AVR 8500 Audio/Video Receiver OWNER’S MANUAL ® Power for the Digital Revolution™
Table of Contents 3 4 4 5 7 8 10 14 15 15 15 16 18 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 22 24 25 25 25 26 26 27 27 28 30 30 32 32 32 33 33 34 34 34 34 34 34 35 35 36 36 37 37 37 38 38 39 39 39 39 40 40 41 42 42 42 42 43 43 43 43 44 44 45 Introduction Safety Information Unpacking Front Panel Controls Front Panel Information Display Rear Panel Connections Main Remote Control Functions Zone II Remote Control Functions Installation and Connections Audio Connections Video Connections SCART A/V Connections System and Power Conn
Introduction Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon! With the purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 8500 you are about to begin many years of listening enjoyment. Designed to provide all the excitement and detail of movie soundtracks and every nuance of musical selections, the AVR 8500 is truly a multichannel receiver for the new millennium. In addition to the traditional 5.
Safety Information Important Safety Information Verify Line Voltage Before Use Your AVR has been designed for use with 220-240-Volt AC current. Connection to a line voltage other than that for which it is intended can create a safety and fire hazard and may damage the unit. If you have any questions about the voltage requirements for your specific model, or about the line voltage in your area, contact your dealer before plugging the unit into a wall outlet.
Front Panel Controls ˜ ¯ ı ˆ Ù Ú Û & 1 2 5 3 4 7 6 ! 9 8 ) @ $ ^ 1 Main Power Switch 2 System Power Control 3 Power Indicator 4 Headphone Jack 5 Dolby Mode Selector 6 Home THX Mode Selector 7 Logic 7 Mode Selector /‹ Button 8 Tone Mode 9 DSP Surround Mode Selector ) Tuning Selector ! Tuner Band Selector @ 6Ch/8Ch Direct Button # Preset Station Selector $ Stereo Mode Selector /› Button % Input Source Selector ^ RDS Selector & DTS Neo:6 Mode Selector * Optical Digital 4 Input ( Optical Digital
Front Panel Controls 8 Tone Mode: Pressing this button enables or disables the Bass and Treble tone controls. When the button is pressed so that the words TONE IN appear in the Main Information Display ˆ the Bass and Treble controls will be enabled. When the button is pressed so that the words TONE OUT appear in the Main Information Display ˆ, the output signal will be “flat,” without any bass or treble alteration.
Front Panel Information Display L K J I H G F A E B C A B C D E F Upper Display Line Lower Display Line OSD Indicator Multi Indicator Speaker/Channel Input Indicator Preset Indicator A Upper Display Line: Depending on the unit's status, a variety of messages will appear here. In normal operation, the current input source name will appear on this line. B Lower Display Line: Depending on the unit's status, a variety of messages will appear here.
Rear Panel Connections 33 34 8 12 30 23 25 28 24 29 31 32 27 9 10 26 15 17 ¡ 18 ™ 19 230V/50Hz ¢ 16 14 6 5 6 11 11 6 13 21 7 3 AM Antenna FM Antenna Tape Inputs Tape Outputs Subwoofer Output Amplifier Inputs CD Inputs Multiroom Outputs 6-Channel Direct Inputs 8-Channel Direct Inputs Preamp Outputs Video Monitor Outputs NOTE: To assist in making the correct connections for multichannel input/output and speaker connections, all connection jacks and terminals h
Rear Panel Connections Preamp Outputs: When the jumper pins that link the Amplifier Inputs with these outputs are removed, these jacks may be connected to an external power amplifier. Switched AC Accessory Outlet: This outlet may be used to power any device that you wish to have turn on when the AVR is turned on with the System Power Control switch 2.
Main Remote Control Functions 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , .
Main Remote Control Functions IMPORTANT NOTE: The AVR 8500’s remote may be programmed to control up to seven devices, including the AVR 8500. Before using the remote, it is important to remember to press the Input Selector button 4 that corresponds to the unit you wish to operate. In addition, the AVR’s remote is shipped from the factory to operate the AVR 8500 and most Harman Kardon CD or DVD players and cassette decks.
Main Remote Control Functions H Numeric Keys: These buttons serve as a ten-button numeric keypad to enter tuner preset positions. They are also used to select channel numbers when TV, VCR or Sat receiver has been selected on the remote, or to select track numbers on a CD, DVD or LD player, depending on how the remote has been programmed. I Tuner Mode: Press this button when the tuner is in use to select between automatic tuning and manual tuning.
