H A N DBOOK AVR250 Arcam AVR250 surround sound receiver English Français Deutsch Nederlands
Safety guidelines CAUTION ATTENTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN 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.
English Contents Safety guidelines...................................... E-2 Important safety instructions ............................ E-2 Safety compliance ........................................... E-2 Before you start! ...................................... E-4 Installation .............................................. E-6 Positioning the unit .......................................... E-6 Notes on installing the AVR250.......................... E-6 Audio connections.................................
Before you start! Introduction The AVR250 is a high quality and high performance home cinema processor and multi-channel audio amplifier built to Arcam’s traditional high quality design and manufacturing standards. It combines high resolution digital processing with high performance audio and video components to bring you an unrivalled home entertainment centre.
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. English Audio Wherever possible, connect both analogue and digital outputs of digital sources. This enables use of a digital input for the main zone with the corresponding analogue input used for recording onto an analogue tape deck or VCR, or for the Zone 2 output.
Installation MON OUT ZONE2 VIDEO OUT VIDEO TRIGGER AM 1/RGB OUT GND 2/S-VID IN ZONE 2 DIGITAL OUT FM CD AUDIO PREOUT SUB.
n 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 used. n Take care to place the audio cables as far from any power supply cabling as is practically possible to reduce hum and other noise problems. Analogue audio connections STEREO INPUTS 2 VCR, 4 PVR, 5 AV, 6 SAT, 7 DVD, br TAPE IN, bs CD.
Video connections The following video conversions are possible: To: Composite S-video Component/ RGB Composite Yes Yes Yes S-video Yes Yes Yes Component/ RGB No No Yes The AVR250 allows for conversion between different video formats. This means that the AVR250 can convert between composite, S-video and component, if required. From: For example, if you are watching a composite input from a VCR, you may view it from the S-video or Component/RGB video outputs of the AVR250.
The red and black terminals on the back of the AVR250 are used to make the connections to the loudspeakers. The speakers should be connected to the loudspeaker terminals, refering to the labels on the rear-panel. The speaker connectors on the rear-panel are labelled as follows: When connecting the speaker terminals of the amplifier with the terminals on the speakers make sure that like polarities are matched (i.e., match “+” with “+” (usually red) and “–” with “–” (usually black)).
Connecting the AM and FM antennas FM antenna An FM antenna is required to receive VHF radio signals. AM Although a FM ribbon antenna is supplied as an accessory to the AVR250, for optimal FM radio reception a roof- or loft-mounted aerial is advised as this will give superior reception. (It is recommended that any roof-top antenna is fitted by an experienced contractor as a contractor will be able to align your antenna to the nearest FM transmitter.
English Configuring the AVR250 The AVR250 ‘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 AVR250 to your speakers; the ‘Advanced’ menus allow you to optimise the operation of your system. Screen shots of these menus are shown in shaded boxes on the following pages. The best way to set up the AVR250 is using the on-screen display (OSD).
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 powerhandling speakers, for example. Max On Volume: Limits the maximum volume the system operates at when it is first switched on. The system comes on at the ‘Max On Volume’ if the last used (possibly very loud) volume exceeds this value.
English HQ Video: Choose between RGB or YUV; if you have a YUV display, set this item to YUV, otherwise set it to RGB. This setting controls the routing of the HQ-video within the AVR250, either as 3-wire YUV or 4wire RGB signals (with the synchronisation signal on composite for RGB). In addition, it controls the operation of the S-video/composite-to-HQ video converter.
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, with a stereo source, to reduce the subwoofer output in stereo playback to an acceptable level. The level required depends on various factors such as speakers, the types and styles of music to be played and personal taste.
5 – Level settings English 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 AVR250 can help to address this inbalance. It is important to calibrate the speakers correctly to achieve an accurately centred sound stage.
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 textures, or mixed brands of loudspeakers.
ADV 4 – Zone 2 Settings ZONE2 VOL: Sets the volume for Zone 2. English 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 output to Zone 2. If NO is selected, the output level can be controlled from Zone 2 or the main system. If you wish to fix the volume level, first set the Zone 2 volume to the desired level, then select YES.
Remote control The CR80 remote control is a multi-function unit that controls the AVR250 and up to seven other devices. The instructions on this page only refer to the control of the Arcam AVR250. For information on using the remote control for other devices, and a full list of features, see the instruction booklet supplied with the CR80. Device selection IMPORTANT: Press the ‘AMP’ button first to operate the AVR250.
AVR250 A/V SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER RDS INFO FM MUTE/ MONO STORE English Operating your AVR250 PRESET/ TUNE DOWN/UP 7.1 CHANNEL HIGH PERFORMANCE AMPLIFICATION VOLUME TREBLE EFFECT MODE DVD BASS MENU SAT AV VCR 1 VCR 2 CD FM AM DVD-A ZONE 2 DIRECT MUTE OK POWER PHONES 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 AVR250.
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, PVR, VCR, Tape, CD and DVD-A (multi-channel). In addition, AM and FM radio reception can be selected from the built-in tuner. Any picture signal associated with the selected input is switched to the monitor output.
Effects/FX Description None No effects active, stereo signal Music Extracted ambience and centre information For more information on the effects, see the section ‘DSP Effects Modes’, page 25.
Using the tuner The AVR250’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 frontpanel display, as there is no on-screen display for the tuner. Tuning to a station Pressing the PRESET/TUNE button (or TM on the remote) toggles between the two tuning modes of the unit – ‘Tune’ or ‘Preset’. The selected mode is shown briefly on the display.
FM Mute/Mono English The AVR250’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 will hear no sound through the loudspeakers. Should you wish to listen to a station that is ‘auto muted’ press the FM MUTE/MONO button again to disengage the muting circuit.
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 passages. Compression can be disabled by setting this item to OFF. Compression is only available on Dolby Digital recordings and on some DTS recordings.
English Surround modes Introduction Your AVR250 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 AVR250 detects automatically the relevant format in a digital signal, such as Dolby Digital or DTS, and switches in the appropriate decoding.
Two-channel source modes The following decoding and surround modes are available: n n n n Mono Stereo Pro Logic II/IIx Movie n n n Pro Logic Emulation Neo:6 Cinema Neo:6 Music Pro Logic II/IIx Music These modes are available with two-channel analogue and two-channel PCM digital sources (although a Dolby Digital 2.0 source may only be decoded as Mono, Stereo or Pro Logic IIx Movie). Mono: The AVR250 will combine the left and right audio channels from a stereo signal to produce a mono signal.
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 encoding, such as certain DVD discs. English A list of available software titles with DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix and DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete titles can be found at www.dtsonline.com.
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 stage further to include separate amplification for the low and high frequency drive units in each loudspeaker enclosure. This is called “bi-amping”. Before you start – important information! 1.
There are no lights on the unit: No sound is produced: Check that: Check that: n the power cord is plugged into the AVR250 and the mains socket outlet it is plugged into is switched on. n n the power button is pressed in. English Troubleshooting n n the correct input has been selected. the mains fuse in the plug (if applicable) has not blown. The AVR250 requires a 6-amp fuse, or greater. n the volume is turned up to a reasonable level and ‘MUTE’ is not displayed on the front panel display.
Hum on an analogue input: Strange aspect ratio of video in Zone 2: Check that: Most DVD players can only decode video to one aspect ratio at a time. For example, if you are using wide screen in the main zone, then wide screen information will also be fed to Zone 2. n all cables are making a good connection. If necessary withdraw the cable from the connector and plug it fully in again. (Turn the power off before doing this.
English SCART connections These pinouts describe the signal connections between the AVR250 and your display device input.
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 AVR250 is based on the Philips RC-5 standard. The main system control uses RC-5 system codes ‘16’, with the tuner section using system code ‘17’ (this is to provide compatability with existing ARCAM tuners).
These extra commands on code 17 allow full control of the tuner in the AVR250 using the remote control supplied with the T61/T31. The AVR250 responds to these commands in both the main zone and Zone 2.
Technical specifications Analogue audio inputs Line input sensitivity Overload margin Input impedance 0.5/1/2/4V rms (2V rms normal) +2dB >22kΩ Analogue audio outputs Level (at 0dB gain) 2V rms Maximum level 3.5V rms Impedance 600Ω Signal/Noise ratio (analogue input) 100dB unweighted (measurement bandwidth 22kHz) Signal/Noise ratio (digital input) 100dB unweighted (measurement bandwidth 22kHz) THD+N (analogue input) 90dB (0.003%) (measurement bandwidth 22kHz) THD+N (digital input) 90dB (0.
English 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.
Appendix: Serial programming interface Introduction This section describes the remote control protocol for controlling the AVR250 via the RS232 interface. Conventions n All values in this section are hexadecimal values, unless otherwise specified. Data transfer format n n Transfer rate: 38,400bps. 1 start bit, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, no flow control.
Power / Alimentation / Betriebsbereitschaft / Stroom Change the stand-by state of a zone. Modifiez l’état de veille d’une zone. Ändern des Stand-by-Zustands einer Zone. De standby-status van een zone wijzigen.
Close a menu / Fermeture d’un menu / Schließen eines Menüs / Een menu sluiten Close one of the menus of the AVR250. An error message is returned if the close instruction relates to a menu that is not open. For example, if the Main menu is open and a close instruction for the Set-up menu is received, then an error is returned. Fermez l’un des menus du système AVR250.
Increment/decrement the audio volume in a zone. The value returned for the new volume is offset by 0x30. To obtain the correct value, subtract 0x30 from the reported value. COMMAND: Byte: Description: CC ‘/’ (0x2f) (Command code) P1 Zone: n Formula: actual volume = (reported volume – 0x30) For this reason, the command may return values that cannot be translated into ASCII characters (occurs if the resulting volume is greater than 78dB).
Volume set / Réglage du volume / Einstellen der Lautstärke / Volume-instelling Set the volume of a zone. The value transmitted for the new volume must be offset by 0x30. n Formula: transmitted volume = (required volume + 0x30) COMMAND: Byte: Description: CC ‘0’ (0x30) (Command code) P1 Zone: ‘1’ (0x31) – Zone 1 The value returned for the new volume is offset by 0x30. To obtain the correct value, subtract 0x30 from the reported value.
Change the stand-by state of a zone. Modifiez l’état de veille d’une zone. Ändern des Stand-by-Zustands einer Zone. De standby-status van een zone wijzigen.
Effect / Effet / Effekt / Effect Set the effect mode for two-channel material. An error message is returned if the selected effect is not available for the current source. Réglez le mode d’effets pour le matériau à double canal. Un message d’erreur s’affiche si l’effet sélectionné n’est pas disponible pour la source actuelle.
Store the current frequency in a preset. The value transmitted/returned for the preset is offset by 0x30. n Formula: actual preset = (received preset + 0x30) Mémorisez la fréquence actuelle dans une présélection. COMMAND: Byte: Description: CC ‘B’ (0x42) (Command code) P1 ‘~’ (0x7e) (Reserved) P2 1-30: the number of the preset to use, + ‘0’ (0x30). La valeur transmise/retournée pour la présélection est décalée de 0x30.
Tune / Réglage / Senderabstimmung / Afstemmen Increment/Decrement the tuner frequency in 0.05MHz steps (FM) or 9/10KHz steps (AM). The returned frequency is calculated as follows: AM freq. (kHz) = (((1000’s & 100’s) – 0x30) * 100) + ((10’s & 1’s) – 0x30))) FM freq. (MHz) = reported freq. (MHz) FM freq. (kHz) = (reported freq. (kHz) – 0x30) COMMAND: Byte: Description: CC ‘@’ (0x40) (Command code) P1 ‘~’ (0x7e) (Reserved) P2 ‘0’ (0x30) – Decrement tuner frequency by 1 step.
