Arcam AVR280 - Manual

AVR280 5 E n g li s h Before making connections Before connecting your equipment it is important to think about the following points, as these will affect your choice of connections and subsequent use of the system. Audio Wherever possible, connect both analogue and digital outputs of digital source...

AVR280 6 Installation Positioning the unit < Place the receiver on a level, firm surface. < Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near sources of heat or damp. < Do not place the unit on top of a power amplifier or other source of heat. < Ensure adequate ventilation. Do not place ...

AVR280 7 E n g li s h Audio connections < Wherever possible, connect both the analogue and digital outputs of digital sources. This enables use of a digital input for the main zone and the corresponding analogue input for recording onto an analogue tape deck or VCR, and for the Zone 2 output if u...

AVR280 8 Video connections The AVR280 allows for conversion between different video formats. This means that the AVR280 can convert between composite, S-video and component, if required. For example, if you are watching a composite input from a VCR, you may view it from the S-video or Component/RGB ...

AVR280 9 E n g li s h HDMI An HDMI connection between a source and your display device offers the best possible picture quality. This connection type is, however, the most limiting in terms of routing, advised cable length and conversion.The AVR280 provides two HDMI inputs; these are labelled ‘DVD’ ...

AVR280 10 Zone 2 connections The AVR280 allows independent routing and control of analogue audio and composite video to a second room such as a kitchen, bedroom or lounge. This second room is known as ‘Zone 2’.For Zone 2, the AVR280 outputs a line-level audio signal taken from the stereo analogue au...

AVR280 11 E n g li s h Control connections es (REMOTE) OUT . This outputs any remote control signal that is received by one of the two remote control inputs described below (but not signals received from the front-panel). It allows remote control of source components; control is possible by either c...

AVR280 12 Configuring the AVR280 The AVR280 ‘Set-up Menu’ has six ‘Basic’ and five ‘Advanced’ menu screens that take you through the configuration process. The ‘Basic’ menus enable you to match your AVR280 to your speakers; the ‘Advanced’ menus allow you to optimise the operation of your system. Scr...

AVR280 13 E n g li s h The ‘Basic’ Set-up Menus 1 – General Settings: Max Volume : This limits the maximum volume setting the system can be turned up to. This is a useful feature to prevent accidental overdriving of low power-handling speakers, for example. Max On Volume : Limits the maximum volume ...

AVR280 15 E n g li s h Sub Stereo : This setting allows the volume level of the subwoofer to be adjusted for when the subwoofer is being used with 2-channel (stereo) sources. The subwoofer level for stereo music often needs to be set at a lower level than that for cinema use; use this trim setting, ...

AVR280 16 5 – Level settings The relative sensitivity of different speakers can lead to some speakers sounding disproportionately loud or quiet, relative to others in the system. The level settings of your AVR280 can help to address this inbalance.It is important to calibrate the speakers correctly ...

AVR280 17 E n g li s h The ‘Advanced’ Set-up Menus ADV 1 – Speaker Eq. This allows fine adjustment of bass and treble in 1dB steps (up to ±6dB) for each of the speakers in the system. Use these adjustments sparingly to compensate for speaker response problems caused by positioning, adjacent surface ...

AVR280 18 ADV 4 – Zone 2 Settings ZONE2 VOL : Sets the volume for Zone 2. Max Vol 20–83 : Limits the maximum volume setting for Zone 2. This is a useful feature to prevent accidental overdriving of low power-handling speakers, for example. Fix Vol: This selects between fixed and variable audio outpu...

AVR280 19 E n g li s h ��� ��� �� ��� ��� ��� ��� �� ���� ���� ���� ��� ������ �� �� ��� ��� ���� ���� ���� ����� ������ ������� ���� ���� ����� ����� ����� � � � � � � � � � � ��� ���� ����� ��� �� �� �� ����� �� ��� CR100 Universal remote control NOTE Remember to install the four AAA batteries sup...

AVR280 21 E n g li s h Operating your AVR280 For information display we recommend you use the OSD on your TV/screen whenever possible. However, all key information is also duplicated one line at a time on the front panel display of the AVR280. Switching on/off Press the POWER button in. After approx...

AVR280 22 Input selection To select a particular source, press the corresponding button on the front panel or on the remote control. There are eight inputs available: DVD, Sat, AV, AUX, VCR, Tape, CD and MCH (DVD-A multi-channel). In addition, AM and FM radio reception can be selected from the built...

AVR280 23 E n g li s h Effects/FX The EFFECT button ( FX on the remote) cycles through the available effect modes. The effects are only available when the AVR280 is in stereo mode.For more information on the effects, see the section ‘DSP Effects Modes’, page 25. Mode When a selected digital input ca...

AVR280 24 Using the tuner The AVR280’s radio tuner can be controlled from the upper row of front panel buttons (see diagram, below) or from the remote control handset. Note that the tuner behaviour can be seen only via the front-panel display, as there is no on-screen display for the tuner. Tuning t...

AVR280 25 E n g li s h FM Mute/Mono The AVR280’s tuner has an auto-muting circuit that, when engaged, mutes any signal that is of insufficient strength for listening. To engage this circuit press the FM MUTE/MONO button on the front panel: ‘FM MUTE’ is shown in the display. If a signal is muted you ...

AVR280 26 Main Menu Screen 2 Compression : Allows selection of three different compression ratios ( OFF , MEDIUM and HIGH ), where the higher compression is intended for ‘late night’ listening. The compression effect increases the volume of the quiet passages and decreases the volume of the louder p...

AVR280 27 E n g li s h Surround modes Introduction Your AVR280 processor provides all the key decoding and processing modes for analogue and digital signals. Modes for Digital sources Digital recordings are usually encoded to include information about their format type. The AVR280 detects automatica...

AVR280 28 Two-channel source modes The following decoding and surround modes are available: < Mono < Pro Logic Emulation < Stereo < Neo:6 Cinema < Pro Logic II/IIx Movie < Neo:6 Music < Pro Logic II/IIx Music These modes are available with two-channel analogue and two-channel PC...

AVR280 29 E n g li s h DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete : This is a true discrete 6.1 channel sound format (unlike DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix where the sixth (surround centre) channel information is extracted from the two surround channels). DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete mode operates only on sources with DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete audio...

AVR280 30 Bi-wiring and bi-amping loudspeakers Bi-wiring improves the sound of your system as it divides the high and low frequency signal currents into separate speaker cables. The performance of your system can be further enhanced over that achieved with bi-wiring by extending the principle one st...

AVR280 31 E n g li s h Troubleshooting There are no lights on the unit: Check that: < the power cord is plugged into the AVR280 and the mains socket outlet it is plugged into is switched on. < the power button is pressed in. < the mains fuse in the plug (if applicable) has not blown. The AV...

AVR280 33 E n g li s h SCART connections These pinouts describe the signal connections between the AVR280 and your display device input. SCART RGB cable with audio back to processor Pin Signal Connector type Connector Pin Cable Type Label 1 Audio output B (right) from TV Tuner RCA Phono (1) Centre C...

AVR280 34 IR Remote Codes The following information is supplied for owners of advanced programmable remote controls, such as the Philips ‘Pronto’ and similar devices, where it is possible to program remote codes directly into the device.The coding system for the AVR280 is based on the Philips RC-5 s...

AVR280 36 Technical specifications Analogue audio inputs Line input sensitivity 0.5/1/2/4V rms (2V rms normal) Overload margin +2dB Input impedance >22kΩ Analogue audio outputs Level (at 0dB gain) 2V rms Maximum level 3.5V rms Impedance 600Ω Signal/Noise ratio (analogue input) 100dB unweighted (m...

AVR280 37 E n g li s h Guarantee Worldwide Guarantee This entitles you to have the unit repaired free of charge, during the first two years after purchase, at any authorised Arcam distributor provided that it was originally purchased from an authorised Arcam dealer or distributor. The manufacturer c...