Tag mclaren audio AV192R User Manual

4 controls 6 welcome 7 safety ﬁrst / when you need assistance 8 preparing the remote control - installing batteries 9 connectivity

analog audio inputs..............................................................9

5.1 analog bypass ...............................................................9

digital audio inputs...............................................................9

TAGtronic Sync Link ‘T2L’ ....................................................10

AC-3 RF Laserdisc interface .................................................10

composite video inputs........................................................11

S-video inputs ....................................................................11

Component video inputs......................................................11

audio outputs main zone .....................................................12

audio zone 2.....................................................................12

balanced XLR outputs ..........................................................12

speaker positioning ............................................................13

analog and digital tape outputs............................................14

TAGtronic Bus routing .........................................................15

FM antennae connections....................................................15

DAB digital radio antenna...................................................15

RS232 / IR TX controller connections ....................................16

action switches...................................................................16

external infra red receiver connections ..................................17

composite video outputs ......................................................18

S-video outputs...................................................................18

RGB/component video output ..............................................18

digital video DVI output.......................................................18

19 on screen display 19 video standard & signal conversion 20 basic system set-up: an example 21 switching on / standby / clock 22 controlling remotely 22 front panel display in operation 23 status screen: essential user settings at a glance 24 source selection 25 volume control - main and zone 2

changing volume................................................................25

changing between main and zone 2.....................................25

start volume .......................................................................25

maximum volume................................................................25

contents

10231K

contents

26 mute and partial mute (attenuation) 27 balance (front, rear, left right) 28 surround modes & initial modes 29 THX post processing 31 THX Cinema, THX Ultra2 and THX Music 32 THX Surround EX 33 surround modes

mono, direct, bypass, HDCD ...............................................33

stereo, Pro Logic. Pro Logic II ...............................................34

DTS Neo:6, TAG McLaren Surround, party............................35

Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS ES 6.1............................................36

DTS 96 / 24, Multi-channel (initial mode)..............................37

38 height channel 39 audio channel indicator: audio status 39 tuning the LFE or subwoofer level 40 cursor assigmenment

balance.............................................................................40

Pro Logic II Music ...............................................................40

AV192R radio tuning..........................................................40

T32R tuning via TAGtronic Bus.............................................40

quick settings ....................................................................41

42 The AV192R set-up menu : introduction 44 ﬁrst time set-up wizard 45 Change Set-up

Dolby Digital / DTS night mode ...........................................45

front panel text set-up..........................................................46

front panel brightness..........................................................47

on-screen conﬁguration .......................................................48

radiotext display ................................................................48

video inputs conﬁguration....................................................49

RGB / HDTV input signal conﬁguration .................................49

DVI / HDMI inputs..............................................................50

analog audio inputs conﬁguration ........................................50

digital audio input conﬁguration...........................................53

TAGtronic Sync Link conﬁguration ........................................54

when to use height speaker .................................................55

5.1 analog bypass conﬁguration..........................................56

source input key assignments on remote ................................57

loudspeaker deﬁnition and calibration ..................................58

mode dependent speaker trims.............................................60

distance between back speakers ..........................................60

subwoofer types .................................................................61

bass redirection rules ..........................................................62

speaker calibration.............................................................63

alternative listening position.................................................63

5.1 replay through 7.1 loudspeakers....................................64

65 TMREQ TAG McLaren Room EQ

65 output options

main zone / zone 2 conﬁguration........................................66

mute conﬁguration..............................................................66

Dolby Headphone ..............................................................66

Dolby Pro Logic IIx conﬁguration ..........................................67

NTSC/ PAL latency offset.....................................................68

PSM192 video output format ...............................................68

OSD on composite and S-video............................................68

69 PSM192 progressive scan module

PSM192: conﬁguration .......................................................69

PSM192: settings ...............................................................70

PSM192: in AV192R and DVD32 ........................................71

71 VSM2048 video scaler

VSM2048: video outputs.....................................................72

VSM2048: conﬁgure video inputs ........................................76

VSM2048: picture in picture................................................78

79 FM radio 82 DAB digital radio 85 clock setting 86 action switches: relay and trigger 88 standby / wakeup timer 89 RS232 / IR TX controller | RS232 controller

RS232 settings ...................................................................91

IR learning.........................................................................93

macros..............................................................................97

macros: an example ...........................................................98

macro: RS232....................................................................99

macro: RC 5 / TAGtronic Bus.............................................100

macro: learnt IR / chaining ................................................101

change bus ID ..................................................................102

31 xxx macros .................................................................103

cursor key functions...........................................................104

control via a PC................................................................105

106 TAGtronic Bus

in and out of standby ........................................................106

sending remote commands via AV192R ..............................107

synchronising brightness....................................................107

controlling (multiple) ampliﬁers ...........................................107

corresponding with DVD32/DVD192 & T32R .......................112

113 hardware and software upgrades

how to enable a new software option .................................114

programming the remote ..................................................115

upgrading the AV192R’s software ......................................119

123 connecting AV192R to DVD32 with PSM192 124 running in, warming up, cleaning and service 125 standards acknowledgements

contents

SUB CENTRE RIGHT LEFT

12FM

75 OHM

DAB (50 OHM)

TAPETAPE

OUT

AUX TUNER SAT VCR TV

ANALOG INPUT

LRLRLRLRLRL

SUB CENTRE RIGHT LEFT

5.1 BYPASSNE 2

LEFT S L S R

7. 9.

10.

18.

35.

19.

36.

20.

24.

VSM2048 POWER

HDTV

SB L SB R SURR R SURR L

made in United Kingdom

PROCESSED DVI - OUT

RS 232 - IN RS 232 - OUT

DVI - IN1 DVI - IN2

Double insulated: When servicing, use only identical replacement parts

IR - TX

COMPONENT/RGB IN

BALANCED ANALO

B1R1S1

B2R2S2G2B3R3S3

serial number

COMPONENT/RGB OUT

Y … G P

b … B

Pr … R

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

220-240V ~ 50-60Hz

Fuse: T1A L250V

OUTIN

ABCDE

BUS

IN/OUTOUT

ZON

RIGHT

ANALOG OUTPUT

RIGHTSUB

LEFTCENTRE

DIGITAL AUDIO

DVD192

OPTICAL

OUT

SAT D BOXDVB

DVD CD

SYNCDAB

COMP-C D BOX-C TV-C

COMPOSITE

SAT-C

LD-C

DVD-CVCR-C

SAT-SLD-S

DVD-SVCR-S

D BOX-S TV-S

S-VIDEO

REMOTE

OUTIN MIC

ACTION SWITCHES

SURR L

SURR R

OUT

OUT +OSD

OUT

OUT +OSD

COAX OUT

2/RF

BACK L BACK R

analog

digital

video

zone 2

surround

THX Cinema

mute/standby

display

normalok

THX Surr. EX

DTS-ES

DTS 96/24

zone 2/

av processor AV192R

192

7•1

1. 4.

RCAM-s CAM-c CAML RS232

15.

14.

30.

16. 17.

34. 31. 32. 33. 29. 28. 27. 26. 25.

13.

12.

11.

b. c. d. e. f.

21.

37. 38. 41. 42.39. 40. 43

22. 23.

RCAM-s CAM-c CAML RS232

controls

1 power / standby indicator 2 input / zone 2 selection buttons 3 mode / standby buttons 4 function buttons 5 ﬂag / zone 2 indicators 6 display 7 volume knob 8 remote command acknowledge indicator

9 remote command receiver window 10 power button 11 front panel electronics - option

a infra-red receiver for use with RS232/IR TX controller option b S-video input CAM-S c composite video input CAM-C d analog stereo input CAM e RS232 programming input

f headphones output 12 infra-red receiver output - RS232/IR TX controller option 13 RS232 input - RS232/IR TX controller option 14 RS232 output - RS232/IR TX controller option 15 DVI output - PSM192 or PSM192/VSM2048 option 16 DVI input - VSM2048 option 17 DVI input - DVI switcher option 18 PSU input - VSM2048 option 19 FM 1 / 2 antenna inputs - FM radio option 20 DAB digital radio antenna input - DAB digital radio option 21 HDTV video input - RGB/Component switcher option 22 RGB / Component inputs - RGB/Component switcher option 23 RGB / Component output - RGB/Component switcher option 24 balanced/XLR analog audio outputs - option 25 action switches 26 input/output for electrical ‘infra-red’ distribution system 27 microphone input - for future use 28 S-video inputs 29 composite video inputs 30 optical digital audio output 31 DVD192 - BNC based digital audio input 32 digital audio inputs 33 1st digital audio output 34 analog audio outputs 35 zone 2 - analog audio outputs 36 5.1 analog bypass 37 AC connection with fuse holder, above 38 TAGtronic communication bus 39 S-video outputs 40 composite video outputs 41 TAGtronic Synchronisation Link connector 42 2nd digital output or AC-3 RF Laserdisc input - option 43 tape output 44 analog audio inputs

Specification shown may vary for different countries

welcome

welcome to

Dr. Udo Zucker Chief Executive Ofﬁcer TAG McLaren Audio

TAG McLaren Audio exists with one aim in mind: to produce the very best audio and audio-visual equipment in the world.

Like many people, I often have my best ideas when relaxing to a piece of music or watching a movie. For years, knowing the technical capabilities of TAG McLaren, I have nurtured the ambition to push music reproduction to the absolute limit; that’s why we formed TAG McLaren Audio.

At the core of our development team are highly experienced engineers whose heritage of award-winning hi-ﬁ and world-beating electronic control systems is envied by many and equalled by few.

There are many immediate spin-offs into audio from our expertise in automotive electronics, mechanical engineering and the material science of Formula One motor racing: multi-layer printed circuits, fast digital signal processing, electronic noise suppression, radio frequency technology and software expertise to name but a few - all prerequisites of an outstanding audio product.

TAG McLaren Audio’s aim is perfection combined with aesthetic delight and solid build quality – a rare combination in hi-ﬁ.

I am convinced it will give your home cinema experience a new dimension.

Enjoy ...

Dr. Udo Zucker

safety first / when you need additional assistance

safety first

before you start

Make sure that all components of your audio-visual system are disconnected from the AC supply whenever you change any connections. The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in; the next will release it. Check that the power button is out so that power is off.

positioning

The AV192R is designed to run warm during normal operation. Please ensure that there is adequate ventilation above and below the unit. We recommend that you do not place your AV192R near any heat sources such as radiators or in direct sunlight.

Do not expose your AV192R to dripping or splashing liquids. Do not place objects ﬁlled with liquid, such as vases, on or near it.

Do not place your AV192R on top of any electronic product (or hot surface), it will warm both products because of restricted ventilation.

Do not connect the AC cable, supplied, until you have completed all connections.

when you need additional assistance

To maximize the performance from your AV192R, it is essential to conﬁgure it correctly. This will ensure it performs its role at the heart of your home cinema system to its optimum. Without this set-up you will signiﬁcantly reduce your system’s potential.

In case you need any support, remember:

• refer to the on screen help, available from the on screen display

• ask your TAG McLaren Audio retailer for assistance

• contact our Helpdesk@tagmclaren.com by email, using either the English or German language

• refer to the Discussion Forum at www.tagmclaren.com to share your speciﬁc issue with others

For on-line help select the ? using the cursor keys, followed by ok

1. Throughout the manual, bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your AV192R or the remote.

(1)

preparing the remote control

installing batteries

The AV192R is supplied with a ‘learning’ remote. This is supplied pre-programmed for TAG McLaren Audio home cinema products, but may easily be re-programmed to control other devices using an infra-red remote within your home audio and audio-visual system. The remote uses four AAA 1.5 V batteries. These are supplied with the AV192R.

To open the battery compartment, push the latch forward towards the top of the remote, and lift the latch up. Make sure that batteries are inserted in the correct orientation, with the + and – markings on the batteries match those in the battery compartment

To close the battery cover, slide it straight back in (towards the top of the remote) and push down until it clicks into place.

(1)

1. Make sure you do not press any keys on the remote during battery changing, as you will lose any user- programmed functions. For more information about programming the remote, please refer to page 87 ‘programming the remote’.

connectivity: audio sources

Please have a look at the rear panel of your AV192R and under its front panel ﬂap

(1)

and you will see many potential connections can be made to your AV192R. Fortunately these connections can be separated in logical groups which are described in the following paragraphs:

audio inputs

You can connect analog (stereo and 5.1) and digital audio signals.

stereo analog inputs

Your AV192 has six, electrically identical analog inputs at the rear, labelled for convenience TV, VCR, SAT, TUNER, AUX, TAP E. There is an additional analog input at the front, CAM, if your AV192R is ﬁtted with the front panel ﬂap.

5.1 bypass

The AV192R offers a 5.1 BYPASS, which is also conﬁgurable as three stereo inputs. The 5.1 BYPASS is a true 5.1 analog bypass with analog volume control, allowing the direct connection of DVD Audio or multichannel SACD players.

All analog inputs use phono sockets and should be connected using good-quality, screened, analog audio cable, such as our Cable AvantGarde analog interconnect.

SPDIF digital audio inputs

Your AV192R has nine digital audio inputs using the SPDIF interface standard. They are labelled for convenience DVD192, SAT, DVB, D BOX, DVD, CD, LD, MD and DAB. The inputs labelled SAT, DVB, D BOX, DVD, CD, and LD use phono sockets and should be connected using a digital cable.

Input DVD192 use a 75 Ohm BNC connector for best impedance matching, resulting in improved sound quality.

LRLRLRLRLRL

AUX TUNER SAT VCR TV

TAPE

Signals connected to the 5.1 Bypass will not be digitised, therefore no processing beside analog volume control will be possible.

ANALOG INPUT

5.1 BYPASS

S L S R

SUB CENTRE RIGHT LEFT

DVD192 SAT D BOXDVB

DIGITAL AUDIO

DVD CD

SYNCDAB

COAX OUT

2/RF

The inputs DAB and MD use optical TOSLINK connectors.

Cable AvantGarde offers good-quality, screened, coaxial digital interconnects with phono and BNC connectors or a combination of both.

1. If fitted.

connectivity: TAGtronic Sync Link / AC-3 RF Laserdisc

TAGtronic Sync Link

(1)

‘T2L’

The stability of the timing of digital data has a dramatic effect on sound quality. When designing digital to analog converters, it is vital to have a stable digital clock as close to the converter electronics as possible. The best place for an ultra-low-jitter clock is within the audio-visual processor itself, but it is conventionally located in the source from which the digital data is sent.

The AV192R incorporates sophisticated electronics which enable it to ‘drive’ the source clock of products equipped with this technology to provide the correct data rate to the converters. By a process called ‘re-clocking’, the jitter in the digital audio data is dramatically reduced.

To enable this feature, the TAGtronic Sync Link SYNC connector must be connected to the appropriate SYNC connector of the digital audio source using a high-quality analog interconnect.

The sync output software must also be enabled using the on-screen set-up menu system, for details see page 54.

connectivity: AC-3 RF Laserdisc interface

If you want to play NTSC Laserdiscs encoded in Dolby Digital, you will need the optional AC-3 RF interface. This interface converts the Radio Frequency (RF)-encoded information stored on the Laserdisc into an SPDIF-compatible Dolby Digital bitstream, allowing the AV192R then to decode this data in the same way as if the signal had come from a DVD encoded with Dolby Digital.

SYNC

COAX OUT

2/RF

If the AC-3 RF Laserdic interface option is installed, it uses the phono connector COAX OUT2/RF

1. When the interface is not fitted, this socket is available as a second coaxial COAX OUT 2/RF

(1)

as the AC-3 RF input.

connectivity: video sources

video inputs

The AV192R can process analog Composite video, S-video and, if the optional RGBS / Component Video Switcher is ﬁtted, RGB / Component video. In addition, it can process digital video DVI (1.0) if the optional DVI/HDMI Switcher is ﬁtted. For more details see page 50.

Composite video

The AV192R has seven 75 Ohm Composite video inputs at the rear, labelled for convenience COMP-C, D BOX-C, TV-C, VCR-C, DVD-C, LD-C and SAT-C. There is an additional input at the front, CAM-C, if the AV192R is ﬁtted with the front panel ﬂap.

All inputs, except SAT-C are electrically identical - SAT-C has been modiﬁed to accept video signals with high DC offset, a signal degradation found in some satellite receivers.

S-video

The AV192R has six 75 Ohm Mini-DIN S-video inputs at the rear, labelled for convenience D BOX-S, TV-S, VCR-S, DVD-S, LD-S and SAT-S. There is an additional S- video input at the front, CAM-S, if the AV192R is ﬁtted with the front panel ﬂap.

All inputs, except SAT-S are electrically identical - SAT-S has been modiﬁed to accept video signals with high DC offset, a signal degradation found in some satellite receivers.

COMP-C D BOX-C TV-C

OUT

OUT +OSD

OUT

OUT +OSD

S-VIDEO

COMPOSITE

D BOX-S TV-S

DVD-CVCR-C

SAT-C

LD-C

DVD-SVCR-S

SAT-SLD-S

Component video

The AV192R can be equipped with a 3 to 1 RGBS / Component video switcher. This allows the switching of up to three RGBS/Component video sources to a common video output, usually the display device. In addition, the RGBS Component Video Switcher includes an HDTV (HD15) input which can also be routed to the output.

The AV192R offers full support of RGBS, i.e. RGB with separate Sync, which is very common in Europe. It works equally well with YPbPr, common in the USA.

COMPONENT/RGB IN

G2B3R3S3G3

Two of the input sets (R2, G2, B2, S2 and R3, G3, B3, S3) use digital RCA, whilst for added

performance the third set (R1, G1, B1, S1) is assembled with 75 Ohm BNC connectors for true impedance matching, essential for high

B1R1S1

Component Video YPbPr is connected as follows: Y->G, Pb->B and Pr->R

B2R2S2

frequency signals.

All signals can be passed through the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192 and the optional Video Scaler VSM2048, offering YPbPr, RGsB or RGBHV as output formats. For details see pages 68 and 73.

heading12|connectivity: main zone / zone 2/ XLR balanced outputs

audio outputs

The AV192R offers 7.1 channels in the main zone and two channels in zone 2.

main zone connections

The RIGHT, CENTRE, LEFT, SURR R, SURR L, BACK R, BACK and SUBwoofer phono outputs are low-impedance line-level outputs, buffered to be able to drive long cables or several inputs in parallel if required. These should be connected to your ampliﬁer(s) using good-quality, screened, analog audio cable such as our Cable AvantGarde F3-10-ANA analog interconnect.

SURR L

SURR R

ANALOG OUTPUT

BACK L BACK R

LEFTCENTRE

RIGHTSUB

zone 2 connections

ZONE 2

Zone 2 allows for ZONE 2 RIGHT and LEFT, being an independently

RIGHT LEFT

volume controlled copy of the corresponding signals ANALOG OUTPUT RIGHT and LEFT of the main zone.

The ZONE 2 RIGHT and LEFT phono outputs are low-impedance line-level outputs, buffered to be able to drive long cables or several inputs in parallel if required. These should be connected to your ampliﬁer, used for zone 2, using good-quality, screened, analog audio cable such as our Cable AvantGarde F3-10-ANA analog interconnect.

balanced analog outputs

The AV192R can be upgraded to provide balanced XLR outputs. These are in addition to the standard single-ended outputs. Both single-ended and balanced outputs can be used at the same time and have been calibrated to offer identical ampliﬁcation, making them also suited for bi-ampliﬁcation set-ups.

SB L SB R SURR R SURR L SUB CENTRE RIGHT LEFT

BALANCED ANALOG OUTPUT

why should you add the XLR option

It is possible for a current to ﬂow between the ground connections of the AV192R and its connected power ampliﬁers, caused by electro-magnetic interference or ground potential differences. With a single-ended connection this current is indistinguishable from the signal and hence can become audible as a hum or buzz. The problem is usually referred to as ground loops and can be overcome by using balanced outputs driving an ampliﬁer’s balanced inputs. This option is recommended for those who experience ground loop problems or simply want the best signal to noise ratio.

heading

speaker positioning

With the exception of the subwoofer and the height channel speaker, all loudspeakers should be arranged around your normal viewing / listening position, forming an approximate

circle. Do not worry if you are unable to position your loudspeakers at equal distances from your preferred listening

position, the AV192R can be set up to take account of different distances. The subwoofer can be placed almost anywhere, but we recommend you experiment to obtain the best results.

1. front left and right loudspeaker

Position your front loudspeakers so as to obtain a good stereo image for normal music reproduction as well as good sound location for multi-channel modes

2. centre loudspeaker

A front centre loudspeaker allows more realistic reproduction of dialogue and central sounds and a wider range of seating positions. The centre loudspeaker should ideally be placed at the same height as the left and right loudspeakers, immediately above or below the television. Do not compromise on the quality of the centre loudspeaker; it is most important to a good home cinema system as it carries all the dialogue.

3. surround loudspeakers

‘5.1’ home cinema uses one or preferably two rear loudspeakers in addition to your existing front left, right and centre loudspeakers to give excellent reproduction of ambient sound and cinema effects.

4. back channel loudspeaker

Your AV192R allows you to add one or two back channel loudspeakers for added depth, spacious ambience and sound localization. You might need to move your standard left and right surround loudspeakers forward in order to generate the most impressive surround sound. Place the loudspeakers to have the sound perfectly surrounding you without ‘breaking up’ when moving from one surround speaker to the other.

5. subwoofer

Bass performance will be improved by adding a subwoofer. This is useful for reproducing special cinema effects, especially where a dedicated LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel is available, such as with Dolby Digital or DTS Digital Surround-encoded discs.

6. height channel loudspeaker

The AV192R is one of the ﬁrst processors offering a height channel, making sure that sound intended to ﬂy over you, will no longer ﬂy through you.

Movies especially mixed with height channel information, and many mixed in THX Surround EX (Dolby EX) or DTS-ES 6.1 will beneﬁt from this enhancement

Information, intended for the height channel, is matrix encoded in the surround back and centre channel. If you activate the height channel, the BACK RIGHT SURR. output will be assigned to the output of the height channel matrix decoder.

If you want to run two back channels in addition to the height channel, then you need to connect both back channel loudspeakers via two power ampliﬁer channels to BACK LEFT SURR.

(1)

13connectivity: loudspeakers|13

1. THX Surround EX (Dolby EX) and DTS-ES 6.1 recordings provide an additional back channel, which the AV192R can route to go to a left

and right surround back speaker, if the height channel is not activated.

connectivity: analog and digital tape connections

analog tape output

The TAPE OUTput contains a copy of the audio signals routed to the RIGHT and LEFT front channel outputs, without applying volume control

or mute. Connect the recording input of an analog tape recorder to TAPE OUT if you want to record the signal of the RIGHT and LEFT front channels.

caution when pressing the tape key/button during recording

In this instance the front display will show TAPE (name of analog input routed to TAPE out), e.g. TAPE(SAT). Pressing tape again will return to the analog signal selected before tape was pressed the ﬁrst time.

If however, you record the result of a digital audio input, e.g. CD, or the 5.1 BYPASS then you should not press the tape key/button whilst recording, as this will route the TAP E input to the ANALOG OUTPUTs and TAPE OUT, spoiling your recording. This behaviour will be shown in the front display by the word TAP E. Pressing tape again will return to the digital input/5.1 BYPASS selected before pressing tape the ﬁrst time.

TAPE OUT

digital (tape) output

The signal at COAX OUT 2/RF (if the optional AC-3 RF interface isn’t installed- see page 10) and OPTICAL OUT is an unmodiﬁed copy of the currently selected digital audio source, i.e. it is unaffected by the volume control or processing mode.

The digital coaxial COAX OUT or the OPTICAL OUT (TOSLink) should normally be connected to your digital recording device (such as a DAT or MD recorder).

It is not possible to route an analog source to the digital coaxial outputs.

COAX OUT

2/RF

OPTICAL

OUT

heading

TAGtronic Bus routing

The AV192R features the TAGtronic Communications Bus. This allows TAG McLaren Audio units to work together seamlessly to form an effective, fully integrated system. It is highly recommended to connect products, featuring the TAGtronic Bus together, as many additional features will become available.

Details are explained on page 106.

You can connect your AV192R to the TAGtronic Bus using a ‘straight’ CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors. Straight means pin 1 of the connector on one end, connects to pin 1 of the connector on the other end. CAT5 cable is available from your local computer shop at a reasonable price.

The sequence is in principle of no relevance as long as you connect an output to an input and don’t close the Bus to be a ring. For example:

[AV192R] Out

In [100x5R 1st amplifier ] Out

In [100x5R 2nd amplifier ] Out

In [DVD32] Out

15connectivity: TAGtronic Bus / FM & DAB digital radio|15

In [T32R]

Do not close back to AV192R

FM & DAB digital radio

The AV192R can be equipped with an optional FM radio and / or an optional DAB digital radio.

The FM radio option provides two, electrically identical 75 Ohm

(1)

PAL

antenna inputs, FM1 and FM2, allowing e.g. the connection of

an out-door antenna and a cable distribution system. For details about the operation of the FM radio option see page 79.

The DAB digital radio, featuring band III and L reception, uses as antenna input a 50 Ohm BNC connector, labelled DAB (50 OHM). For details about the operation of the DAB digital radio option see page 82.

1. For a number of countries, an F-type connector is fitted.

12FM

75 OHM

DAB (50 OHM)

connectivity: RS232- IN / OUT & IR-TX

RS232/IR TX controller connections

The connectors shown belong to the optional RS232/IR TX controller which allows an unprecedented degree of automation.

IR - TX

RS 232 - IN RS 232 - OUT

The RS232/IR TX option is a self contained microcontroller-based module with advanced input and output facilities. It opens up a whole new world of system integration and control for AV192R. The board provides RS232 input (RS232-IN) and RS232 output (RS232- OUT) connectors, an electrical IR output (IR-TX) to connect an IR emitter and an IR input, for learning IR codes, via a sensor located under the front panel ﬂap, left of the CAM-s connector.

With the RS232 board ﬁtted the AV192R gains the ability to control 3rd party products, either via RS232 or IR.

For more details see page 89.

action switches

Action switches are used to activate external events or to react to external events, such as lowering a motorised screen or showing a

Insert screwdriver to open contact, then push wire into contact.

ACTION SWITCHES

ABCDE

1212121212

IN/OUTOUT

message on-screen when the door bell rings.

The AV192R includes ﬁve ACTION SWITCHES, two of which can also be conﬁgured as a trigger. All Action Switches are located within a contact array, making both contacts of each internal switch available to the user.

Motorised Screen

The AV192R includes switches A, B, C (and D, E if conﬁgured as output) which are controlled (opened/closed) by the AV192R when selecting an input source or when switching the AV192R into standby.

Switch D and E can also be conﬁgured as a trigger, i.e. they can activate a process within the AV192R, when an electrical signal is applied.

A description of the AV192R’s Action Switch

ACTION SWITCHES

ABCDE

internal circuitry

E is configured in this skecth as an input,

1212121212

i.e. closing the circuit between E1 and E2 will trigger an event

IN/OUTOUT

inside the AV192R

conﬁguration menu can be found on page 86.

Relay controlled

by AV192R

external IR receiver connections

heading

17connectivity: electrical ‘IR’ distribution system|17

The AV192R ‘7.1’ includes two sockets at the rear panel, named REMOTE IN and REMOTE OUT. They can be used to place the AV192R ‘7.1’ out of sight when connected to a wired infra-red remote system.

Example Layout

Attention: Some IR distribution systems can only connect one product per sensor output. In this instance use only the REMOTE IN connector.

AV192R

power

sensor

IR distribution system

Use this arrangement for IR distribution systems which allow product chaining, for details contact your IR distribution system manufacturer.

IN OUT

AV192R

REMOTE

OUTIN

e.g. DVD32R

power

sensor

connectivity: video outputs

composite video S-video

The AV192R can route any of its Composite video inputs to a pair of COMPOSITE video outputs, labelled OUT and OUT+OSD.

OUT

OUT +OSD

The AV192R can route any of its S-video inputs to a pair of S-

VIDEO outputs, labelled OUT and OUT+OSD.

OUT +OSD

The output OUT+OSD allows the AV192R to insert text on your TV (On-Screen Text = OSD) when required. This output should be connected to your display device. You should use the output OUT where you will never want to see the inserted text, such as on a VCR.

RGB / component video

The AV192R can be optionally equipped with a 3 to 1 RGBS / Component video switcher. This allows the switching of up to three RGB / component video sources to a common video output. In addition, the RGBS Component Video Switcher includes an HDTV (HD15) input which can also be routed to the output.

The AV192R offers full support of RGB, RGBS (RGB with separate Sync) and YPbPr USA.

There is no video conversion between these formats and no OnScreen text available, except if the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192 is installed.

COMPONENT/RGB OUT

HDTV

digital video DVI

Y … G P Pr … R

OUT

b … B

All interlaced video inputs are also available in digital form on the PROCESSED DVI-OUT connector, using DVI 1.0, if the AV192R is equipped with the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192.

All video inputs, interlaced or de-interlaced

, are available in digital form

on the PROCESSED DVI-OUT connector, using DVI 1.0, if the AV192R is equipped with the optional Video Scaler VSM2048.

The DVI output offers on screen display, as described on the next page, but only in full screen mode and if the video source was interlaced.

heading

on-screen display

The AV192R’s on-screen display (OSD) superimposes text on the picture for a few seconds whenever a change occurs, such as when you select a new input or change the volume. You can change how long the text remains for, as well as the position of the text on the screen, or turn this function off altogether, pressing menu, then select Change Set-up, Displays, On- Screen Display.

OSD is available

• for composite video sources on COMPOSITE OUT+OSD

• for S-video sources on S-VIDEO OUT+OSD

• for interlaced Component sources on COMPONENT/RGB OUT - if the optional Progressive

Scan Module PSM192 is installed

• for interlaced video in full screen mode on PROCESSED DVI-OUT if the optional Progressive

Scan Module PSM192 is installed

As soon as text is not required, the OSD electronics are switched out of circuit to maintain a ‘straight-though’ video path, i.e. the video signal quality is not affected.

For details on how to conﬁgure the OSD, see page 48.

The AV192R can only generate OSD for interlaced video sources.

19on-screen display / video conversion|19

video standard and signal conversion

The AV192R does not convert between composite, S-video and component video, except when the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192 is installed.

All video signals, composite, S-Video or Component video can be passed through the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192 (and the optional Video Scaler VSM2048) offering YPbPr, RGsB or RGBHV as video output formats.

All interlaced connector, using DVI 1.0, if the AV192R is equipped with the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192.

All video inputs, interlaced or de-interlaced, are available in digital form on the PROCESSED DVI-OUT connector, using DVI 1.0, if the AV192R is equipped with the optional Video Scaler VSM2048 and its optional Analog Input Module.

If you want to use composite, S-video and component video sources- and you do not have the optional Progressive Scan Module PSM192 installed - you must connect all signals to your display device.

video inputs are also available in digital form on the PROCESSED DVI-OUT

basic system set-up: an example

The following is a basic conﬁguration, reﬂecting one of many conﬁgurations. It assumes that the AV192R does not include/use the optional RGBS/Component Switcher, Progressive Scan Module, DVI Switcher or Video Scaler VSM2048.

digital audio source

connect the digital audio output of a DVD player (probably labelled ‘coaxial out’ or ‘coaxial digital out’) to the DIGITAL AUDIO input DVD using a digital interconnect cable

analog audio source

connect the analog audio output of a satellite receiver (probably labelled ‘left’ and ‘right’) to the ANALOG INPUT SAT Land

SAT

composite video

connect the composite video output of a satellite receiver (probably labelled ‘video’ or ‘composite’) to the COMPOSITE input SAT-C

S-video connection

connect the S-Video output of a DVD player (probably labelled

‘S-Video’) to the S-VIDEO input DVD-S

DVD

SAT

INPUT

SAT-C

DVD-S

connection to the power amplifier(s)

this sample conﬁguration is limited to a stereo set-up only: connect the AUDIO OUTPUT LEFT (RIGHT) to the power ampliﬁer used for the left (right) front loudspeaker

Connect the left and right front loudspeaker to your power ampliﬁer(s) as outlined in your power ampliﬁer's user

manual

tv connection

(1)

connect the composite input of your TV to the AV192R using the

COMPOSITE OUT+OSD and the

TV’s S-Video input to the S-VIDEO OUT+OSD socket

There are many potential system set-ups. Please refer to page 7 to learn how to get assistance in achieving your dream system.

OUT

OUT +OSD

LEFT

RIGHT

PUT

OUT

OUT +OSD

1. You need to connect both COMPOSITE OSD+OSD and S-VIDEO OUT+OSD to your display device if you connected source components via

a composite and S-Video connection.

heading

The following assumes that you have connected all your sources, audio and video, your loudspeakers and your display device to your AV192R.

21switching on / standby / clock|21

power connection

Check that the power button is out so that power is off when you plug in. The power button is a latching switch. One press will hold it in, the next will release it. Using the cable supplied, connect the socket on the back of your AV192R to an AC supply outlet.

Scaler PSU connection

If your unit has the VSM2048 option, connect the power lead from the VSM power supply to the PSU input on the rear of the AV192R, and connect the power supply to an AC supply outlet.

VSM2048 POWER

switching on

Press the power button in. The AV192R’s blue power LED will come on, the display window will light up and a few seconds later will show SELFTEST, above TAG McLaren, then the software version number such as V4.09.00, above AV192R-GB

(1, 2)

All outputs are muted when the power is switched on to allow all the voltages to stabilize. This protects the internal components of the AV192R, ampliﬁer and loudspeakers and prevents unpleasant switching noises. You will hear the mute relays click, which is normal.

standby

The AV192R has a standby mode, which can be entered using the standby key on the remote or by pressing the mute/standby button on the front panel for more than three seconds. The blue power LED will dim, the front panel display will show ‘going to standby’ then the AV192R will switch off

(3)

All circuitry essential for sound quality remains powered up in standby, meaning the AV192R will still maintain its operating temperature and will still consume electricity. You should power the AV192R down using the front panel mounted on/off switch if you want to switch the AV192R off for a prolonged period

(3)

. The video outputs are also kept active

in standby mode, allowing you to watch television even when the AV192R is in standby.

Normal operation may be resumed by turning the volume knob (more than about 45 degrees) or pressing any front panel button or remote key (other than light) at any time.

clock display in standby

The AV192R includes a real time clock, maintaining time and date, once set, even if the power is temporarily removed. You can conﬁgure the AV192R to show the time in standby, for details see page 85.

1. AV192R-GB indicates that the AV192R uses the English language. The AV192R might also be available with other languages. The necessary

software will be made available from www.tagmclaren.com.

2. This text will be overwritten by your personalized start-up message, for details see page 46.

3. If the AV192R is powered down using the front panel mounted on/off switch whilst in standby mode, it will go back into standby when next switched on. In this event press the standby key to power up the unit.

controlling remotely / front panel display

controlling remotely

The AV192R is supplied with a ‘learning’ remote. This is supplied pre-programmed for TAG McLaren home cinema products, but may easily be re-programmed to control other devices using an infra-red remote

(1)

Before you can control the AV192R using the remote, you must ﬁrst select it as the device to control by pressing the av key in the REMOTE SELECTION area at the top of the remote. The AV192R will remain selected by the remote until another unit is

REMOTE SELECTION

cd dvd

sat

tv vcr

amp

chosen via the REMOTE SELECTION keys.

Once the AV192R has been selected, it can be controlled in its entirety from the remote. The red ‘remote control active’ LED on the front panel of the AV192R will ﬂash when commands from the remote are received, and the av key in the REMOTE SELECTION area will light brieﬂy with each key press. For optimum performance from the remote you should point it towards the remote control window on the front panel of the AV192R.

front panel display in operation

When the AV192R leaves the factory, the display will be conﬁgured similar to the one shown below. It can be conﬁgured to your personal preference, for details see page 46.

The programme source format indicator shows the active output channels, i.e. channels receiving information from the AV192R.

The sample rate indicator at the top left of the display window shows the sample rate of the digital source. When an analog source is active, it shows the sample rate used for the analog to digital conversion.

The display will show station name and radio text if your AV192R includes the FM radio or/and DAB digital radio option and radio is selected as the current input.

video standard

sample rate

dvd player

audio input

decoding/processing mode

volume setting

programme source format

1. Please refer to the ‘programming the remote’ section on page 115 for further details on how to do this.

all essential user settings at a glance

the status screen might differ from the one shown, depending on the operating mode of the AV192R

In the example above, the user has selected the analog audio input TV and the Composite video input TV-C. The stereo signal is processed using Dolby Pro Logic II Movie at a sampling rate of 96kHz.

The sound is replayed at a volume level of -4.5dB below reference level (assuming the AV192R was calibrated using a SPL meter - for details see page 63). The sound balance is as calibrated, i.e. no balance shifts were made to the front/rear or left/right.

status screen

Pressing the ok key on the remote will bring up a status screen which shows information about the current operation of the AV192R as shown in the example opposite:

There is no subwoofer in the system and hence sound is only produced using the left/right front, centre, and the left/right surround speaker.

The time delay between picture and sound is as the incoming signals (0 ms), for details see page 51.

The night mode is off, as it doesn’t apply to this input- it can only be applied to DTS and DD, for details see page 45.

selecting a source

preparing the remote control

To control the AV192R via the remote press the remote selection av key. The AV192R will remain selected until another device, e.g. dvd is selected.

source selection

REMOTE SELECTION

cd dvd

sat

tv vcr

amp

The AV192R remote has 11 source selection keys, labelled tv, vcr, sat, tuner, aux, cd, ld, dvd, md, dab and tape

(1)

, to which the user

can freely assign any audio and video inputs.

Each of these source selection keys can carry two audio inputs as some sources offer different output formats, e.g. a DVD-Audio player offers a digital SPDIF output, when playing CDs and DVD-Video discs, but offers 5.1 analog when playing DVD-Audio discs.

When the AV192R leaves the factory the source selection keys are programmed to cover many installations, but you can change this , if you need. Please see page 57 how to change the assignment of audio and video inputs to the source selection keys.

Scanning through all inputs, one by one

An alternative, is to scan through the analog, digital audio and video inputs, one by one, using the analog, digital or video button at the AV192R front fascia.

An analog (digital) input may also be selected by pressing shift followed by, cursor up/down G/H (E/F), pressing once or repeatedly, until the desired input is shown in the display.

A video input may also be selected by pressing once or repeatedly the VIDEO (sometimes labelled CH) key on the remote control until the desired input is shown in the display.

tvcdvcrldsat

shift

tunermdaux

dvd

dab

tape

subtitle

analog

digital

video

zone 2

pause

play

stop

VIDEO

---

1. caution when pressing the tape key/button during tape recording

If you listen to an analog stereo input, pressing the tape key/button will route the TAP E input to the ANALOG OUTPUTs without changing the signal going to TAPE out, allowing for example, the recorded signal to be compared with the original whilst recording using a threehead tape recorder (if its output is connected to TAP E). In this instance the front display will show TAPE (name of analog input routed to TAPE out), e.g. TAPE(SAT). Pressing tape again will return to the analog signal selected before tape was pressed the first time.

tape the first time.

volume adjustment and display

volume control - main & zone 2

Volume (in the main and in zone 2) can be adjusted from 0 (very quiet) to 99 (very loud) if the volume is conﬁgured to operate in Pre-Amp you have conﬁgured the volume control for Cinema mode (factory setting)

In the Cinema mode the volume level of 0dB is the so-called ‘Dolby reference level’ – i.e. the level at which a movie director intended a ﬁlm to be listened

(1)

mode or -90dB (very quiet) to +15dB (very loud) if

(3)

. The ‘Dolby reference level’ in

(2)

Pre-amp mode is indicated by ref being shown on the OSD at a volume level of 84.

changing volume

Turn the volume knob clockwise to increase the volume or anti-clockwise to decrease the volume in 0.5dB steps. Alternatively, you may use the VOL + and VOL – keys on the remote to increase or decrease the volume in 0.5 dB steps per key press. If you keep the VOL + / VOL – key pressed, the volume change per second will increase the longer you keep the key pressed.

changing zones

The AV192R can operate two independent zones, called main and zone 2. You can switch between the zones by pressing the zone 2 button on the front fascia or preceding the volume change request by the shift key. If zone 2 is selected, the zone 2/ LED will lit up.

main zone

Turn the volume knob or press VOL+ and VOL- to alter the signal level of all

connected loudspeakers of the main zone, i.e. those connected (via suitable power ampliﬁers) to the ANALOG OUTPUT or

BALANCED ANALOG OUTPUT.

(4)

zone 2

If the AV192R is set to the main zone, press shift followed by VOL+ or VOL - to switch to zone 2 and to alter the signal level of the loudspeakers connected to ZONE 2 RIGHT and LEFT (via suitable power ampliﬁers) outputs.

start volume

Normally the AV192R remembers the last volume setting for the main zone and zone 2 from when it was turned off or put into standby, so that it will re-use exactly this volume when you switch it on.

This feature allows to set a volume level that the AV192R will use when powered on regardless of any previous setting. You can set a different start volume (or none at all) for the main zone and zone 2. Start volume is set within the Change Set-up -> Output/Speaker Options -> Main

Zone or Zone 2/ menu.

max volume

This feature allows to set a maximum volume level that the AV192R will be allowed to be set to. You can set a different max volume (or none at all) for the main zone and zone 2. Max volume is set within the Change Set-up -> Output/Speaker Options -> Main Zone or Zone 2/ menu.

1. the mode is change in Change Set-up -> Displays -> Front Panel Text Config. as described on page 46

2. They do not affect the signal level of the analog TAPE OUT or COAX OUT or OPTICAL OUTputs.

3. This setting will only be accurate if you have calibrated the volume settings using a sound level meter.

4. The AV192R must be set to main zone. If it is in the zone 2 mode, then the zone 2/ LED on the front panel will be lit.

muting / attenuating - main & zone 2

volume attenuation & muting

To attenuate all speakers by a user conﬁgurable amount in the main

(1)

zone

press the mute button on the front panel of the AV192R or the

mute key on the remote. A second press of the mute key/button will completely mute the output to all speakers in the main zone.

surround

THX Cinema

mute/standby

display

Adjusting the volume will restore full output to the speakers. If fully muted, adjusting the volume or pressing the mute button/key again will restore the speaker outputs.

If the AV192R is set to zone 2 control, indicated by the zone 2/ LED and the zone 2 volume information on the AV192R’s front display (e.g. ZN2 -10.0), the mute key will attenuate/mute zone 2, as described above for the main zone.

The amount of attenuation applied when pressing the mute key ﬁrst, can be selected as 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50dB. Select Audio mutes completely if you do not want any attenuation - in this instance repeatedly pressing mute will switch the outputs in and out of mute without going through an attenuation level ﬁrst. This is done through Change Set-Up, Output/Speaker Options -> Mute Conﬁguration.

the AV192R offers two ways of muting

Muting a loudspeaker can be carried out in different ways. Most products employ semi- conductor based switches which are fast, silent and cheap but unfortunately affect the sound quality in the ‘mute off’ state as they can never be completely removed from the signal path. The ‘sonically transparent’ alternative is to use electronically controlled mechanical relays, a method chosen for the AV192R. There are eight (16 if the Balanced XLR option is ﬁtted) relays in an AV192R. They all switch together, leading to a distinct switching noise which cannot be prevented without affecting the quality of the contact.

mute

Mechanical relays have been acknowledged to be the best sounding solution, but their switching noise has with the introduction of DVD become a disadvantage. Every time a DVD changes its sound format, which can happen several times during a DVD, the AV192R might potentially receive - for a short time - invalid data. If this invalid data reaches the loudspeakers you hear a short ‘digital hiss’. The AV192R tries to predict these transitions, but sometimes it might take just a fraction of a second before this invalid data is detected, a period long enough for the wrong data to reach the Digital to Analog converters and from there (via the power ampliﬁers) the loudspeakers. Only switches, downstream of the DACs’ outputs, can prevent this invalid data from reaching your speakers. The AV192R uses mechanical relays to swiftly disconnect the outputs in these cases.

You can set the AV192R to Mute Using Relays or alternatively use them only in ‘serious’ cases, but with the result that you might infrequently hear some ‘digital hiss' coming from your speakers. When the AV192R leaves the factory it is set to Mute using relays: No, meaning it will use its relays as little as possible. However, to prevent any ‘digital hiss' switch the AV192R into the Mute using relays: Yes mode, which is done through Change Set-Up, Output/Speaker Options -> Mute Conﬁguration.

1. The AV192R must be set to main zone. If it is in the zone 2 mode, then the zone 2/ LED on the front panel will be lit.

left/right balance

(1)

Press the F (E) button on the front panel or the F, (E) key on the remote to move the sound balance to the left (right) speakers. Keeping either the button or the key held down will move the sound progressively further to the side. The applied balance setting is brieﬂy shown in the display window.

balance

pause

play

stop

f f d

front/rear balance

(2)

Press the G (H) button on the front panel or the G (H) key on the remote to move the sound balance to the front (rear) speakers. Keeping the either button or the key held down will move the sound progressively further forwards (backwards).

off balance

Any off balance will be shown in the status screen, as explained on page 23 and shown in the example screen.

restoring normal balance

A central sound balance (i.e. the removal of any temporary corrections, including lip sync delay and entre gain applied under Quick Settings, see page 40 and LFE settings, see page 38) will be restored by pressing the normal ok/normal button on the front panel or the normal key on the remote.

pause

play

stop

normal

time

normalok

1. this function requires the cursor keys to be assigned to BALANCE, for details see page 40.

2. front/rear balance can only be made if the selected surround mode supports these channels.

surround modes

definitions

Sound is recorded in a variety of encoded formats and on many different source materials, with the recording in either analog or digital form. The AV192R can decode many different recording formats:

analog recordings

Analog recordings do not contain information about their encoding formats called embedded control ﬂags), so the desired decoding mode, such as Dolby Pro Logic II Music, will need to be selected by the user manually, using the surround key/button.

surround

THX Cinema

mute/standby

display

123normal

defabcspace

456display

ghi jkl mno +/

789tape

pqrs tuv wxyz

surround

10 0 THX

audiotitle angle

shift

digital recordings

The AV192R automatically determines the appropriate decoding mode for digital multichannel sources including embedded control ﬂags, such as Dolby Digital 5.1. However, many DVDs recorded in Dolby EX and some in DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix do not include the necessary ﬂags to automatically detect the additional surround back channel information. In this instance you will need to manually select this additional processing using the

surround key/button.

post processing modes

Any optional post processing, such as THX or DTS Music has to be selected manually using the surround or THX key/button.

surround & initial modes

You can assign an Initial Mode to each analog and digital audio input. This mode will be applied to the source the ﬁrst time the source is selected after the AV192R is switched on. The initial mode applied to any given input will be ignored by the AV192R if a digital data stream with embedded control ﬂags is detected.

time

–

subtitle

Additional decoding/post processing modes currently available for a source can be cycled through by repeatedly

surround

THX Cinema

surround

10 0 THX

audiotitle angleshift

pressing the THX button/key.

Initial modes, selected by the user for each input, using the change set-up menu (see page 52 / 53 for details) are dynamically changed whenever the user changes the mode manually using the surround key/button, until the AV192R is switched off.

THX: transforming for use at home

Movie soundtracks are created to sound right in a cinema. The soundtrack is mixed and tailored to allow for the speciﬁc characteristics of cinemas and the equipment used in them. The differences between the cinema and Home Cinema environments mean that exact reproduction of the cinema soundtrack in a Home Cinema provides a very different experience, typically with a very ‘bright’ sound. To correct for this and other differences, THX speciﬁes processes that are carried out on the soundtrack: Reequalization™, Timbre matching™ and Adaptive decorrelation™. These processes are combined under the name THX Cinema.

THX Ultra2

Re-equalization™ is applied to all the

speaker signals, principally to

A lot has changed in Home Cinema since the THX standards were initially laid down. VHS tapes were joined by laserdiscs and more recently by DVD, soundtrack encoding has progressed from analog Dolby Pro Logic through the now ubiquitous Dolby Digital 5.1 to discrete 6.1, and music has gone from being a solely 2-channel stereo format to fully embrace multi-channel.

The advances in the THX speciﬁcation embodied in the new THX Ultra2, available in the AV192R, accommodate the changes that have occurred and specify systems that can perform superbly with both movies and music, with a single speaker layout that will suit all programme material.

counteract the high frequency boost that is applied to the movie soundtrack to account for the high frequency losses of the cinema environment.

Adaptive decorrelation™ acts on mono surround signals to provide a more spacious effect and allow the surround effect to be properly heard over a larger listening area. It is not applied if the surround signals are stereo (i.e. if left and right surround signals are different).

Timbre matching™ is applied to the surround speaker signals to match them tonally to the front left/right and centre speakers, preventing a change in the tone of sounds as they pan around the speakers.

THX post-processing

introduction of back channels

A signiﬁcant recent development has been the addition of the surround back channel, which ﬁrst appeared in cinema soundtracks in 1999. THX have been at the forefront of this development, working closely with Dolby Laboratories to produce THX Surround EX. THX Surround EX encodes an additional channel within the left and right surround channel signals, which is extracted by a Dolby 3 decoder. DTS-ES discrete takes this process a step further, with a discretely encoded 6th channel.

THX recommend that the surround back loudspeakers are placed quite close together, facing towards the listener, although during the setup of the AV192R you will be asked whether the surround back speakers are close together or apart (for details see page

59), and signal levels sent to the back speakers will be adjusted accordingly to achieve consistent results.

replay of 5.1 through 7.1 speakers

The addition of the surround back channel has prompted a rethink on the processing front, with a view to making best use of the extra loudspeakers with 5.1 material. THX Surround EX processing can be applied to any 5.1 source material to generate a signal for the back channel. This works well for much 5.1 material, but gives poor results if the surround content of the

5.1 material is mono as this results in all of the surround information being directed to the back speakers and none to the surrounds. To prevent this, and improve results with all 5.1 source material, THX Cinema is replaced by THX Ultra2, which employs THX Advanced Speaker Array processing to optimise the surround experience.

THX boundary gain compensation

There have also been enhancements to bass management, with a new optional ‘Boundary Compensation’ mode added to achieve better bass integration when the listening positions are close to the back wall. Such positioning results in low frequencies being boosted (by a process called ‘Boundary Gain’, in which the reﬂected sound from the wall adds to the direct sound from the speaker increasing its level). Boundary Compensation provides additional low frequency ﬁltering on all channels to achieve a more natural low frequency balance, for details see page 60.

THX Cinema, THX Ultra2, THX Music

THX Cinema

This processing mode includes processing includes the re-equalization, timbre matching and adaptive decorrelation of THX Cinema, as described on page

29. To apply THX Cinema post-processing, press the THX key on the remote or the THX button on the front panel, once or repeatedly until you selected your desired mode.

THX Ultra2

This processing mode includes the re-equalization, timbre matching and adaptive decorrelation of THX Cinema, but also detects and compensates for monaural surround information, feeding it directly to the back speakers but also feeding a decorrelated form to the left and right surround channels. In the case of 5.1 material with stereo surround information, the surrounds are processed to pass the ambient information to the left and right surrounds and the directional cues to the surround backs. The overall result is to achieve an enhanced surround experience over a wider listening area.

To apply THX Ultra2 post-processing, press the THX key on the remote or the THX button on the front panel, once or repeatedly until you selected your desired mode.

(1)

surround

THX Cinema

surround

10 0 THX

audiotitle angleshift

THX Music

This processing mode beneﬁts 5.1 music recordings, as it employs a modiﬁed form of the THX Advanced Speaker Array processing. THX Ultra2 Music takes account of the fact that music material is mixed and monitored in a very different environment than ﬁlm soundtracks. In this mode the front left, right and centre signals are passed directly to the loudspeaker outputs without any re-equalization. The surround content is timbre matched (again without re-equalization) and (where required - i.e. mono surrounds) decorrelated before being fed to the left and right surround channels, whilst a processed version of the surround information is sent to the surround backs to enhance spaciousness and widen the listening area.

To apply THX Music post-processing, press the THX key on the remote or the THX button on the front panel, once or repeatedly until you selected your desired mode.

1. THX ULTRA2 and THX Music are only available if your system setup includes back speaker(s).

Despite the name, THX Ultra 2 Music is also beneﬁcial for ﬁlm soundtracks that have been speciﬁcally mixed for the home environment, as is the case for many of the newer DVD releases. Such soundtracks do not require the re-equalisation that is part of THX Ultra2 Cinema processing.

+ 94 hidden pages

Tag mclaren audio AV192R User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual