Theta digital CB User Manual

CORPORATION

Casablanca

Owner’s Manual

Digital Done Right

™

PREFACE

CONGRATULATIONS

You have just acquired the most advanced component for the control and processing of audio and video ever to have been developed.

IMPORTANT

Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Casablanca is a precision electronic instrument and should be properly packaged any time shipment is made. In the unlikely event that you have to return your Casablanca to the factory for service, or if you send it to us for updating, the original packaging will best protect the unit from shipping damage.

In order to achieve the fullest flexibility and enjoyment from your Casablanca, we at Theta recommend that you read this manual in full before connecting the unit to your audio/video system.

WARNING

United Stated law prohibits disposition of these commodities to Libya, Laos, North Korea, Cambodia or Cuba unless otherwise authorized by the United States.

NOTE:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

* Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

* Increase the separation between equipment and receiver.

* Connect the receiver into an outlet on a circuit different from that which the Casablanca is connected to.

Acknowledgments

Casa Nova is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby”, “Pro Logic”, “AC-3”, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works. Copyright 19921997 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Casablanca is manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems. Inc. US Pat. No 5,451,942 and other worldwide patents issues pending. “DTS” and “DTS Digital Surround” are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. 1996 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Casablanca is manufactured under license from SRS Labs, Inc. US Pat No 5,319,713, 5,333,201 and 7,771,295. “Circle Surround

Portions of this product manufactured under a license from Desper Products, Inc. Spatializer the circle-in-square device are trademarks owned by Desper Products, Inc.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Theta Digital Corporation.

” and the Circle Surround Logo are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc. 1994-1998.



, N-2-2, and

Casablanca Identification Record

This information is for your records and for future identification of the Casablanca. Please take a moment to fill out all pertinent data now, and as upgrades and/or options are installed. Whenever upgrades and/or changes are requested, the serial number will be required.

SERIAL NUMBER

DATE PURCHASED

DEALER’S NAME

DEALER’S ADDRESS/PHONE

INSTALLED CARDS

(Date of installation)

iii

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Please carefully read each item of the operating instructions and safety precautions before using this product. Use extra care to follow the warnings written on the product itself and/or in the operating instructions. Keep the operating instructions and safety precautions for future reference.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE COVER PANELS.

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER ALL SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL ONLY.

TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT ALLOW LIQUIDS TO SPILL OR OBJECTS TO FALL INTO ANY OPENINGS OF THE PRODUCT.

THIS UNIT IS SUPPLIED WITH A 3 PIN GROUNDED AC PLUG. ALWAYS INSERT THE AC PLUG INTO A GROUNDED OUTLET. DO NOT REMOVE THE GROUND PIN OR DISABLE THE GROUND FOR ANY PURPOSE.

BEFORE MAKING ANY CONNECTIONS TO THE CASABLANCA, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER AND THEN DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD.

WHEN INSTALLING THE CASABLANCA IN YOUR SYSTEM, MAKE CERTAIN TO ALLOW A MINIMUM OF ½ INCH OF VENTILATION ON EACH SIDE OF THE UNIT. ALSO ALLOW AT LEAST 1½ INCH OF VENTILATION SPACE ABOVE THE UNIT. IMPROPER VENTILATION OF THE UNIT MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING, WHICH MAY DAMAGE THE UNIT AND CAUSE A FIRE. PLACE THE UNIT ON A SOLID SURFACE ONLY. I.E. NOT ON CARPET, ETC.

DO NOT PLACE THE CASABLANCA NEAR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS DIRECT SUNLIGHT, STOVES, HEAT REGISTERS, RADIATORS OR OTHER HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT.

TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE ANALOG OUTPUT CIRCUITRY, BE CERTAIN NOT TO SHORT THE OUTPUT SIGNAL PIN(S) TO GROUND. ENSURE THAT YOUR AUDIO OUTPUT CABLES DO NOT HAVE ANY INTERNAL SHORTS BEFORE CONNECTING THEM TO THE CASABLANCA.

IF REPLACEMENT OF THE AC LINE FUSE BECOMES NECESSARY, REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME VALUE AND TYPE OF FUSE. NEVER BYPASS THE FUSE.

IF THE AC CORD BECOMES DAMAGED, DO NOT USE IT. IMMEDIATELY REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE OF THE SAME OR BETTER RATING.

