O W N E R ' S M A N AVC-2500 Audio Video Controller U A L
Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions ---------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 About this Manual ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 Unpacking and Inspection -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Placement of Your AVC-2500 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Option
AVC-2500 Audio Video Controller Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Full 24 bit Processing Using Three Motorola 56009 DSPs DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic Decoding THX Ultra Processing of DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic Reference Quality FM/AM Stereo Tuner with 20 Presets Automatic Calibration System of Level and Delay for All Channels Calibration Mic Included Automatic Audio/Video Input Selection Automatic A/D Overload Attenuation to Prevent Distortion Digital Inputs and Surro
Important Safety Instructions Save these instructions for future use This triangle alerts you to the dangerous voltages inside that may be a shock hazard. This triangle alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in this manual. ü Follow all instructions and warnings marked on the unit. ü Always use with the correct line voltage. Refer to the manufacturer’s operating instructions for power requirements.
Español Instrucciones Importantes de Seguridad Guarde esta instrucciones para uso posterior. Utilice siempre el voltaje correcto. Dirijase a las instrucciones de operación del fabricante para obtener las especificaciones de potencia. Esté al tanto de que voltajes de operación distintos requleren el uso de cables y/o enchufes distintos. No instale esta unidad en un estante sin ventilación, ni tampoco directamente encima de equipos que generen calor tales como amplificadores de potencia.
Deutsch Wichtige Sicherheitsanweisungen Heben Sie sich diese Sicherheitsanweisungen auch für später auf. Befolgen Sie alle auf der Vorrichtung stehenden Anweisungen und Warnungen. Immer nur mit der richtigen Spannung verwenden! Die Gebrauchsanweisungen des Herstellers informieren Sie über die elektrischen Anforderungen Vergessen Sie nicht daß bei verschiedenen Betriebsspannungen ggf. auch verschiedene Leitungskabel und/oder Verbindungsstecker zu verwenden sind.
Dansk Vigtig information om sikkerhed Gem denne Vejledning til senere brug. Folg alle anvisninger og advarsler pá apparatet. Apparatet skal altid tilsluttes den korrekte spænding. Der henvises til brugsanvisningen, der indeholder specifikationer for strømforsyning. Der gøres opmærksom pá, at ved varierende driftsspændinger kan det blive nødvendigt at bruge andre lednings- og/eller stiktyper. Apparatet má ikke monteres i et kabinet uden ventilation eller lige over andet udstyr der udvikler varme, f.eks.
Norsk Viktig Informasjon om sikkerhet Ta vare pá denne veiledningen for senere bruk. Folg alle anvisningene og advarslene som er angitt pá apparatet. Apparatet skal alltid anvendes med korrekt spenning. Produktbeskrivelsen inneholder spesifikasjoner for stromkrav. Vær oppmerksom pá at det ved ulike driftsspenninger kan være nodvendig a bruke en annen ledning- og/ eller stopseltype.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of this precision component and thank you for selecting Parasound. Your new AVC-2500 Audio Video Controller is designed to be the heart of the finest imaginable home theater system and to provide you with years of listening and viewing enjoyment. Intuitive front panel and remote control operation makes your AVC-2500 one of the easiest to use high performance audio/video products ever developed.
16 Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 15 Video 5 Video 6 Video 6 Record Monitor OSD 14 13 Monitor No OSD 12 Input 1 Y Cb Y Cb S Video Outputs S Video Inputs Monitor Input 2 Cr Cr Y Cb Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Video 6 Record Composite Video Inputs Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Zone 2 Video Monitor Monitor With OSD No OSD Coax 1 Coax 2 Coax 3 Coax 4 Video 6 Video 6 Record Zone Audio 1 External Control Audio 2 Audio 3 Audio 4 Audio 5 Audio 6
Rear Panel Connections 1. Audio/Video 1-6 Analog Inputs All six audio/video analog inputs are compatible with typical analog line level sources. Connect the left and right analog audio output of your audio/video source components to these inputs. 2. Video 6 Record Use the Video 6 input and output for the VCR you intend to use for recording. Connect the left and right Video 6 Record output jacks to the Record/Input jacks of your VCR. Next, connect the Video 6 Record output to the video input of your VCR.
17 15 16 Zone THX Memory 14 VIDEO 1 13 CINEMA COAXIAL 1 On-Off Surround Digital DTS Dolby Digital 12 Mute FM/AM 11 Tuning 10 -15dB Pro Logic Overload Preset Source Cal Mic 7 8 9 AVC-2500 Audio Video Controller 1 2 3 4 5 6
Front Panel Controls 1. Power Switch Press the On-Off button to turn the AVC2500 on and off. When you first turn on the AVC-2500, the on-screen and front panel displays show the last selected source input, digital input, surround mode, and master volume level. If the tuner is active, the frequency and preset number are displayed. 2. Infrared Receiver Infrared signals from the remote control are received through the IR receiving eye. 3.
21 Press the AVC button to control the AVC-2500 AV C DV D CD AU X 22 TV S AT VCR CBL 1 On-Off Digital Surround Digital Surround 3 2 THX Dyn 6 4 5 Setup Trim Mute Auto Audio 8 7 Vo l u m e Auto Video Mem Enter Tune Tune 10 9 Vo l u m e 11 Tuning Status 12 Disc FM/AM A.
The Learning Remote Control 1. On-Off Button This button turns the AVC-2500 On and Off. 2. Digital Selection Buttons The Digital g and h buttons allow you to scroll up or down through all six digital inputs and the analog input. 3. Surround Selection Buttons The Surround g and h buttons allow you to scroll through all five Autoformating Surround Processing (ASP) modes: Cinema, Stereo, Music, Party, and Mono. 4.
DVD Player Digital Out Audio Out Video Cassette Recorder Composite Video Out Component Video Out Audio Audio Composite Video In Video Y Component Video In Audio Y L L Coaxial Cb L Coaxial Digital Output Cb Out R R S-Video Out Toslink Video 1 CD Player/Transport TV Monitor Video 2 R Cr Video 3 Play/Out Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Rec/In Video 6 Record S-Video In In Monitor OSD Monitor No OSD Cr Output Input 1 Y Cb Cb S Video Outputs S Video Inputs Monitor Input
Making Connections to Your AVC-2500 Precautions Before making any connections to your AVC-2500, be sure to turn off the power to your amplifiers. When connecting cables to the AVC-2500, make sure there is no strain or tension on any connections that could cause them to pull loose later.
5.1 Analog Inputs The 5.1 Analog Input jacks are designed to accept up to six channels of processed analog output from a DVD player or other component with discrete outputs. Connect the six discrete outputs of your source component to the corresponding 5.1 Analog Input jacks of the AVC2500. Note: You will need an optional module to control volume from the 5.1 analog inputs. Othewise, you should use the volume control on your DVD player if so equipped.
Zone External Remote Control The Zone External IR allows for control of the AVC-2500 from a remote zone. The input connector accepts a standard 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) two conductor mini plug. (The tip is positive and the sleeve is negative). Your Authorized Parasound Dealer or Custom Installer can recommend a compatible infrared repeater system for the AVC-2500. Connect the output of an infrared repeater system to the Zone IR input.
Antenna Connections You will not be able to receive any radio stations unless you connect FM and AM antennas to the AVC-2500. The following are options to connect FM and AM antennas: FM Dipole Antenna A standard FM “folded dipole” 300 Ω wire antenna is included with your AVC-2500. This dipole antenna is adequate for most urban and suburban locations. Connect the spade lugs of the dipole antenna to the two screw terminals on the included small “balun” matching transformer.
Outputs Connect the Component Video Monitor Output connectors of your AVC-2500 to the corresponding input connectors of your video line processor or directly to your monitor or projector. You can select whether the on-screen display will appear at the Component Video Output connectors during the setup process. Refer to the setup section for more details about assigning the on-screen display to the component video output.
Composite and S-Video Monitor Output Connections If your video monitor or projector is equipped with separate input connections and switching for NTSC/PAL composite video, S-video, and component video, you can connect all three video formats to the AVC-2500’s corresponding Composite Video, S-Video or Component Video Output connectors.
Preset Button Pressing the Preset button once automatically selects the tuner, even if a different source was already selected. It temporarily converts the knob from controlling volume to become the Preset Selector for the stations that were stored into the 20 possible memory presets. Its blue LED will stay lit for five seconds during which time the rotary knob is available for selecting presets. If you want the knob to revert to volume control without waiting five seconds, press the Preset button again.
Automatic Calibration Microphone Input Connection The front panel Cal Mic jack is for the ACM-2500 Automatic Calibration Microphone that is used for automatic calibration of individual channel levels and delay times. Plug the ACM2500 into this jack during the Setup process. Refer to the Setup section of this manual for details regarding automatic calibration of your home theater system. Use of any other microphone will not produce correct automatic calibration results.
AVC 2500 Remote Control Buttons On-Off This button operates the same as the On-Off button on the front panel. There are also separate on and off control codes for ease of use while setting up macros or programming external system controllers. Press the On-Off to turn the unit on or off. Press Shift + THX for an on-only command. Press Shift + On-Off for an off-only command. Digital The Digital g and h buttons allow you to cycle up or down in either direction to select any of the eight digital inputs, the 5.
Auto Audio When you press and hold this button down for three seconds, the AVC-2500 scans for a source that is playing. It will search for any active digital or analog audio signal and automatically switch to that source with the accompanying digital or analog audio input, video, and ASP mode you had assigned to that Input Source. This advanced feature provides virtual one-touch operation for audio playback.
Sleep Timer The Sleep button sets the AVC-2500 to automatically turn itself off. Each press of the Sleep button adds 15 minutes to the sleep timer, up to a maximum of 90 minutes. During the last two minutes of the sleep timer, the volume level gradually drops before the AVC-2500 turns off. You can adjust the speed at which the volume ramps down in the setup menu. Source The source buttons provide direct access to each of the twelve inputs of the AVC-2500.
SOURCE VIDEO 1 SOURCE VIDEO 1 SOURCE VIDEO 1 INPUT COAXIAL 1 S-VIDEO NTSC INPUT FM 105.5 MHz COMPOSITE NTSC INPUT COAXIAL 1 S-VIDEO NTSC MODE THX CINEMA DOLBY DIGITAL 3/2.1 MODE STEREO ANALOG MODE THX CINEMA DOLBY DIGITAL 3/2.1 Dynamic range on VIDEO 1 COAXIAL 1 THX CINEMA 15 dB On-screen and front panel displays indicating selected source, digital input, video input, mode, and decoding method. VIDEO 1 SOURCE TUNER P5 105.
Autoformat Surround Processing Modes (ASP) Your AVC-2500 automatically detects the type of digital signal present at the chosen digital input and will decode it based upon the Autoformat Surround Processing (ASP) mode you have selected for that input. This advanced feature takes the guesswork out of selecting the correct surround mode every time you play a different source. Source components transmit their signals in two channel Analog, Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), Dolby Digital, or DTS.
THX Cinema By pressing the THX button on the remote control or on the front panel, you can activate the advanced Home THX Ultra enhancements listed below. The AVC-2500 is among the very few AV Controllers designed and qualified for THX Ultra Certification. Films that have been encoded in Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, Stereo or even Mono can all benefit from activating THX Ultra technologies.
Two-channel PCM PCM encoded material is found on compact discs and laserdiscs. In the Music ASP mode, the AVC-2500 plays back audio in the left, center, and right channels. Proprietary ambiance effects are routed to the surround channels. The subwoofer is active in this mode. Analog Audio Two-channel analog material is typically found on VCR tapes and the analog outputs of DVD players and cassette decks.
DTS In the Stereo ASP mode, the AVC-2500 automatically decodes DTS encoded source material. The AVC-2500 plays back downmixed two-channel audio in the left and right channels. The subwoofer is active in this mode Two-channel PCM PCM encoded material is found on compact discs and laser discs. In the Stereo ASP mode, the AVC-2500 automatically decodes two-channel PCM material to two-channel stereo. The subwoofer is active in this mode.
Placement of Your Home Theater Speakers Speaker Placement Proper speaker placement is essential for optimum performance of your home theater system. The following are basic guidelines for speaker placement based upon idealized conditions. You may need to make placement compromises to allow for room shape, furniture placement, windows, doorways, and other considerations. The AVC-2500 permits electronic compensation when asymmetrical speaker placement is required.
Subwoofer Because of their long wavelengths, low bass frequencies are critically dependent on room placement to avoid bass-robbing standing waves or null points. Sometimes moving a subwoofer a few inches makes the difference between thin, weak bass and room shaking, foundation-rattling bass. One of the most reliable methods to correctly position your subwoofer is to first hook it up and place it next to your favorite listening position.
Equidistant LEFT Equidistant CENTER MONITOR SUBWOOFER RIGHT Right Surround Left Surround Typical home theater setup using conventional surround speakers Note that all three front speakers are the same distance to the listening area Null Equidistant Null LEFT Equidistant CENTER MONITOR SUBWOOFER RIGHT Right Surround Left Surround Typical home theater setup using THX dipole surround speakers. Note that all three front speakers are the same distance to the listening area.
Parasound AVC-2500 Setup Menu Flowchart SETUP MENUS SETUP MENUS SOURCE SETUP BASS MGMT SETUP SPEAKER LEVEL SETUP SPEAKER DELAY SETUP SOURCE SETUP BASS MGMT SETUP SPEAKER LEVEL SETUP SPEAKER DELAY SETUP OSD SETUP DC TRIGGER SETUP SYSTEM SETUP SOURCE SETUP Label Input: [select name] Comp Video: [Input 1 or 2] BASS MGMT SETUP MAIN: [Small/THX or Large] CENTER: [Small, Large, None] SURROUND: [Small, Large, None] SUBWOOFER: [Yes/No] SOURCE SETUP Label Input: [select name] Comp Video: [Input 1 or 2] Trigge
AVC-2500 Default Settings INPUT DEFAULTS Default Settings Basic or Complete Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Audio 1 Audio 2 Audio 3 Audio 4 Audio 5 Audio 6 Coaxial 1 Digital Input; Cinema Mode Optical 1 Digital Input; Cinema Mode Analog Input; Cinema Mode Analog Input; Cinema Mode Analog Input; Cinema Mode Analog Input; Cinema Mode Coaxial 1; Stereo Mode Optical 1; Stereo Mode Analog; Stereo Mode Analog; Stereo Mode Analog; Stereo Mode Analog; Stereo Mode Not Applicable Not Applicable N
Setting up your AVC 2500 The AVC-2500 will work without any initial setup, so you may enjoy it right out of the box. However, there are eight levels of setup procedures that you can perform one at a time or all at once to assure easy operation and future enjoyment. Your remote control is required for all setup procedures. We have pre-programmed several of the default settings to make the AVC-2500 as ready to “plug and play” as possible.
Renaming Inputs You can rename each of AVC-2500’s twelve Source inputs (Audio/Video 1-6, Audio 1-6) from a built-in library of popular source component names or you can create your own names. For example, you can program your Audio/Video 1 Source to read DVD PLAYER, your Audio/Video 2 Source to read VCR 1, and your Audio 2 Source to read CASSETTE DECK on the front panel and on-screen displays. To Rename Inputs from the Built-in Library: 1. Select the source you want to program. 2.
Assigning the Input Source to Activate the External DC Trigger You can program the input source to activate the external Main and/or Zone 12 V DC trigger located on the rear panel, whenever the source is selected. When programmed together with DC TRIGGER SETUP, you can activate the external DC trigger whenever you select a particular source. This feature provides automation options such as turning on projectors, lowering projection screens, etc.
To Automatically Set the Analog Input Level: 1. Play material through the input source. Select source material with loud transient peaks. 2. Press and hold the Setup/Trim button on the remote control until SOURCE SETUP appears on the front panel or on-screen display. 3. Press the Tune < or > buttons until ANALOG INPUT appears in the displays. 4. Press the A.Cal button on the remote until graphic level meters appear in the displays. You do not need the calibration mic for this procedure. 5.
To Setup Bass Management for your Surround Speakers: 1. If you are not already in the Bass Management setup menu, follow steps 1 and 2 from above and use the Tune f or e buttons until SURROUND and LARGE appear in the displays. 2. Press the Volume g or h buttons to select either SMALL/THX, LARGE, or NONE. 3. Refer to the owner’s manual of your surround speakers to determine whether they are designed to reproduce frequencies below 80 Hz. 4.
Setup Menu Level Three - Calibrating Channel Levels The AVC-2500 is equipped with advanced circuitry that automatically calibrates your home theater system’s individual channel levels. The easiest method to calibrate channel output levels and delay times in your home theater system is with Automatic Calibration.
7. Repeat level adjustments for all channels. 8. Press the Mem/Enter button to turn off the noise generator. 9. Press the Setup/Trim button to advance to SPEAKER DELAY SETUP, or press and hold the Setup/Trim button for three seconds to exit SPEAKER DELAY SETUP and return to normal operation. To Manually Calibrate Channel Levels with an External Noise Source: 1. Select the input source where the component with external test recording is connected. 2.
Setup Menu Level Five - On-Screen Display Setup Procedures This setup feature gives you the option of having an on-screen information display for any of the video outputs. You can turn on or off the on-screen display at the Composite Video, SVideo, or Component Video outputs. You can also program the display default system to be for the NTSC or PAL video format. PAL is the video format in most European countries and NTSC is the predominant video format in other regions.
The following describes the list of event labels in the DC event activates the Main (1) or Zone (2) Triggers. Event Label Power Manual Dimmer Status Source: Component video: Digital input: TRIGGER setup menu and which Event Executed to Activate Trigger DC Trigger is activated by turning on the system from that zone. DC Trigger is manually activated by pressing the Shift + Volume g or h buttons. DC Trigger is on as long as the front panel dimmer is off.
Programming the Learning Remote Control The Parasound universal remote control can control up to eight different Audio/Video components. It is preprogrammed to operate the Parasound AVC-2500 Audio Video Controller and Parasound CD players. You can also program codes from an additional six components under the DVD, AUX, Satellite, TV, VCR, and Cable buttons.
To Erase All the Programmed Commands within a Page 1. Press and hold the device button and Mem/Enter buttons simultaneously until the amber status LED and the device button turns on and remains lit. 2. Press and hold the Light button for five seconds. The status LED will flash red five times, flash green twice and return to steady amber. 3. To exit, press and hold the device button and the Mem/Enter buttons simultaneously, again. The amber status LED flashes twice and turns off and returns to normal.
Remote Control Shift + Commands There are several “secondary” codes on the learning remote control used for advanced programming and automation that provide optional methods of controlling the AVC-2500. For example, there are separate on and off commands, direct acces to ASP modes and digital inputs.
Operating Your AVC-2500 Congratulations, now that you have completed the setup procedures, you are ready to sit back and really enjoy your AVC-2500. The following are typical operating instructions for viewing a film, listening to music, using the tuner, and operating the remote zone. Viewing a Film Manually 1. Turn the power on to your AVC-2500, source equipment, and power amplifiers. If you have incorporated DC triggering, the AVC-2500 may turn on the other equipment for you. 2.
Automatically 1. Turn the power on to your AVC-2500, source equipment, and power amplifiers. If you have incorporated DC triggering, the AVC-2500 may turn on the other equipment for you. 2. Load a CD or other media, and press Play. 3. Press the Auto Audio button on the remote control. The AVC-2500 automatically detects the input source where the digital or analog audio is playing and stops at that input.
Manual Tuning from the Front Panel 1. Activate the tuner in the manual tuning mode by pressing the Tuning button on the front panel twice. The Rotary Knob then becomes the tuning knob. PRESET [NUMBER OR NAME], [FREQUENCY] MAN, and [FM or AM] appear in the displays. 2. Select the FM or AM band. 3. Tune up or down incrementally by turning the Rotary Knob.
Operating the Remote Zone From the Front Panel 1. When Zone is selected, you have about five seconds to press a button to control the Zone. If the Zone is currently off, ZONE OFF appears in the displays. Use the On-Off button to activate the zone. 2. Press the Zone button first to control the remote zone from the main zone. ZONE appears in the front panel and on-screen displays while you are controlling the remote zone. 3.
To Trim Individual Channel Levels 1. Press the Setup/Trim button on the remote control until source SPEAKER LEVEL TRIM, SUBWOOFER [PRESET CAL LEVEL] dB appears on the front panel or on-screen display. 2. Press the Volume g or h buttons to adjust the subwoofer to the desired level. 3. Press the Tune f or e buttons to select the next or previous channel for adjustment. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to set levels for surround, center, and LFE channels. 5.
Important Notice Before Shipping your AVC-2500 Before you ship the unit to Parasound, you MUST repack the unit into its fitted foam insert sandwich and its original carton. Use of any other carton and packing materials will probably result in shipping damage. Common carriers such as UPS will not pay claims for damage incurred during shipment when products are surrounded only with styrofoam “peanuts” or placed in non-original factory cartons.
Button Assignment Worksheet for Learning Remote Component Component Instructions: write down stored codes into the blank buttons for each programmed component.
Button Assignment Worksheet for Learning Remote Component Component Instructions: write down stored codes into the blank buttons for each programmed component.
Button Assignment Worksheet for Learning Remote Component Component Instructions: write down stored codes into the blank buttons for each programmed component.
AVC-2500 Installation Worksheet Date Installed:___________________________________ Installer:________________________________________ Phone Number___________________________________ Input Sources Digital Input ASP Mode Name Component Video Input Trigger Level A/D Level Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Audio 1 Audio 2 Audio 3 Audio 4 Audio 5 Audio 6 __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __
AVC-2500 Installation Worksheet 60 Date Installed:___________________________________ Installer:________________________________________ Phone Number___________________________________ Input Sources Digital Input ASP Mode Name Component Video Input Trigger Level A/D Level Video 1 Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5 Video 6 Audio 1 Audio 2 Audio 3 Audio 4 Audio 5 Audio 6 __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
AVC-2500 Specifications Frequency Response Front Rear Center (Small or THX) Center (Large ) Subwoofer 10 Hz-24 kHz 10 Hz-24 kHz 80 Hz-24 kHz 10 Hz-24 kHz 10 Hz-80 Hz Harmonic Distortion Front Center Rear Subwoofer < 0.006 % < 0.006 % < 0.005 % < 0.006 % Input Impedance All Inputs 10 kΩ IM Distortion (1 kHz 1V Output) All Channels < 0.
AVC-2500 Tuner Specifications Tuning Range FM: 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz AM: 520 kHz to 1610 kHz FM Sensitivity Mono IHF 11 dBf Stereo IHF 37 for 50 dB of quieting AM Sensitivity IHF 10 uV/m Signal to Noise Ratio >74 dB Stereo 65 dBf IHF Weighted FM Stereo Separation 50 dB @ 1 kHz 40 dB @ 10 kHz FM Selectivity 80 dB AM Selectivity 30 dB FM Frequency Response 30 Hz to 15 kHz +/- 1 dB AM Frequency Response 20 Hz to 4.5 kHz +/- 2 dB Total Harmonic Distortion FM Mono < 0.08 % FM Stereo < 0.
Parasound Products, Inc. 950 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 415-397-7100 / FAX 415-397-0144 www.parasound.com © 1999 Parasound Products, Inc. Rev 0.