Main Remote Control Functions ' › Button: Press this button to change a setting or selection when configuring many of the AVR’s settings. ( Speaker Select: Press this button to begin the process of configuring the AVR’s Bass Management System for use with the type of speakers used in your system. Once the button has been pressed, use the ⁄/¤ buttons D to select the channel you wish to set up. Press the Set Button F and then select the speaker type (Large, Small or None) appropriate with the speaker in use.
Zone II Remote Control Functions POWER A MUTE K OFF AVR VID1 VID2 AM//FM VID3 VID4 DVD CD TAPE DN TUNING UP DN PRESET UP The Zone II remote may be used in either the same room where the AVR 8500 is located, or it may be used in a separate room with an optional infrared sensor that is connected to the AVR’s Multi IR input jack . B C D E F G å Power Off: When used in the room where the AVR is located, press this button to place the unit in Standby.
Installation and Connections After unpacking the unit, and placing it on a solid surface capable of supporting its weight, you will need to make the connections to your audio and video equipment. Audio Equipment Connections We recommend that you use high-quality interconnect cables when making connections to source equipment and recorders to preserve the integrity of the signals.
Installation and Connections 5. Connect the Composite and S-Video (if S-Video device is in use) Monitor Output jacks on the receiver to the composite and S-Video input of your television monitor or video projector. 6. If your DVD player and monitor both have component video connections, connect the component outputs of the DVD player to the DVD Component Video Inputs .
Installation and Connections Black Black Figure 1: SCART/Cinch-Adapter for playback; signal flow: SCART → Cinch Yellow Yellow Red Red Black Black Red Red Blue 1 Blue Yellow Yellow Figure 2: SCART/Cinch-Adapter for record and playback; signal flow: SCART ↔ Cinch Green 1 Green White White Black Black Figure 3: Cinch/SCART-Adapter for playback; signal flow: Cinch → SCART Yellow Yellow Red Red Rot Red Figure 4: SCART/S-Video Adapter for playback; signal flow: SCART → Cinch Schwarz Black S-Video InIn S
Installation and Connections System and Power Connections The AVR 8500 is designed for flexible use with multiroom systems, external control components and power amplifiers. Main Room Remote Control Extension If the receiver is placed behind a solid or smoked glass cabinet door, the obstruction may prevent the remote sensor from receiving commands. In this event, the remote sensor of any Harman Kardon or other compatible device, not covered by the door, or an optional remote sensor may be used.
Installation and Connections Depending on the specifics of your room acoustics and the type of speakers in use, you may find that imaging is improved by moving the front-left and front-right speakers slightly forward of the center-channel speaker. If possible, adjust all front loudspeakers so that they are aimed at ear height when you are seated in the listening position. Note that the AVR 8500 draws sigificantly more current than other household devices such as computers that use removable power cords.
System Configuration Once the speakers have been placed in the room and connected, the remaining steps are to program the system configuration memories. With the AVR 8500 two kind of memories are used, those associated individually with the input selected, e.g. surround modes, and others working independently from any input selected like speaker output levels, crossover frequencies or delay times used by the surround sound processor.
System Configuration The factory default settings for the AVR 8500 have all inputs configured for an analog audio input except for the DVD input, where the Coaxial Digital Input is the default. Once the DSP processing system is used for the first time for any input, the speaker settings will automatically default to “Small” at all positions with the subwoofer set to “LFE.
System Configuration The tone controls may also be adjusted at any time by pressing the Tone Mode Button 8 on the front panel or / on the remote control. The first press will bring up the Tone Mode setting in the Semi-OSD on-screen display and in the Lower Display Line B. Press the ‹ / › Buttons 7 $ on the front panel or ⁄/¤ D on the remote to activate or disable the tone controls as shown above.
System Configuration 5. Press the ‹/› Buttons E' on the remote to select the option that best describes your center speaker, based on the speaker definitions shown below. When SMALL is selected, low-frequency center channel sounds will be sent to the Fronts, if they are set to LARGE and Sub is turned off (see below). When Sub is on, low frequency center channel sounds will be sent to the subwoofer only.
System Configuration 12. The Speaker Configuration may also be changed at any time without using the full-OSD on-screen menu system by pressing the Speaker Select button on the remote (. Once the button is pressed, FNT SPEAKER will appear in both the lower third of the video display and in the Main Information Display ˆ.
System Configuration The THX menu appearing will show the current surround mode processed, see figure 5 below, and no other selection is available. Note that the same messages will also appear in the Lower Display Line on the front panel or the semi on screen display when the full on screen display system is not in use. The THX menu will vary according to the speaker configuration for your system and the surround mode selected: When the system is configured for 5.
