Harman Kardon Stereo Receiver AVR 254 User Manual

AVR 254

AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER

OWNER’S MANUAL

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SAFETY INFORMATION

unit’s feet may leave marks on certain wood or veneer materials. Use caution

when placing the unit on soft woods or other materials that may be damaged

by heat or heavy objects. Some surface finishes may be particularly sensitive to

Important Safety Information

Verify Line Voltage Before Use

absorbing such marks, due to a variety of factors beyond our control, including

the nature of the finish, cleaning materials used, and normal heat and vibration

caused by the use of the product, or other factors. We recommend that caution

be exercised in choosing an installation location for the component and in normal

maintenance practices, as your warranty will not cover this type of damage to furniture.

Your AVR 254 has been designed for use with 120-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 selling dealer before plugging the unit

into a wall outlet.

Cleaning

When the unit gets dirty, wipe it with a clean, soft, dry cloth. If necessary, and only after

unplugging the AC power cord, wipe it with a soft cloth dampened with mild soapy

water, then a fresh cloth with clean water. Wipe it dry immediately with a dry cloth.

NEVER use benzene, aerosol cleaners, thinner, alcohol or any other volatile cleaning

agent. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the finish of metal parts.

Avoid spraying insecticide near the unit.

Do Not Use Extension Cords

To avoid safety hazards, use only the power cord attached to your unit. We do not

recommend that extension cords be used with this product. As with all electrical

devices, do not run power cords under rugs or carpets or place heavy objects on

them. Damaged power cords should be replaced immediately by an authorized service

center with a cord meeting factory specifications.

Moving the Unit

Handle the AC Power Cord Gently

Before moving the unit, be certain to disconnect any interconnection cords

with other components, and make certain that you disconnect the unit from

the AC outlet.

When disconnecting the power cord from an AC outlet, always pull the plug; never

pull the cord. If you do not intend to use the unit for any considerable length of time,

disconnect the plug from the AC outlet.

Important Information for the User

Do Not Open the Cabinet

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class-B

digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. The limits are designed to pro-

vide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio-frequency energy and, if not

installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-

ence to radio communication. However, there is no guarantee that harmful interfer-

ence will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful

interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the

equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by

one or more of the following measures:

There are no user-serviceable components inside this product. Opening the cabinet

may present a shock hazard, and any modification to the product will void your

guarantee. If water or any metal object such as a paper clip, wire or staple acciden-

tally falls inside the unit, disconnect it from the AC power source immediately, and

consult an authorized service center.

CATV or Antenna Grounding

If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to this product, be certain that it is

grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and static charges.

Section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No. 70-1984, provides

information with respect to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure,

grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conduc-

tors, location of antenna discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes and

requirements of the grounding electrode.

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

NOTE TO CATV SYSTEM INSTALLER: This reminder is provided to call the CATV

(cable TV) system installer’s attention to article 820-40 of the NEC, which provides

guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground

shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point

of cable entry as possible.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the

following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept interference received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation.

Installation Location

NOTE: Changes or modifications may cause this unit to fail to comply with Part 15

• To ensure proper operation and to avoid the potential for safety hazards, place the

unit on a firm and level surface. When placing the unit on a shelf, be certain that

the shelf and any mounting hardware can support the weight of the product.

of the FCC Rules and may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Unpacking

The carton and shipping materials used to protect your new receiver during ship-

ment were specially designed to cushion it from shock and vibration. We suggest

that you save the carton and packing materials for use in shipping if you move, or

should the unit ever need repair.

• Make certain that proper space is provided both above and below the unit for

ventilation. If this product will be installed in a cabinet or other enclosed area,

make certain that there is sufficient air movement within the cabinet. Under some

circumstances, a fan may be required.

To minimize the size of the carton in storage, you may wish to flatten it. This is done

by carefully slitting the tape seams on the bottom and collapsing the carton. Other card-

board inserts may be stored in the same manner. Packing materials that cannot be col-

lapsed should be saved along with the carton in a plastic bag.

• Do not place the unit directly on a carpeted surface.

• Avoid installation in extremely hot or cold locations, or in an area that is exposed

to direct sunlight or heating equipment.

• Avoid moist or humid locations.

If you do not wish to save the packaging materials, please note that the carton and

other sections of the shipping protection are recyclable. Please respect the environ-

ment and discard those materials at a local recycling center.

• Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on the top of the unit, or place objects

directly over them.

• Due to the weight of the AVR 254 and the heat generated by the amplifiers,

there is the remote possibility that the rubber padding on the bottom of the

It is important that you remove the protective plastic film from the front-panel lens.

Leaving the film in place will affect the performance of your remote control.

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STAPLE INVOICE HERE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 SAFETY INFORMATION

6 INTRODUCTION

8 FRONT-PANEL CONTROLS

11 REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS

14 REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

17 INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER

18 CONNECTIONS

42 ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

Audio Processing and Surround Sound

Analog Audio Signals

Digital Audio Signals

Surround Modes

Dolby Surround Settings

Night Mode

Speaker Connections

Subwoofer

Connecting Source Devices to the AVR

Audio Connections

Digital Audio

Manual Setup

Step One – Determine Speaker Crossover

Step Two – Measure Speaker Distances

Step Three – Manual Setup Menu

Number of Speakers

Analog Audio

Video Connections

Digital Video

Adjust Crossover Frequencies Menu

Sub Mode

Adjust Speaker Distance Menu

Step Four – Setting Channel Output Levels Manually

Audio Effects

Analog Video

Antennas

RS-232 Serial Port

Video Adjustments

Video Modes

22 SPEAKER PLACEMENT

24 INSTALLATION

How to Adjust the Custom Picture Settings

Multizone Operation

Installing a Multizone System

Operating the Multizone System

System Settings

Advanced Remote Control Functions

Punch-Through Programming

Activities (Macros)

Step One – Connect the Speakers

Step Two – Connect the Subwoofer

Step Three – Connect the Antennas

Step Four – Connect the Source Components

Step Five – Connect the Video Display

Step Six – Plug in AC Power

Step Seven – Insert Batteries in Remote

Step Eight – Program Sources Into the Remote

Step Nine – Remote IR Inputs and Output (optional)

Step Ten – Install a Multizone System (optional)

Step Eleven – Turn On the AVR 254

Resetting the Remote

Processor Reset

Memory

55 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

56 APPENDIX

63, 75 Trademark Acknowledgments

33 INITIAL SETUP

Using the On-Screen Menu System

Configure the AVR 254 Using EzSet/EQ Technology

Set Up Sources

75 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

38 OPERATION

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this

appliance to rain or moisture.

Turning On the AVR 254

Volume Control

Mute Function

Sleep Timer

Audio Effects

Video Modes

For Canadian model

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian

ICES-003.

For models having a power cord with a polarized plug:

CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade

of plug to wide slot, fully insert.

Headphones

Source Selection

Using the Tuner

XM Radio Operation

Recording

Stereo Jack Input

Selecting a Surround Mode

Modèle pour les Canadien

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme

à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Sur les modèles dont la fiche est polarisee:

ATTENTION: Pour éviter les chocs électriques, introduire

la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne

correspondante de la prise et pousser jusqu’au fond.

