AV9 Pre-amp. processor Préamplificateur-processeur AV9 Vorverstärker/Prozessor AV9 AV9 Voorversterker Processor Safety guidelines CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN ATTENTION RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS OUVRIR CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. The lightning flash with an 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 sufficient 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. CAUTION: In Canada and the USA, to prevent electric shock, match the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot in the socket and insert the plug fully into the socket. Important safety instructions This product is designed and manufactured to meet strict quality and safety standards. However, you should be aware of the following installation and operation precautions: 1. Take heed of warnings and instructions You should read all the safety and operating instructions before operating this appliance. Retain this handbook for future reference and adhere to all warnings in the handbook or on the appliance. 2. Water and moisture The presence of electricity near water can be dangerous. Do not use the appliance near water ­ for example next to a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc. 3. Object or liquid entry Take care that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through any openings. Liquid filled objects such as vases should not be placed on the equipment. 4. Ventilation Do not place the equipment on a bed, sofa, rug or similar soft surface, or in an enclosed bookcase or cabinet, since ventilation may be impeded. We recommend a minimum distance of 50mm (2 inches) around the sides and top of the appliance to provide adequate ventilation. 5. Heat Locate the appliance away from naked flames or heat producing equipment such as radiators, stoves or other appliances (including other amplifiers) that produce heat. 6. Climate The appliance has been designed for use in moderate climates. 7. Racks and stands Only use a rack or stand that is recommended for use with audio equipment. If the equipment is on a portable rack it should be moved with great care, to avoid overturning the combination. 8. Cleaning Unplug the unit from the mains supply before cleaning. The case should normally only require a wipe with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth. Do not use paint thinners or other chemical solvents for cleaning. We do not advise the use of furniture cleaning sprays or polishes as they can cause indelible white marks if the unit is subsequently wiped with a damp cloth. 9. Power sources Only connect the appliance to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance. AV9 E-2 10. Power-cord protection Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords and plugs, and the point where they exit from the appliance. 11. Grounding This is a class 1 product and requires an earth connection. Ensure that the grounding means of the appliance is not defeated. 12. Power lines Locate any outdoor antenna/aerial away from power lines. 13. Non-use periods If the unit has a stand-by function, a small amount of current will continue to flow into the equipment in this mode. Unplug the power cord of the appliance from the outlet if left unused for a long period of time. 14. Abnormal smell If an abnormal smell or smoke is detected from the appliance, turn the power off immediately and unplug the unit from the wall outlet. Contact your dealer immediately. 15. Servicing You should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in this handbook. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel. 16. Damage requiring service The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: A. the power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged, or B. objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into the appliance, or C. the appliance has been exposed to rain, or D. the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance, or E. the appliance has been dropped or the enclosure damaged. Safety compliance This product has been designed to meet the IEC 60065 international electrical safety standard. Safety guidelines ........................................ E-2 Important safety instructions ......................E-2 Safety compliance .....................................E-2 Before you start! ......................................... E-4 Introduction..............................................E-4 Using this handbook ..................................E-4 What's in the box? .....................................E-4 Before making connections .........................E-5 Inserting batteries into the remote control ....E-6 Installation ................................................. E-7 Positioning the unit ....................................E-7 Cables......................................................E-7 Audio connections......................................E-8 Zone 2 connections....................................E-9 Video connections.................................... E-10 Control connections ................................. E-11 Trigger outputs........................................ E-11 Connecting to a power supply ................... E-11 Configuring the AV9 .................................. E-12 Basic Setup ............................................ E-13 Advanced Setup ...................................... E-17 Saving Settings, User Presets and Exiting the Setup Menu ............................................ E-20 Front panel controls .................................. E-21 Remote control ......................................... E-22 Operating your AV9................................... E-23 Using the controls.................................... E-23 Using the Main menu screens .................... E-26 Using Zone 2 .......................................... E-28 Surround modes........................................ E-29 Introduction............................................ E-29 Digital multi-channel sources .................... E-29 Two-channel source modes ....................... E-30 Multi-channel source modes ...................... E-31 THX® Modes............................................ E-31 DSP Effects Modes ................................... E-33 About THX® cinema processing.................. E-33 Speaker Installation ................................. E-33 Troubleshooting ........................................ E-34 Technical specifications ............................ E-37 Utility software ........................................ E-38 Additional technical information ............... E-38 SCART connections ................................... E-39 IR remote codes........................................ E-40 Guarantee ................................................. E-41 Worldwide Guarantee ............................... E-41 On line registration .................................. E-41 Appendix: AV9 serial programming interfaceE-42 Data transfer format ................................ E-42 Setting values ......................................... E-42 Query commands .................................... E-42 Command processing ............................... E-42 Command descriptions ............................. E-43 Environmental matters: This handbook is printed in the U.K. on recycled paper, and is itself fully recyclable and biodegradeable. The paper used is from the `Revive' range of papers, manufactured in the U.K. by Robert Horne. In Revive, 75% of the paper is de-inked post-consumer waste, with the remaining 25% being mill broke and virgin fibre. The recycled pulps used in the production of this paper are a combination of Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) giving zero AOX and Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) giving a resultant AOX level of less than 0.5Kg per 1000Kg of pulp. The small print: < Manufactured under licence from Dolby Laboratories, Inc. `Dolby', `Pro Logic', `Surround EX' and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Copyright © 1992­1999 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. < Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5,451,942, 5,956,674, 5,974,380, 5,978,762 and other world-wide patents issued and pending. `DTS', `DTS-ES Extended Surround' and `Neo:6' are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. Copyright © 1996, 2000 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. < Lucasfilm and THX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lucasfilm, Ltd. Copyright © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. Surround EX is a jointly developed technology of THX and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All AV9 rights reserved. Used under authorization. E-3 English Contents Before you start! Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Arcam AV9 Preamp processor. The AV9 is a high-quality and high-performance home-cinema processor and audio pre-amplifier built to Arcam's quality design and manufacturing standards. It combines digital processing with high performance audio and video components to bring you an unrivalled home-entertainment centre. The AV9 allows switching and volume control of eight analogue and seven digital sources making it an ideal companion for both home cinema and two-channel stereo systems. Since many of these source components are also capable of putting video signals out, the AV9 includes broadcast-quality video switching for composite-, S-video-, component-, RGB- and HDMI-video signals. There are inputs and outputs for both tape and VCR, as well as a digital output; DVD-Audio and SACD can be connected via the multichannel input. Control of the AV9 is either by front panel control buttons, IR remote control or an RS232 port (which can also be used to upload future software enhancements). The AV9 can be integrated with various types of power amplifiers and loudspeakers, including those that are THX certified. The AV9 is itself THX certified, meaning it has passed the rigorous THX Ultra2 specification enabling it to reproduce THX Surround EX signals from Dolby Digital soundtracks. The installation of the AV9 in a listening room is an important process which requires care at every stage. For this reason, the installation information is very comprehensive and should be followed carefully. Using this handbook This handbook has been designed to give you all the information you need to install, connect, set-up and use the Arcam AV9. The remote control handset supplied with the equipment is also described. It may be that the AV9 has been installed and set-up as part of your Hi-Fi installation by a qualified Arcam dealer. In this case, you may wish to skip the sections of this handbook dealing with installation and setting up the unit, and move directly to the sections dealing with using the player. Use the contents list on page 3 to guide you to these sections. Safety Safety guidelines are set out on page 2 of this handbook. Many of these items are common sense precautions, but for your own safety, and to ensure that you do not damage the unit, we recommend that you read them. This is a class 1 product and requires an earth connection. Inserting batteries into the remote control The remote control requires two `AA' batteries to operate. To insert the batteries into the remote control, please follow these instructions: 1. 2. 3. Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the remote control. Insert two AA batteries into the battery compartment, following the polarity indications given inside the compartment itself. Close the cover. Notes on inserting the remote control batteries < < < < < < Incorrect use of batteries can result in hazards such as leakage and bursting. Do not mix old and new batteries together. Do not use different kinds of battery together--although they may look similar, different batteries may have different voltages. Ensure that the plus (+) and minus (--) ends of each battery match the indications in the battery compartment. Remove batteries from equipment that is not going to be used for a month or more. When disposing of used batteries, please comply with governmental (or other) regulations that apply in your country or area. 1. Opening the cover of the remote control battery compartment ...