User’s Guide ™ PSC805 Aurilium 5.
Philips Sound Solutions Software End User License Agreement ATTENTION: THIS SOFTWARE IS SUBJECT TO THE LICENSE TERMS DESCRIBED BELOW. USE OF THIS SOFTWARE INDICATES ACCEPTANCE OF THE LICENSE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE LICENSE TERMS, YOU MAY RETURN THE SOFTWARE FOR A FULL REFUND. IF THE SOFTWARE IS PACKAGED WITH ANOTHER PRODUCT, YOU MAY RETURN THE ENTIRE UNUSED PRODUCT FOR A FULL REFUND.
Philips Sound Solutions What Is Included In the Package You will find the following items in the package: • The Aurilium Sound Processor • Foot stand for vertical or horizontal mounting • Fastening screw • Standard USB cable • The Aurilium installation CD • The Aurilium User’s Guide (on the installation CD) • Quick Start Guide (QSG) • Audio Software applications (on the installation CD) • Warranty card Philips Aurilium™ 5.
Philips Sound Solutions Table Of Contents 1. Introduction......................................................................................... 1 1.1. KEY FEATURES ........................................................................................................ 2 1.2. Minimum System Requirements ................................................................................. 3 2. The Philips Aurilium Hardware .......................................................... 4 2.1.
Philips Sound Solutions 6.1. Internet Address: .......................................................................................................34 6.2. Technical Support Information: ..................................................................................34 7. Appendix A, Useful Tips For Speaker setup................................... 35 7.1.1. Ideal Listening Scenario (Speakers)...................................................................35 7.1.2.
Philips Sound Solutions 1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the PSC 805, Aurilium 5.1 USB Sound Processor! You now own the ultimate in quality and flexibility for your PC sound. Your new external sound processor offers all the advanced features of any internal sound card, plus the convenience of not having to take off the cover of your PC.
Philips Sound Solutions 1.1. KEY FEATURES Gaming and Music-centric audio components transform your laptop or desktop computer into an advanced digital audio processor! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Easy USB connection. No need to open your PC case (ideal for laptops). USB bus powered. No external power required. 24-bit high definition data converters for optimum sound quality. Sound Agent 2 interactive visual sound control center.
Philips Sound Solutions 1.2. Minimum System Requirements 350 MHz CPU 64 MB RAM One CD ROM drive One available USB port 800 X 600 Screen resolution (1024 X 768 recommended) Headphones or amplified speakers 20 MB of available hard drive space Windows® 2000 or Windows® XP operating system. Please Note: Each operating system has its own minimum requirements which should be observed. In addition, various games and DVD applications may require higher limits than listed above.
Philips Sound Solutions 2. The Philips Aurilium Hardware 2.1. Getting Started To fully benefit from all the features of your Aurilium Sound Processor, please take a moment and familiarize yourself with this guide in its entirety. The diagrams in the next two pages list all the features available. The installation Video on the installation CD can provide you with a quick overview of how to install your new Sound Processor. Additional installation Information is contained in this manual.
Philips Sound Solutions 2.1.1. Front Panel Features and Controls 1 - (Mute Indicator 2 - (Mute Button) LED) 3 – (Digital Out LED) 5 – (QMSS LED) 4 – (QSurround LED) 6 – (QXpander LED) 7 – (3D Effects Control Button) 8 – (3D Effects LED) 9 – (Level Indicator Bar-Graph LED’s) 10 – (Selector Button) 11 – (Subwoofer Level LED) 13 – (Input Gain LED) 12 – (Fader LED) 14 – (Multi-Function Rotary Control) 15 – (Headphone Jack) 16 – (Microphone Jack) Figure 1.
Philips Sound Solutions The following is a brief description of all controls and indicators located in the front of the Aurilium Sound Processor. For an in-depth explanation of each control or indicator refer to the Using the Hardware Controls chapter of this document. 1. Mute Indicator LED: Indicates when Mute function is active. 2. Mute Button: Toggles all audio output on or off. 3. Digital Out Indicator LED: Indicates S/PDIF Out is enabled/disabled. 4.
Philips Sound Solutions 2.1.2.
Philips Sound Solutions This is a brief description of all the audio connectors located on the back panel of the Aurilium sound processor. For an in-depth explanation of each audio connector, please refer to the Using the Hardware Controls section of this document. A. Optical output jack for digital (S/PDIF) signal out B. Coax (RCA) output jack for digital (S/PDIF) signal out C. Line IN, standard stereo two-line jack (blue) D. Front speakers, standard stereo jack (lime green) E.
Philips Sound Solutions 2.2. Quick Installation Guide Installing the Aurilium is very simple and can be done in three easy steps. However, if you need more information, please refer to the Detailed Installation Guide section following this section. Step 1: Attach the base to the desired location as shown in Figure 3, depending on how you wish to position the unit. Fasten the base to the Aurilium case with the included screw. Do not over tighten as this may cause damage to the case.
Philips Sound Solutions 2.3. Detailed Installation Guide Your new Aurilium sound processor is a standard USB audio device. This means even if you don’t install PSA2, you will still be able to play all your PC audio streams just by connecting the Aurilium Sound Processor to the USB port on your PC. This, however, will not give provide full functionality. Be sure to install the Philips Sound Agent 2 drivers to enjoy the full benefits of your state of the art PC sound device.
Philips Sound Solutions 2.3.3. USB Connection The included USB cable has different connectors on each end. Connect the appropriate end to its respective port. A USB port on a PC may be located in the front, in the back, or both. On laptops, it may be on the back alongside other ports and connectors, or on either side of the PC. Personal computers normally have at least two USB ports. Most new PC’s have two in the back and two in the front. The front USB ports may be concealed under a flip-up cover.
Philips Sound Solutions a. Diagram of USB ports in the back of PC b. Pictures of USB ports in front of PC Figure 5 Typical Locations for USB Ports The Aurilium is compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. If your PC has both, you can connect to either port. Windows 2000 and Windows XP recognize the Aurilium Sound Processor as an audio device and assign the required basic drivers to the hardware.
Philips Sound Solutions Windows XP: When you first connect the Aurilium (or any USB device), Windows detects the connection and displays he message “Found new hardware” at the lower right corner of your screen (see Figure 5). The message may be followed by another message “USB Audio Device”, or “PSC805 Audio Device”. The detection process may take up to a few minutes depending on the speed of your computer.
Philips Sound Solutions If you want to install any or all of the included free applications, reinsert the CD or follow the above direction to bring up the Autolauncher panel again. When installation is complete, it is a good idea to run the speaker test utility (under the Setup tab of PSA2 main control panel) to ensure proper connection.
Philips Sound Solutions 3. Using the Hardware Controls The Aurilium Sound Processor has a number of controls on the front panel that enable various audio features. The Aurilium automatically detects how many speakers are connected. It also detects if headphones are connected to the headphone jack, and automatically mutes all the speakers. Microphone and Line In connections are also automatically detected. Following is a detailed explanation of the controls and indicators.
Philips Sound Solutions Level Indicator Bar Graph LED’s This set of seven LED’s display the level of the volume as a bar graph. They also display the level for Fader, subwoofer, and microphone input gain, depending on which function is selected by the Selector button. You can change the level of the selected function using the Multi-Function Rotary Control.
Philips Sound Solutions 4. The Philips Sound Agent 2 (PSA2) The Philips Sound Agent 2 is a Graphical User Interface that provides all the unique and powerful features of the Aurilium Sound Processor. The PSA2 and Aurilium have the intelligence to detect the number of speakers connected and the source type of your audio stream. Based on these factors, the system determines the nature of the audio processing and spatial algorithms that deliver the best quality sound possible.
Philips Sound Solutions When you first launch the PSA2 it appears in the fully expanded form as shown in Figure 12. The panel contains three distinct sections, Compact, Main and Visual. You can reduce the expanded form to a compact form using the Resize button. The Compact control Panel takes up very little space on the screen and it contains the top-level controls. However, to set or change some of the settings, you need to expand to the Main control panel.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.2. Compact Control Panel The Compact Control Panel contains the following controls: Figure 13 Master Volume Master Volume controls the overall output level of the sound system. This volume control is synchronized with the volume knob on the Aurilium front panel. Mute This button toggles the sound on or off to attached speakers or headphones. It is synchronized with the mute button on the Aurilium box.
Philips Sound Solutions the environment changes. The applied intensity of reverb is controllable by a slider in the Visualization panel. If the level of Reverb is not as expected, check the slider in the Visualization panel and adjust properly. QSizzle Toggles the QSizzle effect. When on, enhances the mid/high frequency range of a digitally compressed audio stream. The button label illuminates when QSizzle is enabled. QRumble Toggles the QRumble effect.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.3. Main Control Panel The Main Control Panel is in the center of the expanded mode, and it provides access to advanced settings for most PSA2 controls, which are grouped in five separate tabs. See Figure 14. If only the Compact control panel is visible, you must expand it by clicking on the Resize button on the right hand corner, next to the Close icon.
Philips Sound Solutions QRumble responds in real time to the varying nature of the input signal, automatically adjusting itself accordingly. This is very different from the Equalizer, which is a static frequency processor. The Equalizer does not monitor the input signal or perform self-adjustment. The label QRumble Active appears in illuminated text when QRumble is enabled, and QRumble Off when disabled.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.3.2. Equalizer Tab The Equalizer (EQ) controls the frequency response of the system by increasing or decreasing the frequency response of ten independent frequency bands. This Equalizer works very much the same as the equalizers in high quality sound systems. Each slider controls the relative level of a band (range) of frequencies. The number listed above each slider column is the center frequency of the band controlled by that slider.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.3.3. Setup Tab Located under the setup tab is a speaker configuration panel and other critical audio controls. The speaker configuration panel graphically displays the existing speaker or headphone configuration. Speaker detection is a dynamic and automatic function of PSA2. Simply plug in the speakers or headphones, the PSA2 will detect the configuration and display the new configuration in the panel.
Philips Sound Solutions Speaker Test Utility The Speaker Test Utility can be used to test the current speaker configuration for proper connection to the Aurilium case. Testing each speaker channel ensures each speaker is positioned and connected properly. The test utility highlights each of the available output channels for testing. Click any active speaker to send the test sound to the corresponding speaker. Figure 16 shows that headphones are plugged in and the speakers are disabled.
Philips Sound Solutions AC3/DTS Pass Trough The S/PDIF digital outputs (both optical and RCA) normally supply the digital equivalent of the signal present at the analog (front speakers or headphones) outputs. However, when this button is selected, Dolby Digital (AC3) or DTS audio from DVD playback is passed through to the optical and RCA S/PDIF outputs for external decoding, and all analog outputs are muted including headphones.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.3.4. Mixer Tab Mixer controls allow you to select and control playback and recording input sources. 4.3.4.1. Playback source controls You can individually mute or un-mute as many playback sources as you wish. Volume sliders set the playback level for each source. Balance sliders adjust the relative left and right output levels for each stereo source. Balance sliders should normally be left in the center, which is the default position.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.3.4.2. Recording Source Control The Philips Aurilium allows you to record sounds and music from multiple input sources. Select the “mixer” tab, go to the bottom of the panel and click on the “recording” tab. This panel enables you to select and control recording sources. Figure 18 Before you start recording, you need to configure the recording source. Select a source by clicking the appropriate “Select” button. Each source has its own level and balance controls.
Philips Sound Solutions Figure 19 The Preset system enables you to save the state of PSA2 controls once you have made adjustments to customize your listening experience, so you can recall settings for any source and playback environment. For example, if you have been listening to music with predominant drums and bass and have adjusted the controls to suit your taste, you can quickly save a preset called “Drums’n’Bass”.
Philips Sound Solutions Load Clicking on this button loads an existing preset. To load another preset, highlight it on the list and click the Load. Save When you load one of your presets and make changes to it, you can save it by clicking on the Save button. If you have selected one of the factory presets and made changes to it, you will have to save it under a different name. Sound Agent 2 will not overwrite factory presets, but you can overwrite your own unique presets.
Philips Sound Solutions 4.4. Visualization Panel The Visualization Panel provides a graphical representation of the environments and effects that are created by Sound Agent 2. It also contains two drop-down menus and the Reverb Intensity Slider. The drop-down menu on the right contains fifteen different reverb environmental effects to select. To select a reverb environment, the Reverb button located on the Compact Control Panel must be enabled.
Philips Sound Solutions 5. Uninstalling PSA2 If for any reason it becomes necessary to uninstall the PSA2 drivers, you can choose one of two available methods. You may go to the system control panel and launch the “Add/Remove Programs” utility as shown in Figure 22 and Figure 23. From the list of programs find PSC805 and click on it so it is highlighted. Click the “Change/Remove” button. Or, you may choose the uninstall program that comes with PSA2 program.
Philips Sound Solutions Figure 23 Windows 2000 PSC805 Aurilium™ Sound Processor Users Guide 33
Philips Sound Solutions 6. Technical Support And Warranty Before calling the technical support number please make sure you have the following information available: • • • • • Model number and date of purchase. Computer type, processor speed, and memory available. Computer operating system (IE; Windows® 2000, or XP). On-screen error information. Other hardware connected to the Aurilium. 6.1. Internet Address: Useful information such as the latest drivers and products can be found at: www.pcsound.philips.
Philips Sound Solutions 7. Appendix A, Useful Tips For Speaker setup Following is some suggestions to help you set up your speakers for best results. 7.1.1. Ideal Listening Scenario (Speakers) The ideal way to experience proper imaging, whether stereo, surround, or 3D, is to begin by arranging each pair of speakers as symmetrically as possible. Front speakers should be at the same height, angle and distance relative to the listener.
Philips Sound Solutions 8. Appendix B, USB Hub Considerations 8.1. Introduction to USB Hub A hub is a USB device that uses one USB port for connection to a PC and typically provides four additional ports for connection to USB devices. The function is similar to an electrical plug expander or an extension cord with multiple receptacles. Some of the earlier computers have only two USB ports that are usually located on the backside of the computer.
Philips Sound Solutions 9. Appendix C, Trouble Shooting This appendix covers some of the basic mistakes and pitfalls you might encounter. No Sound is coming out 1. Check the speakers. a. Ensure the speakers are plugged into the back of the Aurilium. b. Ensure the speaker power supply plugged into the AC power outlet, or if they use batteries, try new batteries. c. Ensure the speaker volume turned up. 2. Check the mute button to ensure it is deactivated, i.e., the LED on the Aurilium mute button is off. 3.
Philips Sound Solutions This error message is generated due to lack of sufficient bandwidth on the USB hub that the Aurilium is plugged into. If you have a USB imaging device (such as a webcam or a scanner) and you have an imaging application open, and try to open an audio player application such as Winamp or Windows Media Player. Solution Click “Close” or “No” depending of which error message you have. Close the audio player application. Close the imaging application.
Philips Sound Solutions • If none of the above exists, it means the Aurilium is not recognized by the OS and you need to unplug and plug the Aurilium again. Every time you plug the Aurilium, you should monitor the PSA2 icon in the System Tray to make sure the red void mark has disappeared before using the sound system. • If only one or two of the above exist but not all three, the enumeration process has not completed.
Philips Sound Solutions Figure 26 CD Player Control in the mixer playback tab dose not have any effects on the output when Playing Audio CD in the CD Drive Because the CD player sends the audio streams via the digital data lines, Windows treats this source like other digital audio sources such as MP3 files. Therefore, to control the volume and balance use the controls for “wave”.
Philips Sound Solutions Error message appears on the screen The error message in Figure 27 is displayed when the speaker configuration is not correct. Check to ensure that front speakers are connected to the right connector in the back of the Aurilium. Figure 27 The speaker connectors are color coded for clarity. Lime Green is for Front speakers. Black is for Rear, and orange is for Center/ LFE or subwoofer. See Figure 2. For more information also refer to the Setup Tab section of this document.
