Parasound Halo C1 Controller - Manual

The Parasound C 1 Controller is a complete home theater control center. With it, you can feed signalsfrom any of four analog and digital audio and six audio/video components to your surround sound andvideo system, simultaneously feeding video and stereo audio (even from a different source) to rooms ...

The various types of video jacks (composite, S-Video, and component) use differing connectortypes, but the so-called “RCA” type used for composite video (simply labeled “Video” on theback panel) is also used for analog and digital audio. The RCA jacks on the C 1 are color-coded:red and white for rig...

Power switch or unplug either end of the AC cord before the C 1 has first been turned off bythe remote control or front panel On-Off button! If AC power is removed from the C 1 before itis turned off you will lose the selections you made during setup and you may hear some nastythumps in your speaker...

The buttons are surrounded by a blue halo of light when the C 1 is turned on; the halo around every button (except DIM and STATUS) glows brighter when that button is pressed, and remainsbright as long as the button’s function is active. The MUTE and MENU buttons stay active andbright until you turn ...

Despite its versatility the Parasound Halo C 1 Controller has only ten pushbuttons, a knob, and a display on its front panel. That’s in part because we expect users will most often operate it by remote control and in part because many front-panel controls do more than one thing. Theoperations descri...

Volume and Muting The large knob on the C 1 front panel normally controls volume. However, when you press the front-panel SOURCE or SURROUND buttons, it will control those functions for the next 5 seconds, or for as long as you keep using the knob to change those functions’ settings. The C 1 Control...

Changing Your Listening and Viewing Source The C 1 Controller can accept up to four audio and six audio/video sources. There are severalways to select a new source for listening or viewing. • If you press the SOURCE button at the lower right of the C 1 front panel, its halo will glow abrighter blue ...

feedback, producing a loud, very unpleasant noise through your speakers until you change thesource or press MUTE. Because the signal for the Zone output is selected separately, you can use that output to recordone input source on an audio or video recorder while a different source is playing in the ...

wraps the sound of the front left and right speakers around the listening area, and Dimension, whichmoves the surround field toward the back or front of the room. These adjustments are made through theDolby/DTS setup page of the Audio Setup menu (see page 24). • Dolby Digital EX : An enhancement of ...

Notes : Yes = THX post-processing is available (Yes) = THX post-processing is not available for this mode and signal typeNo = Mode is not available for this signal type 1 = THX Ultra2 Cinema replaces THX Cinema if two surround back speakers were selected in setup 2 = Requires one or two surround bac...

Using the Status and Info Buttons and the Displays The C 1 controller’s front-panel display screen can be set to show the current main-zone operat-ing status (source, audio and video signal types, audio mode, and volume setting) continuously.If you wish to see this information when the display is sh...

The Master and SideKick remote controls supplied with the C 1 Controller are programmed at the factory to operate the C 1, and the Master remote is, for testing and demonstration, pre-programmedat the factory with IR codes controlling various brands of televisions, VCRs, DVD players, and othercompon...

Page 1 of the C1/C2 Menu Of the items on the Page 1 menu, the MODE–, +MODE,DIM, and ZONE functions have already been discussed in thelast chapter, but the others are new. Here’s what they do: • THX ® : With most modes, this key simply switches THX Cinema processing on or off (see “Technically Speaki...

right front, right surround, right back, left back, left surround, and subwoofer. When used formanual level setting, it can be directed to whichever channel you’re adjusting. This feature isonly available in “Level setup” on the “Speaker setup” menu. • 7.1 : Switches to the C 1 Controller’s 7.1-chan...

• Like the STATUS button on the front panel of the C 1, the STATUS button on the Master remoteand the INFO button on the SideKick can be pressed to show the current main-zone operating sta-tus (source, audio and video signal types, audio mode, and volume setting) on the C 1 controller’sfront-panel d...

Controlling Other Components In Your System Exactly what your remotes do when controlling other components will depend on what compo-nents you have and how the remotes are custom-programmed. If your remotes have not beenset up for your specific system, you’ll find the Master remote already programme...

• PREV CH recalls the last cable or satellite channel you were watching, as long as your cable orsatellite tuner supports this function. • GUIDE commonly displays your satellite or cable company’s program guide. • The numerical keypad can be used for channel selection, time setting on VCRs, direct f...

For Further Information The Halo Master and SideKick remotes are customized versions of the award-winning HomeTheater Master MX-700, manufactured by Universal Remote Control, Inc. Further information,updates, and literature can be found at Universal’s Web site, www.hometheatermaster.com , together w...

As you’ve probably gathered from the many earlier references to this chapter, just about everyaspect of the C 1 Controller’s operation is customizable to suit your preferences and your hometheater system. Don’t rush your setup; it might take a few hours or more. But this time will be amply rewardedw...

Audio Setup The settings made on this screen are “global,” affecting all inputs and modes unless specifically overridden by settings made via other screens or via the remote. Treble and Bass can be set here in 1-dB steps for up to 12 dB of cut or boost. Tone-control adjustments made via theMaster re...

Bass Limiter Setup The bass in today’s film soundtracks is often far louderthan it is on music recordings or older films. Handlingthese loud bass tones can make many smaller sub-woofers sound distorted and could, in very rare cases,even damage them. The bass limiter puts a cap on sub-woofer output l...

Speaker Setup To hear the closest possible match to what the filmmak-ers heard when they mixed their soundtracks, your hometheater must be set up so that each speaker gets theproper signals, that no speaker is louder or softer than itshould be, relative to the others, and so that the soundfrom each ...

Programming Aux Channels 9 and 10 Each of these two channels has independently adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters and provision for deriving content from any or all of the other eight channels, mixed in any proportionyou like. They are programmed from this menu: Level adjusts the channel’s le...

Level and Distance Autocalibrate First, prepare the calibration microphone supplied with the C 1, by unscrewing its barrel to openthe battery compartment, inserting the AA battery supplied with its + (button) end toward theswitch, screwing the barrel back on, and pushing the microphone’s On-Off swit...

in ms (milliseconds), that the C 1 will apply. (This is equivalent to distance, since 1 ms at thespeed of sound is roughly 1 foot or 0.3 meters.) The process is not only easier but more accu-rate than measuring physical distances, because it takes into account additional delays causedby signal proce...

adjustments controlled by the “Preset setup” submenu under “Audio setup.” When you select asource that has an associated preset, the preset’s bass and treble settings replace those made onthe main “Audio setup” screen and the center, surround, and subwoofer level changes are addedto the values selec...

Display Setup The options on this screen affect the appearance of any information displayed on the C 1Controller’s built-in screen and on any video screen connected to the Controller’s “OSD” videooutput jacks. TV system sets both displays to either NTSC (the television system used in the Western hem...

Trigger Setup Many home theater components (including amplifiers, retractable screens, and some lightingequipment) can be controlled by DC trigger signals. The C 1 has three trigger outputs, two ofwhich, P1 and P2, are programmable through this setup screen: Trigger sense defines the event or condit...

ways, to see which gives you more lifelike bass). If your subwoofer does not meet these stan-dards, setting THX Ultra2 Sub to “No” will disable boundary gain compensation. ASA (Advanced Speaker Array) processes the sound sent to the surround back (not the sur- round side) speakers. THX recommends th...

There are more than 100 signal input and output jacks on the Halo processor’s rear panel–morethan you’re likely to use, but enough to ensure you can make any type of connection you’re likely to need. To simplify things, the jacks are grouped by type and function: Even if your C 1 was set up by an in...

against hum and other noises, especially if your equipment rack is crowded with other components oryour cables are more than 10 feet (3 meters) long. (For more information, refer to the “Balanced andUnbalanced Lines” section in the “Technically Speaking” section toward the end of this manual.)Balanc...

Connecting a CD or Other Audio Source Component to the C 1 For the best possible sound, always use your source component’s digital output, if it has one. It isnot necessary to use the source’s analog outputs as well, unless you plan to record from this source onto an analog recorder such as a casset...

Connecting a Multichannel Source to the C 1 Certain multichannel sources, such as SACD and DVD-A players, have internal surround decodersand D/A converters and can deliver multichannel audio only via their analog output jacks. The diagramshows a 5.1-channel source, the most common type today, and in...

Connecting a Balanced-Output Audio Source Normally, all balanced and unbalanced input signals appear at both the balanced and the unbal-anced outputs of the C 1, including its Record, and Programmable outputs, but only signalsgoing to the main 7.1-channel outputs are affected by whatever surround, t...

Connecting Recorders Recorders require two-way connections to the C 1, so that you can record from it as well as playback through it. The C 1 has one pair of input and several sets of output jacks for recorder use.There are other jacks available for playback. The output jacks for audio recording are...

Analog Recording Via the Tape Monitor Jacks With some audio recorders, the Tape Monitor feature enables you to observe the quality of yourrecording as it’s being made, without having to rewind the tape or go back to the beginning ofthe disc and play it through again to be sure it is okay. Analog rec...

Connecting a Digital Audio Recorder To record all your audio sources to a digital recorder you will need both analog and digital connections between the recorder and the C 1. This is because the Digital Out jacks carry thesignal from the currently selected digital input but not from any analog input...

Connecting a Video Recorder The video Record jacks, and the Record 1 and Record 2 audio output jacks, carry the same signalas the other main-zone outputs. To tape one video or broadcast while you view another, connectyour video recorder to the Zone video and audio output jacks and use the Zone contr...

The output jacks of the C 1 are grouped with the input jacks of the same types: Main Audio Outputs All audio input signals, whether from unbalanced analog, balanced analog, or digital sources are available at the unbalanced and balanced analog outputs, but only digital input signals alsoappear at th...

Connecting Audio Amplifiers to the C 1 The basic home theater setup is 5.1 channels: Front (left and right), Surround (left and right) andCenter (front), plus a subwoofer (the “.1” in the array). That’s sufficient for the Dolby Digital, andDTS soundtracks on most DVDs and the Dolby Surround soundtra...

Connecting Video Displays It may seem odd to connect the C 1 to your main video display three ways, as shown here, butin many systems it makes sense. This is because composite video sources are not available atthe S-Video outputs (though S-Video sources are available at the composite jacks) and comp...

Although the “No OSD” jacks do not pass on-screen display information generated by the C 1,they will pass status information coming from such source components as VCR and DVD play-ers, because that information is part of the video signal fed to the C 1. ( Note: No on-screen display is sent to the co...

The C 1 allows you to feed separate audio or audio-video programs to two different areas, orzones, in your home. To feed video and audio to a second zone, connect a video cable with RCAplugs to the “Zone” composite video jack and a pair of audio cables to the “Zone” unbalanced-output jacks. The “Zon...

from the appropriate-side surround channel and the back channel. Time delays for these newspeakers should be set for the distance to the closest seats. • Add a rear-channel subwoofer: try 50% B, 25% LS, and 25% RS. Then add low-pass filtering, ifneeded, and a delay time for the sub’s distance from y...

The jacks in the control connection area of the rear panel can link the C 1 to a wide variety ofdevices beyond those that deliver or receive audio and video signals. RS-232 Control This 9-pin, full-duplex serial port has several potential uses. For one thing, it allows the C 1 to communicate bidirec...

CONTROL CONNECTIONS continued 54 12-Volt Triggers The three trigger output jacks transmit DC trigger signals that can be used to control many ampli-fiers, retractable screens, TV sets and projectors, and even some lighting equipment. Outputs P1and P2 can be individually programmed to send trigger si...

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 55 No power Power on, but no sound One channel dead All channels on one side dead No sound in Mono mode Dialog is muffled or inaudible No sound at unbalancedoutput from balancedsource Some analog sources aremuch louder or softer thanother sources Bass sounds correct onmusic but...

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE continued 56 Bass Weak or Missing,continued Bass from sub does notblend with other channels Hum and/or buzz heardthrough speakers orheadphones Some headphones do not work with C 1 Surround modes unavailable THX modes not available Poor composite videoimage Audible dialog is out...

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE continued 57 Remote control does not work Autosearch can’t find thedesired source No on-screen display (OSD) OSD hard to read againstvideo image OSD blanks video picture “Digital Error” message ondisplay Some C 1 functions don’t work Built-in screen doesn’t showvideo program Di...

SERVICING YOUR C 1 58 If All Else Fails – Call Us for Help Call your Parasound dealer or Parasound’s Technical Service Department toll-free at 1-866-770-TECH (8324) . We can often help you solve the problem, with simple diagnostic tests you can perform yourself. If we determine that your C 1 will ne...

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING 59 Balanced and Unbalanced Analog Audio Connections Recording and broadcast studios use balanced connec-tions almost exclusively because of balanced lines’ inher-ent ability to reject noise and hum, even when compo-nents are far apart and connected by long cables.Certain high-qu...

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING continued 60 the C 1 are used for connecting the C 1 to wiredinfrared repeater sensors or system controllers. Notethat the main and remote zones each have their ownIR input jacks. The IR input jacks accept standard 1 ⁄ 8 " (3.5 mm) two- conductor mini-plugs, with the positiv...

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING continued 61 Using Unmatched Power Amplifiers: While it’s best to use identical amplifiers for all chan-nels, it’s sometimes more convenient or economicalto use a mixture of amps, especially if you alreadyhave some. If you do, observe the following: • Check with your amplifiers’...

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING continued 62 response down to 20 Hz (including subwoofersthat meet THX Ultra2 standards) are used in typi-cal-sized home listening rooms. It should be acti-vated in setup if you have such subwoofers, butother wise turned off. On-Screen Messages The front-panel display and video ...

PARASOUND C 1 DESIGN OVERVIEW 63 The Halo By Parasound components are designed toadd extra distinction to Parasound’s 20-year reputationfor rock-solid reliability, amazing sound quality, andunequaled value. Although built for the home, ourcomponents have seen extensive use in professionalstudios. Pa...

Functionality The C 1 has inputs and outputs to accommodate anyhome theater configuration, the ability to automaticallydecode all current surround signal formats, and a con-trol and interface structure that’s totally programmable. To make that versatility manageable, the C 1 usescontext-sensitive co...

PARASOUND C 1 SPECIFICATIONS 65 Audio Characteristics Frequency Response Digital Inputs 20 Hz – 42 kHz Analog Inputs 20 Hz – 22 kHz 7.1- Channel Input 5 Hz – 200 kHz, - 3 dB 20 Hz – 20 kHz, - 0.5 dB Total Harmonic Distortion Digital Inputs < 0.002% Analog Inputs < 0.002% 7.1- Channel Inputs &l...

A AC cord, 6AC outlet, 6AC connection, 6AC power switch, 6AC voltage, 6A/D (Analog-to-Digital) Converters, 12, 63Adaptive Decorrelation, 61Advanced Speaker Array (ASA), 36, 61Amplifiers, unmatched, 47, 61Analog Monitor, 33, 55Analog audio sources, connecting, 37- 39, 41, 42 ASA (see: Advanced Speake...

INDEX continued 67 o On-off switch (Also see: Rear-panel switch), 9, 15, 18 On-off trigger, 35, 54On-screen display (OSD), 6-7, 10-11, 15, 33, 34, 49-50, 57 Operating voltage, 6Optical digital (Toslink) cables, 38OSD (Also see: On-Screen Display)“OSD” and “Non-OSD” video output jacks, 15, 46, 49-50,...