AFTER MARKET and THIRD PARTY MODIFICATIONS

Please note that any after market and/or third party modifications will void the warranty. In the case of changing the feet on a unit, in order to prevent any damage (which will also not be covered under warranty), please verify that the screws being used to secure non Theta feet do not screw any deeper into the chassis than the original ones. The original screw is 10-32 by 3/8 and goes into the chassis 1/5 of an inch.

Table of Contents

PREFACE ...........................................................................................................................................................ii

Casablanca Identification Record ................................................................................................................... iii

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ............................................................................................................................. iv

List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................. vi

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................................................vi

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................ 1

IMPORTANT NOTICE.................................................................................................................................... 2

Reference Manual Conventions ..................................................................................................................... 2

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ 3

Block Diagram - Input and Surround Processing Sections ............................................................................ 4

Block Diagram - DAC and Analog Out Sections............................................................................................. 5

Front Panel Layout ......................................................................................................................................... 6

Rear Panel Layout .......................................................................................................................................... 7

FRONT PANEL OPERATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 9

Main Menu ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

A-D Button .................................................................................................................................................... 10

Priority Switching .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Mode Function .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Tape Out Function ........................................................................................................................................ 14

Standard Tape Out Configuration ............................................................................................................. 14

Optional Upgrade Tape Out Configuration ............................................................................................... 14

Set-Up Function............................................................................................................................................ 15

Set-Up - Speaker Configuration ................................................................................................................ 16

Set-Up - Speaker Levels ........................................................................................................................... 18

Set-Up - Speaker Delays .......................................................................................................................... 19

Set-Up - Analog Input Levels .................................................................................................................... 20

Set-Up - Input Names ............................................................................................................................... 21

Set-Up - Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................. 22

Set-Up - (Second Page): Dolby Digital...................................................................................................... 23

Balance Function .......................................................................................................................................... 24

REMOTE CONTROL ....................................................................................................................................... 25

Remote Control Layout................................................................................................................................. 26

Remote Control Operations .......................................................................................................................... 27

Input Select Menu and Non Menu Functions................................................................................................ 27

Status Display............................................................................................................................................... 28

Mode Function .............................................................................................................................................. 29

Tape Out Function ........................................................................................................................................ 30

Set-Up Function............................................................................................................................................ 31

Set-Up - Speaker Configuration ................................................................................................................ 32

Set-Up - Speaker Levels ........................................................................................................................... 33

Set-Up - Speaker Delays .......................................................................................................................... 34

Set-Up - Analog Input Levels .................................................................................................................... 35

Set-Up - Input Names ............................................................................................................................... 36

Set-Up - Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................................. 37

Set-Up - (Second Page): Dolby Digital...................................................................................................... 38

Balance Function .......................................................................................................................................... 39

APPENDIXES .................................................................................................................................................. 40

Appendix A Troubleshooting Guide........................................................................................................ 41

Appendix B Wiring Diagrams and Speaker Placement Guides ............................................................. 42

Input and Tape Out Connections ..................................................................................................... 42

Rear Panel Remote and Main power Jacks .................................................................................... 42

Six Channel Single-Ended Output Wiring Diagram ......................................................................... 43

Six Channel Balanced Output Wiring Diagram................................................................................ 44

Nine Channel Balanced Output Wiring Diagram ............................................................................. 45

Appendix C Factory Settings and Blank Setting Charts ......................................................................... 46

Appendix D Remote Extender Jack Technical Description and Protocol............................................... 47

Appendix E Specifications...................................................................................................................... 48

Limited Warranty Terms and Conditions ...................................................................................................... 49

List of Figures

Figure 1 - Block Diagram of Input and Surround Processing Sections ..............................................................4

Figure 2 - Block Diagram of DAC and Analog Outputs ...................................................................................... 5

Figure 3 - Front Panel Layout............................................................................................................................. 6

Figure 4 - Rear Panel Layout ............................................................................................................................. 7

Figure 5 - Front Panel Display of the MAIN Menu.............................................................................................. 9

Figure 6 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Menu - First Page ...................................................................... 11

Figure 7 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Menu - Second Page ................................................................. 12

Figure 8 - Front Panel Display of the TAPE OUT Menu .................................................................................. 14

Figure 9 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP Menu - First Page.................................................................... 15

Figure 10 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP Menu - Second Page............................................................. 15

Figure 11 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Configuration Sub Menu ........................................ 16

Figure 12 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Levels Sub Menu ................................................... 18

Figure 13 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Delays Sub Menu................................................... 19

