD player’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1,2 or 3 Input on the AVR.

Figure 20 – Connecting An HDMI-Equipped Disc Player

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs,including DVDAudio,SACD,Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD,but it is not capable of

If the DVD player and the TV both have an HDMI

Figure 22 – Connecting a Component-Video-Equipped Disc Player

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs,including DVD-Audio, SACD ,Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, make the following additional connection (see Figure 21):

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

Composite/S-Video: If the best video connection common to both

the DVD player and the TV is either S-video or composite video, follow these steps (see Figure 23):

• Connect the DVD player’s S-video or composite video output (use one connection only) to the Video 1,2 or 3 Input on the AVR.You may also use the Video 4 Composite or S-video Input located on the AVR’s front panel (see Figure 31).

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INSTALLATION

• Connect the DVD player’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or Optical inputs on the AVR.

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs,including DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, make the following additional connection (see Figure 23):

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

Figure 24 – Connecting an HDMI-Equipped Recorder

Component Video: If the recorder or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors, connect the recorder as follows (see Figure 25):

• Connect the recorder’s component video output to the Component Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR. This connection is for playback only, as the AVR cannot make recordings from component video sources.

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Figure 23 – Connecting a Composite- or S-Video-Equipped Disc Player

NOTES:

• Refer to Table A2 in the appendix for the default audio and video input assignments for each source.Using the default connections,if appropriate for your system, may save a few steps during Initial Setup.However, thanks to the AVR 254’s flexibility, you may assign any audio and any video input to any source,as long as the assignments match the physical connections.

• If you wish to make recordings from a DVD, use an S-video or composite video input, and an Analog Audio input in addition to any other connections.The AVR cannot make recordings from HDMI or component video sources,and digital audio sources may only be recorded in two channels.

Connect an Audio/Video Recorder (PVD,DVR or TiVo®) HDMI Video:

connect the recorder as follows (see Figure 24):

• Connect the recorder’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1, 2 or 3 Input on the AVR. This connection is for playback only, as the AVR cannot make recordings from HDMI sources.

• To make recordings, follow the instructions below for Composite/ S-video recorders.

If the recorder and the TV both have an HDMI connector,

• Connect the recorder’s digital audio output to a Coaxial or Optical Input on the AVR (if available).

• Follow the instructions in the Composite/S-Video section for making connections required for recordings.

Figure 25 – Connecting a Component-Video-Equipped Recorder

Composite/S-Video: If the best video connection common to

both the recorder and the TV is either S-video or composite video, or to make recordings,follow these steps,using only one type of video connection throughout (see Figure 26):

• Connect the recorder’s S-video/composite video output to the Video 2 S-Video/Composite Video Input on the AVR.

• Connect the recorder’s S-video/composite video input to the Video 2 S-Video/Composite Video Output on the AVR.

• Connect the recorder’s analog audio outputs to the Analog 4 Audio Inputs on the AVR.

• Connect the recorder’s analog audio inputs to the Analog 4 Audio Outputs on the AVR.

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INSTALLATION

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Figure 26 – Connecting a Composite or S-Video Recorder

• To make two-channel digital audio recordings, connect the recorder’s digital audio output to one of the Optical or Coaxial Inputs,and connect the AVR’s Coaxial Digital Audio Output to the recorder’s coaxial input.The AVR will convert an optical digital audio input signal to the proper format for recording via the Coaxial Digital Audio Output.See Figure 26.

Connect a Cable TV, Sa tellite, HDTV or Other Set-Top Box for Broadcast Television

NOTE: If the TV has a digital audio output, connect it to one of

the digital audio inputs.If you use a direct cable connection to your TV, or an antenna connection with the TV’s internal tuner, connect either the TV’s digital audio output (if available) or its analog audio outputs to the AVR. See Step Five for infor mation on connecting the receiver’s video monitor outputs to the television.

HDMI Video: If the set-top box and the TV both have an HDMI

connector, connect the set-top box as follows (see Figure 24):

• Connect the set-top’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1,2 or 3 Input on the AVR.

Component Video: If the set-top box or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors, connect the set-top box as follows (see Figure 25):

• Connect the set-top’s component video output to the Component Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR (if available).

• Connect the set-top’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or Optical Inputs on the AVR (if available).

Composite S/Video: If the best video connection common to both

the set-top box and the TV is either S-video or composite video, follow these steps (see Figure 27):

• Connect the set-top’s S-video or composite video output (use one connection only) to the corresponding Video 1,2 or 3 Input on the AVR.

• Connect the set-top’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or Optical Inputs on the AVR (if available). For fully analog set-top boxes, connect the box’s analog audio outputs to the AVR’s Analog 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 Audio Inputs.

Figure 27 – Connecting a Composite- or S-Video-Equipped Set-Top Box

Connect a CD Player or Any Audio-Only Device

If the CD player or other component has a digital audio output, connect it to any available digital audio input on the AVR. If not, connect the CD player’s left and right analog audio outputs to the Analog 1 or 2 Audio Inputs.No video connection is required, although the AVR will display any signal at the video input assigned to the same source as the audio inputs.See Figure 28.

Figure 28 – Connecting a CD or Audio-Only Source

NOTES:

• A turntable may only be connected to the AVR if it is equipped with an internal phono preamp,or if you supply an external phono preamp,available at some audio specialty stores or through the Harman Kardon Parts Dept.You may then connect it to any set of analog audio inputs.

• Although there is no official source on the AVR 254 named CD, Phono or Audio, you may assign the audio device to an available source,such as TV (if the Cable/Sat source is in use for broadcast television), Game or AUX.See the Initial Setup section for more details on source assignment.

Connect a Tape Deck or Any Audio-Only Recorder

If the recorder has digital audio inputs and outputs,connect either its coaxial or optical digital audio output (not both) to the corresponding available input on the AVR, and connect the AVR’s Coaxial Digital Audio Output to the recorder’s coaxial digital audio input.

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INSTALLATION

To make analog audio recordings,connect the recorder’s left and right analog audio outputs to the Analog 2 Audio Inputs on the AVR,and the recorder’s analog audio inputs to the AVR’s Analog 2 Audio Outputs.

No video connection is required, although the AVR will display any signal at the video input assigned to the same source as the Analog 2 Audio Inputs.See Figure 29.

Figure 31 – Connecting a Device to the Front-Panel Inputs

Audio Components:Connect audio-only devices,such as CD players,

to either the Coaxial or Optical Digital Audio Inputs, or the Analog Audio Inputs (see Figure 31).

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Figure 29 – Connecting an Audio Recorder

Connect a Portable Audio Player

For audio-only playback from a portable CD player, cassette deck, MP3 player or other device equipped with a 1/8-inch headphone jack, use a stereo 1/8-inch mini-plug interconnect (not included) to connect the device’s headphone jack to the Stereo Jack on the AVR. Use the device’s own controls to operate it.See Figure 30.

Figure 30 – Connecting a Portable Audio Player

Alternatively, use an interconnect with a stereo 1/8-inch mini-plug at one end and two RCA plugs at the other end to connect the player to the Audio Inputs on the AVR’s front panel.See Figure 31.

Connecting a Game Console, Camera or Other Device

NOTE: If your video devices are equipped with HDMI or com-

ponent video outputs,you may connect them to any available audio and video input on the AVR.

Step Five – Connect the Video Display

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not connect any video output on the

video display (TV) to any video input on the AVR. Doing so will cause undesirable video interference.

HDMI Video: If the display has an HDMI input, connect the HDMI

Monitor Output to the display (see Figure 32).Thanks to the AVR 254’s sophisticated video processing and upscaling capabilities,no other video connections are required from the AVR to the video display.Analog video sources (composite,S-video and component) are converted to the HDMI format and upscaled to as much as 1080p resolution, depending on the display’s capabilities. Proceed to Step Six.

