owner’s manual Audio/Video Receiver
INTRODUCTION The RCA STAV–3860 has these great features. Five Channels of Independent Amplification — five independent power amplifiers, each rated at 60W, ensure accurate, dynamic reproduction of all multi-channel material. Dolby* Pro Logic — enjoy stunning multi-channel, surround sound effects from movies and other material recorded in Dolby Surround/Pro Logic. Enhance your listening experience further with built-in signal processing that recreates the movie theater ambience in your living room.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS This receiver is made and tested to meet exacting safety standards. It meets both UL and FCC requirements and complies with safety performance standards of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Accessories — Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product.
Warning: This receiver uses a laser. Because of possible eye injury, only a qualified service person should remove the cover or attempt to service this device. Cautions • The use of controls or adjustments, or the per formance of procedures other than specified herein, can result in hazardous exposure to laser light. • To prevent electric shock do not use this polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Preparation ....................................................................................................... 6 Checking the Supplied Accessories ............................................................................................. 6 Using this Manual ....................................................................................................................... 6 Installing the Receiver ..................................................................................
PREPARATION CHECKING THE SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES Please check that you've received the following supplied accessories: SOURCE CD TUNER POWER TAPE $ $ ASMS 1 SOURCE SELECT ! SEARCH ! 2 @ * 5 DECK2 3 4 & # 6 7 0 @ EFFECT 9 8 DISC/STATION # D. ACCESS CLASS TUNING DECK1 & T.
PREPARING THE REMOTE CONTROL CAUTION: Incorrect use of batteries may result in such hazards as leakage and bursting. Observe the following precautions: • Never use new and old batteries to gether. • Insert the plus and minus sides of the batteries properly according to the marks in the battery case. • Batteries with the same shape may have different voltages. Do not use different batteries together.
CONNECTING YOUR SYSTEM CONNECTING ANTENNAS Connect the AM loop antenna and the FM wire antenna as shown below. To improve reception and sound quality, connect external antennas (see Using external antennas, below). Always make sure that the receiver is switched off and unplugged from the wall outlet before making or changing any connections. AM Loop Antenna Assemble the antenna and connect to the receiver. Attach to a wall, etc. (if desired) and face in the direction that gives the best reception.
CONNECTING AUDIO COMPONENTS Connect your audio components as shown below. When connecting equipment, always make sure the power is switched off and the power cord is disconnected from the wall outlet.
CONNECTING DVD 5.1 CHANNEL COMPONENTS DVD and LD discs are compatible with both 2 channel and 5.1 channel audio output formats. Refer to page 21 for more information on how to switch between the two input methods. You can connect a DVD player or multi channel decoder equipped with 5.1 analog outputs to the 5.1 analog inputs on the receiver. Always make sure that the receiver is switched off and unplugged from the wall outlet before making or changing any connections.
CONNECTING SPEAKERS Connect your speakers as shown below. Be sure to connect each speaker to the appropriate speaker terminals, and also to connect the positive and negative terminals correctly (positive to positive, negative to negative). When connecting equipment, always make sure the power switched off and the power cord is disconnected from the wall outlet. • Use speakers with a nominal impedance of 8 Ω to 16 Ω.
Hints on Speaker Placement Speakers are usually designed with a particular placement in mind. Some are designed to be floorstanding, while others should be placed on stands to sound their best. Some should be placed near a wall; others should be placed away from walls. Follow the guidelines on placement that the speaker manufacturer provided with your particular speakers. • Place the front left and right speakers at equal distances from the TV.
SETTING UP FOR SURROUND SOUND SETTING UP FOR SURROUND SOUND The STAV-3860 offers several options for surround sound listening, depending on the speakers in your set up. Having installed the speakers in your room, it's important to set up the relative volume levels and delay time in order to make the most of the receiver's surround sound capabilities. You only need to make these settings once, unless you change the placement of your current speaker system or add new speakers.
Press the 3 button to select the SUBWF (subwoofer) select mode. Use the 5∞ buttons to turn the subwoofer function on or off. Select SUBWF ON if you have a subwoofer and SUBWF OFF if you don't have a subwoofer. 7 Press the 3 button to select the distance mode for the FRNT (front) speakers. For true surround sound effect, the sound from the front speakers and the surround speakers should arrive to the listener's ears at a slightly different time.