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INTRODUCTION

Please register your AVR 254 on our Web site at www.harmankardon.com.

Note: You’ll need the product’s serial number. At the same time, you can choose to be notified about our new products

and/or special promotions.

WWW.HARMANKARDON.COM

with some of our most advanced video processing capabilities yet, and

Thank you for choosing a Harman Kardon

a wealth of listening and viewing options.

product!

To obtain the maximum enjoyment from your new receiver, we urge you

For more than fifty years, our mission has been to share our passion

to read this manual and refer back to it as you become more familiar

for music and entertainment, using leading-edge technology to achieve

with its features and their operation.

premium performance. To this end we invented the receiver, a single

component designed to simplify home entertainment while maintaining

the highest level of quality. Over the years our products have become

easier to use, and have delivered superior value. The AVR 254 multizone

7.1-channel digital audio/video receiver carries this tradition forward,

If you have any questions about this product, its installation or its

operation, please contact your retailer or customer installer, or visit our

Web site at www.harmankardon.com.

Harman Kardon AVR 254 7.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver

Audio Section

Surround Modes

• 50 Watts x 7, seven channels driven at full power at 8 ohms,

20Hz – 20kHz, <0.07% THD (surround modes), 350 watts total

• Dolby^®Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD

• Dolby Pro Logic^®II and IIx (Movie, Music and Game), up to 96kHz

• Dolby Virtual Speaker Version 2 (Reference or Wide, two-channel)

• Dolby Headphone Version 2, up to 96kHz

• 65 Watts x 2, two channels driven at full power at 8 ohms,

20Hz – 20kHz, <0.07% THD (surround off mode), 130 watts total

• High-current capability, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier design with

low negative feedback

• DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio^™

• DTS^®(5.1; DTS Stereo; DTS-ES^®6.1 Discrete and Matrix)

• DTS 96/24^™(DTS Stereo)

• All-discrete amplifier circuitry

• Quadruple-crossover bass management

• 24-Bit, twin-core Cirrus Logic^®CS 49700 DSP processor

• 192kHz/24-bit D/A conversion

• DTS Neo:6^®(Cinema 5- or 6-channel; Music 5- or 6-channel),

up to 96kHz

• Logic 7^®(Movie, Music and Game – 5.1 and 7.1), up to 96kHz

• 5- or 7-Channel Stereo, up to 96kHz

• Sampling upconversion to 96kHz

• Surround Off (DSP or Analog Bypass)

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INTRODUCTION

Audio Inputs

• AM/FM/XM^®* tuner

Ease of Use

• EzSet/EQ^™automated setup (microphone supplied)

• Analog Audio 1 through 5 (assignable)

• Front-panel Analog Audio (assignable)

• 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio (assignable)

• Stereo mini-jack (assignable)

• Full-color user interface and setup menu, generated in

high-definition video

• Two-line dot-matrix front-panel display

• Color-coded connections

• Programmable 7-device main remote control

• Source input renaming

Audio/Video Inputs

• Three Analog Video (assignable)

• Lip Sync Delay (up to 180msec)

• RS-232 serial port for system upgrades

• Switched accessory power outlet

• Remote infrared (IR) input and output

• Zone 2 IR input

• Front-panel Analog Video (assignable)

• Component Video 1 and 2, 100MHz (assignable)

• Three HDMI^™(V.1.3 with Deep Color and audio/video processing)

• Faroudja DCDi Cinema^®video processing

Transcodes composite and S-video to component video

Supplied Accessories

Transcodes 480i video to component video format, with upscaling

to 1080i

The following accessory items are supplied with the AVR 254. If any

of these items are missing, please contact Harman Kardon customer

service at www.harmankardon.com.

Transcodes 480i video to HDMI output, with upscaling up to 1080p

Digital Audio Inputs

• System remote control

• EzSet/EQ microphone

• AM loop antenna

• Coaxial: two rear-panel/one front-panel

• Optical: two rear-panel/one front-panel

• FM wire antenna

Outputs

• Four AAA batteries

• 7.1-Channel preamp outputs

• Two covers for front-panel jacks

• Analog Audio 2 and 4

*XM antenna module and subscription to XM service required. Hardware and

service sold separately. XM service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.

• Analog Video 2

• Video monitor (composite, S-video and component)

• Digital audio (one coaxial)

• HDMI (V.1.3 with Deep Color)

• Multizone audio: speaker- and line-level (shared with surround

back channels)

• Headphone

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FRONT-PANEL CONTROLS

See the Advanced Functions section for more information on surround

modes.

Main Power Switch: This mechanical switch turns the power supply

on or off. It is usually left pressed in (On position), and cannot be turned

on using the remote control.

Analog Audio, Video and Digital Audio Inputs: Connect a

source component that will only be used temporarily, such as a digital

camera or game console, to these jacks. Use only one type of audio

and one type of video connection.

Standby/On Switch: This electrical switch turns the receiver on

for playback, or leaves it in Standby mode for quick turn-on using this

switch or the remote control.

NOTES:

Power Indicator: This LED has four possible modes:

• Each of these connections (analog audio, digital audio and

video) may be independently assigned to any source. See the

Initial Setup section for information on setting up sources,

including assigning audio and video inputs to a source.

• Main Power Off: When the AVR is unplugged or the Main Power

Switch is off, this LED is off.

• Standby: The LED is amber, indicating that the AVR is ready to

be turned on.

• Although these jacks are labeled Optical 3, Coaxial 3 and

Video 4 on the AVR, the AVR’s menus refer to them as the

Optical Front, Coaxial Front, Composite Front, S-Video Front

and Analog Front inputs.

• On: The LED is white, when the AVR is on and operating normally.

• Protect: If the PROTECT message ever appears, turn off the AVR

and unplug it. Check all speaker wires for a possible short. If none is

found, bring the unit to an authorized Harman Kardon service center

for inspection and repair before using it again.

Speaker/Channel Input Indicators: The box icons indicate

which speaker positions you have configured (see the Initial Setup

Section), and the size (frequency range) of each speaker. The letters

will light inside the boxes to indicate which channels are present in

the incoming signal.

Source List: Press this button to select a source device, which

is a component where a playback signal originates, such as DVD,

cable TV, satellite or the tuner.

Navigation: These buttons are used to navigate the AVR’s menus

and to operate the tuner.

Volume Knob: Turn this knob to raise or lower the volume.

Remote IR Sensor: This sensor receives infrared (IR) commands

from the remote control. It is important to ensure that it is not blocked.

If covering the sensor is unavoidable, such as when the AVR 254 is

placed inside a cabinet, you may use an optional Harman Kardon

HE 1000, or other infrared receiver, connecting it to the Remote IR

Input on the AVR 254’s rear panel. Alternatively, connect the Remote IR

Output of another compatible component to the AVR 254’s Remote

IR Input. Point the remote at the other device’s remote sensor, and the

command will be transmitted to the AVR 254. An external IR “blaster”

may also be used, positioned to point at this area.

Message Display: Various messages appear in this two-line display

in response to commands and changes in the incoming signal. In normal

operation, the current source name appears on the upper line, while the

surround mode is displayed on the lower line. When the on-screen dis-

play menu system (OSD) is in use, the current menu settings appear.

Headphone Jack/EzSet/EQ Microphone Input: Plug a 1/4"

headphone plug into this jack for private listening.