If a device will only be connected temporarily, you may use the audio/ video inputs on the front panel.When not in use, place the supplied covers over the jacks for a cleaner appearance by snapping the covers in place.To remove the covers,gently press on the left side of each cover so that it pivots out.

Video Components: Install video components,e.g.,game consoles

and camcorders,as follows (see Figure 31):

• Connect the component’s S-video or composite video output (use only one connection) to the corresponding front-panel Input on the AVR.

• Connect the component’s optical or coaxial digital audio output to either the Optical or Coaxial Input on the front panel (if available). For fully analog devices, connect the device’s analog audio outputs to the AVR’s front-panel Analog Audio Inputs.

Figure 32 – HDMI Monitor Output

Component Video: If the display does not have HDMI inputs,but

does have component video inputs,connect the Component Video Monitor Outputs to the display (see Figure 33).As with HDMI connections,the AVR 254 is capable of converting composite and S-video sources to the component video format, while upscaling the resolution to as high as 1080i, depending on the display’s capabilities. Unlike HDMI connections,component video connections do not enable the AVR 254 to detect the display’s capabilities and the appropriate resolution must be selected manually, as described in the Initial Setup section.

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INSTALLATION

Step Seven – Insert Batteries in Remote

The AVR 254 remote control uses four AAA batteries, which are included. To remove the battery cover located on the back of the remote,

squeeze the tab and lift the cover.

Figure 33 – Component Video Monitor Outputs

Insert the batteries,as shown in Figure 36, making sure to observe the correct polarity.

Composite/S-Video: If the video display does not have HDMI or

component video inputs,connect the corresponding composite or S-video Monitor Output to the display. If available,S-video is preferred over composite video,and if used, the AVR 254 will convert composite video sources to S-video.See Figure 34.

Figure 36 – Remote Battery Compartment

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Figure 34 – Composite and S-Video Monitor Outputs

Consult the manual for your TV to make sure you understand how to select the correct video input.

Step Six – Plug in AC Power

Having made all of your wiring connections,it is now time to plug each component’s AC power cord into a working outlet.

You may plug one device into the AC Switched Accessory Outlet on the rear of the AVR 254. See Figure 35. Make sure this device draws no more than 50 watts.The device should have its mechanical or master power switch turned on, and it will power on any time the AVR 254 is turned on. If the device has a clock or must always be on, do not plug it into this outlet.

When using the remote,remember to point the lens toward the front panel of the AVR 254. Make sure no objects,such as furniture, are blocking the remote’s path to the receiver. Bright lights, fluorescent lights and plasma video displays may interfere with the remote’s functioning. The remote has a range of about 20 feet, depending on the lighting conditions.It may be used at an angle of up to 30 degrees to either side of the AVR.

If the remote seems to operate intermittently, or if pressing a button on the remote does not cause the AVR Settings Button or one of the Source Selectors to light up,then make sure the batteries have been inserted correctly, or replace all three batteries with fresh ones.

Step Eight – Program Sources Into the Remote

The AVR 254 remote not only is capable of controlling the receiver, but it may also be programmed to control many brands and models of DVD players,cable boxes,satellite receivers, the Harman Kardon DMC 1000 digital media center and TVs.

It may help to think of the remote as a book with pages.Each “page” represents the button functions for a different device.In order to access the functions for a particular device,first turn to its page; that is,switch the remote’s device mode. This is done by pressing the AVR Settings Button to access the codes that control the receiver, or the Source Selector Buttons to access the codes for the devices programmed into the remote.

Figure 35 – Switched ACAccessory Outlet

Before plugging the AVR 254’s AC Power Cord into an electrical outlet, make sure that the Master Power Switch on the front panel is popped out so that the word OFF appears on its top.Gently press the button to turn the switch off.This will prevent the possibility of damaging the AVR in case of a transient power surge.

The AVR 254’s remote is factory-programmed to control many Harman Kardon DVD players.If you have other source devices in your system, follow these steps to program the correct codes into the remote.