System Configuration Only for any Dolby or DTS surround mode using all speakers you´ve configured (see below), you will need to adjust the delay setting. The delay settings for all other Dolby and DTS modes will be made automatically. Note that the delay time is not adjustable for any other modes. Important Note: Once the delay setting has been made with any input it will be effective with all other inputs too.
System Configuration IMPORTANT NOTE: The output level can be adjusted for each digital and analog surround mode individually. This allows you to compensate for level differences between speakers, that may also vary with the surround mode selected, or to increase or decrease the level of certain speakers intentionally, depending on the surround mode selected. Note that adjustments made for any surround mode are effective with all inputs associated with the same surround mode.
System Configuration You will hear a test noise circulate from speaker to speaker in a clockwise direction around the room. The test noise will play for two seconds in each speaker before circulating, and a blinking on-screen cursor will appear next to the name of each speaker location when the sound is at that speaker. NOTE: Remember to verify that the speakers have been properly connected.
System Configuration Bass Peak Limiter The AVR 8500 includes a bass peak level limiter as part of the THX Ultra program to protect your subwoofer from being damaged by excessive levels. Note that if you are using full range front left/right speakers instead of a conventional subwoofer, the settings for the Bass Peak Limiter will apply to those speakers. To set the Bass Peak Limiter you must be at the BASS PEAK LEVEL MENU (figure 9).
Operation Surround Mode Chart MODE FEATURES DELAY RANGE DOLBY DIGITAL Surround EX, THX Surround EX Dolby Digital Surround EX™ was developed jointly by Lucasfilm THX and Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Digital Surround EX describes the encoding system and is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Digital Surround EX encoding was developed to provide the sound mixer greater opportunities for the placement of sounds to the rear as well as the sides of the listener.
Operation Surround Mode Chart MODE FEATURES DELAY RANGE Logic 7 Cinema Logic 7 Music Logic 7 Enhance Exclusive to Harman Kardon for AV receivers, Logic 7 is an advanced mode that extracts the Delay not adjustable maximum surround information from either surround-encoded programs or conventional stereo material. Depending on the number of speakers in use and the selection made in the SURROUND SELECT menu, the “5.1” versions of Logic 7 modes are available when the 5.1 option is chosen, while the “7.
Operation Basic Operation Once you have completed the setup and configuration of the AVR 8500, it is simple to operate and enjoy. The following instructions should be followed for you to maximize your enjoyment of your new receiver: Turning the AVR On or Off • When using the AVR 8500 for the first time, you must press the Main Power Switch 1 on the front panel to turn the unit on. This places the unit in a Standby mode, as indicated by the amber color of the Power Indicator 3.
Operation Surround Mode Selection One of the most important features of the AVR 8500 is its ability to reproduce a full multichannel surround sound field from digital sources, analog matrix surround encoded programs and standard stereo or even mono programs. Selection of a surround mode is based on personal taste, as well as the type of program source material being used.
Operation Dolby Digital Dolby Digital (originally known as AC-3®) is a standard part of DVD, and is available on specially encoded LD discs and satellite broadcasts and it is a part of the new high-definition television (HDTV) system. Please note that some DVD players are shipped with their output set for Dolby Digital only. To insure that DTS data is being sent to the AVR, please check the setup menu system on your DVD player to make certain that DTS data output is enabled.
Operation • The digital audio input signal may be either optical or coaxial, but the signal must be in the MP3 SPDIF format. Direct connection of USB or serial data outputs is not possible, even though the signals are in the MP3 format. If you have any questions about the data output format from your computer or a sound card, check with the device’s Owner’s Manual or contact the manufacturer’s technical support area.
Operation Speaker/Channel Indicators In addition to the Bitstream Indicators, the AVR features a set of unique channel-input indicators that tell you how many channels of digital information are being received and/or whether the digital signal is interrupted. (See Figure 9.) Figure 9 These indicators are the L/C/R/LFE/SL/SR/SBL/SBR letters that are inside the center boxes of the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators E in the front panel Main Information Display ˆ.
Operation Tape Recording In normal operation, the audio or video source selected for listening through the AVR is sent to the record outputs. This means that any program you are watching or listening to may be recorded simply by placing machines connected to the outputs for Tape Outputs or Video 1 or 2 Outputs # in the record mode.
Operation When the menu appears, the internal test tone will be turned off. This will allow you to use your external test disc or other source material as the test signal. Then, use the ⁄/ ¤ Buttons D to select the channels to be adjusted. At each channel position use the ‹ / › Buttons E' to change the output level. Remember, when you are using a disc with test signal (e.g.
Advanced Features The AVR 8500 is equipped with a number of advanced features that add extra flexibility to the unit’s operation. While it is not necessary to use these features to operate the unit, they provide additional options that you may wish to use. Speaker Reset In some cases you may wish to reset the speaker configuration to the factory settings. To restore those settings you will need to make an adjustment in the ADVANCED menu.
Advanced Features Semi-OSD Settings The semi-OSD system places one line messages at the lower third of the video display screen whenever the Volume, Input Source, Surround mode or tuner frequency of any of the configuration settings are changed. The semi-OSD system is helpful in that enables you to have feedback on any control changes or remote commands using the video display when it is difficult to view the front-panel displays.
Multiroom Operation The AVR 8500 is fully equipped to operate as the control center for a multiroom system with optional external remote Infrared (IR) sensors, video device, speakers and power amplifiers. Although some multi-room installations will require the services of a specially trained installer, it is possible for the average do-it-yourself hobbyist to install a simple remote room system.
Tuner Operation Basic Tuner Operation The AVR 8500’s tuner is capable of tuning AM, FM and FM Stereo broadcast stations and receiving RDS data. Stations may be tuned manually, or they may be stored as favorite station presets and recalled from a 30 position memory. Station Selection 1. Press the AM/FM Tuner Select button 6 on the remote to select the tuner as an input.
Tuner Operation RDS Operation The AVR 8500 is equipped with RDS (Radio Data System), which brings a wide range of information to FM radio. Now in use in many countries, RDS is a system for transmitting station call signs or network information, a description of station program type, text messages about the station or specifics of a musical selection, and the correct time.
Programming the Remote The AVR 8500 is equipped with a powerful remote control that will control not only the receiver’s functions, but also most popular brands of audio and video equipment, including CD players, TV sets, cable boxes, VCRs, satellite receivers and other home-theater equipment. Once the AVR’s remote is programmed with the codes for the products you own, it is possible to eliminate most other remotes and replace them with the convenience of a single backlit universal remote control.
Programming the Remote Code Readout Learning Codes from a Remote When the code has been entered using the Auto Search method, it is always a good idea to find out the exact code so that it may be easily reentered if necessary. You may also read the codes to verify which device has been programmed to a specific Control Selector button. In addition to using codes from the remote’s internal code library, the AVR’s remote is able to “learn” codes from remotes that may not be in the code library.
Programming the Remote 3. Press and release the same Input Selector 45 again for the device whose codes you wish to erase. 4. Press the 8 button H three times. 5. The Program/SPL Indicator 2 will turn off, the red light under the Input Selector will flash on and off once and the Program/SPL Indicator 2 will flash green three times to indicate that the codes have been erased. To erase all codes that have been programmed to all devices in the remote, follow these steps: 1.
Programming the Remote Programmed Device Functions Once the AVR’s remote has been programmed for the codes of other devices, press the appropriate Input Selector 4 to change the remote from control over the AVR to the additional product. When you press any of these buttons, it will briefly flash in red to indicate that you have changed the device being controlled. When operating a device other than the AVR, the controls may not correspond exactly to the function printed on the remote or button.
Programming the Remote Channel Control Punch-Through The AVR 8500’s remote may be programmed to operate so that the channel control function, performed with the Sleep 9 and Surround A buttons, for either the TV, cable or satellite receiver used in your system may be used in conjunction with one of the other devices controlled by the remote.
Programming the Remote Resetting the Remote Memory As you add components to your home-theater system, occasionally you may wish to totally reprogram the remote control without the confusion of any commands, macros or ”Punch-Through“ programming that you may have done. To do this, it is possible to reset the remote to the original factory defaults and command codes by following these steps.
Function List 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 24 25 27 29 27 31 32 30 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 61 60 62 63 66 64 65 67 68 69 70 71 50 FUNCTION LIST No.
Function List No. Button Name Tape VCR (VID 1) TV (VID 2) CBL (VID 3) SAT(VID 3) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 Power On Power Off Mute AVR DVD CD Tape VID 1 VID 2 VID 3 VID 4 VID 5 AM/FM 6/8 Ch.
Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOM CAUSE SOLUTION Unit does not function when Main Power Switch 1 is pushed • No AC Power • Make certain AC power cord is plugged into a live outlet • Check to see if outlet is switch controlled Display lights, but no sound or picture • Intermittent input connections • Mute is on • Make certain that all input and speaker connections are secure • Press Mute button - Units turns on, but Front-Panel Display does not light • Display brightness is turned off • Follow the ins
Technical Specifications Audio Section Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC) 125 Watts per channel, 20Hz–20kHz, @ < 0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms Five-Channel Surround Modes Power Per Individual Channel Front L&R channels: 110 Watts per channel, @ < 0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms Center channel: 110 Watts, @ < 0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms Surround channels: 110 Watts per channel, @ < 0.
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