Figure 14 - Rear Delay Settings ....................................................................................................................... 19

Figure 15 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: Analog Input Levels Sub Menu ............................................ 20

Figure 16 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: In Name Sub Menu .............................................................. 21

Figure 17 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: Misc Sub Menu..................................................................... 22

Figure 18 - Front Panel Display of the SET-UP: (Second Page): Dolby Digital Sub Menu .............................. 23

Figure 19 - Front Panel Display of the Balance Menu - First Page .................................................................. 24

Figure 20 - Front Panel Display of the Balance Menu - Second Page............................................................. 24

Figure 21 - Remote Control Layout.................................................................................................................. 26

Figure 22 - Video Monitor Display of the INPUT Menu .................................................................................... 27

Figure 23 - Video Monitor Display of the STATUS Display .............................................................................. 28

Figure 24 - Video Monitor Display of the MODE Menu - First Page.................................................................29

Figure 25 - Video Monitor Display of the MODE Menu - Second Page ........................................................... 29

Figure 26 - Video Monitor Display of the Tape Out Menu ................................................................................ 30

Figure 27 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP Menu - First Page .............................................................. 31

Figure 28 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP Menu - Second Page ......................................................... 31

Figure 29 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Configuration Sub Menu .................................... 32

Figure 30 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Levels Sub Menu................................................ 33

Figure 31 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Speaker Delays Sub Menu ............................................... 34

Figure 32 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Analog Input Levels Sub Menu ......................................... 35

Figure 33 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Input Names Sub Menu .................................................... 36

Figure 34 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: Miscellaneous Sub Menu.................................................. 37

Figure 35 - Video Monitor Display of the SET-UP: (Second Page): Dolby Digital Sub Menu .......................... 38

Figure 36 - Video Monitor Display of the Balance Menu - First Page ..............................................................39

Figure 37 - Video Monitor Display of the Balance Menu - Second Page ......................................................... 39

Figure 38 - Examples of Input and Tape Out Connections .............................................................................. 42

Figure 39 - Recommended Wiring Scheme Using the Six Channel Single-Ended Output Card ..................... 43

Figure 40 - Recommended Speaker Placement for Six Channel Configuration.............................................. 43

Figure 41 - Recommended W iring Scheme Using Six Balanced Channels .................................................... 44

Figure 42 - Recommended W iring Scheme Using Nine Balanced Channels .................................................. 45

Figure 43 - Recommended Speaker Placement for Nine Channel Configuration ........................................... 45

List of Tables

Table 1 - Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations................................................................................................. 3

Table 2 - Priority Switching Defaults ................................................................................................................ 10

Table 3 - Available Configuration Settings for Each Speaker .......................................................................... 16

Table 4 - Source to Output Routing for Speaker Level Configuration..............................................................18

Table 5 - Available Video Source Names ....................................................................................................... 21

Table 6 - Available Audio Source Names ........................................................................................................ 21

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to a new world of possibilities. Casablanca is by far the most advanced surround sound processor/home theater controller available today. It offers the advantages of Theta’s legendary mastery in digital signal processing and sound quality unapproachable by any other equipment.

Getting to know your Casablanca

Despite Casablanca’s great technical sophistication, we believe in making it as easy as possible for you to use. We think you’ll enjoy the intuitive way the Casablanca works. Rather than offer a frustrating bewilderment of little used functions in constant view, vying for your attention, Casablanca is structured systematically by function.

The “user interface” is based on simple logic. For example, when a function button is pressed, you can make changes within its menu(s) and press the same function button again to store the changes and exit that function. (The same button that got you in gets you back out). Also, when in a function menu or sub-menu, other features and functions will not be accessible, as they have no direct relation to the function being edited.

This Casablanca has been put through a rigorous and unique testing procedure that insures that it will last for many years with minimal service requirements. This procedure includes the following:

• All assembled circuit boards are given a thorough visual inspection and are then tested in a bench- reference Casablanca.

• The tested assembled circuit boards are then installed in a new Casablanca and the whole unit is tested for every function and parameter.

• The unit is put on a burn-in torture rack for 100 hours to test for any possible component failures.

• The Casablanca is tested on an audio analyzer for all pertinent parameters.

• The Casablanca is put through a final bench test wherein every possible feature, mode and parameter

is checked.

• The unit has all remaining chassis components installed and then undergoes a complete visual inspection, which assures that all Casablanca’s meet visual specifications.