This jack is also used to connect the supplied microphone for the

EzSet/EQ procedure described in the Initial Setup section. To begin

EzSet/EQ, plug the supplied microphone into this jack, place the micro-

phone at the listening position, and follow the directions given in the

Speaker Setup-Automatic Setup-EzSet/EQ on-screen menu.

AVR Settings Button: Press this button to access the AVR’s

main menu.

Info Settings Button: Press this button to directly access the

AVR’s Source Info submenu, which contains the settings for the

current source.

Surround Modes: Press this button to select a surround sound

(e.g., multichannel) mode. The Surround Modes menu will appear on

screen, and the menu line will appear in the front-panel display.

Resolution: Each press of this button changes the AVR’s video output

resolution to these settings: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p.

⁄ ¤

Use the front-panel or remote

Buttons to highlight a different

menu line: Auto Select, Virtual Surround, Stereo, Movie, Music or Video

Game. Each line represents a type of audio signal, and is set to the

preferred surround mode that you manually select.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the AVR’s video output resolution is set

higher than the capabilities of the actual connection, you will not

see a picture. If the best video connection from the AVR to the

TV is either composite or S-video, press this button until the

resolution is set to 480i.

Press the OK Button when the menu line is highlighted, and the

available surround mode options for the current signal will appear.

⁄ ¤

Use the

Buttons to select the desired mode, and press the

OK Button to engage it. Press the Back/Exit Button to exit the Surround

Modes menu.

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FRONT-PANEL CONNECTIONS

Audio Effects: Press this button to directly access the Audio Effects

submenu, which allows adjustment of the tone and other controls.

See the Initial Setup section for more information.

Video Modes: Press this button for direct access to the Video Modes

submenu, which contains settings that may be used to improve the

picture if necessary after you have adjusted the picture settings using

the video display or TV.

OK: Press this button to select the currently highlighted item.

Back/Exit: Press this button to return to the previous menu, or

to exit the menu system.

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REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS

of video connection for each source. These inputs are assignable, which

means they may be paired with any analog or digital audio inputs. This

will be explained in more detail in subsequent sections of this manual.

AM and FM Antenna Terminals: Connect the included AM

and FM antennas to their respective terminals for radio reception.

XM Antenna Jack: Plug in an XM Connect and Play or Mini Tuner

antenna module here. The XM antenna module is purchased separately,

and should specify that it is for home use with an XM Ready^®product.

You will need to subscribe to the XM service, which is available sepa-

rately, and activate the service for your antenna module. (XM service

is not available in Alaska and Hawaii.)

NOTE: The Video 2 inputs are associated with a set of outputs.

Consider connecting a video recorder here.

Composite and S-Video 2 Outputs: Connect one of these

analog video outputs to the composite or S-video inputs of a recording

device. A signal is available at these outputs whenever an analog video

source is playing. HDMI and component video signals are not available

for recording.

Front, Center and Surround Speaker Outputs: Use two-

conductor speaker wire to connect each set of terminals to the correct

speaker. Remember to observe the correct polarity (positive and negative

connections). Always connect the positive lead to the colored terminal

on the receiver and the red terminal on the speaker. Connect the negative

lead to the black terminal on both the receiver and the speaker. See the

Connections section for more information on connecting your speakers.

Composite and S-Video Monitor Outputs: If any of your

sources use composite or S-video connections, connect one or both of

these monitor outputs to the corresponding inputs on your television or

video display. If your video display is equipped with HDMI or component

video inputs, these connections are unnecessary. Connect the HDMI

Monitor Output (if available, otherwise use the Component Video Monitor

Output) to your TV, and the AVR 254 will convert the composite or

S-video source signal to the correct format for a single video cable

connection to the TV.

Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs: These speaker

outputs are used for the surround back channels in a 7.1-channel home

theater, or may be reassigned to a remote room for multizone operation.

When these outputs are reassigned for multizone operation, only a

5.1-channel configuration will be available in the main listening room.

Use the on-screen menu system to configure these channels as desired.

HDMI Inputs and Output: HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia

Interface) is a connection for transmitting digital audio and video signals

between devices. With the AVR 254’s powerful processor, you may

connect up to three HDMI-equipped source devices to the HDMI inputs

using a single-cable connection, while benefiting from superior digital

audio and video performance. If your video display is not HDMI-compatible,

connect the device to one of the analog video inputs, then pair it with

an analog or digital audio input.

As with the other speaker outputs, remember to observe proper polarity

by connecting the positive and negative output terminals to the corre-

sponding terminals on each speaker.

Subwoofer Output: If you have a powered subwoofer with a

line-level input, connect it to this jack.

Preamp Outputs: Connect these jacks to an external amplifier if

If your video display has an HDMI input, make just the HDMI video con-

nection to your display; the AVR 254 will automatically transcode analog

video signals to the HDMI format, upscaling to as high as 1080p.

more power is desired.

The Surround Back/Zone 2 Preamp Outputs may be used with an

external amplifier to power the surround back channels, or to power

the remote zone of a multizone system. Use the on-screen menu

system to configure these channels as desired.

Analog 1 – 5: Connect the left and right analog audio outputs of

a source device to any of these inputs. These inputs are assignable,

which means they may be paired with any video inputs, as explained

in subsequent sections of this manual.

Remote Infrared (IR) Input and Output: When the remote IR

receiver on the front panel is blocked, such as when the AVR is placed

inside a cabinet, connect an optional IR receiver to the Remote IR Input

jack for use with the remote control. The Remote IR Output may be

connected to the Remote IR Input of a compatible product to enable

remote control through the AVR. This is particularly useful in multizone

applications to control a source device from the remote room (when

used with the Zone 2 IR Input). When several source devices are used,

connect them in “daisy chain” fashion.

NOTES:

• The Analog 3 through 5 connectors physically line up below

the Video 1 through 3 (composite and S-video) connectors.

For convenience, consider using Analog 3 with Video 1, Analog 4

with Video 2 and Analog 5 with Video 3, if appropriate for

your system.

• The Analog 1 and 2 connectors don’t physically line up with

any analog video inputs. Consider using them for audio-only

devices, such as a CD player or cassette tape deck.

Zone 2 Infrared (IR) Input: Connect a remote IR receiver located

in the remote zone of a multizone system to this jack to control the AVR

(and any source devices connected to the Remote IR Output) from the

remote zone.

• The Analog 2 and 4 inputs are each associated with a set of

outputs. Consider using the Analog 2 connectors for an audio

recorder, and the Analog 4 connectors for a video recorder

(along with the Video 2 connectors).

Composite and S-Video 1, 2 and 3 Video Inputs: These

jacks may be used to connect your video-capable source components

(e.g., VCR, DVD player, cable TV box) to the receiver. Use only one type

• You may optionally connect a source to both an analog and

digital audio input. This is useful for making recordings, for

multizone applications or simply as a backup.

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REAR-PANEL CONNECTIONS

Analog 2 and 4 Outputs: Connect either of these analog audio

outputs to the analog audio inputs of a recording device. A signal is

available at these outputs whenever an analog audio source is playing.

However, the AVR 254 does not convert digital audio sources to analog

for recording.

RS-232 Mode: Leave this switch popped out in the Operate position

unless the AVR 254 is being upgraded.