1. Using the codes in Tables A14–A24 of the Appendix,look up the product type (e.g., DVD, cable TV box) and the brand name of your source.The number(s) listed is/are potential candidates for the correct code set for your particular device.

NOTE: The AUX Source Selector is used for the CD, HDTV,PVD recorder,TIVO and VCR device types.Select the brand code

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INSTALLATION

from the appendix table corresponding to the device and program it into the AUX Source Selector. Similarly,the CBL/SAT Source Selector is used for either a cable or satellite television set-top box.The first digit of the product code indicates the device type.

2.Turn on your source device.

3.This step places the remote in program mode.Refer to Figure 37. Press and hold the Source Selector.The button will tur n red, then go dark. Continue holding it, and when it turns red again, release the button; the remote is now in program mode.Follow the directions in Step 4, below.

If you are unable to locate a code set that correctly operates your source device,it will not be possible to use the AVR remote to control that device.However, you may still connect the source to the AVR 254 and operate it using the device’s original remote control.

Most of the button labels on the remote describe the button’s function when used to control the AVR 254. However, the button may perform a very different function when used to control another device.Refer to the Remote Control Function List,Table A13 in the Appendix, for a list of each button’s functions with the various product types.

If you wish, you may program Activities, which are preprogrammed code sequences that execute many code commands with a single button press.You may also program “punch-through” codes, which allow the remote to operate the channel or transport controls of another device without having to switch the remote’s device mode. See page 53 for instructions on these advanced programming functions.

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Figure 37 – Source Selectors

Optional: To reassign a device type from one Source Selector to another Source Selector not being used, e.g. if there are two DVD players in the system, press the Source Selector for the new device type now.For example,to reassign the Cable/Sat Source Selector to operate a DVD player, first press and hold the Cable/Sat Button, and then press the DVD Button.

4. Enter a code from Step 1, above.

a) If the device turns off, press the Source Selector again to accept

the code; it will flash.The remote will exit Program mode.

b) If the device does not turn off, try entering another code.If you

run out of codes,you may search through all of the codes in the

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remote’s library for that product type by pressing the Button repeatedly until the device turns off.When the device turns off, enter the code by pressing the Source Selector, which will flash.The remote then exits Program mode.

5. Once you have programmed a code, it’s a good idea to try using some other functions to control the device.Sometimes,manufacturers use the same Power code for several different models, while other codes will vary.You may wish to repeat this process until you’ve programmed a satisfactory code set that operates most of the functions you frequently use.

6. Find out which code number you have programmed by pressing and holding the Source Selector to enter the Program mode.Then press the OK Button, and the Source Selector will flash in the code sequence.One flash represents “1”,two flashes for “2”, and so forth. A series of many fast flashes represents “0”.Record the codes programmed for each device in Table A9 in the appendix.

Step Nine – Remote IR Inputs and Output (Optional)

The AVR 254 is equipped with a Remote IR Input, a Zone 2 Input and a Remote IR Output to facilitate use of your system with a remote control in a variety of situations.See Figure 38.

Figure 38 – IR Inputs and Outputs

When the AVR 254 is placed in such a way that aiming the remote at the front-panel IR sensor is difficult,such as inside a cabinet or facing away from the listener, you may connect an external IR receiver, such as the optional Harman Kardon HE 1000, to the Remote IR Input jack.When you are using the AVR 254 in multizone mode,you may connect an optional IR receiver, keypad or other control device to the Zone 2 IR Input for remote control of the AVR 254 (and any sources connected to the AVR’s Remote IR Output) from the remote zone.Any signals transmitted through the Zone 2 IR Input will only control source selection and volume for the remote zone. If a source device is being shared with the main listening area, then any control commands issued to that source will also affect the main room.

If any of your source devices are equipped with a compatible Remote IR Input, use a 1/8" mini-plug interconnect cable (not included) to connect the AVR’s Remote IR Output to the source device’s Remote IR Input, which will pass any applicable remote signals transmitted through the AVR to the source device.This enables you to control your sources even when the AVR itself is controlled via an external IR receiver.

Check with the manufacturer of the source device for more information on the type of IR signal expected.The AVR 254 will output a “stripped carrier” IR signal through the Remote IR Output.

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INSTALLATION

To control more than one source device using the Remote IR Output, connect all sources in “daisy chain”fashion, with the AVR’s Remote IR Output connected to the first device’s Remote IR Input,the second device’s Remote IR Output connected to the next device’s Remote IR Input, and so forth.

Step Ten – Install a Multizone System (Optional)

The AVR 254 offers several methods of distributing music to other listening areas in your home.A multizone system is not required to enjoy the home theater experience.If you prefer not to install a multizone system at this time,skip to Step Eleven to turn on the AVR 254 and configure it.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Installing a multizone system typically requires running various cables inside walls.Always comply with the appropriate safety codes when installing concealed wiring. The AVR 254’s multizone connections should be installed per the requirements of all applicable state and local building codes,as well as NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements.Failure to do so may present a potential safety hazard. If you have any doubt about your ability to work with electrical and telecommunications wiring,you are advised to hire a licensed electrician or custom installer to install the multizone system.

Multizone operation uses the Surround Back/Zone 2 amplifier channels, whether you connect the remote speakers directly to the speaker outputs,or if you connect an optional external amplifier to the preamp outputs.This limits the system in the main listening room to 5.1 channels, which means you cannot listen to 6.1- or 7.1-channel programs in the main room.

Select one or both:

1. Connect the remote room’s speakers directly to the Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs.See Figure 39.

Figure 40 – Surround Back/Multiroom Preamp Outputs

This method requires you to provide an additional component: the amplifier. However, this method may be used to increase the number of remote rooms in the system when you are also using the Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs.

Place the amplifier in the same room as the AVR 254 so that a shorter length of interconnect cable is used with a long run of speaker wire to the remote room.This is better than placing the amplifier in the remote room, which necessitates a long run of interconnect cable that would then be subject to signal degradation.

In addition to the audio signal, you may connect an IR control device to the AVR 254’s Zone IR Input so that listeners in the remote room may turn the multizone system on or off, select a source input, control the source device connected to that input and adjust the volume in the remote zone.

NOTE: Only analog audio sources are available to the multizone system.

Step Eleven – Turn On the AVR 254

Two steps are required the first time you turn on the AVR 254.

1. Gently press the Master Power Switch until the word OFF is no longer visible.The Power Indicator above the two power switches should light up in amber, indicating that the AVR is in Standby mode and is ready to be turned on. See Figure 41. Normally, you may leave the Master Power Switch in the ON position,even when the receiver is not being used.

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Figure 39 – Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs

If you prefer not to purchase an external amplifier to power a pair of remote speakers,you may reassign the AVR 254’s Surround Back amplifier channels to power the speakers.

2. Connect an external amplifier to the Surround Back/Multiroom Preamp Outputs.See Figure 40.

Figure 41 – Power Switches

2.There are several ways in which the AVR 254 may be turned on from Standby mode.

a) Press the Standby/On Switch on the front panel. See Figure 41. b) Using the remote,press the AVR Power On Button or any of the

Source Selectors.See Figure 42.

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INSTALLATION

Figure 42 – AVR Power On and Source Selectors

NOTES:

• Any time you press one of the Source Selectors on the remote (i.e.,Cable/Sat, DVD,Media Server,Radio,TV, Game or AUX),the remote will switch modes to transmit the codes programmed to operate that device.To control the receiver, press the AVR Settings Button to return the remote to AVR mode.Some AVR functions are available in all device modes, and you don’t have to press the AVR Settings Button first to use them:Volume Controls (including Mute),Audio Effects, Video Modes,Surround Modes,AVR Settings, Info Settings, Sleep Settings and AVR Power On and Off.

