Harman-Kardon DVD 23 User Manual

DVD 23 Digital Versatile Disc Player

OWNER’S MANUAL

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 Introduction
4 Terminology
5 Features, Packing List
6 Front Panel Controls
7 Front Panel Information Display

8 Remote Control
10 Rear Panel Connections
11 Setup and Connections
11 to a Stereo TV and Stereo or Pro Logic

Amplifier/Receiver

12 to a Dolby Digital/DTS Amplifier/Receiver
13 to a TV or monitor with SCART or

Component Connectors

14 Remote Control
15 Digital Audio Connections
16 Playback Basics
16 Basic Play
16 Playback Features
16 About DivX Movie Files
17 System Set-up
17 System Settings
18 Audio Settings
18 Audio Adjustment
19 Video Settings
19 Video Adjustment
20 Test Screen
20 Test Screen
20 TV Picture Adjustment
21 Player Menu
21 Using the Status Bar
21 Player Menu
21 Information Displays
21 Programmed Play
22 DVD Language Codes
23 Specifications

Table of Contents

2

NOTE: This player is designed and manu­factured for compatibility with Region
Management Information that is encoded on
most DVD discs.This player is designed only for

playback of discs with Region Code 2, or for
discs that do not contain Region Code infor­mation. If there is any other Region Code on a
disc, that disc will not play on the DVD.

Declaration of Conformity

We, Harman Consumer Group International

2, Route de Tours
72500 Château-du-Loir,
FRANCE

declare in own responsibility, that the product described in
this owner’s manual is in compliance with technical
standards:

EN 55013:2001

EN 55020:2002

EN 61000-3-2:2000

EN 61000-3-3:1995+A1:2001

EN 60065:2002

Jurjen Amsterdam

Harman Consumer Group International

10/05

INTRODUCTION 3

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the
Harman Kardon DVD

The DVD is a multipurpose DVD player, capable
of playing both DVD-Video discs and convention­al CD audio discs with the highest fidelity and
access to future software upgrades via the
Internet. Along with conventional Video and CD
audio discs, the DVD 23 is also compatible with
MP3, CD-R and CD-RW as well as DivX

®

and

VCD discs.

To enable you to get the maximum quality from
DVDs, the DVD is equipped with the latest in
design techniques, including advanced 10-bit
video digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and
Video (composite), S-Video and RGB video (RGB
via SCART) outputs, to ensure that you get all the
quality inherent in today’s DVD medium.
For optimum playback of NTSC and PAL DVD
with compatible high-definition display devices,
DVD is equipped with progressive component
video outputs.

In addition, Harman Kardon’s audio heritage
continues into the digital video era with audio­phile-grade Wolfson DACs to ensure that the
audio quality matches the superb video. Of
course, both coaxial and optical digital audio
outputs are available for direct connection to A/V
receivers or processors so that you may take
advantage of Dolby Digital* and DTS

®

sound­tracks.When playing audio CDs, the playback
quality is state-of-the-art, matching that of the
finest players available.

A wide range of programming features makes it
easy to program an evening’s worth of entertain­ment. When playing DVDs, easy-to-understand
on-screen menus and icons make it simple to
change languages, soundtracks, subtitles or
aspect ratio.

DVD players are among the fastest growing
consumer electronics products ever brought to
market, but this may, nevertheless, be the first
DVD player you’ve owned. Although many of the
features of the DVD resemble those of standard
CD players, there are a number of functions that
you may be unfamiliar with. To ensure that you
are able to take advantage of all the power and
flexibility the DVD has to offer, we encourage you
to review this quick setup manual. That small
investment of your time will pay major dividends
in the enjoyment you will get from proper use of
the DVD.

If you have additional questions about this
product or its installation or operation that are
not answered in this manual, please contact your
dealer, as he is your best source of local infor­mation.

■ Plays a Wide Range of Video and Audio
Formats, Including DVD-Video Discs,
VCD, Standard CD Audio Discs, CD-R/RW,
DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW,Audio Discs and
MP3 Discs

■ High-Quality Video Playback 10-Bit
DACs, Progressive Scan and Component
Video Outputs

■ Dolby Digital and DTS Data Signal
Output Through Both Optical and
Coaxial Digital Audio Connections

■ Audiophile-Grade Wolfson Output DACs
for the Finest Audio reproduction

■ Easy-to-Use On-Screen Navigation
System

■ Playback of MP3 and Windows

®

WMA

Audio Discs and JPEG image files

■ Simultaneous Playback of MP3 and
JPEG files

■ Playback of DivX compressed video
files.

■ Extensive Programming Capability for
Audio and Video Discs

■ Multiple Options for Language,
Soundtrack and Subtitle Selection

■ Multiple-Angle Capabilities With
Specially Encoded DVD Discs

■ Backlit, Ergonomically Designed
Remote Control

4 TERMINOLOGY

Terminology

Since they share some of the characteristics and
technology of CD players, many of the terms and
operational concepts used in a DVD player are
similar to what you may be familiar with from CD
players and changers, or older video disc formats
such as Laser Disc. However, if this is your first
DVD product, some of the terms used to describe
the features of a DVD player may be unfamiliar.
The following explanations should solve some of
the mysteries of DVD, and help you to enjoy all
the power and flexibility of the DVD format and
the DVD.

With the arrival of DVD, disc data capacity has
increased dramatically. On a DVD Video disc most
of this capacity is taken up by MPEG 2 video and
the multichannel movie soundtrack in Dolby
Digital and/or DTS.This information is
compressed.

Aspect Ratio: This is a description of the width
of a video image in relation to its height.
A conventional video screen is four units wide for
every three units of height, that’s why the ratio is
called ”4:3”. Newer wide aspect ratio video
displays are 16 units wide for every nine units of
height, making them more like the screen in a
movie theater. The program material on a DVD
may be recorded in either format and, in
addition, you may configure the DVD to play
back in either format, depending on the features
recorded on a disc.

Title: For a DVD, a title is defined as an entire
movie or program.There can be as many chapters
within a title as the producers decide to include.
Most discs include only one title, but some may
have more than one, to give you a “Double
Feature” presentation.

Chapter: DVD programs are divided into
chapters and titles. Chapters are the sub-sections
programmed into a single title on a disc.
Chapters may be compared to the individual
tracks on an audio CD.

RGB Video: This is a new form of video signal
that eliminates many of the artifacts of tradition­al composite video signals by splitting the signal
into the three fundamental colors Red, Green
and Blue (RGB). With an RGB connection (via
SCART), you will see greater picture resolution
and eliminate many picture imperfections such as
the moiré patterns often seen on checkered
patterned cloths. However, in order to benefit
from RGB video, you must have a video display
with an RGB compatible SCART input.

Progressive scan: DVD offers progressive scan
video outputs for use with compatible high-reso­lution televisions and projectors. Before DVD, no
consumer medium could store, transmit or display
video with full resolution. To conserve bandwidth,
analog compression (interlacing) is employed: first
the odd-numbered lines of a frame are displayed,
followed by the even-numbered lines.The result is
that only half of the video image is drawn at one
time; the viewer's brain must reassemble the
complete image.This is acceptable, if the monitor
is not too large and if there is not too much
motion in the image. Large displays and fast-mov­ing images reveal the limitations of this system.
Thanks to DVD's immense data capacity, images
are now stored intact (progressively), so that all
the lines in each frame (odd and even) are shown
at the same time. But because most TV's cannot
handle a progressive signal, all current DVD
players generate an interlaced output for
compatibility. Now, the Harman Kardon DVD is
among the select few DVD players with true
progressive scan video output (NTSC and PAL) for
use with compatible TV's and CRT projectors and
with all plasma, LCD and DLP display devices via
the component video output. The result is 40%
greater light output than a conventional TV and a
stunningly detailed high definition image, along
with an almost complete absence of visible
scanlines and motion artifacts. Of course,
traditional Y/Pr/Pb component video, SCART,
S-Video and composite video outputs are
included for use with conventional televisions and
projectors.

Multiple Angle: DVDs have the capability to
show up to four different views of the same
scene in a program. When a disc is encoded with
multiple-angle information, pressing the Angle
button will enable you to switch between these
different views. Note that at present, few discs
take advantage of this capability and, when they
do, the multiple-angle technology may only be
present for short periods of time within the disc.
Producers will usually insert some sort of icon or
graphic in the picture to alert you to the
availability of multiple viewing angles.

Reading: This is a message that you will see
after you´ve loaded the disc and the tray has
closed. It refers to the fact that the player must
first examine the contents of the disc to see if it
is a CD or DVD, and then extract the information
about the type of material on the disc, such as
languages, aspect ratios, subtitles, number of
titles and more.The slight delay while the
contents of the disc are read is normal.

Resume: The operation of the Stop Button on
the DVD works differently from what you are
used to on CD players. On a traditional CD
player, when you press the Stop button, the unit
does just that: it stops playback. On a CD player,
when you press the start button again, the disc
starts from the beginning. With the DVD,
however, you have two options when playing
DVD discs. Pressing Stop once will stop playback,
but it actually puts the unit in the Resume mode.
This means that you can turn the machine off
and, when you press play the next time, the disc
will resume or continue from the point on the
disc where the Stop button was pressed. This is
helpful if you are watching a movie and must
interrupt your viewing session but wish to pick
up where you left off. Pressing the Stop button
twice will stop the machine in a traditional
manner and, when the disc is played again, it will
start from the beginning.

In resume mode, the cover of the DVD will be
displayed, if available. Otherwise, the
Harman Kardon screen will appear.

DivX

DivX is the name of a revolutionary new video
codec which is based on the MPEG-4 compres­sion standard for video.This DVD player will play­back discs created with DivX software.The DVD
player’s playback functionalities of DivX video
discs will vary depending on the DivX software
version used for creating your movies. For more
information about the different software versions
of DivX, please go to www.divx.com.

Terminology

FEATURES 5

Features

High quality video

• Advanced sophisticated 10-bit MPEG-2 video
decoding circuits.

• Direct RGB output via SCART (selectable) for
optimum video performance. SCART connector
also configurable for Composite Video output.

• Test screen videos available for testing video
performance and setup.

• Pure PAL with NTSC disc due to true
NTSC/PAL conversion.

• Dual-layer compatibility for extended play
DVD.

• Progressive Scan component video ouputs
(NTSC and PAL)

• Playback of JPEG image files

High quality digital audio

• By connecting a DTS (Digital Theater Systems)
or a Dolby Digital decoder, you can enjoy high
quality 5.1 digital surround sound from DTS or
Dolby Digital discs.

• With linear PCM audio at 16-24 bits and
44-96 kHz (also on digital output, see table
page 15), audio quality exceeding that of CD
becomes possible.

• Optical and coaxial digital audio output.

Many convenient features

• On-Screen Menu lcons for disc information or
player information and access to many major
functions of this unit.

• Subtitles may be displayed in one of numerous
languages*.

• The multi-angle function allows you to choose
the viewing angle of scenes which were shot
from a number of different angles (Limited to
DVD’s recorded with multiple camera angles.)

• Multiple options for dialog language and
soundtrack selection (limited to DVD’s
recorded with multiple dialog languages or
soundtracks).

• Intuitive menu operating system.

• 4 step Zoom during play and pause.

• Backlit, ergonomically designed remote
control.

• Future software upgrades accessible via
Internet. (See information below.)

* The number of languages recorded depends

on the software.

Compatible with CD
as well as DVD

• The DVD 23 will play any conventional Audio
CD or recordable (CD-R) or erasable CD
(CD-RW), MP3,WMA (v8) or any DivX or VCD
or DVD/Video with the region code 0 or 2.

Disc formats supported
by this player

The unit can play the following disc formats
(8 cm and 12 cm size):

• DVD

• DVD-R

• DVD-RW

• DVD+R

• DVD+RW

• CD

• CD-R

• CD-RW

• VCD

• S-VCD

• WMA (v9)

NOTE: Due to differences in the format of
certain discs, it is possible that some discs may
include a mix of features that are not compatible
with the DVD. Similarly, although the DVD is
capable of a wide range of features, not all discs
include every capability of the DVD system. For
example, although the DVD is compatible with
multi-angle discs, that feature is only possible
when the disc is specially encoded for multi­pleangle play. In addition, the DVD is capable of
playing back both Dolby Digital and DTS sound­tracks, but the number and types of tracks
available will vary from disc to disc.To make
certain that a specific feature or soundtrack
option is available, please check the options
noted on the disc jacket.

■ Playback capability for CD-R, CD-RW, WMA,

JPEG, MP3, DivX, VCD/SVCD, DVD-R, DVD+R,
DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs may vary due to
variations in the quality of the disc and the
recorder used to create the disc.

Upgradeability via Internet

The ”firmware” controlling the functionality of
the Harman Kardon DVD is fully upgradeable. In
the event of future improvements to its
operations and features, it will be possible to
download firmware upgrades from
www.harmankardon.com/International/
All you have to do is create a CD-R with the
data and insert it in the DVD for an automatic
upgrade.

Packing List

1 Harman Kardon DVD Player

1 Remote control

2 AA batteries

1 A/V cable for stereo analog audio and

composite video

1 S-Video cable

1 remote extension cable

1 owner's manual

6 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

Front Panel Controls



Main Information Display: This display
delivers messages and status indications to help
you operate the DVD player.

1

Power On/Off (Standby): Press the button
once to turn the DVD player on, press it again to
put the unit in the Standby mode.

2

Open/Close: Press this button to open or
close the Disc Tray.

3

Play: Press to initiate playback or to resume
playback after Pause has been pressed.

4

Pause: Press this button to momentarily
pause playback. To resume playback, press the
button again. If a DVD is playing, action will
freeze and a still picture will be displayed when
the button is pressed.

5

Stop: Press this button once to place the
disc in the Resume mode, which means that
playback will stop, but as long as the tray is not
opened or the disc changed, DVD playback will
continue from the same point on the disc when
the Play Button is pressed again. Resume will
also work if the unit was turned off. To stop a
disc and have play start from the beginning,
press the button twice.

6

Skip/Search (Previous): Press this button
to move backward through the music tracks on
a CD disc or the chapters on a DVD disc. Keep
the button pressed to search backwards at one
of the available speeds.

7

Skip/Search (Next): Press to move forward
through the music tracks on a CD or the chap­ters on a DVD disc. Keep the button pressed to
search forwards at one of the available speeds.

8

Display: Press this button to reduce the
brightness of the Information Display by 50% or
to turn the display off completely in the
following order: FULL BRIGHTNESS ➔ HALF
BRIGHTNESS ➔ OFF ➔ FULL BRIGHTNESS.



Main Information Display

1

Power On/Off (Standby)

2

Open/Close

3

Play

4

Pause

5

Stop

6

Skip/Search (Previous)

7

Skip/Search (Next)

8

Display

1 3 4 5 6 7 8

2 

FRONT PANEL INFORMATION DISPLAY 7

Front Panel Information Display

K

G M

A Disc Type Indicators
B Playback-Mode Indicators
C Progressive Scan Indicator
D Chapter/Track Number Indicators
E Time Indicators

F Title Indicators
G V-OFF Indicator
H Repeat Indicators
I VCD Playback Control Indicator
J Random Indicator

K A-B Repeat Indicator
L Program Indicator
M Angle Indicator

A Disc Type Indicators: The CD, DVD or DVD

Audio indicator will illuminate to show the type
of disc currently being played.

B Playback-Mode Indicators: These
indicators light to show the current playback
mode:

› Lights when a disc is playing in the normal
mode

H

Lights when the disc is in the Fast Search
Forward mode. The on-screen banner display
indicates the selected speed (2x, 8x, 16x, 100x).

1

Lights when the disc is paused.

G

Lights when the disc is in the Fast Search
Reverse mode.The on-screen banner display
indicates the selected speed (2x, 8x, 16x, 100x).

C Progressive Scan Indicator: This indicator
lights when the unit sends out a progressive
scan signal.

D Chapter/Track Number Indicators: When
a DVD disc is playing, these two positions in the
display will show the current chapter. When a
CD disc is playing they will show the current
track number.

E Time Indicators: These positions in the
indicator will show the running time of a DVD in
play.When a CD is playing, these indicators will
show the current track time, time remaining in
the current track, or the total remaining time on
the disc.

NOTE: The Indicators DEF will also display
text messages about the DVD’s status, including

Reading when a disc is loading,
STANDBY when the unit is turned off, and
Disc Error when a disc not compatible

with the DVD is put into the play position.

F Title Indicators: These two positions in the
display will show the current title number when
a DVD disc is playing.

G V-OFF Indicator: This indicator lights when
the unit's video output has been turned off by
pressing the V-OFF button on the remote
control.

H Repeat Indicators: These indicators light
when any of the Repeat functions are in use.

I VCD Playback Control Indicator: This
indicator lights when the playback control func­tion is turned on with VCDs.

J Random Indicator: This indicator lights
when the unit is in the Random Play mode.

K A-B Repeat Indicator: This indicator lights
when a specific passage for repeat playback has
been selected.

L Program Indicator: This indicator lights
when the programming functions are in use.

M Angle Indicator: This indicator blinks when
alternative viewing angles are available on the
DVD currently playing.

JA

B

RANDOM

FE

VCDVD

PBC

I

L

PROGRAM

TRACKTITLE

C H

P.SCAN
HOUR

D

REP 1

S-VIDEO

A-B

V.OFF

RGB YUV

MIN

SEC

8 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

Remote Control Functions

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q













POWER ON

POWER OFF

SUBTITLE

TITLE

ANGLE

AUDIO

ENTER

OPEN/CLOSE

OSD

ARROWS

INFO

MENU

PAUSE

STATUS

SKIP/STEP (PREVIOUS)

SKIP/STEP (NEXT)

PLAY

SEARCH/SLOW REVERSE

STOP

SEARCH/SLOW FORWARD

DISPLAY

PIC +/PIC -

ZOOM

PLAYLIST

RANDOM

A-B Repeat

V.OFF

LIGHT

NUMERIC KEYS

REPEAT

CLEAR

VIDEO OUTPUT

VIDEO FORMAT

N

5

9

G

H

Q

3



A

0

7

C

E

I

K







O

1

2

8

6

B

D

F

J

L

M

4




P