Specifications

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Using the PAV
Setting the Volume There are, in effect, two volume controls in the PAV. When in either THX cin-
ema
or pro logic modes, the input level control should be used to compensate
for differences between recordings, using its associated green LED as a guide.
Adjustments to allow for personal preferences, late-night listening, and the like
should then be made with the master volume control.
When in any of the other surround modes, the input level adjustment is sig-
nificantly less critical and can be largely ignored (particularly if input level de-
faults were set up during installation).
Home THX cinema When the THX cinema mode is engaged, both the Dolby Pro Logic circuitry
and the proprietary Home THX audio processing circuits are in use. This is
most appropriate for film-based program materials made since the mid-1970’s,
which have in all likelihood been mixed in a standard dubbing stage environ-
ment. This setting will provide the listener with the most accurate reproduc-
tion of the majority of motion pictures available. In addition, many other video
source materials are produced in Dolby Surround using the industry standard
response curves, and are best enjoyed in the THX cinema mode. (Examples
include Star Trek: Voyager and The David Letterman Show, which are mixed in
an environment which emulates the dubbing stage used for film.)
Dolby Pro Logic Surround Some program material does not conform to film industry standards, although
it may still be Dolby Surround encoded. Music videos on MTV, for instance,
are often Dolby Surround encoded, but have soundtracks which are produced
in non-film studios. In fact, a growing number of music CDs are mastered with
surround sound. These sources and others which have surround encoding but
which are unlikely to have been mixed or re-mixed in industry-standard pro-
duction facilities should use the pro logic mode to avoid compensation where
none is indicated.
When in doubt as to whether THX cinema or pro logic is more appropriate,
listen for a natural presentation of the treble. Films mixed for theatrical release
exhibit an elevated treble region when played back on a home system with
flat response. The THX cinema mode will correct this. Conversely, surround-
encoded programs without this high frequency emphasis might sound dull or
lacking in detail when (incorrectly) played in the THX cinema mode.
Stereo Surround The stereo surround mode has been carefully designed to extract real ambi-
ence from your recordings rather than synthesizing something artificial that
might be quite alien to the music itself. The ambient cues found in the pro-
gram material are then used to provide appropriate information for the center
and rear speakers. The front Left and Right speakers are left unaffected by this
mode, allowing you to hear unadulterated stereo imaging with the addition of
a genuine sense of hall ambience.
Since this mode is based on the recordings themselves, it is normal to hear
some variation in the degree of the effect. Extremely “dry” recordings which
lack any significant ambience may not sound significantly different than when