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• If you are not using the AVR’s HDMI Output with your display, you may not see a picture the first time you turn on the AVR 254, or after a system reset.To correct this, press the front-panel Resolution Button to display the current video output resolution.

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Use the patible with all video displays,then press the OK Button to select the new setting.You will be prompted to accept or cancel the change; the CANCEL message will appear on the front panel. Press the then press the OK Button to complete the change to the output resolution. Follow the directions in the Initial Setup section to configure the AVR to function correctly with your display and other components.

Button to change it to 480i, which should be com-

Button to view the ACCEPT option,and

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OPERATION

Now that you have installed your system components and completed a basic configuration of your receiver, you are ready to begin enjoying your home theater system.

Turning On the AVR 254

Gently press the Master Power Switch until the word OFF is no longer visible.The Power Indicator above the two power switches should light up in amber.This indicates that the AVR is in Standby mode and is ready to be turned on. Normally, you may leave the Master Power Switch in the ON position, even when the receiver is not being used.See Figure 41.

There are several ways in which the AVR 254 may be turned on: a) Press the Standby/On Switch on the front panel. See Figure 41. b) Using the remote,press the AVR Power On Button or any of the

Source Selectors.See Figure 42.

To turn the receiver off, press either the Standby/On Switch on the front panel, or press the AVR Power Off Button on the remote.Unless the receiver will not be used for an extended period of time (for example, when are on vacation), it is not necessary to turn off the Master Power Switch.When the Master Power Switch is turned off,any settings you have programmed, including system configuration and preset radio stations,will be preserved for up to four weeks.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the PROTECT message ever appears in the Message Display, turn off the AVR and unplug it.Check all speaker wires for a possible short. If none is found, bring the unit to an authorized Harman Kardon service center for inspection and repair before using it again.

Mute Function

To temporarily mute all speakers and the headphones,press the Mute Button on the remote.See Figure 52. Any recording in progress will not be affected.The MUTE message will appear in the display as a reminder.To restore normal audio, either press the Mute Button again, or adjust the volume.Turning off the AVR will also end muting.

Sleep Timer

You may program the AVR to play for up to 90 minutes and then turn off automatically using the sleep timer.

Press the Sleep Settings Button on the remote,and the time until turn-off will be displayed. See Figure 53. Each additional press of the Sleep Button will increase the time until turn-off by 10 minutes,up to a maximum of 90 minutes,then the SLEEP OFF setting appears, which disables the sleep timer.

Figure 53 – Sleep Settings Button

When the sleep timer has been set, the front-panel display will automatically dim to half-brightness.If you press any button on the remote or front panel, the display will return to full-brightness.The display will dim again several seconds after your last command.

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Volume Control

The volume may be adjusted either by turning the knob on the front panel (clockwise to increase volume or counterclockwise to decrease volume), or by pressing the Volume Control on the remote.See Figure 52. The volume is displayed as a negative number of decibels (dB) below the 0dB reference point.

Unlike the volume controls on some other products,0dB is the maximum volume for the AVR 254. Although it’s physically possible to turn the volume to a higher level, doing so may damage your hearing and your speakers.For certain more dynamic audio materials,even 0dB may be too high, allowing for damage to equipment.We urge caution with regard to volume levels.

You may change the volume level display from the default decibel scale to a 0-to-100 scale by adjusting the Volume Units setting in the System Settings menu, as described on page 52.

Figure 52 – Volume Controls

If you press the Sleep Button after the timer has been set, the remaining time until turn-off will be displayed.You may press the Sleep Button to change the time until turn-off.

Audio Effects

Depending on your preferences or the specific characteristics of your listening room, you may wish to adjust some of the audio settings,such as tone controls,to improve performance.Access these settings from the Audio Effects submenu,as described in the Advanced Functions section.

It is not necessary to adjust the Audio Effects settings to enjoy your new AVR. We recommend leaving the settings at their default values until you are more familiar with your system.

Video Modes

The settings in the Video Modes menu are used to fine-tune the picture if necessary after making all adjustments on the video display. It is recommended that you leave the settings at their defaults.See the Advanced Functions section for detailed information.

Headphones

Plug the 1/4" plug on a pair of headphones into the headphone jack on the front of the receiver for private listening.See Figure 54.

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The DOLBY H:BYPASS message indicates that Dolby Headphone surround processing is in the default bypass mode,which delivers a conventional 2-channel signal to the headphones.

Figure 54 – Headphone Jack

Press the Surround Modes Button on the front panel or the remote,to switch to Dolby Headphone virtual surround processing,indicated by the DOLBY H:DH message.Dolby Headphone delivers an enhanced sound field that emulates a 5.1-channel speaker system. No other surround modes are available for the headphones.

Additional tips for systems using HDMI:

• Turn off all devices (including the TV,AVR and any source components).

• Unplug the HDMI cables starting with the cable between the TV and AVR, and continuing with the cables between the AVR and each source device.

• Carefully reconnect the cables from the source devices to the AVR, and connect the cable from the AVR to the TV last.

• Turn on the devices in this order: TV, then AVR, then source devices.

Using the Tuner

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Source Selection

Press the front-panel Source List Button to scroll through the sources. Each press of the button scrolls down the list that appears in the display and on screen. See Figure 55.

Figure 55 – Source List Button

For direct access to any source, press its Source Selector on the remote. The AVR 254 will switch to the audio and video inputs assigned to the

source. The source name will appear in the upper line of the front-panel display.

If you retitled the source,the new title will appear. The audio and video inputs assigned to the source will also appear briefly. The surround mode will be displayed on the lower line.

Any other settings you adjusted in the Setup Source menu will also be selected.You may view these settings in the Source Info menu at any time by pressing the Info Settings Button.

VIDEO TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:

If a video source is playing and there is no picture:

• Check that you have selected the source to which the video input was assigned.

• Check the wires for a loose or incorrect connection.

• Check that you have selected the correct video input on the display device (TV).

• Tr y pressing the Resolution Button on the front panel repeatedly until the correct video output resolution is selected and a picture appears.You will be prompted to accept or cancel the resolution change,as the CANCEL message will appear

on the front panel. Press the option, and then press the OK Button to complete the change to the output resolution.

Button to view the ACCEPT

To select the AVR 254’s built-in tuner:

1. Press the Source List Button on the front panel repeatedly until the

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desired tuner band is selected, or use the through the source list.

2. Press the Radio Source Selector on the remote. Press this button again to switch bands (AM, FM or XM).

A screen similar to the one shown in Figure 56 will appear, with the band indicated in the middle of the screen. (The XM band uses a slightly different screen.)

Figure 56 – FM Radio

Use the ⁄/¤Buttons to tune a station (or channel for XM Radio). The frequencies will be displayed in the front panel and graphically on screen.

The AVR defaults to automatic tuning, meaning each press of the

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Buttons scans through all frequencies until a station with accept-

able signal strength is found.To switch to manual tuning, in which each

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press of the (0.1MHz for FM, or 10kHz for AM),press the Menu Button. The Radio Modes line will be highlighted, and each press of the OK Button toggles between automatic and manual tuning modes.

When an FM station has been tuned, toggling the radio mode switches between stereo and monaural play, which may improve reception of weaker stations.

A total of 30 stations (AM and FM together) may be stored as presets. When the desired station has been tuned, press the OK Button, and two dashes will flash in the front-panel display. Use the Alphanumeric Keys to enter the desired preset number.

Buttons steps through a single frequency increment

Buttons to scroll

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OPERATION

To tune a preset station, press the ‹/›Buttons or the Channel Control, or press the Menu Button to view the list of programmed presets and scroll to the desired selection. Press the OK Button to tune the station.You may also enter the preset number using the Numeric Keys. For presets 10 through 30 press 0 before the preset number. For example,to enter preset 21, press 0-2-1.

XM Radio Operation

XM Radio is a satellite-delivered service that offers hundreds of program channels,as well as local traffic and weather information for select cities. The AVR 254 is “XM Ready,”which means that it is able to receive the XM service when a user-supplied XM antenna module is connected and the service activated.

Select an antenna module designated for XM Ready audio components. An XM Ready-compatible module uses the special connector on the AVR 254’s rear panel that allows you to use the AVR’s tuner, including its 40 preset station locations and remote control.Although you may use a module with standard audio connections,which may be indicated for “car and home use,”you will not be able to enjoy the AVR 254’s ease of control.

The XM Mini-Tuner and Home Dock (Models CNP-2000 and CNP-2000H; both pieces are required) are compatible with the AVR 254. The older Audiovox use is also compatible,but has been discontinued and may no longer be available.Additional modules may become available in the future. Modules produced for automotive,or “mobile,” use are not compatible with the AVR 254, although if they have standard analog or digital audio outputs,they may be connected to a compatible input and operated using their own controls.

Plug the module into the XM Antenna Jack on the rear of the AVR 254. Place the antenna module so that it has a clear view through a southfacing window in order to obtain reception from the XM satellite.

CNP 1000 “Connect and Play”module for home audio

NOTE: To listen to XM Radio using the AVR 254,you will need to purchase an XM antenna module and subscription, and activate your module.XM service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.Visit the XM Radio Web site at www.xmradio.com for more information.

the ⁄/¤Buttons to scan through the channel numbers within the category.

3.After you have programmed presets, directly enter the preset number

(1 through 40) using the Alphanumeric Keys. For single-digit positions, enter a “0”before the number.

4. Press the Menu Button to search for a channel by preset, category, all channels (the default) or direct entry.

When you are able to hear Channel 1, you are ready to activate your module.If you don’t hear Channel 1, make sure the module’s plug is firmly seated in the XM Antenna jack,and that the module is near a south-facing window.Try unfolding the module and rotating it to obtain reception.You may need to purchase an extension cable, available on the XM Radio site,to ensure that the module is near the window.

Tune to Channel 0 for a display of your antenna module’s Radio ID number, required for activation.

The current channel number and preset location will appear in the upper line of the Message Display, and the search mode (all channels,category) will appear in the lower line.Three signal-strength bars will appear to the right of the channel number and preset location to indicate signal strength.The song title, artist and channel category, along with the channel number and preset position (if programmed), will all appear on screen when a video display is in use.

For traffic and weather channels, the current city’s name will appear instead of the channel name,and the local weather and temperature will be displayed on screen.

To store a channel in one of the 40 preset locations:

1.Tune to the desired channel and press the OK Button.The lowest available preset number will flash on screen and in the front-panel Message Display.

2. Use the Alphanumeric Keys to enter the numbered preset location you wish to store the channel in, or do nothing if the current preset location is acceptable.

3. Press the OK Button to store the new preset.

Recording

Select XM Radio as the source in one of these ways:

1. Press the Source List Button on the front panel repeatedly until

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XM Radio is selected, or use the the source list.

2. Press the Radio Source Selector on the remote repeatedly until XM Radio is selected..

Buttons to scroll through

Two-channel analog and digital audio signals,as well as composite and S-video signals,are normally available at the appropriate recording outputs.Thus, to make a recording, you need only make sure to connect your audio or video recorder to the appropriate output jacks,as described in the Installation section, insert blank media and make sure the recorder is turned on and recording while the source is playing.

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You should be able to tune in Channel 1, the Preview Channel, to confirm that your equipment is ready for activation.There are four ways to tune an XM Radio channel:

⁄/¤

1. Use the

2. Use the

Buttons to scan through the channel numbers.

‹/›

Buttons to jump to the next category,and then use

NOTES:

1.Analog audio signals are not converted to digital form, and digital audio signals are not converted to analog audio form. However, you may record a coaxial or optical digital audio source using either type of digital audio output.

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Harman Kardon AVR-254 Service manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual