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INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER
The DVD 38 may be the first multichannel surround sound component
you’ve owned. This introductory section will help to familiarize you with the
basic concepts, which may make setup and operation smoother.
If you are already familiar with home theater, you may skip this section
and proceed to the Connections section on page 17.
Typical Home Theater System
A home theater typically includes your audio/video receiver, which con
trols
the system; a DVD player; a source component
for television broadcasts;
(e.g., a cable box, a satellite dish receiver, an HDTV tuner or simply an
antenna connected to the TV); a video display (TV); and loudspeakers.
All of these components are connected by various types of cables for
audio and video signals.
Multichannel Audio
The benefit of a home theater system is that several loudspeakers are
used in various locations around the room to produce “surround sound,”
immersing you in the musical or film presentation for increased realism.
The receiver used with the DVD 38 may have up to seven speakers
connected to it (plus a subwoofer). When more than two speakers are
used, it is called a multichannel system
• Front Left and Right – The main speakers are used the same way
as in a two-channel system. However, you may notice that in many
surround modes, these speakers are used more for ambient sound
while the main action and dialogue are moved to the center speaker.
• Center – The center speaker is usually placed above or below the
video screen, and is used mostly for dialogue in movies and television
programs. This placement allows the dialogue to originate near the
actors’ faces, for a more natural sound.
• Surround Left and Right – The surround speakers are used to
improve directionality of ambient sounds. In addition, by using more
loudspeakers in the system, more dynamic soundtracks may be
played without risk of overloading any one speaker.
• Surround Back Left and Right – Additional surround speakers may be
placed behind the listening position, improving the precision with which
ambient sounds may be placed and allowing for more realistic-sounding
pans. By using more speakers in the system, the same sound levels may
be attained with less burden placed on any individual speaker.
The surround back speakers may also be used with specialized
surround modes that are designed for use with 7.1-channel systems,
such as Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES
®
(Discrete and Matrix) and Logic 7
(7.1 modes). However, the surround back speakers are optional.
Many people expect the surround speakers to play as loudly as the
front speakers. Although all of the speakers in the system will be
calibrated to sound equally loud at the listening position, most sound
tracks use the surround speaker for ambient effects only, and they
program their materials to steer very little sound to these speakers.
• Subwoofer – A subwoofer is a special-purpose speaker designed
to play only the lowest frequencies (bass). It is used to augment the
smaller, limited-range satellite speakers used for the other channels.
In addition, many digital-format programs, such as movies recorded
in Dolby Digital, contain a special low-frequency effects (LFE) channel
that is directed only to the subwoofer. The LFE channel packs the
punch of a rumbling train or airplane, or the power of an explosion,
adding realism and excitement to your home theater.
Surround Modes
There are different theories as to the best way to present surround
sound and to distribute soundtrack information among the various
speakers. A variety of algorithms have been developed in an effort to
accurately reproduce the way we hear sounds in the real world. The
result is a rich variety of surround mode options. Some modes are
selected automatically, depending on the signal being received from
the source. In many cases, you may select a surround mode manually.
Several companies have taken surround sound in slightly different
directions. It is helpful to group the numerous surround modes either
by their brand name, or by using a generic name:
• Dolby Laboratories Modes:
Í Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX – These modes are encoded in
the program material either on a disc or within a television broad-
cast. They provide up to five or six separate main audio channels
and a dedicated low-frequency effects (LFE) channel.
Í Dolby Pro Logic
®
II/IIx – These modes are derived by an analog
decoder that creates five or six full-range, discrete main audio
channels from matrix surround-encoded or 2-channel analog
sources. Select from Movie mode, which is optimized for movies
and television programs; Music mode, which is optimized for
music selections; or Dolby Pro Logic, the original version that
steers a mono signal containing information below 7kHz to the
surround channels.
• DTS Modes – DTS is a digital surround format that is encoded in
the program material. It uses a different encoding and decoding
method than Dolby Digital to provide up to 5 discrete main channels,
plus an LFE channel. The DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix) and DTS
Neo:6
®
modes offer up to six main channels, either encoded or
derived. DTS 96/24
®
is a mode encoded in special high-resolution
audio-only discs.
• Stereo Mode – Two-channel mode with no surround sound.
Surround modes are selected using your receiver or processor. The
availability of multichannel surround sound depends on the capabilities of
your receiver/processor; consult its owner’s manual for more information.
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