You have just acquired the most advanced component for the control and processing of audio and video ever
to have been developed.
IMPORTANT
CONGRATULATIONS
Save all packaging in a dry place away from fire hazards. Your Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova, 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 Casa Nova 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 Confidential Unpublished Works.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.
Casa Nova 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®, N-2-2®, and
the circle-in-square device are trademarks owned by Desper Products, Inc.
This manual is also available for download as a PDF file at Theta Digital’s website. http://www.thetadigital.com
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.
TM
” and the Circle Surround Logo are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc. 1994-1998.
ii
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of
significant magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THE (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN
EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY
INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.
iii
Casa Nova Identification Record
This information is for your records and for future identification of the Casa Nova. Please take a moment to
fill out all pertinent data now, and as upgrades and/or options are installed.
and/or changes are requested, the serial number will be required.
SERIAL NUMBER
DATE PURCHASED
DEALER’S NAME
DEALER’S ADDRESS/PHONE
INSTALLED CARDS/OPTIONS
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
(Date of installation)
Whenever upgrades, inquiries
iv
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 CASA NOVA, FIRST TURN OFF THE POWER AND
THEN DISCONNECT THE AC POWER CORD.
WHEN INSTALLING THE CASA NOVA 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 CASA NOVA 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 CASA NOVA.
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 inch.
WARNING.................................................................................................................................................................................... iii
Casa Nova Identification Record ..................................................................................................................................................iv
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............................................................................................................................................................. v
List of Figures..............................................................................................................................................................................viii
List of Tables.................................................................................................................................................................................ix
Getting to know your Casa Nova .................................................................................................................................................. 1
IMPORTANT NOTICE .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................... 3
Casa Nova Block Diagram - Input Processing Sections............................................................................................................... 4
Casa Nova Block Diagram - DAC and Analog Out Sections........................................................................................................ 5
Front Panel Layout........................................................................................................................................................................6
Menu Maps....................................................................................................................................................................................8
Function Menus and Pages...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Setup Menus and Pages .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Introduction to the User interface................................................................................................................................................ 10
Before you begin.....................................................................................................................................................................10
FRONT PANEL OPERATIONS...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Changing Inputs and Input Select Pages...............................................................................................................................11
Selecting Mapped Input Jacks for the Currently Selected Input ............................................................................................ 11
TAPE OUT Function ................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Standard Tape Out Configuration........................................................................................................................................... 15
Optional Upgrade Tape Out Configuration............................................................................................................................. 15
SETUP Function ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Remote Power Jacks.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Jack Names............................................................................................................................................................................18
Analog Input Levels ................................................................................................................................................................ 19
SETUP INPUT (Setting up each of the 12 Input Select Buttons)........................................................................................... 21
SUB Configuration ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
A note on crossovers......................................................................................................................................... 23
A note on home theater..................................................................................................................................... 23
Center Speaker Configuration ................................................................................................................................... 26
Mapping an Audio and Video Source (Input Jack to INPUT SELECT button)..............................................................29
Password for Each INPUT SELECT Button................................................................................................................... 31
Setup Circle Surround.................................................................................................................................................... 33
Status Setup............................................................................................................................................................... 35
FVOL and SVOL........................................................................................................................................................35
Changing the Default MUTE Level............................................................................................................................36
Naming the Current Input Select button .................................................................................................................... 36
Front/Rear and Left/Right Balance.........................................................................................................................................37
Center and Sub Balance......................................................................................................................................................... 37
Analog Input Level Override...................................................................................................................................................37
STATUS Function.......................................................................................................................................................................38
Remote Control Layout...............................................................................................................................................................41
REMOTE CONTROL OPERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 42
Changing Inputs and Input Select Pages...............................................................................................................................42
Selecting Mapped Input Jacks for the Currently Selected Input ............................................................................................ 42
Global Phase .......................................................................................................................................................................... 42
STATUS Display ......................................................................................................................................................................... 43
TAPE OUT Function ................................................................................................................................................................... 45
SETUP Function ......................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Remote Power Jacks.............................................................................................................................................................. 47
Jack Names............................................................................................................................................................................47
Analog Input Levels ................................................................................................................................................................ 48
SETUP INPUT (Setting up each of the 12 Input Select Buttons)........................................................................................... 49
Center Speaker Configuration ................................................................................................................................... 50
Sub Woofer Configuration.......................................................................................................................................... 51
Mapping a Source (Input Jack to INPUT SELECT button)............................................................................................ 53
Password for Each INPUT SELECT Button................................................................................................................... 53
Setup Circle Surround.................................................................................................................................................... 56
Status Setup............................................................................................................................................................... 57
Fast and Slow Volume Button Control....................................................................................................................... 58
Changing the Default Mute Level .............................................................................................................................. 58
Naming the Current Input Select Button.................................................................................................................... 58
Front/Rear and Left/Right Balance.........................................................................................................................................60
Center and Sub Balance......................................................................................................................................................... 60
Analog Input Level Override...................................................................................................................................................60
Appendix A Troubleshooting Guide...................................................................................................................................... 62
Appendix B Wiring Diagrams and Speaker Placement Guides............................................................................................ 63
Rear Panel Remote and Main Power Jacks ..................................................................................................... 63
Example Wiring Diagram Wiring Diagram (Analog & Dig Out Board) .............................................................. 65
Appendix C Remote Extender Jack Technical Description and Protocol............................................................................. 66
Appendix D Step-by-Step Setup Guide................................................................................................................................. 67
Appendix E Specifications .................................................................................................................................................... 87
Figure 1 - Block Diagram of Input Processing Sections.......................................................................................................4
Figure 2 - Block Diagram of DAC and Analog Outputs ........................................................................................................5
Figure 3 - Front Panel Layout ..............................................................................................................................................6
Figure 5 - Mode, Status, Tape Out Menus and Input Select Menus and Pages ..................................................................8
Figure 6 - Setup Menus and Pages......................................................................................................................................9
Figure 7 - Front Panel Display of the current INPUT SELECT page..................................................................................11
Figure 8 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/SOURCE/AUD page............................................................................12
Figure 9 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Page 1 Menu................................................................................................13
Figure 10 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Page 2 Menu..............................................................................................14
Figure 11 - Front Panel Display of the TAPE OUT Menu...................................................................................................15
Figure 12 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 1 Menu ............................................................................................17
Figure 13 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/Enter Password Display ............................................................................17
Figure 14 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/REMPWR Sub Menu................................................................................18
Figure 15 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/JACKS Sub Menu.....................................................................................18
Figure 16 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/ANLG LVLS Sub Menu.............................................................................19
Figure 17 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 2 Menu ............................................................................................19
Figure 18 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 2/RS232 Sub Menu.........................................................................20
Figure 19 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 1 Sub Menu..............................................................................21
Figure 20 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 1/CONFIG.....................................................................................................21
Figure 21 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG Sub Menu...............................................................
Figure 22 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/SUB CONFIG Sub Menu ....................................................22
Figure 23 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 1/CONFIG/LT/RT..........................................................................................24
Figure 24 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT Sub Menu.................................................................24
Figure 25 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/φPERF Sub Menu....................................................25
Figure 26 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/Link-R Sub Menu .....................................................25
Figure 27 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/BWORTH Sub Menu................................................25
Figure 28 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/CENTER Sub Menu............................................................26
Figure 29 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/SURRND Sub Menu ...........................................................27
Figure 30 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/LVLS Sub Menu.................................................................................27
Figure 31 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/DLYS Sub Menu................................................................................28
Figure 33 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 2....................................................................................................................29
Figure 34 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2 Sub Menu..............................................................................29
Figure 35 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/AUD Sub Menu .....................................................30
Figure 36 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 1 Sub Menu......................................31
Figure 37 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 2 Sub Menu......................................32
Figure 38 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DTS Sub Menu......................................................................33
Figure 39 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/CIRCLE SURRND Sub Menu................................................33
Figure 40 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP
Figure 41 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3 Sub Menu..............................................................................34
Figure 42 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/OSD Sub Menu .....................................................................34
Figure 43 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/OSD/STATUS Sub Menu ......................................................35
Figure 44 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/MISC Sub Menu....................................................................35
Figure 45 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/MACROS Sub Menu..............................................................36
Figure 46 - Front Panel Display of the BALANCE Page 1 Menu........................................................................................37
Figure 47 - Front Panel Display of the BALANCE Page 2 Menu........................................................................................37
Figure 48 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS Display....................................................................................................38
Figure 49 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS/Dolby Digital Page 1 Display...................................................................38
Figure 50 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS/Dolby Digital Page 2 Display...................................................................39
Figure 51 - Remote Control Layout.................................................................................................................................... 41
Figure 52 - Video Display of the INPUT SELECT Page 1 Menu........................................................................................42
Figure 53 - Video Display of the STATUS Display.............................................................................................................43
Figure 54A - Video Display of the First Dolby Digital Status Page.....................................................................................43
Figure 54B - Video Display of the Second Dolby Digital Status Page................................................................................43
Figure 55A - Video Display of the MODE Page 1 Menu.....................................................................................................44
Figure 55B - Video Display of the MODE Page 2 Menu.....................................................................................................44
Figure 56 - Video Display of the TAPE OUT Menu............................................................................................................45
Figure 57 - Video Display of the SETUP Menu Page 1......................................................................................................46
Figure 58 - Video Display of the SETUP/PASSWORD Page.............................................................................................46
Figure 59 - Video Display of the SETUP/REMOTE POWER Sub Menu............................................................................47
Figure 60 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT/JACK NAMES Sub Menu...............................................................
Figure 61 - Video Display of the SETUP/ANALOG INPUT LEVELS Sub Menu.................................................................48
Figure 62 - Video Display of the SETUP Page 2 Menu......................................................................................................48
Figure 63 - Video Display of the SETUP Page 2/RS232 Sub Menu................................................................................... 48
Figure 64 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1 Sub Menu...................................................................................49
Figure 65 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/SPEAKER CONFIGURATION Sub Menu..................................49
Figure 66 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/CONFIG/LEFT/RIGHT CONFIGURATION Sub Menu...............49
Figure 67 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/CONFIG/CENTER CONFIGURATION Sub Menu.....................50
Figure 68 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/CONFIG/SURROUND CONFIGURATION Sub Menu ...............50
Figure 69 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/CONFIG/SUB CONFIGURATION Sub Menu ............................51
Figure 70 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/LEVELS Sub Menu ....................................................................52
Figure 71 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 1/DELAYS Sub Menu....................................................................52
Figure 72 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 2 Sub Menu...................................................................................53
Figure 73 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 1 Sub Menu ..........................................54
Figure 74 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 2 Sub Menu ..........................................55
Figure 75 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 2/DTS Sub Menu...........................................................................55
Figure 76 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 2/CIRCLE SURROUND Sub Menu...............................................56
Figure 77 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 3 Sub Menu...................................................................................56
Figure 78 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 3/ON-SCREEN DISPLAY Sub Menu............................................57
Figure 79 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 3/OSD/STATUS SETUP Sub Menu..............................................57
Figure 80 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 3/MISCELLANEOUS Sub Menu ...................................................58
Figure 81 - Video Display of the SETUP/INPUT Page 3/MACROS Sub Menu..................................................................59
Figure 82A - Video Display of the BALANCE Page 1 Menu...............................................................................................60
Figure 82B - Video Display of the BALANCE Page 2 Menu...............................................................................................60
Figure 83 - Examples of Typical Input and Output Connections ........................................................................................63
Figure 84 - Recommended Speaker Placement for Six Channel Configuration .................................................................64
Figure 85 - Examples of Typical Input and Output Connections Using Analog and Digital out Board................................65
List of Tables
Table 1 - Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations.................................................................................................3
Table 2 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Phase Perfect crossover..............................25
Table 3 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Linkwitz-Riley crossover...............................25
Table 4 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Butterworth crossover..................................26
Table 5 - Source to Output Routing for Speaker Level Configuration..............................................................27
ix
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to a new world of possibilities. Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova
Despite Casa Nova’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 Casa Nova works. Rather than offer a frustrating
bewilderment of little used functions in constant view, vying for your attention, Casa Nova 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 exit that function. (The same
button that got you in gets you back out).
This Casa Nova 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 benchreference Casa Nova.
• The tested assembled circuit boards are then installed in a new Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova is tested on an audio analyzer for all pertinent parameters.
• The Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova’s meet visual specifications.
• The unit is then put through a critical listening test.
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.
1
IMPORTANT NOTICE
I. Due to the computer-based circuitry used in Theta products, it is imperative that the Casa Nova be
connected to a ground via its three wire AC power cord. It is important that the AC power outlet,
which the Casa Nova is plugged into, is actually grounded. Failure to do so will severely
compromise the performance, reliability and safety of use of the Casa Nova.
II. It is also important to prevent contact with static electricity when connecting other components and
cables to the Casa Nova. When connecting cables, simply place one hand on top of the Casa Nova
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 Casa Nova.
III. The Casa Nova, 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 2 minutes, then turn it on again.
IV. Ventilation is an important issue when placing the Casa Nova in a system. Make certain that the
Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova, as there are no user serviceable
components inside. Refer servicing and updating to qualified service personnel only.
VII. Should the Casa Nova need to be reset, it must be put in standby first via the front panel power
button. Then the rear panel power switch is to be turned off for at least 2 minutes to allow the video
circuitry to reset.
VIII. The Casa Nova 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 Casa Nova 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.
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,
Xover Abbreviation for the word ‘Crossover’.
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 lowlevel 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. This mode is intended to be used when no
center speaker is 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 Casa
Nova 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.
3
Casa Nova Block Diagram - Input Processing Sections
Figure 1 - Block Diagram of Input Processing Sections
4
Casa Nova Block Diagram - DAC and Analog Out Sections
Figure 2 - Block Diagram of DAC and Analog Outputs
5
Front Panel Layout
Figure 3 - Front Panel Layout
1. MAIN button. After the rear panel MAIN POWER switch is turned on press the front panel MAIN button to exit
the standby mode. The LCD will display the last accessed INPUT SELECT page. Pressing this button again will
place the Casa Nova into standby mode and the LED in the front panel MAIN button will light. Remote Power
Jacks assigned to this button will activate.
2. REMOTE button. Activates/deactivates the REMOTE POWER jack(s) on the rear panel that are assigned to it.
3. DISPLAY button. Temporarily overrides the LCD brightness display setting in the SETUP/INPUT page 3/MISC
sub menu
4. TAPE button. Used for routing audio and video INPUT signals to the TAPE OUT and ZONE 2 jacks.
5. EQ button. Accesses the optional EQ setup menu.
6. SETUP button. Used for setting speaker configurations/levels/delays, analog input levels, naming inputs, setting
the display & remote power jack time-out delays, selecting between NTSC and PAL video sources, accessing
additional surround parameters, and all other SETUP functions.
7. BALANCE button. Sets temporary balance and level configurations, shelf EQ, and analog input levels to
compensate for different program characteristics.
8. MODE button. Activates the MODE select menus for the currently selected input.
9. Dolby Digital indicator. Lights when Dolby Digital is installed. It will go out when the display is turned off.
10. DTS indicator. Lights when the DTS feature is installed. It will go out when the display is turned off.
11. Circle Surround indicator. Lights when the Circle Surround feature is installed. It will go out when the display is
turned off.
12. Spatializer indicator. Lights when the Spatializer feature is installed. It will go out when the display is turned off.
13. 40 character by 2 row amber back lit liquid crystal display (LCD).
14. ANALOG LEVEL display. Shows input level, in dB, of currently selected analog input.
15. LEVEL LEFT and RIGHT buttons. Shifts audio balance to the left and right when the BALANCE function is
selected, adjusts master volume within sub menus when LEVEL UP/DOWN are not available, used to toggle
between the 2 Input Select pages, shifts to next character when naming input jacks and input select buttons.
16. LEVEL UP and DOWN buttons. Increases/decreases master volume. Also used to increment/decrement values
in most edit modes.
17. MUTE button. Mutes/unmutes all audio outputs with the exception of the TAPE OUT and ZONE 2 jacks.
18. A-D button. Sequences through input jacks mapped (assigned) to the active INPUT SELECT button.
19. Buttons 1 through 6. Used to select the desired input on INPUT SELECT pages, or parameter to change when in
a sub menu. The LED in the button lights when the button is pressed. These buttons are referred to as the
INPUT SELECT buttons.
20. LOCK light. Lights when a digital source is detected on a selected input.
6
Rear Panel Layout
Figure 4 - Rear Panel Layout
1. AC Power connector: 3 wire, IEC 320 connector with an EMI filter.
2. RJ45 RS232 connector.
3. DB9 RS232 connector.
4. Main Power Switch. Master power switch. Disconnects AC to all circuits. It is recommended that this be left ON
at all times during regular use with the exception of whenever cables are connected/disconnected or when the
unit is not going to be used for an extended period of time.
5. Remote Extender jack. An externally mounted (remote) Infrared (IR) receiver plugs into this miniature stereo
phone jack. Please refer to Appendix C for technical details.
6. Remote Pow er 1 and 2 jacks. Programmable to be individually activated/deactivated when the MAIN and/or
REMOTE buttons on the front panel or remote are pressed/pressed again. They can output a 12V pulse (variable
duration) or 12VDC. The output trigger can be delayed up to 255 seconds.
7. Analog Input card. Six stereo RCA inputs are provided for any line level analog output device such as VCR’s,
laserdisc, CD and DAT players, phono preamplifiers, external D/A converters, tape decks, AM/FM tuners, etc.
There is one pair of analog tape outs for recording purposes and one pair to route to another area (Zone 2). The
Zone 2 output level is controlled separately from the main analog output levels.
8. Output card (Balanced and single-ended). This configuration (Balanced analog outputs for Front Left/Right and
Center, single-ended (RCA) analog output jacks for Front Left/Right, Center, Sub, Left & Right Surrounds) is the
standard option for the output card. (Shown in figure 4, above). The optional Circle Surround, or Circle
Surround/Spatializer card mounts on this board.
As a different option for this board, it can be configured to have 6 single-ended (RCA) analog outputs (Front
Left/Right, Center, Sub, Left & Right Surrounds) and 6 channels (3 digital pairs) of S/PDIF digital outputs along
with a digital volume data output (RCA) to control the output levels of a Theta external volume control unit.
Lastly, this card can be configured as a digital out board only, with S/PDIF digital outputs, for use with external
D/A converters. A 2, 4 or 6 channel External Volume Control unit can be used to allow the Casa Nova to control
the output volume of the external DACs.
9. Video card. This optional card, necessary for on-screen disp lay, provides six composite RCA inputs that can be
switched with any audio inputs and fed to the main video output. Four S-Video inputs, also mappable, provide the
same functionality as the composite inputs, except in the S-Video format. Video inputs are routed to the video
tape output jack through the TAPE OUT button. Only S-Video input signals can be present at the S-Video Main
and/or Tape outputs.
10. Digital Input card. Six Coaxial (RCA), 1 AES/EBU (balanced XLR) and two TosLink inputs are provided for
digital audio signals in the S/PDIF format at 32K, 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K and 96KHz sampling rates. Optionally, two
Dolby Digital (AC3-RF) jacks and the AC-3 RF demodulator card mount on this card. There is one open space
provided for an optional AT&T or Theta Single Mode Laserlinque optical input module. There are two RCA digital
Tape Out connectors on this card, the source of which can be selected in the TAPE OUT menu.
Note: The 4 rear panel cards shown in the picture above can be in any position.
7
Menu Maps
Function Menus and Pages
Input Select Pages
Figure 5 - Mode, Status, Tape Out Menus and Input Select Menus and Pages
8
Setup Menus and Pages
Figure 6 - Setup Menus and Pages
9
Introduction to the User interface
WARNING !! : PLEASE READ FIRST!
In the SETUP page 1 menu, the PW button allows the user to password protect the entire SETUP function. In
the SETUP/INPUT page 2 sub menu, the PW button allows the user to password protect the currently selected
input. When either PW button is selected, a prompt will be displayed asking the user if they are sure they want
to change the current password (YES or NO). If YES is selected, the current password will be displayed above
the PW button, prompting the end-user to change the current password. The password does not have to be
changed at this point, the same numbers that are currently displayed can be entered, using buttons 1-6 and/or
A-D. Pressing A-D enters a zero. A password containing at least one zero is null, meaning no password.
Therefore, to remove a password, press A-D at least once.
Please note that there are no passwords programmed into the Casa Nova when it is initially shipped.
PLEASE REMEMBER and/or WRITE DOWN YOUR PASSWORD! If it is forgotten, all access to password
protected areas will be denied! There is no other over ride to this feature.
The menu system within the Casa Nova consists of 1 to 3 layers, with the exception of the SETUP menu. Some
menus have multiple pages, which can be accessed simply by pressing the A/D button, with the exception of
the INPUT SELECT menu which uses the LEFT/RIGHT buttons. When a menu has additional pages
associated with it, a right or left arrow will be displayed in the bottom right corner of the LCD. Please refer to
figures 5 and 6 for an overall view of all menus, sub menus and menu pages.
The SETUP menu contains a number of sub menus, organized by setup function. Since many configuration
parameters can be stored for each INPUT SELECT button (by input), they are accessed in one of the 3
SETUP/INPUT sub menus.
Once a parameter is selected for editing, pressing the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons edits the parameter value,
storing it at the same time. On any page, if the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons are not used for editing a parameter
value, they will adjust the master volume. Where the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons are used for editing a
parameter value, the LEVELLEFT/RIGHT buttons will adjust the master volume, with the exception of the
TAPEOUT menu page, the first BALANCE page and the pages where input select buttons and input jacks are
named.
The function buttons are defined as the EQ, SETUP, TAPE, BALANCE, and MODE buttons. To exit a function
the same function button can be pressed multiple times to exit, or another function button can be pressed at any
time.
Before you begin
With all input options installed in a Casa Nova, there are 28 input jacks: 6 stereo analog audio, 12 digital audio,
6 composite video and 4 S-video. Each jack can be named. It is recommended to first name each input jack
that is to be used. (SETUP/JACKS)
Each INPUT SELECT button can have up to 6 audio, 6 composite and 6 S-video jacks mapped, or assigned to
it. Input jacks should be mapped to INPUT SELECT buttons after the applicable jacks are named. The INPUT
SELECT button should also be named. There are a total of 12 INPUT SELECTs on two pages. Pressing the
LEVEL LEFT/RIGHT buttons will toggle between these two pages of 6 inputs each.
When editing parameters for a given INPUT, the user must press the applicable INPUT button in the input select
page, then press SETUP and INPUT, then navigate to the menu containing the desired parameter to change.
Note: The order in which input jacks are assigned to an INPUTSELECT button determines the search order.
Please refer to page 12 for additional information on source assignment (search order). When more than one
input jack is assigned to a single INPUT button, toggling the A-D button [when the INPUT SELECT page is
active in the LCD] will select the next assigned input jack.
10
FRONT PANEL OPERATIONS
This section describes the functionality of each button on the Casa Nova’s front panel only. For remote
functionality descriptions, please refer to the section entitled REMOTE CONTROL OPERATIONS later in this
manual. Descriptions for front panel buttons/functionality not covered in this section can be found in the
preceding FRONT PANEL LAYOUT section.
Input Select Menus
When the Casa Nova is first powered up via the MAIN POWER switch on the back panel, it will be in the
default standby mode. Pressing the MAIN button on the front panel will result in the LCD displaying the
start-up routine and then the current INPUT SELECT page, shown in figure 7 below. As this menu appears,
the MAIN LED turns off. This display will be on all of the time during normal operation and will change only
when one of the function buttons is pressed.
Changing Inputs and Input Select Pages
The INPUT NAMES shown in this figure are for example only and will most likely differ from the user’s set
up. There are two INPUT SELECT pages, giving the user a total of 12 inputs. Buttons 1 through 6 are used
to select a desired input, or audio/video source. The selected button will illuminate when pressed. When the
Casa Nova exits standby mode, the INPUT SELECT page with the last selected input is displayed. Pressing
the LEVELLEFT or RIGHT buttons toggles between the two INPUTSELECT pages.
* * *
Figure 7 - Front Panel Display of the current INPUT SELECT page
Pressing the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons will adjust the master volume for all speakers. A temporary bar
graph appears on the LCD and OSD as the master volume is being adjusted. This value ranges from 0 to
73, relative maximum.
Selecting Mapped Input Jacks for the Currently Selected Input
Pressing the A-D button will toggle between the input jacks that are mapped to this INPUT SELECT button.
Please refer to page 12 (Search Order) for important, detailed information regarding using the A-D button.
The MUTE button will toggle the audio between the master volume level and MUTE level* in all speakers
each time it is pressed. When the mute feature is enabled, the word LEVEL in the LCD will be replaced with
the word MUTED, which will remain displayed until the MUTE button is pressed again. The MUTE feature is
active in all menus.
*Note: The factory default value for MUTE is 0, which is to say that when the MUTE button is pressed, the
output level of all 6 channels will be completely muted (master volume = 0). The Casa Nova offers a feature
in the SETUP/INPUT Page 3/MISC sub menu whereby when the MUTE button is pressed, the Casa Nova
will mute to a user defined master volume level. Please refer to page 36 for additional information regarding
this feature.
* * *
11
Search Order
The Casa Nova’s inputs can support virtually every digital audio data format used in today’s technology. Up
to 6 audio input jacks can be mapped to one INPUT SELECT button. These 6 input jacks can be all digital,
all analog or any combination of both. In the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/AUD page, the order in which
they are mapped to a given input determines the order each is displayed when the A-D button is pressed.
This is called Input Search Order. Figure 8 below shows INPUT SELECT 1 having the CD and DVD input
jacks mapped to it, with the CD jack having the highest priority (being in the first position). In this example,
there are no other physical input jacks required to be mapped to INPUT SELECT 1, therefore the jack
names of 3-6 are blank. Pressing the A-D button while in the INPUT SELECT page, selects either the CD
input jack, or the DVD input jack. Pressing the A-D button in the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/AUD sub
menu will access the composite video search order page. In this page, pressing buttons 1-6 will allow the
user to assign a composite video input jack (1-6) to correspond to the respective audio search order. In the
above example, one would not assign a composite video jack to search order # 1 since the audio search
order # 1 is assigned to CD, which is not a video source. If one wanted an unrelated video source to be
viewable when listening to CD’s, simply map a video source to composite video search order # 1. Also in the
above example, one would normally assign the DVD composite video input to composite video search order
# 2. This will select the correct video jack to correspond to the desired audio jack. In this example, if the
video signal were to be carried via an S-video cable, pressing the A-D button once while in the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/COMP page would reveal the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/SVID page and the same
procedure would apply as with a composite video source.
Figure 8 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/SOURCE/AUD page
Caution: Please take special care to insert only a digital signal into a digital input jack and an analog signal
only into an analog input jack. Damage, not covered under warranty, can occur if an analog signal is applied
to a digital input. Additionally, please ensure that a video plug is not inadvertently inserted into a digital
audio jack and visa versa, otherwise, the Casa Nova will cease to respond.
12
MODE Function
Pressing the MODE button (shaded in figures 9 and 10) once displays the first page of the MODE menu.
This page consists of 6 different signal ‘processing’ modes, one of which can be selected and temporarily
applied to the currently selected input. A right arrow is displayed in the lower right corner of the LCD
indicating that there is another MODE page. Pressing the A-D button once will reveal this second page,
consisting of additional modes. In this second page, a left arrow is displayed in the LCD, above the A-D
button. This indicates that pressing the A-D button once more will return the user to the first MODE page.
Figure 9 shows the first MODE page and figure 10 shows the second.
Note: This entire menu allows the user to audition different modes when possible. It does not store the
changed mode. Therefore when a different INPUT SELECT button is pressed, or the Casa Nova is powered
down, a MODE that is changed using this function will revert to its default. Since each INPUT SELECT
button can have its own MODE, the default mode for that INPUT SELECT is stored/edited in the SETUP/ INPUT menu. Please refer to page 28 (Default Mode) for information on changing and storing the MODE for
a given INPUT SELECT button.
* * *
Figure 9 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Page 1 Menu
Press button 1 - 6 to select the desired mode. The corresponding LED within buttons 1 through 6 will
illuminate.
Note: If a specific feature such as Dolby Digital or DTS is not installed in the Casa Nova, selecting either in
the MODE menu will result in the LCD displaying the following message: OPTION NOT INSTALLED.
The first 6 modes shown in figure 9 are described below.
Simple Matrix (MATX): The signal routed to the center speaker is equal to the left plus right input signals
and the signal routed to the surround speakers is equal to left minus right signals. Crossing over any
speaker(s) produces a sub channel.
Special Matrix (SPCL MATX): A mode similar to Dolby Pro Logic with more ambience retrieval in the
surround speakers.
Dolby Pro Logic (PRO): When PRO is selected, Dolby Pro Logic decoding is implemented.
Dolby Digital (DIGTL): (Optional). When this mode is selected, Dolby Digital decoding is implemented.
Please refer to page 31 for additional Dolby Digital setup options, selectable in the second page of the
SETUP/INPUT submenu.
If the Casa Nova detects a Dolby Digital signal on the selected input jack, and the MODE is not set to
DOLBY DIGITAL, the Casa Nova will display the following message on both the LCD and video monitor:
**RECEIVING DOLBY DIGITAL SIGNAL**
and display DOLBY DIGITAL as the current mode. However, this is not stored and therefore approximately
15 seconds after the Casa Nova ceases to receive this signal, the MODE will revert back to the previous
mode before detecting the Dolby Digital signal.
DTS: (Optional) Selecting DTS will decode a Digital Theater Systems encoded signal according to the DTS
specification which consists of up to 5 plus 1 discrete channels of digital data for a total of 6 separate audio
channels.
CHANGING MODE TO DOLBY DIGITAL
13
If the Casa Nova detects a DTS signal on the selected input jack, and the MODE is not set to DTS, the Casa
Nova will display the following message on both the LCD and video monitor:
**RECEIVING DTS SIGNAL**
CHANGING MODE TO DTS
and display DTS as the current mode. However, this is not stored and therefore approximately 15 seconds
after the Casa Nova ceases to receive this signal, the MODE will revert back to the previous mode before
detecting the DTS signal. Please refer to page 33 for additional DTS setup options, selectable in the second
page of the SETUP/INPUT submenu.
STEREO: Left and Right input signals are sent to the Left and Right front speakers, which if crossed over,
will produce a SUB channel.
When the Casa Nova receives a 96K input signal, the following message will appear in the display:
**RECEIVING 96K SIGNAL**
CHANGING MODE TO STEREO
And the MODE will be changed to STEREO. A few seconds after the 96K signal is no longer received, the
Casa Nova will return back to the stored MODE.
* * *
Figure 10 - Front Panel Display of the MODE Page 2 Menu
Each of the 4 modes shown in figure 10 are described below.
MONO: This mode routes the input signal to the center channel only, however, if the center channel is
crossed over, a sub channel will be produced. If the center channel is set to OFF or PHANTM in the
SETUP/ INPUT/CONFIG sub menu, the input signal will be routed to the front left and right speakers.
CIRCLE SURROUND: The ENC (Encoded) and NON-EN (Non Encoded) Circle Surround modes are
intended for music playback, whereas the CINE mode is intended for Cinematic use. In all 3 Circle Surround
modes, the center channel operates dynamically in order to avoid collapsing any stereo imaging that may be
present toward the center channel. This works to maintain a wide left/right soundfield in the front channels.
All Circle Surround modes provide multi-band left/right steering in the surround channels.
When the source music is Circle encoded, the intended mode is Circle ENC, leaving the NON-EN mode for
non Circle encoded music. CINE is a non-encoded mode that is intended to be used for mono, stereo or
matrixed film sources.
Circle Surround operates effectively with both encoded and non-encoded material, and allows the
processing of the front left/right and center channels as well as full bandwidth of the left and right surrounds.
Please refer to page 33 for additional Circle Surround setup options, selectable in the second page of the
SETUP/INPUT submenu.
After selecting a mode for the current input channel, pressing the MODE button once more returns the Casa
Nova to the INPUT SELECT menu. While in the MODE menu, the MASTER VOLUME can be controlled
using the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons.
* * *
14
TAPE OUT Function
This feature individually routes input signals to the video, analog, zone 2 and digital audio tape out jacks as
well as the ZONE 2 outputs.
Pressing the TAPE OUT button once changes the LCD display to the TAPE OUT menu shown in figure 11.
Note: The INPUT NAMES shown in this figure are for example only and will most likely differ from the user’s
set up.
* * *
Figure11 - Front Panel Displayof the TAPE OUT Menu
In this menu, pressing button # 1 allows the user to route any audio input jack, analog or digital, to the
analog TAPE OUT jacks. The same input jack is also routed to the ZONE 2 output jacks.
Button # 2 allows the user to select whether the signal at the analog TAPE OUT and ZONE 2 jacks will be
derived from the main output DACs or the optional tape out DAC, by displaying MAIN or TAPE in the
display. If the optional tape out DAC has not been installed, changing this value will result in the following
message: OPTION NOT INSTALLED. This setting is only relevant if the analog tape out source is set to a
digital input jack. All analog inputs are routed directly to the TAPE OUT jacks, without A/D to D/A
conversion.
The ZONE2 output level can be adjusted independently of the Casa Nova’s master volume via button # 3.
The maximum level is 55 and each increment is 1dB. Both the LEVEL UP/DOWN and LEFT/RIGHT buttons
adjust this parameter value and in this case, button # 3 does not need to be pressed first.
Button # 4 allows the user to route any digital audio input jack to the digital TAPE OUT jacks.
Button #’s 5 and 6 route composite and S-video inputs to the composite and S-Video TAPE OUT jacks,
respectively.
Standard Tape Out Configuration
The following guidelines apply when the tape out circuitry is in its standard configuration, i.e. the optional
tape out D/A converter has not been installed.
A source to be recorded (via the analog TAPE OUT jacks) can be selected independently of the source
currently being viewed or listened to provided that the input for the source to be recorded is ANALOG.
It is possible to record a digital source in analog only if the source is the same as the input being watched or
listened to. If the desired source is 5.1 (DTS/AC-3), it is recommended that both the surrounds and center
speakers be set to phantom (PHTM). This mixes those channel’s information into the front left/right
channels, thus eliminating lost information from an analog copy.
Optional Upgrade Tape Out Configuration
When the optional D/A converter has been installed onto the Digital Input board, a digital source can be
recorded, i.e. sent to the analog TAPE OUT jacks, (and routed to the ZONE 2 outputs) at the same time as a
different digital source is being watched or listened to.
* * *
15
To route a signal to the appropriate TAPE OUT jack(s), press the TAPE OUT button and then select a
source for the appropriate TAPE OUT (analog/zone 2, digital, composite and/or S-video) by first selecting
buttons 1, 4, 5, and/or 6, respectively and using the LEVELUP/DOWN buttons. A composite video source
will only be routed to the composite video TAPE OUT jack and an S-video source can only be routed to the
S-video TAPEOUT jack.
Now the routing is completed. Press TAPE OUT again to return the Casa Nova to the current INPUT
SELECT page.
CAUTION: It is not advisable to route a 5.1 source (DTS/AC-3) to the optional tape out DAC as this section
does not contain Dolby Digital or DTS decoding capabilities. Full scale and potentially damaging noise will
be output!
16
SETUP Function
This function provides access to a series of sub menus that will allow the configuration of the entire system.
In this section, each feature of the SETUP menu is discussed in detail along with a diagram of each LCD
display.
Note: A complete step-by-step speaker configuration setup guide is located in Appendix D.
Pressing the SETUP button once changes the front panel display to the first page of the SETUP menu,
shown in figure 12.
* * *
Figure 12 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 1 Menu
The menu title “SETUP” is displayed in the upper right corner. A right arrow is displayed in the lower right
corner of the LCD indicating that there are more setup options to select from on the next page. Pressing the
A-D button once will reveal this second page. On the second page the menu title “SETUP” is also displayed
in the upper right corner with a left arrow displayed below it. This indicates that pressing the A-D button
once more will return the user to the first SETUP page. Figure 12 shows the first SETUP page and figure 17
shows the second.
As indicated in figure 12, button 1 is assigned to features that are stored by input and leads to a series of
categorized sub menus via 3 pages. Most pages, menus and all features are detailed further in this section.
Initial Power-On Master Volume
Button 2 allows the user to store an initial master volume setting that the Casa Nova will default to when it
comes out of standby.
Setup Button Password
It is possible to password protect the entire SETUP function, or have no password at all. Setting a password
for the SETUP button is accessed by pressing button # 3, where the user will be asked “ARE YOU SURE?”
Answering “YES” by pressing button # 2 will display the following page:
Figure 13 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/Assign Password Display
Use buttons 1-6 to assign a password. After each digit is entered, the cursor (flashing in the Onscreen
Display (OSD) only, not the LCD) moves one character to the right. If no password is to be used (factory
default), press the A-D button five times, which enters all zeros. All zeros, or a zero anywhere in the
password translates to no password.
CAUTION: It is imperative that your new password be written down. If it is forgotten, ALL access to the
SETUP menu will be permanently denied. Please see the WARNING on page 10.
Remote Power Jacks
The two REMOTE POWER jacks on the rear panel can be programmed to output 12V, either straight DC or
as a pulse and each can be activated by either the MAIN or REMOTE power button on the front panel.
Press button # 4 to access the REMPWR sub menu shown in figure 14.
17
Figure 14 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/REMPWR Sub Menu
Button # 1 (1SRCE, or remote power jack 1 source) allows the user to map which front panel button will
activate the remote power 1 jack on the rear panel. The options are either the MAIN or REMOTE front panel
buttons.
Use button # 2 to indicate whether the output of the remote power jack 1 should be 12VDC (DC) or a 12V
pulse (PULSE). The specification sheet for the device connected to the remote power 1 jack should contain
information as to which type of signal it requires, and if it is a pulse, the minimum pulse duration.
The output signal of the remote power jack can be delayed after its activating button is pressed. This is
useful for sequencing high power components such as amplifiers. Button # 3 allows the user to set this
delay time, in seconds.
Buttons 4, 5 and 6 have exactly the same functionality as buttons 1, 2 and 3, except that they apply for the
remote power 2 jack on the rear panel.
If the type of output for one or both of the remote power jacks is a 12V pulse, the duration (in milliseconds) of
this pulse can be set by the user, using the A-D button.
Press SETUP once to return to the first page of the SETUP menu.
Jack Names
Button # 5 accesses a series of sub menus, which allow the user to name all of the Casa Nova’s input jacks,
both audio and video. The JACKS sub menu is shown in figure 15.
Figure 15 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/JACKS Sub Menu
Pressing button # 1 accesses a sub menu that allows the analog audio input jacks to be named. Button # 2
does the same for the coaxial digital audio input jacks, whereas button # 3 allows the user to name all noncoaxial digital audio input jacks. Buttons # 4 and # 5 lead to sub menus that allow the naming of the
composite and S-video jacks, respectively.
Example of editing a jack name:
To edit the name of analog input jack 1, press button # 1 from the menu shown above. This displays the
NAME ANALOG sub menu. Then press button # 1 (first analog input jack name). Press the LEVEL
UP/DOWN buttons to select the desired LCD character and the LEVEL LEFT/RIGHT to change character
positions. Once selected, pressing the DISPLAY button once will clear the current jack name. There is not
a blinking cursor in the LCD. The LCD name for all audio input jacks can be up to 6 characters and the
video jack names up to 5. Press the A-D button to edit the OSD name. OSD will be displayed above the A-D button in the LCD. ALL OSD names can be up to 15 characters and the current character to be edited will
blink.
18
Analog Input Levels
Lastly on this page, button # 6 accesses the ANALOG INPUT LEVELS submenu, shown in figure 16.
Figure 16 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/ANLG LVLS Sub Menu
This function allows the user to adjust the relative ANALOG input LEVEL for each input source for those
modes which require analog to digital conversion. This function does not affect source levels when a digital
audio input is selected. The allowable relative range is -23 dB to +14 dB, in 1dB increments.
Note: To obtain the best performance from the analog to digital conversion process, levels should be set so
that the loudest passages from the source material cause the -18, -12 and -6 dB ANALOG input LEVEL
LEDs on the front panel to light. Setting the input level too high will cause all four LEDs to light, thus clipping
the input signal and causing distortion.
Analog output levels may vary considerably for different input sources. Program material from a given input
source should not vary as greatly. Therefore the ANALOG input LEVEL for a given source should not have
to be adjusted very often. If, however, the input ANALOG LEVEL LEDs are not lit during the loudest
passages from an analog source, the user should increase the ANALOG input LEVEL for that source in
order to ensure a good signal to noise ratio.
Select the analog input to be adjusted by pressing buttons 1-6 once. Adjust the relative input level using the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons, then press the SETUP button twice to return to the current INPUT SELECT
page.
* * *
Pressing the A-D button shifts to the second page of the SETUP menu, shown in figure 17.
Figure 17 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 2 Menu
Temporary Settings Control
Any changes in the BALANCE menus are, by default, temporary. That is to say that when an INPUT
SELECT button is pressed or the Casa Nova is powered down/put into standby, any changes will be reset to
zero. This feature has an override, which is set by pressing button # 1 and set to OFF. When this parameter
is set to OFF, changing inputs powering down/going into standby will maintain all BALANCE menu settings.
RS232
Press button # 2 to access the RS232 sub menu, if the optional RS232 feature has been installed.
Pressing the A-D button shifts back to the first page of the SETUP menu.
19
Figure 18 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP Page 2/RS232 Sub Menu
Press button # 1 (BAUD) and use the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons to select the Baud rate that matches that of
the RS232 controller.
The RS232 can be set to automatically send changes to the RS232 port. This can be done by selecting a
“Status Level”, which means if any Casa Nova parameter changes, that level's bytes will be sent to the port.
This is useful for monitoring master level, input and the like when the user has access to both the Casa Nova
and the touch-panel controller, to keep them synchronized.
Button # 2 (ECHOS) [Status] allows the user to enable or disable the output of data to the RS232 port and, if
enabled, determine which level, or pre-determined group of bytes it outputs. Setting this value to OFF
disables any parameter change information from being output to the RS232 port. If RS232 is installed in a
Casa Nova, an addendum will be included with this manual which describes all pertinent RS232 information,
including values contained within each Status Level.
If the RS232 option is installed but not being used, ensure that the Echo Status (ECHOS) parameter is set to OFF. Other settings can slow the operation of the Casa Nova.
Pressing the SETUP button twice (if in the RS232 sub menu, once if in SETUP page 2) returns the LCD to
the current INPUT SELECT page.
20
SETUP INPUT (Setting up each of the 12 Input Select Buttons)
Setup Input Page 1
All parameters accessed within the SETUP/INP menu are programmable for each of the 12 INPUT SELECT
buttons. The first of 3 pages of the SETUP/INP sub menu is shown below, in figure 19.
Figure 19 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 1Sub Menu
Speaker Configuration
The Speaker Configuration section utilizes the menus shown in figure 20.
Figure 20 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 1/CONFIG
This sub menu (CONFIG) allows the user to configure speakers to reflect the audio system configuration or
the listener’s preference, for the available speakers and their respective frequency responses.
All of the speaker configuration parameters are accessed by pressing button # 1 (CONFIG). This leads to a
series of sub menus shown that are described next. The first sub menu, SPEAKER CONFIG is shown
below, in figure 21.
Figure 21 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG Sub Menu
As indicated in figure 21 above, the front left/right speaker configuration is accessed by pressing button # 1,
the center via button # 2, the surrounds with button # 3 and # 4 is for the sub woofer. There are 3 types of
crossovers to choose from, which can be selected via button # 5. Before configuring any speakers in the
system, it is important to configure the sub woofer, then the crossovers for each speaker. First, determine
21
whether or not a sub is required or desired. Press button # 4 to go to the SUB CONFIG sub menu, shown in
figure 22, and set up the sub. If no sub is present, or is not desired, set the number of subs (#SUBS) to 0,
disregard the crossover type (button # 5) at this time, in figure 21. Lastly, configure the other speakers in the
system via buttons 1-3.
SUB Configuration
Note: If the source does not contain a discrete sub woofer or LFE channel, no signal will be routed to the
SUB output unless one or more speakers are crossed over. If the source contains a discrete LFE channel
and the #SUBS is turned off (set to 0), the LFE signal will be routed to all other channels whose CFG is set
to FULL.
If the number of SUBS is set to 1, all of the low-pass portion of all crossed over speakers and the full LFE
are routed to the SUB output jack.
Figure 22 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/SUBCONFIG Sub Menu
If a sub is present in the system, verify that the number of subs is set to 1 (button # 1 in figure 22), and then
determine if it needs to be sent a crossed over signal or a full range signal. (FULL or XOVER in the LCD,
FULL RANGE or CROSSOVER on the OSD). The only situation that would require a full range signal is if
the subwoofer contains its own crossover that cannot be defeated. If it appears that this is the case, it is
recommended that the subwoofer manufacturer be contacted to see if there is a possible modification to the
subwoofer to defeat its crossover. The crossovers in the Casa Nova have been engineered to be superior to
any analog crossover, regardless of quality.
It is important to better understand the 3 types of crossovers in order to select the most appropriate one and
the respective speaker crossover points and slopes. A discussion about crossovers follows.
Crossovers
The Casa Nova contains a comprehensive set of speaker configuration settings. These settings are
believed to be the most complete ever offered in a home theater component and should allow any speaker to
perform optimally regardless of speaker type. It is important to bear in mind that the below procedure is
merely a guideline and that room acoustics, speaker design / quality, music / movie type, and personal
preference all play a part in these settings.
Each full speaker configuration is stored separately for each input. In SETUP/INP Page 1, press button # 1
(labeled CONFIG on the LCD, SPEAKER CONFIGURATION on the OSD) to access the speaker
configuration menu.
Pressing buttons 1-4 of this menu will access additional menus to setup a particular speaker or set of
speakers. Pressing button # 5 will allow a change to the crossover type. There are three settings for the
crossover type. They are "Phase Perfect", "Butterworth", and "Linkwitz-Riley". A brief description of each
will follow:
This is a term coined for a type of crossover wherein the low pass portion is derived from the high pass.
First, a high pass Butterworth crossover is performed. This gives two resulting signals: the high pass and
the original, unaltered signal. Then, the high pass signal is subtracted from the original input signal, resulting
in the low pass signal, which is usually routed to the subwoofer. A positive attribute of this type of crossover
is that if the high and low pass signals are added together, an exact replica of the original input signal
results, thus the term "phase perfect". A potentially negative attribute of this type of crossover is that, due to
Phase Perfect
22
phase relationships and vector mathematics, higher order filters (12, 18, 24 dB/octave) always produce
6dB/octave low pass slopes, in terms of electrical energy sent to the subwoofer. The high pass portion will
have the expected 6, 12, 18 or 24 dB /octave slope. Due to this phenomenon, this type of crossover is best
suited for subwoofers that can operate linearly up to the 500 Hz range. Please consult your dealer or
subwoofer manufacturer to determine if this is suitable for your particular subwoofer. If the subwoofer is
capable of handling this range, this is potentially the best sounding of Casa Nova's crossover types.
Butterworth
This is the most common type of crossover used in home theater, speakers and outboard electronic
crossovers. Separate high and low pass slopes and crossover frequencies may be set for speaker sets
[Left/Right], [Center] and [Surround Left / Surround Right]. As with Phase Perfect and Linkwitz-Riley
crossovers, it is possible to invert the phase of the low pass for each of these speaker sets. This allows
precise tailoring of the subwoofer response to the main speaker's response. A negative attribute of this
crossover type is that the high and low pass signals have different phase shifts from each other.
Linkwitz-Riley
This type of crossover, developed in 1976 by Siegfried Linkwitz and Russ Riley, eliminates some of the
inherent problems of Butterworth filters. Specifically, a Butterworth filter of 12, 18 or 24 dB/octave (or higher)
slope exhibits different phase shifts between the high and low pass outputs. A Linkwitz-Riley alignment
solves this problem, as it exhibits zero phase difference between outputs at all frequencies. Acoustically,
this means that if the sound sources are in proper time-alignment, a smoother frequency response will be
realized at the listening position. The Linkwitz-Riley crossover is only applicable to slopes of 12 and 24
dB/octave. A proper Linkwitz-Riley crossover with a 12dB slope should have the low pass portion inverted.
This is done internally in the Casa Nova.
A note on crossovers
Casa Nova's complement of crossover options can at first appear daunting. Most surround sound
processors offer a simple selection to set their crossovers: Speaker Small or Speaker Large. When set to
small, normally a 12dB/octave Butterworth crossover is performed at 80Hz. Occasionally, it is a 24
dB/octave slope. This simple setting does not take into account the huge variations in speaker design and
room acoustics and more often than not results in non-optimum performance. We have endeavored to offer
this rich set of options with the aim of superior performance. With this in mind, following are a few simple
suggestions to make this process easier.
A note on home theater
There are a few common misconceptions about home theater and bass reproduction. Chief among them is
that the ".1" or "LFE" channel normally contains most or all of the bass information. This is unequivocally
false. The LFE channel contains sound effects such as explosions, rumbling and the like. All other channels
(left, center, right, left surround, right surround) may contain an equal amount of bass, and often do. Their
bass, however, tends to be more related to the soundtrack, vocal material or localized sources such as a
drum beating behind the listener. This is important information to understand when setting up crossovers in
the coming section.
Another misconception is that the center channel is "fill" and is minor in importance. Again, this is false. The
center channel contains the lion's share of important information (particularly dialog) in the cinematic
experience. It is therefore critical that the center speaker be of the highest quality possible and special
attention be given to its mounting and positioning.
* * *
23
Left/Right Speaker Configuration
The left/right configuration section contains the sub menus shown in figure 23.
Figure 23 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 1/CONFIG/LT/RT
In the SETUP/INP/CONFIG submenu (figure 21), press button # 5 and select the desired crossover type.
Then press button # 1 to set up the front left/right speakers. This configuration sub menu is shown in figure
24.
Figure 24 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT Sub Menu
Pressing button # 1 allows the configuration of the front left/right speakers. If these speakers are not to be
crossed over, nor any of their signal sent to the SUB output, then this should be set to FULL. There is an
option where the full range signal can be routed to the left/right speakers and a low pass part of it routed to
the sub. If this is desired, the setting should be FUL/LP. (A crossover type must be selected, and the
appropriate crossover frequencies and slopes set up.) The front left/right speakers can also be set to OFF.
Note: If the crossover type is Phase Perfect (φPERF) and the CFG type is set to FUL/LP, no low pass signal
will be created.
Should it be desired to fully crossover the front left/right speakers, the CFG setting (button # 1) should be set
to XOVER and the crossover frequencies and slopes in either the Phase Perfect (φPERF), Linkwitz-Riley
(LINK-RILEY) or Butterworth (BWORTH) sub menus be set using buttons 2, 3 and/or 4 respectively.
Note: It is advisable to select crossover frequencies and slopes in all 3 crossover type sub menus (buttons
2-4), and then go back to the SPEAKER CONFIG sub menu (figure 17), select the crossover TYPE (button #
5) and audition each crossover.
24
Set up the crossovers as follows. Press button # 2 (φPERF). This submenu is shown in figure 25.
Figure 25 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/φPERF Sub Menu
Press button # 1 and select a Phase Perfect crossover frequency for the front left/right speakers, then button
# 2 to set the high pass slope.
Button # 3 allows the user to invert the low pass phase from 0 (+) to 180 degrees out of phase .
Table 2 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Phase Perfect crossover.
Press SETUP once to return to the front left/right configuration sub menu, then press button # 3 (LINKRILEY) to set up the Linkwitz-Riley crossovers. This submenu is shown in figure 26.
Figure 26 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/Link-R Sub Menu
Press button # 1 and select a Linkwitz-riley crossover frequency for the front left/right speakers, then button
# 2 to set the high and low pass slope. Button # 3 allows the user to invert the low pass phase from 0 (+) to
180 degrees out of phase.
Table 3 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Linkwitz-Riley crossover.
Press SETUP once to return to the front left/right configuration sub menu, then press button # 4 (BWORTH)
to set up the Butterworth crossovers. This submenu is shown in figure 27.
BUTTON PARAMETER
AVAILABLE SETTINGS
1 FREQ 40 50 60 80 100 120 160
2 SLOPE 12 24
3
LPφ
- +
Figure 27 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/LT/RT/BWORTH Sub Menu
25
Press button # 1 and select a Butterworth high pass crossover frequency, then button # 2 to set the high
pass slope. Press button # 3 to set the low pass crossover frequency, then button # 4 to set the low pass
slope. Generally speaking, the high and low pass crossover frequencies should be the same unless
compensating for unique room or speaker characteristics. Button # 5 allows the user to invert the low pass
phase from 0 (+) to 180 (-) degrees out of phase.
Table 4 - Available configuration settings for front L/R speaker Butterworth crossover.
Press SETUP twice to return to the speaker configuration sub menu, then press button # 2 (CEN) to set up
the center speaker. This submenu is shown in figure 28.
Center Speaker Configuration
Figure 28 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/CENTER Sub Menu
This submenu of settings is virtually the same as the one for the front left/right speakers, but applies only for
the center speaker. All of the same guidelines and procedures apply except for the case where no center
speaker is present and the destination to where the low pass signal (if the center speaker is crossed over)
can be routed. If no center speaker is present in the system, the CFG parameter should be set to PHANTM
(phantom). With this setting, the signal for the center channel is routed to the front left/right speakers.
Note: The phantom (PHTM) setting for the center speaker creates the illusion of having a center speaker
when the listener is positioned equidistant from the front left and right speakers. There is, however, no
substitute for a real center speaker as it creates a solid center image even when the listener is positioned offaxis. The phantom setting is most useful on video sources where a more prominent center image is
desirable and no center speaker is present. On music sources, OFF may be the preferred setting as it
maintains the original source’s imaging properties.
Pressing button # 1 allows the configuration of the center speaker. If this speaker is not to be crossed over,
or any of its signal sent to the SUB output, then this should be set to FULL. There is an option where the full
range signal can be routed to the center speaker and a low pass part of it routed to the sub or to the front
left/right speakers as discussed above. If this is desired, the CFG setting should be FUL/LP. (A crossover
type must be selected, and the appropriate crossover frequencies and slopes set up.)
The center speaker can also be set to XOVER or OFF.
Press button # 2, 3 and 4 to set up the crossover settings for the center speaker in the same manner as with
the front left/right. The crossover sub menus are the same with the exception of the speaker name in the
upper right corner of the LCD.
Pressing button # 5 allows the user to route the low pass center signal, if any, to either the SUB or front
left/right (LT/RT) speakers. Routing the low pass to the front left/right speakers can be useful with center
speakers that have a very limited bass response (-3dB @ 100Hz). In this case, the recommended crossover
frequency should be set to 160Hz.
26
Press SETUP twice to return to the speaker configuration sub menu, then press button # 3 (SURRND) to set
up the surround speakers. This submenu is shown in figure 29.
Surround Speaker Configuration
Figure 29 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/CONFIG/SURRND Sub Menu
Set the speaker configuration and crossovers, if necessary, in the same manner as the center speaker.
Note: The phantom (PHTM) setting for the surround speakers should be utilized when no surround
speakers are present in the system. In this case, with 5.1 sources, the surround information is added to the
front channels. In Dolby Pro Logic mode, the Casa Nova will automatically decode in Dolby 3 stereo.
Speaker Levels
This sub menu allows the user to set the relative level of each speaker in order to reflect the audio system
speaker configuration, room characteristics, or the listener’s preference. The allowable relative range is 15dB to +15dB. The BALANCE function (discussed later) allows the user to temporarily adjust the
Left/Right and Front/Rear balances, and the Center & Sub channel levels to compensate for differences in
program material or source.
Press SETUP, input (INP) then levels (LVLS) to access the speaker levels setup sub menu shown in figure
30. Press button(s) 1-6 to select a speaker to edit.
Figure 30 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/LVLS Sub Menu
Internal Noise Generator
To aid in establishing a desired system speaker level balance, the Casa Nova provides the user with the
option of either routing the currently selected audio signal to the outputs, or routing an internally generated
noise signal to either the currently selected speaker or to all speakers simultaneously.
This function is accessed via the A-D button in the SETUP/INP/LVLS sub menu. Press buttons 1-6 to select
a speaker. Pressing the A-D button repeatedly toggles through these sources. Table 5 shows the 3
possible routings. When the A-D button is pressed, the source name or noise type will appear in the LCD
below the sub menu title.
Press A-D Button MODE SOURCE USED
Once Selected Input AUDIO INPUT
Twice Noise - all speakers NOISE A
Three times Noise - one (selected) speaker NOISE 1
Table 5 - Source to Output Routing for Speaker Level Configuration.
When use of the noise generator is complete, press A-D to once again re-route the SOURCE to the outputs.
27
Note: It is recommended that levels be set relative to the front Left and Right speakers. The first step would
be to adjust the front Left and Right level value(s) to zero dB. The remaining speakers can be adjusted
accordingly by pressing buttons 2 and 4-6 one at a time, then pressing LEVEL UP or LEVEL DOWN to
increase or decrease each speaker’s relative level using an SPL meter, until the desired system balance is
established.
Speaker Delays
This sub menu allows the user to set a time delay for each speaker to reflect the audio system configuration,
room characteristics, or the listener’s preference. The allowable range for the front left/right, center and sub
speakers is 0 to 10 milliseconds (mS) and 15 to 31 mS for the surround speakers. Since discrete sources
are often recorded with surround delays, it is recommended that the delay setting for 5.1 sources be 15 mS
less than non 5.1 sources.
Figure 31 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP/DLYS Sub Menu
Press SETUP, input (INP) then delays (DLYS) to access the speaker delays setup sub menu shown in figure
31. The current delay settings will be displayed on the top row of the LCD. Additionally, the sub menu title
“DELAYS” will be displayed in the upper right corner. All delay settings in this page apply when the MODE
is Matrix, Special Matrix, Dolby Pro Logic, Stereo and Mono. Note: Dolby Digital, DTS and Circle Surround
delays are set in their respective Setup sub menus, and are independent of any delays set in this sub menu.
Select each speaker one at a time and adjust the individual delay according to the graph in figure 29. This
graph is an example for setting up the rear speaker delays. The Front left/right speaker delay times should
remain at 0mS as a reference to all other speakers.
Figure 32 - Rear Delay Settings
Default Mode
Each INPUT SELECT button can have a different default MODE assigned to it. To assign a default MODE
for a given INPUT SELECT button, first press the applicable INPUT SELECT button, SETUP/INP (input)
then button # 4 (MODE). Edit this parameter to select the desired default MODE, then press SETUP twice to
exit. Repeat this procedure for each INPUT SELECT button. Note: SKIP appears twice in the list of modes.
Note: Pressing the front panel MODE function button allows the user to audition different modes for a given
source, when applicable, however changing modes via the MODE button does not store a mode selection.
The first time a multi channel audio system is set up in a room,
calibration of time delay [and speaker levels] is required in order to
have the sound from the rear surround speakers reach the listener at
the correct time. To determine a delay time for the rear speakers,
measure the distance from the listening position to the front speakers
as well as the distance from the listening position to the rear speakers.
With these 2 measurements, refer to figure 32 to determine the delay
time and enter this value into the Casa Nova as described above.
Center speaker delay is required if the center speaker is closer to the
listening position than the front left and right. When this is the case, the
center delay time should be 1mS for each foot closer.
28
Setup Input Page 2
The SETUP/INPPage 2 section contains the sub menus shown in figure 33.
Figure 33 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 2
To access this page, from either INPUT SELECT page or any other function menu, press SETUP then INP
(input), then the A-D button once. Page 2 of the SETUP/INP menu is shown in figure 34.
Figure 34 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2 Sub Menu
LFE Phase
The LFE phase can be changed from + (in phase) to – (180 degrees out of phase). This can be edited via
button # 1.
Mapping an Audio and Video Source (Input Jack to INPUT SELECT button)
Pressing button # 2 accesses 3 sub menus that allow the user to assign which input jacks will be mapped to
any given INPUT SELECT button, both audio and video. There is one page for audio jack mapping, one for
composite video, and one for S-video. Up to six jacks can be mapped to any one INPUT SELECT button,
and the order that they are mapped determines the search order when pressing the A-D button.
Press the SOURCE button (button # 2) once and the ‘setup audio source’ submenu, shown in figure 35, will
be displayed.
29
Figure 35 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/SOURCE/AUD Sub Menu
The default jack names are descriptive of the rear panel input jacks themselves. It is advisable to name all
applicable audio and video input jacks before mapping them to a given INPUT SELECT button.
The INPUT SELECT buttons can be set up with 2 theories in mind. The first, and most commonly used is
that each INPUT SELECT button will be assigned to one source device. Figure 7 depicts this setup. The
other is that each person in a household can use one or two INPUT SELECT button(s) for himself or herself,
and have up to 6 source devices mapped to “their” INPUT SELECT button(s). Figure 35 depicts this setup.
This manual is written with the first theory in mind since that is the most commonly practiced.
To map input jacks, first press the INPUT SELECT button that the input jacks are to be mapped to. Then
press SETUP, INP, A-D, then SOURCE. To map the first input jack, press button # 1 and use the LEVEL
UP/DOWN buttons to select the appropriate jack. If another input jack is to be assigned to the same INPUT
SELECT button, press button # 2 and select the desired rear panel input jack. Continue with this method for
up to 6 input jacks.
An example of this use is for a Laserdisc/DVD/CD transport where the first jack to be assigned could be the
RF-1 jack, the second could be the COAXIAL 1 input jack. In this example, when an LD is being played, the
user would press the INPUT SELECT button that is ‘assigned’ to this transport. If RF-1 (or the name
assigned to this input jack) is not displayed in the lower right hand corner of the LCD, press the A-D button
once. When a CD is to be played in this transport, press the A-D button once to display COAXIAL 1 (or the
name assigned to this input jack) in the lower right hand corner of the LCD. The default MODE for this
INPUT SELECT jack should be that which is desired for the playback of CD’s, as when the Casa Nova
detects either a Dolby Digital AC-3 RF or 5.1 data stream, it will detect this signal and automatically change
the MODE to Dolby Digital or DTS.
It is important to note that when the Casa Nova auto detects a Dolby Digital or DTS signal and auto switched
the mode, this mode is temporary and not stored. If the Casa Nova ceases to detect this signal, it will revert
back to the previous mode for the currently selected INPUT SELECT button, in approximately 15 seconds.
Press SETUP 3 times then repeatedly press the A-D button to toggle between the input jacks for the
currently selected INPUT SELECT button. It is advisable to only map input jacks that will be used, to the
currently selected INPUT SELECT button. This will eliminate needless pressing of the A-D button to cycle
through unused jacks.
Note: When input jacks are re-assigned and the user exits SETUP, the new input jack mappings will not be
active until either the A-D button is pressed or another INPUT SELECT button is pressed.
Next, map the appropriate video input jacks, if applicable, to the same INPUT SELECT button. In the case
of the above example where the RF-1 jack is the first audio jack mapped to the currently selected INPUT SELECT button, either the composite or S-video (whichever type is being used to connect the video signal
from the transport to the Casa Nova) input jack must be mapped first in the video search order. Since the
LD’s audio jack is second in the audio search order, it must also be mapped second in the video search
order.
Continuing this example, if a source device has both an audio and a video signal associated with it, and the
audio signal is third in the audio search order, then its video signal must be third in the video search order.
30
To map a video signal to an INPUT SELECT button, first press the desired INPUT SELECT button, then
press SETUP, INP, A-D, SOURCE and A-D once for a composite video signal, or A-D twice for an S-video
signal. Press the appropriate button (1-6) which corresponds to the same position in the audio search order
menu for this source device and press the LEVEL UP/DOWN button to select the desired video input jack.
Press the SETUP button once to return to the SETUP/INP Page 2 submenu.
Password for Each INPUT SELECT Button
Button # 3 (PW) allows the user to assign a password to the currently selected INPUT SELECT button.
Press PW once and the “ARE YOU SURE?” message appears on the LCD. Pressing NO (button # 2)
reverts back to the SETUP/INP Page 2 submenu. Pressing YES (button # 1) will display the current
submenu, however the password for this INPUT SELECT button will appear above PW (button # 3). The
user can use buttons 1-6 to enter a password, or elect to have no password for this INPUT SELECT button
by pressing the A-D button 5 times, which will display all zeros, indicating no password.
Note: If a zero appears in any position of the password, it will be seen as all zeros, or no password.
PLEASE REMEMBER and/or WRITE DOWN YOUR PASSWORD! If it is forgotten, all access to password
protected areas will be denied! There is no other over ride to this feature.
Setup Dolby Digital
Button # 4 provides a two-page sub menu, which allows the user to set up preferences pertaining to Dolby
Digital (AC-3), by INPUT SELECT button. The first page of this sub menu is shown in figure 36.
Figure 36 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 1
Sub Menu
2 Channel Mode
Some Dolby Digital sources contain only two of the possible five main channels. This is usually noted on the
material's cover, in the form of "2.0" as opposed to "5.1". In the event that the Dolby Digital source is two
channel ("2.0" or "2.1"), Casa Nova provides the user with the ability to apply a surround sound process.
There are three options for this setting: "Pro Logic" (PRO), "none" (STER) or "auto" (AUTO).
Press button # 1 (2CHMDE, or two channel mode).
Pro Logic (PRO): Any two-channel Dolby Digital source will automatically have Dolby Pro Logic surround
mode applied to it, thus producing a Dolby Surround output.
None (STER): Any two-channel Dolby Digital source will have no additional surround processing applied to
it, thus producing a two-channel (stereo) output.
AUTO: Embedded in every two-channel Dolby Digital datastream is an indication of whether or not the
material is Dolby Surround encoded. There are three possibilities for this indication: Dolby Surround
encoded; Not Dolby Surround Encoded; No Indication. If the indication is that the material is Dolby Surround
Encoded, Dolby Pro Logic processing will be performed thus producing a Dolby Surround output. If the
indication is that the material is not Dolby Surround encoded, or there is no indication, no additional surround
processing will occur thus producing a two-channel (stereo) output.
31
Compression
Dolby Digital contains provisions for reducing the dynamic range of a Dolby Digital source. This means
reducing the loudness of the loud passages and increasing the loudness of the quiet passages. Possible
reasons for reducing the dynamic range of a source include late night listening wherein loud moments may
disturb others, and making tapes for automotive / portable use wherein quiet passages may not be heard.
Casa Nova contains three parameters to control Dolby Digital compression. Button # 2 (COMP) simply turns
the compression ON or OFF. Button # 3 (HCMP, or High Compression) controls the amount that loud
passages will be reduced. Button # 4 (LCMP, or Low Compression) controls the amount that quiet
passages will be increased. A larger number indicates a greater amount of increase or decrease.
Note: Some Dolby Digital sources do not allow for compression, in which case altering these settings will
not result in an audible change.
Dialog Normalization
Press button # 5 to set the dialog normalization value. Dolby Digital contains the useful provision for making
all Dolby Digital sources have the same perceived loudness even though they may have been recorded or
mixed at very different levels. This is done by embedding in the datastream a value that the program
material will need to be adjusted by to conform to an average dialog level established by Dolby Laboratories.
It should be noted that all channels are adjusted, not just the center channel. Casa Nova contains two
options for this setting: ANLG (analog) or DIGI (digital).
ANLG: Dialog normalization will be applied in the analog domain. This means that the level
adjustment number is read into Casa Nova's main computer and the Casa Nova's analog volume
controls are properly adjusted. This is the best-sounding and preferred setting.
DIGI: Dialog normalization will be performed in the digital domain. Digital reduction of volume
results in a loss of resolution i.e. a 16 bit source can effectively be reduced to 15 bits or worse.
Button # 6 controls the LFE gain setting for Dolby Digital sources. Dolby Digital sources usually contain an
LFE (low frequency effects) channel. This channel commonly contains sound effects such as explosions,
but may also contain soundtrack information. Casa Nova contains three options for this setting:
OFF: Turns off the LFE track. May be useful for late night viewing or if there isn't a subwoofer /
speaker capable of handling the low frequencies contained in the LFE channel.
0 dB (preferred setting): Turns on the LFE and sets its level in proper proportion to the remaining
five channels.
-10 dB: Turns on the LFE and sets its level 10 decibels lower than normal. Useful for late night
viewing or if there isn't a subwoofer / speaker capable of handling the full volume contained in the
LFE channel.
Press the A-D button to access Page 2 of the Dolby Digital set up submenu, which is shown in figure 37.
Figure 37 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DOLBY DIGITAL Page 2
Sub Menu
This submenu allows the user to adjust the center and individual surround speaker delays and levels when
the MODE is Dolby Digital only. When the Mode is anything other than Dolby Digital, the delay settings in
this sub menu will have no effect.
32
The center and surround
levels are relative to the level values set in the SETUP/INP/LVLS sub menu. As an
example, if the center level in the SETUP/INP/LVLS sub menu is set to +5, and in this sub menu it is set to
+3, then the total center level when the MODE for the currently selected input is Dolby Digital, will be +8.
The center and individual surround delays do not interact with the delays in the SETUP/INP/DLYS sub
menu. Here the Casa Nova’s center and individual surround delays will be exactly how they are set in this
sub menu, when the MODE for the currently selected input is Dolby Digital.
Press the SETUP button once, then press button # 5 (DTS) to access the DTS set up sub menu, which is
shown in figure 38.
Setup DTS
Figure 38 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/DTS Sub Menu
This submenu allows the user to adjust the center and individual surround speaker delays and levels when
the MODE is DTS only. When the Mode is anything other than DTS, the delay settings in this sub menu will
have no effect. The level settings are interactive with those in the SETUP/INPUT/LEVELS sub menu.
The center and surround levels and delays function exactly the same as the Dolby Digital ones above and on
the previous page of this manual, as does the LFE gain setting (A-D button) for DTS sources only.
Press SETUP once, then button # 6 to set up Circle Surround. This sub menu is shown in figure 39.
Setup Circle Surround
Figure 39 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 2/CIRCLE SURRND Sub Menu
This submenu allows the user to adjust the center and individual surround speaker delays and levels when
the MODE is Circle Encoded, Non-encoded or Cinema, only. When the Mode is anything other than one of
these three, the delay settings in this sub menu will have no effect. The level settings are interactive with
those in the SETUP/INPUT/LEVELS sub menu.
The center and surround levels and delays function exactly the same as the Dolby Digital ones above and on
the previous page of this manual, for Circle Surround Modes only. With Circle Surround, the user also has
the option to make the imaging narrow or wide. This is accessed via the A-D button.
Press SETUP once, then the A-D button to go to the SETUP/INP/Page 3 sub menu, shown in figure 41.
33
Setup Input Page 3
The SETUP/INPPage 3 section contains the sub menus shown in figure 40.
Figure 40 - Menu Map of SETUP/INP Page 3
Figure 41 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3 Sub Menu
Setup Spatializer
Button # 1 allows the user to either activate or deactivate Spatializer. If it is not installed, pressing this button
will result in a message saying “OPTION NOT INSTALLED”.
Spatializer is a process in which information from the surround channels is incorporated into the front
Left/Right channels in a manner that simulates the aural appearance that surround speakers are present in
the system.
Onscreen Display (OSD) Setup
Pressing button # 2 activates the OSD set up menu, shown in figure 42.
Figure 42 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/OSD Sub Menu
Button # 1 (COLOR) allows the user to select up to 7 different OSD background colors.
The entire OSD can be offset from the left and top edges of the screen (button #s 2 and 3 respectively) to
accommodate differences in monitors.
34
The configuration (CFG) feature can switch the Casa Nova’s OSD to accommodate either an NTSC or PAL
monitor.
When a function button is pressed, its OSD will remain on the screen until the user is no longer in any
function menu. The display TIME (in seconds) setting allows the user to set the amount of time (delay) that
the video monitor displays the INPUT SELECT menu, when changing inputs. If the LCD is turned off (in the
SETUP/INPPage 3/MISC sub menu) and any button is pressed, the LCD will revert to full brightness for the
amount of seconds in the TIME parameter. Setting the TIME value to 0 turns off the OSD for the currently
selected input.
Status Setup
STATUS (button # 6) displays a sub menu, which allows the user to change the position of the Status screen
text on the video monitor only. This sub menu is shown in figure 43.
Figure 43 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/OSD/STATUS Sub Menu
The items in this sub menu are the only ones displayed in the OSD when the STATUS button on the hand
held remote is pressed. Changing any value to 0 will disable that item from being displayed in the OSD. MODE, INPUT, TAPE, LEVEL and SOURCE have value ranges of between 0 and 9, which means that they
can be displayed vertically on the left side of the video monitor only. 1 is the highest position vertically and 9
is the lowest. LEVEL, EQ, and PHASE all have value ranges of between 0 and 17. Any value of 10 and
above will be displayed on the right hand column of the video monitor, 10 being the highest position vertically
and 17 being the lowest.
Note: It is possible to have conflicting results if more than one item is displayed on the same line.
Setup Miscellaneous
Press the SETUP button once to return to the SETUP/INP Page 3 sub menu, then press button # 3 once to
enter the MISC sub menu, shown in figure 44.
Figure 44 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/MISC Sub Menu
FVOL and SVOL
When certain parameters are edited or the master volume changed, holding the LEVEL UP/DOWN button
for more than 5 steps will, by default, speed up the rate in which the value changes. This is referred to as
Fast Mode. It is possible to delay the speed of the fast mode in order to slow it down to the users
preference. In FVOL (Fast Volume) a delay of 0 will allow the Fast Mode to be its quickest, and a delay of
255 allows it to be its slowest.
The rate that the LEVEL UP/DOWN buttons respond during the first 5 steps is referred to as Slow Mode.
SVOL allows the user to slow down the increment changes during these first 5 steps (a higher delay time) or
increase their speed with a lower delay time setting. In SVOL (Slow Volume) a delay of 0 will allow the Slow
Mode to be its quickest, and a delay of 255 allows it to be its slowest.
35
Changing the Default MUTE Level
When the front panel or hand held remote MUTE button is pressed, the user can set the master volume level
to mute to a specific level. Editing this feature is accessed by pressing button # 3.
LCD Brightness
Each INPUT SELECT button can have a different LCD brightness assigned to it. Pressing button # 4 allows
the user to change the default brightness from 0 (off) to 3 (brightest). Any changes made to this parameter
are reflected the next time that INPUT SELECT button is pressed. If this value is set to 0, and the LCD is off,
pressing any button except LEVEL LEFT/RIGHT, the currently selected input, A-D, or DISPLAY will
automatically brighten the LCD to the maximum level. If the button pressed is not another INPUT SELECT
or function button, then the LCD will revert back to its default brightness in X seconds. X represents the
TIME parameter value in the SETUP/INP Page 3/OSD sub menu.
Naming the Current Input Select button
Press button # 5 to name the currently selected input. The LED inside of button # 5 will be lit and LCD will
be displayed in the lower right above the A-D button, indicating that the name in the LCD is to be edited.
LCD names are limited to 4 characters. Press the LEVEL UP/DOWN button to change characters and the
LEVEL LEFT/RIGHT to change character positions. Pressing the DISPLAY button once will clear the
current INPUT SELECT name. There is not a blinking cursor in the LCD. Press the A-D button to edit the
OSD name. OSD will appear in the lower right corner of the LCD. This name can be up to 15 characters
and the current character to be edited will blink on screen.
Setup Macros
Press the SETUP button once to return to the SETUP/INP Page3 sub menu, then press button # 4 once to
enter the MACROS sub menu, shown in figure 45.
Figure 45 - Front Panel Display of the SETUP/INP Page 3/MACROS Sub Menu
COPY-INPUT allows the user to either copy all input parameter values from the currently selected input to
another (selectable) INPUT (button # 1), or to ALL 11 other inputs (button # 2). The only input parameter
values that are not copied are the input JACKS names and INPUT SELECT button NAMES.
When button # 1 (INPUT) is pressed, the user will be prompted to select the input to which the INP
parameters of the currently selected input are to be copied to. The LCD shows inputs 1-6 above the 1-6
buttons and above the A-D button is displayed 7-12, indicating that by pressing A-D, the user has the option
to copy the currently selected INP parameter values to INPUT SELECTs 7-12. Once the destination is
selected, the “ARE YOU SURE?” message appears in the display with a YES above button # 1 and NO
above button # 2. When button # 2 (ALL) is pressed, the “ARE YOU SURE?” message again appears in the
display. When YES (button # 1) is pressed, the LCD shows no change until all parameters are copied to 12
inputs. This may take up to 15 seconds.
The RESTORE-FACTORY-DEFAULTS section (buttons 3-6) contains 4 options. Press button # 3 (CUR) to
restore the factory INPUT parameters (except names) to the currently selected input. Button # 4 allows the
user to restore the factory INPUT parameters (except names) to ALL 12 inputs. Pressing button # 5 (GLOB)
will restore all global parameters (those that are not stored by input select button). i.e. Remote Power Jack,
Tape Out parameter values, etc.). Lastly, button # 6 (NAMES) will restore all 12 Input Select Button names
as well as all Input Jack names. The “ARE YOU SURE?” message appears in the display whenever buttons
3-6 are pressed.
Press SETUP twice to return to the first page of the SETUP menu.
36
BALANCE Function
This function allows the user to
the CENter and SUB woofer speaker levels, the shelf EQ, and a relative adjustment of the analog input level
(ANLVL), in order to compensate for distinct program material characteristics.
The first page of the balance menu is shown in figure 46 and the second in figure 47.
temporarily* set the FRONT/REAR and LEFT/RIGHT balances as well as
Figure 46 - Front Panel Display of the BALANCE Page 1 Menu
Front/Rear and Left/Right Balance
The BALANCE adjustments are made with reference to the relative speaker trim levels that are stored in the
SETUP/INP/LVLS sub menu. LEVEL LEFT/RIGHT adjusts the Left/Right balance and LEVEL UP/DOWN
adjusts the Front/Rear balance.
*The parameter values in the two BALANCE pages are, by default, temporary. This is to say that under
certain conditions such as pressing a different INPUT SELECT button, the changes made will revert to 0.
This feature has an override, (CLRBAL), which is accessed via the SETUP Page 2 menu.
Figure 47 - Front Panel Display of the BALANCE Page 2 Menu
Pressing the A-D button once will reveal the second page, consisting of temporary level settings for the
center (CEN) speaker, sub woofer (SUB), EQ and analog input level (ANLVL) for the currently selected
input.
Center and Sub Balance
Press button # 1 to adjust the CENter level and button # 2 to adjust the SUB woofer level.
Shelf EQ
Pressing button # 3 will allow the user to adjust the EQ setting between OFF, 1, 2, 3 and 4. This is a low
pass shelf EQ that, at 2KHz, drops by 1.5dB when the parameter value is set at 1, 3dB when set at 2, 6dB
when set at 3, and 9dB when set at 4. Being a shelf EQ, the rolloff amplitude never drops significantly below
the specified dB value. The EQ is active in all modes and is designed to roll off excess brightness in
different program material.
Analog Input Level Override
Button # 4 lets the user adjust the analog input level of the currently selected input, relative to the stored
value in the SETUP/ANLG LVLS (analog levels) menu.
Press the BALANCE button once more to return to the current INPUT SELECT menu.
37
STATUS Function
This feature, accessible from the hand held remote only, provides the user with a ‘quick view’ of the most
pertinent current settings of the Casa Nova. It is available from any menu or sub menu simply by pressing
the STATUS button.
Figure 48 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS Display
When the STATUS display is activated, the following appears in the LCD, regardless of what settings are
stored in the SETUP/INPUT page 3: STATUS sub menu:
• The current INPUT SELECT button NAME.
• The current MODE (Stored or temporary).
• The analog TAPE OUT audio source to be recorded. (Input jack name).
• The MASTER VOLUME (level) setting.
• The EQ parameter value of OFF, 1, 2, 3, or 4. (Stored or temporary).
• The PHASE parameter value of + (0°) or - (180°).
Pressing a function button will clear the STATUS display and show the current function menu. The INPUT
SELECT buttons (1 - 6) are inactive. Press the A-D button once to display the first page of the Dolby Digital
Information page, an example of which is shown in figure 49.
Figure 49 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS/Dolby Digital Page 1 Display
The Dolby Digital status displays contain information embedded in the Dolby Digital datastream. Each
parameter on the first page is described below:
Channels (CHANS): Displays the number of main channels.
LFE: Displays whether an LFE track is present or not.
Surround Mode (SMODE): Displays the surround mode. See SETUP/INP Page 2/DOLBY DIGTL Page 1,
parameter value of 2CHMDE for Casa Nova's use of this parameter. This can be found on page 31.
Datarate (DRATE): Displays the datarate of the source. This is a measure of the amount of compression
used.
Sample Rate (SRATE): Displays the sample rate.
Bitstrm ID (ID): The bitstream identification number.
MODE: The intended use of this bitstream.
Press the A-D button once more to display the second page of the Dolby Digital Information page, an
example of which is shown in figure 50.
38
Figure 50 - Front Panel Display of the STATUS/Dolby Digital Page 2 Display
Each parameter on the second Dolby Digital information page is described below:
Center Mix (CMIX): Center mix level.
Sur Mix (SMIX): Surround mix level.
Copyright (COPY): Copyright status (protected or not protected).
Bitstream (BSTRM): Copy or original bitstream.
Dialog Norm (DIANRM): Dialog normalization value. See Setup Dolby Digital Dialog Normalization on page
32 for Casa Nova's use of this parameter.
Language (LANG): The language code.
Room Type (ROOM): Type of room used for mixing.
39
Loading...
+ hidden pages
You need points to download manuals.
1 point = 1 manual.
You can buy points or you can get point for every manual you upload.