SETTING UP SPEAKER LEVELS FOR DOLBY PRO LOGIC For the best surround sound, set up the relative speaker levels so that they all have the same volume from your normal listening position. Follow the steps: SOURCE CD 1 2 3 TUNER POWER TAPE SOURCE SELECT $ ASMS $ 1 ! 2 @ * 5 DECK 2 6 & # 7 8 4 DISC/STATION @ 0 # D. ACCESS 3, 5 ! 4 EFFECT 9 SEARCH 3 CLASS TUNING DECK 1 & T.
SETTING UP SPEAKER LEVELS FOR DSP 1 2 SOURCE CD TUNER 3 POWER TAPE $ ASMS $ 1 2 @ * 5 SOURCE SELECT ! DECK 2 ! 4 # 6 7 0 @ EFFECT 9 SEARCH 3 & 8 4 DISC/STATION D. ACCESS # CLASS TUNING DECK 1 & T.TONE FM/AM MPX TUNING SORROUND 3, 5, 7 CH SELECT 2 DSP MODE CHANNEL LEVEL FL RECEIVER FUNCTION DIMMER 1 5 MUTING VOLUME POWER STAV-3860 AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEM REMOTE OSR 4, 6, 7 6 2 7 Use the DSP MODE button to turn on a DSP effect.
DISPLAYS AND CONTROLS FRONT PANEL 7 1 2 3 4 56 8 9 0 DOLBY SURROUND P R O • L O G I C 2 3 2 3 OSR 2 = ~ ! 1 POWER button Switches the receiver between on and standby. 2 STANDBY indicator Lights when the receiver is in standby mode (note that the receiver consumes a small amount of power (1W) in standby mode). 3 STATION 2 3 (–/+), FREQUENCY 2 3 (–/+), TUNING SELECT buttons STATION 2 3 (–/+) Selects station memories when using the tuner.
DISPLAY 1 2 PRO LOGIC DSP 3 DIRECT 4 5 MONITOR MONO S. BASS SP A TUNED STEREO dB 9 1 2 PRO LOGIC indicator Lights when any Dolby Pro Logic mode is selected. The main character display briefly shows the current Pro Logic mode (PRO LOGIC, THEATER 1, THEATER 2) after selection (see page 20). 2 DSP indicator Lights when any DSP mode is selected. The main character display briefly shows the current DSP mode (HALL, JAZZ, DANCE, THEATER1 and THEATER 2) after selection (see page 22).
7 CH SELECT button REMOTE CONTROL Used to start the process of setting the speaker levels (see $ below) (see pages 15–16). 8 RECEIVER STANDBY/ON button 1 SOURCE CD POWER TAPE 2 $ $ ASMS 1 * 5 DECK2 3 4 & # 7 8 6 DISC/STATION @ 0 # D. ACCESS CLASS TUNING DECK1 & 4 5 6 7 8 9 T.
LISTENING IN SURROUND SOUND LISTENING IN DOLBY PRO LOGIC MODE To really appreciate what the STAV-3860 can do, sit back and experience a movie encoded in Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround with five speaker surround sound creating theater-like sound effects in your mark on DVD discs, laser discs, and living room. When choosing software, look for the video tapes (sometimes, unmarked software is also recorded in Dolby Surround).
LISTENING IN DVD 5.1 CHANNEL INPUT MODE You can use this feature if you have a DVD player and a Dolby Digital decoder or a DVD player with a built-in Dolby Digital decoder. Both these decoders will have separate analog audio outputs for the front left and right, center, surround left and right, and sub-woofer channels. Connect these to the 5.1 channel inputs of the STAV-3860 for enhanced playback of Dolby Digital material—see page 10 for instructions on connecting. 5.
LISTENING IN DSP MODE The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) modes transform your living room into a variety of different sound environments when playing standard (two channel) stereo sources. Optionally, you can adjust the amount of effect added to the source. The descriptions below give an idea of how the five different modes sound, but you might want to play a source and experiment. HALL Simulates the acoustic environment of a large classical concert hall.
USING THE TUNER FINDING A STATION Follow steps below to tune in to FM and AM radio broadcasts using the automatic (search) and manual (step) tuning functions. If you already know the exact frequency of the station you want to listen to, see Tuning Directly to a Station on the following page. Once you are tuned to a station you can memorize the frequency for recall later—see "Memorizing Stations" on page 24 for more on how to do this.
Tuning Directly to a Station If you know the frequency of the station you want to listen to, simply enter the frequency using the number buttons on the remote control. This function is not available using the front panel controls of the receiver. The receiver and the remote control must both be set to tuner mode for AM/FM station listening. 1 SOURCE CD TUNER POWER TAPE $ ASMS $ 1 2 @ * 5 ! 4 3 SEARCH ! 3 4 & # 6 7 8 0 @ DECK 2 EFFECT 9 2 2 5 3 SOURCE SELECT DISC/STATION D.
32 3 4 4 Repeatedly press CLASS to select one of the three classes. Repeatedly press STATION 2 3 to select the desired station memory number. After choosing the location you want, the preset class and number blink for about 5 seconds and the receiver stores the station. Repeat steps 1 to 4 to memorize up to 30 stations. RECALLING MEMORIZED STATIONS Having memorized up to 30 stations (see "Memorizing Stations" on page 24), you can listen to a station with a couple of button presses.
MAKING A RECORDING MAKING AN AUDIO OR A VIDEO RECORDING The following steps show you how to make an audio or a video recording from the built in tuner, or from an audio or video source connected to the receiver (such as a CD player or TV). Recordings can be made to a CD-Recorder, cassette deck, MD, VCR, or DVR deck connected to the CD-R/TAPE/MD, VCR or DVR in/out connectors. memo The receiver's volume, balance tone (bass, treble, S.
ADDITIONAL SYSTEM CONTROL CD PLAYER CONTROLS memo To control your CD player with this remote control, the remote must be CD mode with the proper SOURCE SELECT button. 1 Use SOURCE SELECT buttons to put the remote control in the CD mode. 2 SOURCE (POWER) 1 2 SOURCE TAPE 3 4 5 6 Press to switch the CD player between STANDBY and ON. TUNER CD POWER $ ASMS $ 1 2 @ * 5 6 DECK 2 SEARCH ! 3 4 & # 7 8 EFFECT 9 DISC/STATION @ 0 D. ACCESS # CLASS TUNING DECK 1 & T.
CASSETTE DECK CONTROLS memo To control your cassette deck with this remote control, the remote must be in the TAPE mode with the TAPE SOURCE SELECT button. For regular cassette decks use buttons 3–0 below for the tape control functions. For double deck models, use buttons 3–0 to control deck 2 and buttons -–= to control deck 1. 1 Use SOURCE SELECT buttons to put the remote control in the tape mode.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TROUBLESHOOTING This receiver has been manufactured to the specifications of RadioShack and is covered by a limited warranty from RadioShack. If your receiver is not operating as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store or call 1-800-THE-SHACK for assistance. Incorrect operation is often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component, check the points below. Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component.
Symptom Cause Remedy Cannot be remote controlled. • The remote control unit's batteries have worn out. • Too far away or bad angle of operation. • Replace the batteries (see "Preparing the Remote Control" on page 7). • Operate within 7 m, 30° of the remote sensor on the front panel (see "Preparing the Remote Control" on page 7). • Remove the obstacle or operate from another position. • Avoid exposing the remote sensor on the front panel to direct light.
SPECIFICATIONS Amplifier Section Continuous average power output of 60 watts* per channel, min., at 8 ohms, from 40 Hz to 20,000 Hz with no more than 0.09 %** total harmonic distortion (front). Continuous Power Output Front ................................. 60 W + 60 W (1kHz, 0.9 %, 8 Ω) Center ............................................ 60 W (1kHz, 0.9 %, 8 Ω) Surround .......................... 60 W + 60 W (1kHz, 0.
Limited Two-Year Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for two (2) years from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