Burn In Time

This unit has a break in period of about 1 week during which continuous improvement in sound quality will be observed. It is recommended that music be played continuously through the unit during this time, to expedite the break in period.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

I. Due to the computer-based circuitry used in Theta products, it is imperative that the Casablanca be

connected to a ground via its three wire AC power cord. It is important that the AC power outlet, which the Casablanca is plugged into, is actually grounded. Failure to do so will severely compromise the performance, reliability and safety of use of the Casablanca.

II. It is also important to prevent contact with static electricity when connecting other components and

cables to the Casablanca. When connecting cables, simply place one hand on top of the Casablanca and then grasp the metal “barrel” of the cable with the other hand and plug (unplug) the cable into (from) the appropriate jack on the Casablanca.

III. The Casablanca, as with all electronic equipment, is susceptible to static discharges. Resetting the

unit may be required if anomalies occur after receiving a static discharge. In this case, put the unit in standby and turn off the rear panel power switch for 1 minute, then turn it on again.

IV. Ventilation is an important issue when placing the Casablanca in a system. Make certain that the

Casablanca is placed in a well ventilated area or rack unit.

V. Please take note that some powerline conditioners defeat the AC power ground on their outlets. If

the intention is to plug the Casablanca into a line conditioner, check with your dealer to make certain that the particular conditioner that is intended for use DOES NOT DEFEAT THE AC GROUND on its AC outlets.

VI. DO NOT remove any cover panels from the Casablanca, as there are no user serviceable

components inside. Refer servicing and updating to qualified service personnel only.

VII. The Casablanca can be susceptible to excessive RF. Shorting plugs in all unused inputs will improve

the sound quality and may reduce the susceptibility to RF induced anomalies.

Reference Manual Conventions

For clarity purposes, references to buttons, LED’s and display parameters will be shown in bold capital letters.

All functions to be performed from, and in reference to the front panel of the Casablanca will be found in the front section of this manual, whereas all functions to be performed using the hand held remote and/or viewed on a video monitor will be found in the back, or last part of this manual.

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

TERM DEFINITION

AES/EBU (Audio Engineering Society) / (European Broadcasters Union)

Analog-to-Digital Converter A device that converts analog signals into a digital

Balanced Audio Signals Signals that are carried on three-conductor cables,

dB Decibel, a relative unit of loudness. Dolby 3 Stereo The Dolby 3 Stereo mode reproduces sound using

Digital-to-Analog Converter A device that converts digital signals into an analog

Hz (Hertz) A unit of frequency. IR Infrared. A method of wireless transmission of data. LFE Low Frequency Effect. Commonly a discrete audio

mS milliSecond, or 1\1000 of a second. Oversampling The process of taking more samples than is required

Phantom Center Mode The Phantom setting for the center speaker redirects

Phantom Surround Mode The Phantom setting for the surround speakers is

Sampling Rate The rate at which an analog (real world) signal is

S/PDIF Interface (Sony/Phillips Digital Interface format) TRS Tip, Ring, Sleeve. Names of the 3 connecting

Unbalanced Audio Signals (AKA single-ended) Signals that are carried on two-conductor cables,

Table 1 - Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

A three wire balanced digital audio standard. This interface uses a 3-pin XLR type connector and allows for data communication between digital audio equipment.

format. Once encoded, all audio is stored or processed as a series of numbers rather than as the audio itself.

with two of the conductors carrying the same signal 180° out of phase and the third as ground. Balanced connections usually cost more than unbalanced connections, but are less susceptible to picking up hum and prevent interference with low-level signals.

only the 3 front channels, and is intended to be used either before surround speakers are installed, or for programs that might benefit from deriving a center channel output, but where the quality of the surround output is unsatisfactory.

format.

track designated for a sub woofer.

in order to more accurately reconstruct a digitized signal for playback in the analog domain.

the center channel signal equally to the front left and right outputs, thus creating an illusion of a center speaker. It is to be used when a center speaker is not present.

intended to be used when no surround speakers are present in the system. With this setting active, the surround information is added to the front channels. If the current mode is Dolby Pro Logic, the Casablanca will automatically decode in Dolby 3 Stereo.

converted into digital numeric values. A digital audio interconnection standard, developed jointly by Sony and Phillips.

elements of a stereo phono jack or plug.

one “hot”, or signal, and one ground.

+ 18 hidden pages

Theta digital CB User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual