Harman Kardon AVR 254 - Manuals

Page 2 - SAFETY INFORMATION; Important Safety Instructions; Wet Location Marking

2 SAFETY INFORMATION Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. The A / V receiver’s cabinet may be cleaned by gently wiping with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth...

Page 3 - Important Safety Information; Unpacking

3 Important Safety Information Verify Line Voltage Before Use Your AVR 254 has been designed for use with 120-volt AC current. Connection to a line voltage other than that for which it is intended can create a safety and firehazard and may damage the unit. If you have any questions about the voltage...

Page 4 - STAPLE INVOICE HERE

4 STAPLE INVOICE HERE AVR254om.qxd 3/28/08 12:45 PM Page 4

Page 5 - TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 2 SAFETY INFORMATION 6 INTRODUCTION 8 FRONT-PANEL CONTROLS 11 REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS 14 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS 17 INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER 18 CONNECTIONS 18 Speaker Connections 18 Subwoofer 18 Connecting Source Devices to the AVR 19 Audio Connections 19 Digital Audio 19 Analog Audio 20 Video...

Page 6 - Thank you for choosing a Harman Kardon; Audio Section; INTRODUCTION

6 Thank you for choosing a Harman Kardon ® product! For more than fifty years, our mission has been to share our passion for music and entertainment, using leading-edge technology to achievepremium performance. To this end we invented the receiver, a singlecomponent designed to simplify home enterta...

Page 7 - Audio Inputs

7 INTRODUCTION Audio Inputs • AM/FM/XM ® * tuner • Analog Audio 1 through 5 (assignable) • Front- panel Analog Audio (assignable) • 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio (assignable) • Stereo mini-jack (assignable) Audio/ Video Inputs • Three Analog Video (assignable) • Front-panel Analog Video (assignable) • C...

Page 9 - a copy of this page may be d

9 Re s olution S ource Li s t Na viga tion Video Mode s OK Back/ Exit Na viga tion Headphone Jack/Ez S et/E Q Microphone Input Digital Audio Input s (Optical 3 and C oaxial 3) Video 4 Video Input s Video 4 Analog Audio Input s S urround Mode s Audio Effect s A V R Info P o wer Indica tor Main P o we...

Page 10 - FRONT-PANEL CONNECTIONS; Press this button to directly access the Audio Effects

10 FRONT-PANEL CONNECTIONS Audio Effects: Press this button to directly access the Audio Effects submenu, which allows adjustment of the tone and other controls.See the Initial Setup section for more information. Video Modes: Press this button for direct access to the Video Modes submenu, which cont...

Page 11 - REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS; AM and FM Antenna Terminals:

11 REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS AM and FM Antenna Terminals: Connect the included AM and FM antennas to their respective terminals for radio reception. XM Antenna Jack: Plug in an XM Connect and Play or Mini Tuner antenna module here. The XM antenna module is purchased separately,and should specify that i...

Page 12 - Analog 2 and 4 Outputs:

12 12 12 12 REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS Analog 2 and 4 Outputs: Connect either of these analog audio outputs to the analog audio inputs of a recording device. A signal isavailable at these outputs whenever an analog audio source is playing.However, the AVR 254 does not convert digital audio sources to an...

Page 14 - REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS; Device Power Off Button:

14 14 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS The AVR 254 remote is capable of controlling 7 devices, including theAVR itself. During the installation process, you may program the codesfor each of your source components into the remote. Each time youwish to use the codes for any component, first press its Selector...

Page 15 - To make it easier to follow the

15 AVR Power Off AVR Power On S ource S elector s Audio Effect s Alphanumeric Key s Teletext Volume Mute Device Power On Device Power Off S urround Mode s Video Mode s OK Navigation Activity Menu Di s c Menu C hannel S leep S etting s Tran s port C ontrol s S ource S etting s IR Tran s mitter Len s ...

Page 16 - and

16 16 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS Volume Control: Press this button to raise or lower the volume. Navigation ( ⁄ / ¤ / ‹ / › ) and OK Buttons: These buttons are used to make selections within the menu system. These buttons arealso used to operate the tuner. Alphanumeric Keys: Use these buttons to enter...

Page 17 - INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER; Typical Home Theater System; Surround Modes

17 17 INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER The AVR 254 may be the first multichannel surround sound receiver you have owned. Although it has more connections and features than 2-channel receivers, many of the principles are similar and the new concepts are easy to understand. This introductory section will ...

Page 18 - Table 1 – Connection Color Guide; Types of Connections; Insert the bare end of the wire into the hole.; Subwoofer; Connecting Source Devices to the AVR; CONNECTIONS

There are different types of audio and video connections used to connect the receiver to the speakers and video display, and to connect the source devices to the receiver. To make it easier to keep them allstraight, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA ® ) has established a color-coding standar...

Page 19 - Since HDMI signals may carry both audio and video, if; Digital Audio; Analog Audio

19 19 CONNECTIONS Audio Connections There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digitalaudio signals are required for listening to sources encoded with digitalsurround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, or for non-compressedPCM digital audio. There are three types of digital ...

Page 20 - Video Connections; • Copy-protected sources are not available at the Component; Antennas

20 20 CONNECTIONS required for DVD-Audio players compliant with HDMI version 1.1 or better, or HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players that decode the digital audiointernally and output linear PCM signals in digital format. Consult theowner’s guide for your disc player for more information. Figure 8 – Multi...

Page 22 - SPEAKER PLACEMENT; Front Speaker Placement; Some speaker manufacturers offer 6.1-channel speaker

22 SPEAKER PLACEMENT Before you begin to connect cables, it is important to place your speakersin their correct locations in the room. Optimally, the speakers should be placed in a circle with the listeningposition at its center. The distance from the listening position to thevideo display forms the...

Page 23 - Subwoofer Placement; Your receiver will sound its best when the same model

23 SPEAKER PLACEMENT Subwoofer Placement The subwoofer’s location is less critical, since low-frequency sounds are omnidirectional. Placing the subwoofer close to a wall or in a cornerwill reinforce the low frequencies, and may create a “boomy” sound.Experiment by placing the subwoofer where the lis...

Page 24 - INSTALLATION; Don’t plug in any of the power cords; Step One – Connect the Speakers; If you only have one surround back speaker, wait until after; Step Two – Connect the Subwoofer; Step Three – Connect the Antennas; Step Four – Connect the Source Components

24 INSTALLATION You are now ready to connect the various components to the receiver.Before beginning, turn off all components, including the AVR 254, andunplug their power cords. Don’t plug in any of the power cords until you have finished making all of your connections. Remember that the receiver g...

Page 25 - HDMI Connections

25 INSTALLATION HDMI Connections • Choose the HDMI connection if it’s available on your source device and your TV. A HDMI connection carries both digital audio and video,enabling a single-cable connection from the source device to theAVR. Except as noted below, no other audio or video connections ar...

Page 27 - Connect a CD Player or Any Audio-Only Device; Connect a Tape Deck or Any Audio-Only Recorder

27 INSTALLATION Figure 26 – Connecting a Composite or S-Video Recorder • To make two-channel digital audio recordings, connect the recorder’s digital audio output to one of the Optical or Coaxial Inputs, and con-nect the AVR’s Coaxial Digital Audio Output to the recorder’s coaxialinput. The AVR will...

Page 28 - Connect a Portable Audio Player; Connecting a Game Console, Camera or Other Device; • Connect the component’s S-video or composite video output (use; If your video devices are equipped with HDMI or com-; Step Five – Connect the Video Display; Do not connect any video output on the; If the display does not have HDMI inputs, but

28 INSTALLATION To make analog audio recordings, connect the recorder’s left and rightanalog audio outputs to the Analog 2 Audio Inputs on the AVR, and therecorder’s analog audio inputs to the AVR’s Analog 2 Audio Outputs. No video connection is required, although the AVR will display any signal at ...

Page 29 - If the video display does not have HDMI or; Step Six – Plug in AC Power; Step Seven – Insert Batteries in Remote; Step Eight – Program Sources Into the Remote; Using the codes in Tables A14 – A24 of the Appendix, look up the

29 INSTALLATION Figure 33 – Component Video Monitor Outputs Composite/S-Video: If the video display does not have HDMI or component video inputs, connect the corresponding composite or S-video Monitor Output to the display. If available, S-video is preferredover composite video, and if used, the AVR...

Page 30 - Step Nine – Remote IR Inputs and Output

30 INSTALLATION from the appendix table corresponding to the device and pro-gram it into the AUX Source Selector. Similarly, the CBL/SATSource Selector is used for either a cable or satellite televisionset-top box. The first digit of the product code indicates thedevice type. 2. Turn on your source ...

Page 31 - Step Ten – Install a Multizone System; IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:; Step Eleven – Turn On the AVR 254

31 INSTALLATION To control more than one source device using the Remote IR Output,connect all sources in “daisy chain” fashion, with the AVR’s Remote IR Output connected to the first device’s Remote IR Input, the seconddevice’s Remote IR Output connected to the next device’s Remote IR Input, and so ...

Page 32 - • Any time you press one of the Source Selectors on the

32 INSTALLATION Figure 42 – AVR Power On and Source Selectors NOTES: • Any time you press one of the Source Selectors on the remote (i.e., Cable/Sat, DVD, Media Server, Radio, TV, Gameor AUX), the remote will switch modes to transmit the codesprogrammed to operate that device. To control the receive...

Page 33 - INITIAL SETUP; Using the On-Screen Menu System; Configure the AVR 254 Using EzSet/EQ Technology

33 INITIAL SETUP Before you begin enjoying your new receiver, a few adjustments shouldbe made to configure the AVR 254 to match your actual system. Make sure that you have connected a video display to one of the videomonitor outputs on the receiver. When you turn on your display and theAVR, if the d...

Page 34 - Step Three –; Step Four –

34 INITIAL SETUP Figure 45 – Plug EzSet/EQ microphone into receiver. Step Three – Make sure that the AVR 254 and the video display are turned on. Press the AVR Settings Button to display the Main Menu. SeeFigure 43. Use the ¤ Button to highlight the Speaker Setup line, and then press the OK Button. ...

Page 35 - Step Five –; Set Up Sources; Audio Format From Source:

Step Five – During the next portion of the test, the EzSet/EQ procedure equalizes the AVR 254’s audio circuitry to compensate for the specificroom characteristics and the performance capabilities of each individualspeaker. To do this successfully, the EzSet/EQ microphone must beplaced about two feet...

Page 36 - Audio Input from source:

36 INITIAL SETUP Audio Input from source: Select this line to assign the correct analog or digital audio input to the source. Refer to Table A5 in the appendix,where you noted the physical audio input the source is connected to,and select the input here. If both analog and digital audio connectionsw...

Page 38 - OPERATION; There are several ways in which the AVR 254 may be turned on:

38 OPERATION Now that you have installed your system components and completed a basic configuration of your receiver, you are ready to begin enjoyingyour home theater system. Turning On the AVR 254 Gently press the Master Power Switch until the word OFF is no longer visi-ble. The Power Indicator abo...

Page 39 - Source Selection; VIDEO TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:; Using the Tuner

39 OPERATION The DOLBY H:BYPASS message indicates that Dolby Headphone surround processing is in the default bypass mode, which delivers aconventional 2-channel signal to the headphones. Figure 54 – Headphone Jack Press the Surround Modes Button on the front panel or the remote, toswitch to Dolby He...

Page 40 - XM Radio Operation; Recording

40 OPERATION To tune a preset station, press the ‹ / › Buttons or the Channel Control, or press the Menu Button to view the list of programmed pre-sets and scroll to the desired selection. Press the OK Button to tune thestation. You may also enter the preset number using the Numeric Keys.For presets...

Page 41 - Stereo Jack Input

41 OPERATION 2. Only PCM digital audio signals are available for recording. Proprietary formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS may notbe recorded using the digital audio connections, although if the source is connected to the AVR using analog audioconnections, an analog recording may be made. 3. HDMI...

Page 42 - ADVANCED FUNCTIONS; Audio Processing and Surround Sound; Analog Audio Signals; DSP Surround Off Mode:; Digital Audio Signals

42 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS Much of the AVR 254’s performance is handled automatically, with littleintervention required on your part. However, the AVR 254 is a sophisti-cated component, and is capable of being customized to suit your particular system and your tastes. In this section we describe some oft...

Page 43 - “1” indicates that a matrixed surround signal is present.

43 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS The second number indicates whether any surround channels are present: “0” indicates that no surround information is present. “1” indicates that a matrixed surround signal is present. “2” indicates discrete left and right surround channels. “3” is used with DTS-ES bitstreams to...

Page 44 - Dolby Surround Settings; Night Mode

44 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS When in doubt, check the jacket of your DVD for more information onwhich surround modes are available on the disc. Usually, nonessentialsections of the disc, such as trailers, extra materials or the disc menu,are only available in Dolby Digital 2.0 (2-channel) or PCM 2-channelm...

Page 45 - Manual Setup; When using the AVR’s Speaker Setup menus, we rec-; Step One – Determine Speaker Crossover; Button to move the cursor to the

45 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS Manual Setup The AVR 254 is flexibly designed to be used with almost any loud-speakers available. The flexibility comes from the AVR 254’s capability tobe configured to match the characteristics of your particular speakers,and to compensate for the acoustic characteristics of y...

Page 46 - Number of Speakers; Adjust Crossover Frequencies Menu; Sub Mode

46 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS NOTE: All of the speaker setup submenus include the Exit and Back options as shown at the bottom of Figure 58. To return to a previous menu without making any changes, select Exit.To save the current settings, select the Back option. If you previously saved EzSet/EQ results in ...

Page 47 - Adjust Speaker Distance Menu; Try to adjust each channel so that the meter reads 75dB.

47 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS played through the front left and right speakers and the speciallow-frequency effects (LFE) channel information. LFE: This setting plays low-frequency information contained in the left and right program channels to the front speakers, and directsonly the LFE channel information...

Page 48 - Audio Effects

48 48 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS The best method of setting the output levels is by running the EzSet/EQprocess, as described in the Initial Setup section. If any finer adjustmentsare desired, we recommend using the menu system to make the adjust-ments while playing the AVR’s built-in test tone and measurin...

Page 49 - Advanced Video Settings:; MPEG Noise Reduction:

• Half: Applies moderate compression. • Full: Applies the most compression. When you have finished making adjustments in the Audio Effects menu,press the Audio Effects Button or the Back/Exit Button to clear the screen. Video Adjustments The AVR 254 uses leading-edge Faroudja DCDi Cinema video proce...

Page 50 - Cross Color Suppressor:

50 blocks, change the MPEG Noise Reduction setting from its default of Off to the Low, Medium or High setting to improve the picture. Cross Color Suppressor: Turn this setting on to remove cross color artifacts, which can occur when high-frequency luminance (brightness)signals are misinterpreted as ...

Page 51 - Multizone Operation; Installing a Multizone System

51 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS complex, and require proper training and experience to avoid worseningthe situation. Therefore, it is recommended that if you are unable toimprove the picture using the available controls, contact the video displaymanufacturer’s authorized service representative for assistance....

Page 52 - System Settings; General AVR Settings; Volume Default; Menu Appearance; Volume Status Messages:

52 Volume: The volume is controlled separately for the remote zone. To operate the multizone system using the remote, slide the Zone SelectSwitch at the bottom of the remote to the “2” position (see Figure 70).Press a Source Selector to select a source input for the remote zone.Adjusting the volume ...

Page 53 - Advanced Remote Control Functions; Punch-Through Programming

53 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS Advanced Remote Control Functions The AVR 254 remote control not only operates the AVR 254, but it alsoserves as a universal remote that may be programmed to operate manyother home theater components, as described in the Installation section.Each time you select one of your oth...

Page 54 - • The RS-232 Reset Button on the rear panel of the AVR 254; Memory

54 54 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS • The RS-232 Reset Button on the rear panel of the AVR 254 does not perform a system reset. DO NOT press the RS-232Reset Button. To reset the AVR 254, place the receiver in Standby mode (press thefront-panel Standby/On Switch so that the Power Indicator turns amber).Then pre...

Page 55 - TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

55 SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION Unit does not function when Main • No AC Power • Make certain AC power cord is plugged into Power Switch is pushed a live outlet • Check to see whether outlet is switch-controlled Display lights, but no sound • Intermittent input connections • Make certain that all input an...

Page 56 - APPENDIX; Appendix – Default settings, worksheets, remote product codes; Table A1 – Recommended Source Component Connections

56 56 APPENDIX Appendix – Default settings, worksheets, remote product codes Table A1 – Recommended Source Component Connections Device Type AVR 254 Source Digital Audio Connection Analog Audio Connection Video Connections Cable TV, satellite TV, HDTV CBL/SAT HDMI 2 Analog 1 HDMI 2 or other device t...

Page 57 - Table A3 – Speaker/Channel Setting Defaults

57 APPENDIX Table A3 – Speaker/Channel Setting Defaults Audio Input All Digital and 2-Channel Analog Audio Inputs 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs* Your Settings Left/Right Speakers ON ON Center Speaker ON ON Left/Right Surround Speakers ON ON Left/Right Surround Back Speakers ON ON Subwoofer ON ON ...

Page 58 - Table A6 – Audio Effects Settings

58 58 APPENDIX Table A6 – Audio Effects Settings Default Cable/Sat DVD Media Server Radio TV Game AUX Tone Control Off Treble 0dB Bass 0dB LFE Trim Off Night Mode Off Table A7 – Video Modes Settings Default Cable/Sat DVD Media Server Radio TV Game AUX Video Mode Processor Off Brightness * 50 Contras...

Page 59 - Table A8 – Surround Modes

59 APPENDIX Table A8 – Surround Modes Default Cable/Sat DVD Media Server Radio TV Game AUX Auto Select Logic 7 Movie ornative digital format Virtual Surround Dolby Virtual Speaker Reference Stereo 7 CH Stereo Movie Logic 7 Movie Music Logic 7 Music Game Logic 7 Game Center Width * 0 Dimension * 0 Pa...

Page 60 - Table A11 – Zone 2 Settings; Source Input; Table A 12 – Surround Modes; Surround Mode

60 60 APPENDIX Table A11 – Zone 2 Settings Source Input Device Type (if changed) Your Settings Status Off Source Cable/Sat Volume -25dB Surround Back Amps Main Room Table A 12 – Surround Modes Surround Mode Description Incoming Bitstream or Signal Dolby Digital Provides up to five separate main audi...

Page 65 - Table A13 – Remote Control Function List

65 APPENDIX Radio Media Server No. Button Name AVR FM AM XM DVD DMC1000 TV 01 AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On 02 AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off 03 ...

Page 66 - Table A13 – continued

66 66 APPENDIX AUX No. Button Name CBL/SAT Game CD HDTV PVD TiVO VCR 01 AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On AVR Power On 02 AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off AVR Power Off 03 Device...

Page 67 - TV

67 TV Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number AIWA 027 A MARK 122 132 ADMIRAL 192 AKAI 123 160 AMPRO 164 ANAM 045 106 109 112 122 AOC 122 123 128 BLAUPUNKT 084 BROKSONIC 205 206 CANDLE 123 128 CAPEHART 059 CENTURION 123 171 CENTRONIC 045 CITIZEN 045 123 128 132 CLASSIC 045 CONCERTO 128 CONTEC 045 CORAN...

Page 68 - Table A14 – continued; Table A15 – Remote Control Product Codes:

68 68 TV Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number TATUNG 063 TECHNICS 181 TECHWOOD 128 TEKNIKA 045 069 115 123 128 132 TELERENT 069 TERA 156 THOMSON 190 191 TMK 128 TOSHIBA 063 129 202 TOTEVISION 132 VIDEO CONCEPTS 160 VIDTECH 128 WARDS 069 128 132 148 YAMAHA 123 128 YORK 128 YUPITERU 045 ZENITH 069 090...

Page 69 - Table A16 – Remote Control Product Codes:

69 APPENDIX VCR Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number AIWA 340 AKAI 348 408 409 426 AMPRO 376 ASA 434 AUDIO DYNAMICS 318 348 BROKSONIC 410 447 CANDLE 434 435 CANON 435 440 CAPEHART 394 CITIZEN 434 CRAIG 345 416 DAEWOO 317 394 404 DAYTRON 394 DBX 318 348 DIRECTV 314 315 DYNATECH 340 EMERSON 313 340 34...

Page 70 - Table A17 – Remote Control Product Codes:

70 70 CD Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number ADCOM 063 069 AIWA 072 111 118 156 170 AKAI 050 177 184 AUDIO TECHNICA 053 AUDIOACCESS 125 AUDIOFILE 211 BSR 044 CALIFORNIA AUDIO 109 CAPETRONIC 070 CARRERA 087 CARVER 136 140 141 143 144 145 185 186 CASIO 117 166 CLARINETTE 166 DENON 187 188 213 EMERSON...

Page 71 - Table A18 – Remote Control Product Codes:; DVD; Table A19 – Remote Control Product Codes:; SAT

71 APPENDIX Table A18 – Remote Control Product Codes: DVD DVD Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number APEX DIGITAL 061 DENON 019 051 GE 003 004 HARMAN KARDON 001 002 007 068 201 202 JVC 006 LG/GOLDSTAR 005 055 064 066 MAGNAVOX 056 MARANTZ 059 MITSUBISHI 023 NAD 062 ONKYO 009 048 PANASONIC 024 030 044 P...

Page 72 - CBL

CBL Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA 183 203 221 222 SEAM 121 SIGNATURE 001 188 SPRUCER 053 081 177 189 STARCOM 002 011 163 STARGATE 120 TANDY 024 TELECAPATION 028 TEXSCAN 036 TFC 122 TIMELESS 123 TOCOM 170 205 UNITED CABLE 011 UNIVERSAL 033 034 039 042 113 VIDEOWAY 124 211 VI...

Page 73 - NOTES

Page 75 - AVR 254 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

75 Audio Section Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC) 65 Watts per channel, 20Hz–20kHz,@ <0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms Seven-Channel Surround Modes Power per Individual Channel Front L & R channels:50 Watts per channel@ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms Center channel...