RS-232 Reset: This switch is only used during a software upgrade.

A standard processor reset is performed by pressing and holding the

front-panel OK Button.

Coaxial 1/2 and Optical 1/2 Digital Audio Inputs: If a

source has a compatible digital audio output, and if you are not using

an HDMI connection for audio for the device, connect it to one of these

jacks to hear digital audio formats, such as Dolby Digital, DTS and linear

PCM. Use only one type of digital audio connection for each source.

Switched AC Accessory Outlet: You may plug the AC power

cord of one source device into this outlet, and it will turn on whenever

you turn on the receiver. Do not use a source that consumes more than

50 watts of power.

AC Power Cord: After you have made all other connections, plug

the AC power cord into an unswitched outlet.

Coaxial Digital Audio Output: If a source is also an audio

recorder, connect a coaxial digital audio output to the recorder’s input

for improved recording quality. Only PCM digital audio signals are

available for recording.

Stereo Jack: Enjoy audio from an iPod (not included), CD player or

other portable player by connecting its headphone jack to this input

using a 1/8” stereo mini-plug cable (not included). Video and still-image

playback are not available at this input.

6-/8-Channel Inputs: Connect the multichannel analog audio

outputs of a DVD-Audio, SACD^™, Blu-ray Disc^™or HD-DVD^™player

(or any other external decoder) to these jacks to enjoy these formats.

NOTE: When the multichannel player has an onboard digital

decoder, it is not necessary to connect it to the 6-/8-Channel

Analog Audio Inputs. Only a digital audio connection (HDMI,

coaxial or optical) is needed.

Component Video 1 and 2 Inputs: If a video source (e.g., DVD

player or HDTV tuner) has analog component video (Y/Pb/Pr) capability,

and if you are not using an HDMI connection for the device, then

connect the component video outputs of the source to one of the two

component video inputs. Do not make any other video connections

to that source.

Component Video Monitor Outputs: If you are using one of

the Component Video Inputs and your television or video display is

component-video-capable, and if you are not connecting the HDMI

Output to your display, connect these jacks to the corresponding inputs

on your video display.

NOTES:

• Due to copy-protection restrictions, there is no output at

the Component Video Monitor Outputs for copy-protected

sources.

• Composite and S-video signals are upscaled to as high as

1080i and available at these outputs. If your video display’s

best connection is component video, it is the only video

connection required from the AVR to the display.

RS-232 Serial Port: This specialized connector may be used with

your personal computer in case we offer a software upgrade for the

receiver at some time in the future.

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REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

The AVR 254 remote is capable of controlling 7devices, including the

AVR itself. During the installation process, you may program the codes

for each of your source components into the remote. Each time you

wish to use the codes for any component, first press its Selector button.

This changes the button functions to the appropriate codes.

AVR Power On Button: Press this button to turn on the AVR. The

Master Power Switch on the AVR 254’s front panel must first have been

switched on.

Device Power Off Button: When the remote has been switched to

a device’s mode by pressing its Source Selector, press this button to

turn off the device.

Each Source Selector has been preprogrammed to control certain types

of components, with only the codes specific to each brand and model

changing, depending on which product code is programmed. The AUX

Source Selector may be used for any of five device types: a CD player,

an HDTV set-top box, a PVD recorder used with cable or satellite televi-

sion, a TiVO^®set-top box or a VCR. The device mode will depend

on the product code programmed into the AUX Source Selector as

described in the Initial Setup section. CD players use codes beginning

with a 0, 1 or 2; VCRs use codes beginning with a 3 or 4; HDTV

set-top boxes use codes beginning with a 6; PVDs use codes beginning

with a 7 and TiVO set-top boxes use codes beginning with an 8.

The remote automatically switches to the correct device mode, and

it will operate the device as described in the function list in Table A13

in the appendix.

Device Power On Button: When the remote has been switched

to a device’s mode by pressing its Source Selector, press this button to

turn on the device.

Mute Button: Press this button to mute the AVR 254’s speaker and

headphone outputs temporarily. To end the muting, press this button

or adjust the volume. Muting is also canceled when the receiver is

turned off.

AVR Power Off Button: Press this button to turn off the AVR 254.

Source Selectors: Press one of these buttons to select a source

device, which is a component where a playback signal originates, e.g.,

DVD, CD, cable TV, satellite or HDTV tuner. This will also turn on the

receiver and switch the remote’s mode to operate the source device.

The first press of the Radio Selector switches the AVR to the last-used

tuner band (AM, FM or XM). Each successive press changes the band.

Similarly, the CBL/SAT Source Selector automatically selects cable or

satellite television operation depending on the first digit of the product

code: 0, 1 or 2 for cable and 3 or 4 for satellite boxes.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All of the AVR 254’s audio and video

inputs are independently assignable. As explained in the Initial

Setup section, it is necessary to set up each source, which

includes selecting the inputs to which the device is physically

connected. Any device may be connected to any compatible

input and given any name (e.g. DVD or Game). The Source

Selectors’ device types may be changed. For example, the TV

Source Selector may be reprogrammed to operate a DVD player.

Audio Effects: This button is only used to operate the AVR. Press it

to directly access the Audio Effects submenu, which allows adjustment

of the tone and other controls. Each successive press scrolls to the next

line in the menu. See the Initial Setup section for more information.

Video Modes: This button is only used to operate the AVR. Press it

for direct access to the Video Modes submenu, which contains settings

that may be used to improve the picture if necessary after you have

adjusted the picture settings using the video display or TV. Each succes-

sive press scrolls to the next line in the menu. See the Advanced

Functions section for more information.

Most of the buttons on the remote have dedicated functions, although the

precise codes transmitted will vary depending on which source device

has been selected for operation. Due to the wide variety of functions

unique to various source devices, we have included only a few of the most-

often used functions on the remote, including alphanumeric keys, transport

controls, television-channel control, menu access and power on and off.

Please refer to the descriptions below for more specific information.

Surround Modes: This button is only used to operate the AVR. Press

it to directly access the Surround Modes submenu. Each successive

⁄ ¤

press scrolls to the next line in the menu, or use the

Buttons

to scroll to the next line: Auto Select, Virtual Surround, Stereo, Movie,

Music or Video Game. Each menu line represents a type of audio signal,

and is set to the preferred surround mode that you manually select.

Some buttons are only used to operate the AVR, and their functions are

available at any time, even if the remote has been switched to another

device’s mode: AVR Power On and Off, Audio Effects, Video Modes,

Surround Modes, Volume and Mute. Press the AVR Settings button near

the bottom of the remote to return it to AVR mode.

Press the OK Button when the menu line is highlighted, and the available

⁄ ¤

surround mode options for the current signal will appear. Use the

Buttons to select the desired mode, and press the OK Button to engage

it. Press the Back/Exit Button to exit the Surround Modes menu and

display the next higher menu in the hierarchy.

Any given button may have different functions, depending on which

component is being controlled. Some buttons are labeled with these

functions. For example, the Page Up/Down Buttons are labeled for use

as Channel Up/Down Buttons when controlling a television or cable box.

See Table A13 in the appendix for listings of the different functions for

each type of component.

See the Advanced Functions section for more information on surround

modes.

Sleep Settings Button: Press this button to activate the sleep timer,

which turns off the receiver after a programmed period of time of up to

90 minutes. Each successive press increases the timer by 10 minutes,

ending with the “Sleep Off” message.

IR Transmitter Lens: As buttons are pressed on the remote,

infrared codes are emitted through this lens. Make sure it is pointing

toward the component being operated.

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IR Transmitter Lens

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

Device Power On

Device Power Off

Source Selectors

Video Modes

Audio Effects

Surround Modes

Alphanumeric Keys

Activity

Last

Back/Exit

Navigation

Disc Menu

Teletext

Channel

Volume

Mute

Transport Controls

Record

Info Settings

AVR Settings

Source Settings

Sleep Settings

NOTE: To make it easier to follow the

instructions throughout the manual that refer

to this illustration, a copy of this page may

be downloaded from the Product Support

section at www.harmankardon.com.

Zone Selector

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REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

Volume Control: Press this button to raise or lower the volume.

Zone Selector: Use this switch to select whether AVR commands

will affect the main listening area (Zone 1) or the remote zone of a

multizone system (Zone 2). For normal operation, leave the switch in

the Zone 1 position.

⁄ ¤ ‹ ›

Navigation (

/ / ) and OK Buttons: These buttons are

used to make selections within the menu system. These buttons are

also used to operate the tuner.

Track Skip: These buttons have no effect on the receiver, but are

Alphanumeric Keys: Use these buttons to enter numbers for

radio station frequencies or to select station presets. Use the alphabetic

keys with other products as required. When prompted for a text entry,

the first press of the key displays the first letter printed above the key.

Each additional press displays the other letters. When the desired letter

appears, wait a moment for it to be entered before moving to the next

character.

used with source components to change tracks or chapters.

Transport Controls: These buttons have no effect on the receiver,

but are used to control many source components.

Last Channel: When controlling a cable, satellite or HDTV set-top

box or a TV, press this button to return to the previous television channel.

Activity: This button may be programmed to transmit a series of

commands with a single press, which is useful for powering on all

devices and selecting the correct settings on each device, or for selecting

multi-digit channels with a single press. See the Advanced Functions

section for more information on Activities.

Back/Exit: Press this button to return to the previous menu or to exit

the menu system. This button may have the same effect with some

source devices.

Menu Button: This button is used to display the main menu on some

source devices. To display the AVR 254’s main menu, press the AVR

Settings Button.

Disc Menu: While a DVD is playing, press the DVD Source Selector,

then this button, to display the disc’s menu.

Teletext Buttons: Use these buttons with a Teletext-capable televi-

sion if your broadcast, cable or satellite provider offers Teletext service.

They are normally not used in North America. These buttons are also

used to operate some source devices. See Table A13 in the appendix

for details.

Channel/Page Control: When the tuner has been selected, this

control selects a preset radio station. Press these buttons while operat-

ing a cable, satellite or HDTV set-top box or a television to change

channels. The Page control may be available with some DVD players

when playing a DVD Audio disc containing pages of images associated

with a track.

Record Button: Use this button to make recordings when an audio

or video recorder is in use.

AVR Settings Button: Press this button to display the AVR’s Main

Menu. It is also used to switch the remote’s device mode from a source

device to the AVR.

Info Settings Button: Press this button to display the AVR’s Info

Menu, which contains the settings for the current source.

Source Settings Button: Press a Source Selector and then this

button to display a source device’s settings menu.

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INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER

The AVR 254 may be the first multichannel surround sound receiver

you have owned. Although it has more connections and features than

2-channel receivers, many of the principles are similar and the new

concepts are easy to understand. This introductory section will help you

to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts, which will make setup

and operation smoother.

are optional. In fact, the AVR 254 enables you to set up a 5.1-channel

system in your main listening area, and reassign the surround back

channels for use with a multizone system, in which you use the

surround back channels to power a pair of loudspeakers located in

another room.

Many people expect the surround speakers to play as loudly as the

front speakers. Although all of the speakers in the system will be

calibrated to sound equally loud at the listening position, most artists

use the surround speakers for ambient effects only, and they program

their materials to steer very little sound to these speakers.

If you are already familiar with home theater, you may skip this section

and proceed to the Connections section on page 18.

Typical Home Theater System

A home theater typically includes an audio/video receiver, which controls

the system; a DVD player; a source component for television broadcasts,

which may be a cable box, a satellite dish receiver, an HDTV tuner or

simply an antenna connected to the TV; a video display (television);

and loudspeakers.

• Subwoofer – A subwoofer is a special-purpose speaker designed

to play only the lowest frequencies (the bass). It may be used to

augment smaller, limited-range satellite speakers used for the other

channels. In addition, many digital-format programs, such as movies

recorded in Dolby Digital and other digital formats, may contain a

special low-frequency effects (LFE) channel which is directed only

to the subwoofer. The LFE channel packs the punch of a rumbling

train or airplane, or the power of an explosion, adding realism and

excitement to your home theater. Many people use two subwoofers,

placed on the left and right sides of the room, for additional power

and even distribution of the sound.

All of these components are connected using various types of cables

for audio and video signals.

Multichannel Audio

The main benefit of a home theater system is that several loudspeakers

are used in various locations around the room to produce “surround

sound.” Surround sound immerses you in the musical or film presentation

for increased realism.

Surround Modes

There are different theories as to the best way to present surround

sound and to distribute soundtrack information among the various

speakers. A variety of algorithms have been developed in an effort to

accurately reproduce the way we hear sounds in the real world. The

result is a rich variety of surround mode options. Some modes are

selected automatically, depending on the signal being received from

the source. In many cases, you may select a surround mode manually.

The AVR 254 may have up to seven speakers connected directly to it

(plus a subwoofer). Each main speaker is powered by its own amplifier

channel inside the receiver. When more than two speakers are used, it

is called a multichannel system.

• Front Left and Right – The main speakers are used the same

way as in a 2-channel system. However, you may notice that in

many surround modes, these speakers are used more for ambient

sound while the main action, especially dialogue, is moved to the

center speaker.

Several companies have taken surround sound in slightly differing

directions. It is helpful to group the numerous surround modes:

• Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Modes – Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus,

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II and IIx, Dolby Virtual

Speaker, Dolby Headphone

• Center – The center speaker is usually placed above or below the

video screen, and is used mostly for dialogue in movies and television

programs. This placement allows the dialogue to originate near the

actors’ faces, for a more natural sound.

• DTS Modes – DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, DTS-ES

(Discrete and Matrix), DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24

• Surround Left and Right – The surround speakers are used to

improve directionality of ambient sounds. In addition, by using more

loudspeakers in the system, more dynamic soundtracks may be

played without risk of overloading any one speaker.

• Harman International (the Harman Kardon parent company) –

Logic 7

• Stereo Modes – Generic modes that expand upon conventional

2-channel stereo, including 5- and 7-Channel Stereo

• Surround Back Left and Right – Additional surround speakers may be

placed behind the listening position, improving the precision with which

ambient sounds may be placed and allowing for more realistic-sounding

pans. By using more speakers in the system, the same sound levels may

be attained with less burden placed on any individual speaker.

Table A12 in the appendix contains detailed explanations of the

differences between the various mode groups, and the mode options

available within each group. Digital modes, such as Dolby Digital and

DTS, are only available with specially encoded programs, such as HDTV,

DVDs and digital cable or satellite television. Other modes may be used

with various digital and analog signals to create a different surround

presentation, or to use a different number of speakers. Surround mode

selection depends upon the number of speakers in your system, the

materials you are watching or listening to, and your personal tastes.

Feel free to experiment.

The surround back speakers may also be used with specialized

surround modes that are designed for use with 7.1-channel systems,

such as Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-ES

(Discrete and Matrix), DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Master

Audio and Logic 7 (7.1 modes). However, the surround back speakers

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CONNECTIONS

Bare wire cables are installed as follows (see Figure 2):

There are different types of audio and video connections used to

connect the receiver to the speakers and video display, and to connect

the source devices to the receiver. To make it easier to keep them all

straight, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) has established

a color-coding standard. See Table 1.

1. Unscrew the terminal cap until the pass-through hole in the collar is

revealed.

2. Insert the bare end of the wire into the hole.

Table 1 – Connection Color Guide

3. Hand-tighten the cap until the wire is held snugly.

Audio Connections

Left

Right

Front (FL/FR)

Center (C)

Surround (SL/SR)

Surround Back (SBL/SBR)

Subwoofer (SUB)

Digital Audio Connections

Coaxial

Figure 2 – Binding-Post Speaker Terminals With Bare Wires

Optical

Input

Video Connections

Component

Composite

Subwoofer

S-Video

The subwoofer is a specialized type of loudspeaker used to play only

the low frequencies (bass), which require much more power than the

other speaker channels. In order to obtain the best results, most speaker

manufacturers offer powered subwoofers, in which the speaker contains

its own amplifier on board. Usually, a line-level (nonamplified) connection

is made from the receiver’s Subwoofer Output to a corresponding jack

on the subwoofer, as shown in Figure 3, but sometimes the subwoofer

is connected to the receiver using the front left and right speaker outputs,

as with passive in-wall subwoofers, and then the front left and right

™

HDMI Connections (digital audio/video)

HDMI

Types of Connections

This section will briefly review different types of cables and connections.

Speaker Connections

Speaker cables carry an amplified signal from the receiver’s speaker

terminals to each loudspeaker. Speaker cables contain two wire conduc- speakers are connected to terminals on the subwoofer.

tors, or leads, inside plastic insulation. The two conductors are usually

Although the subwoofer output looks similar to the analog audio jacks

differentiated in some way, by using different colors, or stripes, or by

used for the various components, it is filtered and only allows the low

adding a ridge to the insulation. Sometimes the wires are different,

frequencies to pass. Don’t connect this output to any other devices.

colors e.g. copper-colored and silver.

Although doing so won’t cause any harm, performance will suffer.

The differentiation is important because each speaker must be connected

to the receiver’s speaker-output terminals using two wires, one positive

(+) and one negative (–), referred to as speaker polarity. It’s important

to maintain the proper polarity for all speakers in the system, or perform-

ance can suffer, especially for the low frequencies.

Preout

Subwoofer

Figure 3 – Subwoofer

Always connect the positive terminal on the loudspeaker, which is usually

colored red, to the positive terminal on the receiver, which is colored as

shown in the Connection Color Guide (Table 1). Similarly, always connect

the black negative terminal on the speaker to the black negative terminal

on the receiver.

Connecting Source Devices to the AVR

The AVR 254 is designed to process audio and video input signals,

playing back the audio and displaying the video on a television or

monitor connected to the AVR. These signals originate in what are

known as “source devices,” including your DVD player, CD player, DVR

(digital video recorder) or other recorder, tape deck, game console,

cable or satellite television box or MP3 player. Although the tuner is

built into the AVR, it also counts as a source, even though no external

connections are needed, other than the FM and AM antennas and the

XM antenna module.

The AVR 254 uses binding-post speaker

terminals that can accept banana plugs

or bare-wire cables. Banana plugs are

simply plugged into the hole in the middle

of the terminal cap. See Figure 1.

Separate connections are required for the audio and video portions of

the signal, except for digital HDMI connections. The types of connections

used depend upon what’s available on the source device, and for video

signals, the capabilities of your video display.

Figure 1 – Binding-Post Speaker Terminals With Banana Plugs

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CONNECTIONS

If your video display or source device is not HDMI-capable, use one of

the analog video connections (composite, S- or component video) and,

if available on your source device, either a coaxial or optical digital audio

connection.

Audio Connections

There are two formats for audio connections: digital and analog. Digital

audio signals are required for listening to sources encoded with digital

surround modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, or for non-compressed

PCM digital audio. There are three types of digital audio connections:

HDMI, coaxial and optical. Any type of digital audio connection may be

used for each source device, but never more than one for the same

source. However, it’s okay to make both analog and digital audio con-

nections to the same source.

Coaxial digital audio jacks are usually color-coded in orange. Although

they look similar to analog jacks, they should not be confused, and you

should not connect coaxial digital audio outputs to analog inputs or

vice versa. See Figure 5.

Coaxial digital

Coaxial

audio cable

NOTE: Since HDMI signals may carry both audio and video, if

your video display device has an HDMI input, make a single HDMI

connection from your source device (such as a DVD player) to

the AVR. No separate digital audio connection is usually required.

Make sure to turn the volume on your television all the way down.

Figure 5 – Coaxial Digital Audio

Optical digital audio connectors are normally covered by a shutter to

protect them from dust. The shutter opens as the cable is inserted.Input

connectors are color-coded using a black shutter, while outputs use a

gray shutter. See Figure 6.

Digital Audio

The AVR 254 is equipped with three HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia

Interface) inputs, and one output. HDMI technology enables digital audio

and video information to be carried using a single cable, thus delivering

the highest quality picture and sound.

Optical

Optical digital

audio cable

Figure 6 – Optical Digital Audio

Analog Audio

There are different HDMI versions, depending on the capability of

the source device and the type of signal it is capable of transmitting.

Analog connections require two cables, one for the left channel (white)

and one for the right channel (red). These two cables are often attached

to each other for most of their length. See Figure 7.

In addition, receivers and processors such as the AVR 254 may handle

the incoming signal in several different ways, depending on their capability

as well. The AVR 254 uses HDMI version 1.3a, and is capable of

processing both the audio and video components of the HDMI data,

minimizing the number of cable connections in your system. Thanks to

the higher bandwidth and speed of HDMI version 1.3a, the AVR 254

implements Deep Color, which increases by an order of magnitude the

shades of color that can be displayed; and the latest lossless multichannel

audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Most sources that have digital audio jacks also have analog audio jacks,

although some older types of sources, such as tape decks, only have

analog jacks. For sources that are capable of both digital and analog

audio, you may make both connections.

The analog audio connection is strongly recommended if you intend to

use the source with the multizone system. It’s required if you will be

using the multizone preamp outputs with an external amplifier to power

your remote speakers, as the AVR 254’s multizone system is not capa-

ble of converting the digital signal to analog format. It’s suggested that

you also use the analog audio connections when using the Surround

Back/Zone 2 speaker outputs, in case another two-channel digital audio

source is in use in the main listening area. The AVR 254 is only capable

of processing one PCM source at a time.

NOTE: Some DVD-Audio, SACD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc

players, output mulitchannel audio only through the source’s

multichannel analog outputs. For those devices, make a sepa-

rate analog audio connection in addition to the HDMI connec-

tion, which is still used for video and to listen to Dolby Digital,

DTS or PCM materials that may be stored on the disc.

In addition, the AVR 254 will convert analog video signals to the HDMI

format, upscaling to high-definition 1080p resolution. You may view the

AVR 254’s own on-screen display menus using the HDMI output.

You may only record materials from DVDs or other copy-protected

sources, using analog connections. Remember to comply with all copy-

right laws, if you choose to make a copy for your own personal use.

The physical HDMI connection is simple. The connector is shaped for

easy plug-in (see Figure 4). If your video display has a DVI input and is

HDCP-compliant, you may use an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (not included)

to connect it to the AVR’s HDMI Output, but a separate audio connection

is required. HDMI cable runs are usually limited to about 10 feet,

depending on the type of cable used.

Analog audio

cable (RCA)

Figure 7 – Analog Audio

Multichannel analog connections are used with some high-definition

sources where the copy-protected digital content is decoded inside the

source. These types of connections are usually used with DVD-Audio,

SACD, Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD and other multichannel players. See

Figure 8. However, the multichannel analog audio connection is not

Figure 4 – HDMI Connection

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CONNECTIONS

required for DVD-Audio players compliant with HDMI version 1.1 or

better, or HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc players that decode the digital audio

internally and output linear PCM signals in digital format. Consult the

owner’s guide for your disc player for more information.

Composite

video cable

Figure 10 – Composite Video

S-video, or “separate” video, transmits the chrominance and luminance

components using separate wires contained within a single cable. The

plug on an S-video cable contains four metal pins, plus a plastic guide

pin. Be careful to line up the plug correctly when you insert it into the

jack on the receiver, source or video display. See Figure 11.

Front Surround Center

Multichannel

analog audio

cable (RCA)

S-video cable

Subwoofer

Figure 11 – S-Video

Figure 8 – Multichannel Analog Audio

Component video separates the video signal into three components –

one luminance (“Y”) and two sub-sampled color signals (“Pb” and “Pr”) –

that are transmitted using three separate cables. The “Y” cable is color-

coded green, the “Pb” cable is colored blue and the “Pr” cable is

colored red. See Figure 12.

The AVR 254 also offers an analog audio input on the rear panel in the

form of a stereo 1/8" mini jack. Connect the headphone output of any

audio source, such as an MP3 player or portable CD player, to the

Stereo Jack input. See Figure 9.

Figure 9 – Stereo Jack

Component

video cable

Video Connections

Figure 12 – Component Video

Although some sources only produce an audio signal (e.g., CD player,

tape deck), many sources output both audio and video signals (e.g.,

DVD player, cable television box, HDTV tuner, satellite box, VCR, DVR).

In addition to the audio connection, make one type of video connection

for each of these sources (only one at a time for any source).

If it’s available on your video display, an HDMI connection is recom-

mended as the best quality connection, followed by component video,

S-video and then composite video.

NOTES:

Digital Video

• Copy-protected sources are not available at the Component

Video Monitor Outputs.

If you have already connected a source device to one of the HDMI

inputs as explained in the Digital Audio Connections section, you have

automatically made a video connection at the same time, as the HDMI

signal includes both digital audio and video components.

• Standard and high-definition analog video signals are

upscaled to 1080i resolution for the Component Video

Monitor Outputs. For improved video performance, consider

upgrading to an HDMI-capable video display with 1080p

resolution.

If the source device is not capable of transmitting its digital audio signal

through the HDMI connection, use one of the coaxial or optical digital

audio inputs for the source.

Antennas

If a multichannel analog audio connection is required for certain lossless

formats (e.g., DVD-Audio, SACD, HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc), you may

make both audio connections. To listen to the multichannel disc, set the

Audio Auto Polling setting to the 6/8CH inputs, and the AVR will automati-

cally select it when no digital signal is output by the player.

The AVR 254 uses separate terminals for the included FM and AM

antennas that provide proper reception for the tuner.

The FM antenna uses a 75-ohm F-connector. See Figure 13.

Analog Video

There are three types of analog video connections: composite video,

S-video and component video.

Figure 13 – FM Antenna

Composite video is the basic connection most commonly available. The

jack is usually color-coded yellow, and looks like an analog audio jack,

although it is important never to confuse the two. Do not plug a composite

video cable into an analog or coaxial digital audio jack, or vice versa.

Both the chrominance (color) and luminance (intensity) components of

the video signal are transmitted using a single cable. See Figure 10.

The AM loop antenna needs to be assembled. Connect the two leads

to the spring terminals on the receiver. As AM antenna leads have no

polarity, it doesn’t matter which of the two terminals is used for either

lead. See Figure 14.

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CONNECTIONS

Figure 14 – AM Antenna

To enjoy XM satellite radio, purchase an XM antenna module designed

for use with XM Ready devices and a subscription to the XM service.

We recommend the XM Mini Tuner and Home Dock Bundle, available

at www.xmradio.com. The older Connect and Play module is also com-

patible with the AVR 254, but it may no longer be available in your area.

An XM Ready-compatible module uses the special connector on the

AVR 254’s rear panel that allows you to use the AVR’s tuner, including

its 40 preset station locations and remote control. Although you may

use a module with standard audio connections, which may be indicated

for “car and home use,” you will not be able to enjoy the AVR 254’s

ease of control.

RS-232 Serial Port

The RS-232 serial port on the AVR 254 is used only for software

upgrades. If we release an upgrade for the receiver’s operating system

at some time in the future, it may be downloaded to the AVR using this

port. Complete instructions will be provided at that time.

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SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Before you begin to connect cables, it is important to place your speakers

in their correct locations in the room.

Placement of Surround Speakers in a 5.1-Channel

System

Optimally, the speakers should be placed in a circle with the listening

position at its center. The distance from the listening position to the

video display forms the radius of the circle.

The side surround speakers should be placed 110 degrees from the

center speaker, that is, slightly behind and angled toward the listener.

If this isn’t feasible, place them behind the listener, with each surround

speaker facing the opposite-side front speaker. See Figure 15. The

surround speakers may be placed a little higher than the listener’s ears.

The speakers should be angled so that they directly face the listening

position.

Placement of Surround Speakers in a 7.1-Channel

System

Front Speaker Placement

The center speaker is placed either on top of, below or mounted on the

wall above or below the video display screen.

In a 7.1-channel system, the side surround speakers are placed 90 degrees

from the center speaker, directly to either side of the listening position.

The surround back left and right speakers are placed 150 degrees from

the center speaker, or directly facing the opposite-side front speaker.

See Figure 16.

The front left and right speakers are placed along the circle, about 30

degrees from the center speaker and angled toward the listener.

It is best to place the front left/right and center speakers as close to

the same height as possible, preferably at about the same height as

the listener’s ears. In any event, the center speaker should be no more

than two feet above or below the left/right speakers.

SUB

Placement of the surround speakers depends on the number of

speakers in your system. If you’re using only two speakers with the

AVR 254, place them in the front left and right positions, and skip to

the Installation section. However, we recommend using the AVR 254

in a 5.1- or 7.1-channel configuration for optimal surround sound

performance.

30°

90°

150°

SUB

30°

SBL

SBR

110°

Figure 16 – Speaker Placement (7.1-Channel System)

150°

NOTE: Some speaker manufacturers offer 6.1-channel speaker

systems, which are compatible with 6.1-channel surround

sound formats, such as Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Discrete and

Matrix modes and DTS Neo:6 mode. We do not recommend

using the AVR 254 in a 6.1-channel configuration. In fact, the

6.1-channel formats will sound better when played through

a 7.1-channel system. The same surround back channel infor-

mation is played through both surround back speakers, but with

twice the power and clarity.

Alternate placement

for Side Surround

Left Speaker

Alternate placement

for Side Surround

Right Speaker

If you wish to use the AVR 254 with a 6.1-channel speaker

system, place the single surround back speaker directly behind

the listener, but do not connect it until after you have run the

EzSet/EQ procedure for a 5.1-channel system. After the

EzSet/EQ process finishes, connect the surround back speaker

to the Surround Back Left Speaker Output. Then follow the

directions in the Advanced Features section for manual setup

of the surround back speaker.

Figure 15 – Speaker Placement (5.1-Channel System)

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SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Subwoofer Placement

The subwoofer’s location is less critical, since low-frequency sounds

are omnidirectional. Placing the subwoofer close to a wall or in a corner

will reinforce the low frequencies, and may create a “boomy” sound.

Experiment by placing the subwoofer where the listener normally sits

and then walk around the room until the low frequencies sound best.

Place the subwoofer in that spot.

In some installations it may be desirable to use two subwoofers for

a 7.2-channel system. This is easily done by purchasing an optional

Y-Adapter with one male RCA plug and two female RCA jacks. Connect

the male jack to the Subwoofer output on the AVR’s rear panel, and

then run a standard interconnect cable from the Y-Adapter to the Line

Input of each subwoofer. You may then place the two speakers as best

suits the requirements of the room and your listening preferences.

NOTE: Your receiver will sound its best when the same model

loudspeaker is used for all positions (other than the subwoofer).

If that isn’t possible, try to use speakers made by the same

manufacturer.

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INSTALLATION

You are now ready to connect the various components to the receiver.

Before beginning, turn off all components, including the AVR 254, and

unplug their power cords. Don’t plug in any of the power cords

until you have finished making all of your connections.

AVR 254

Remember that the receiver generates heat while it is on. Select a

location that leaves several inches of space on all sides of the receiver.

Avoid completely enclosing the receiver inside an unventilated cabinet.

It is preferable to place components on separate shelves rather than

stacking them directly on top of the receiver. Some surface finishes are

delicate. Try to select a location with a sturdy surface finish.

SUB

Figure 18 – Subwoofer Connection

Step Three – Connect the Antennas

Connect the FM and AM antennas to their terminals. If you have

purchased an XM antenna module designed for connection to an

XM Ready device, connect it now. To enjoy XM Radio, remember to

purchase a subscription and activate your antenna module. More

information is available at www.xmradio.com. See Figure 19.

Step One – Connect the Speakers

If you have not yet done so, place your speakers in the listening room,

as described in the Speaker Placement section above.

Connect the center, front left, front right, surround left, surround

right, surround back left and surround back right loudspeakers to the

corresponding speaker terminals on the AVR 254. See Figure 17.

Maintain the proper polarity by always connecting the positive and

negative terminals on each speaker to the positive and negative

terminals on the receiver. Use the Connection Color Guide on page 18

as a reference.

AVR 254

Figure 19 – Antenna Connections

Step Four – Connect the Source Components

A source is a device where the audio and video signals originate. Some

sources, such as CD players, only offer audio, while sources used for

watching movies or broadcast-television programming deliver a video

signal as well.

SBR

SBL

Referring to the photograph of the AVR 254 remote control on page 15,

there is a section of 7 buttons near the top of the remote designated

“Source Selectors”: Cable/Sat, DVD, Media Server, Radio, TV, Game

and AUX. Each of these buttons corresponds to a “source input”. The

AVR 254’s flexible design allows you to use almost any combination

of audio and video connections for each source device. The goal of

Step Four of the Installation is to match up each of your source devices,

e.g., DVD player and cable television box, with the correct connectors

on the AVR 254.

Figure 17 – Speaker Connections

NOTE: If you only have one surround back speaker, wait until after

you have run the EzSet/EQ process in the Initial Setup section

before connecting it to the Surround Back Left speaker outputs.

Step Two – Connect the Subwoofer

Connect the Subwoofer Output on the AVR 254 to the line-level input

on your subwoofer. See Figure 18. Consult the manufacturer’s guide for

the subwoofer for additional information.

You may connect a source device to any appropriate input connectors.

Note which audio and video inputs are used for each device in Table A5

in the appendix. Table A2 indicates the default input-connection assign-

ments, any of which may be changed to match the actual connections

in your system.

When the system has two subwoofers for a 7.2-channel system, use a

Y-Adapter (not included) with one male RCA plug and two female RCA

jacks. Connect the male plug to the Subwoofer Output, and connect

each female jack to a cable that is then plugged into the line-level input

on each subwoofer.

The precise connections to be made depend on the capabilities of the

source device and your video display (TV). Select the best audio and

video connections for each source. The types of connections are listed

in order of preference:

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INSTALLATION

outputting the multichannel audio through its HDMI output, make the

following additional connections (see Figure 21):

HDMI Connections

• Choose the HDMI connection if it’s available on your source device

and your TV. A HDMI connection carries both digital audio and video,

enabling a single-cable connection from the source device to the

AVR. Except as noted below, no other audio or video connections

are required.

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

NOTE: If your DVD-Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD player

is not capable of outputting multichannel digital audio through its

HDMI output, make additional 6-/8-channel analog audio connections.

AVR 254

Audio Connections (for non-HDMI sources)

• Choose one digital audio connection: Optical or Coaxial

• Optional, or where digital audio is not available: Analog audio for

making recordings for personal use or as a backup. Analog audio is

required for older analog sources that don’t have digital audio outputs,

such as cassette decks.

Figure 21 – Connecting a Multichannel Audio Player

Component Video: If the DVD player or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors,

connect the player as follows (see Figure 22):

Video Connections (for non-HDMI sources)

(choose only one, and make sure that type is available on your TV)

• Component video

• S-video

• Composite video

• Connect the DVD player’s component video output to the Component

Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR.

• Connect one of the DVD player’s digital audio outputs to one of the

Coaxial or Optical inputs on the AVR.

NOTES:

• If the video display is equipped with a DVI digital video input,

make sure it is also HDCP-compliant (High-Bandwidth Digital

Content Protection) to display copy-protected materials.

• If the source or video display has a DVI input, use an HDMI-

to-DVI adapter (not included), and make separate audio

connections.

AVR 254

Connect a DVD, SACD, Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD Player

HDMI Video: If the DVD player and the TV both have an HDMI

connector, connect the player as follows (see Figure 20):

• Connect the DVD player’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1, 2 or 3 Input on

the AVR.

Figure 22 – Connecting a Component-Video-Equipped Disc Player

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs, including DVD-Audio,

SACD, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, make the following additional connection

(see Figure 21):

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

AVR 254

Composite/S-Video: If the best video connection common to both

the DVD player and the TV is either S-video or composite video, follow

these steps (see Figure 23):

Figure 20 – Connecting An HDMI-Equipped Disc Player

• Connect the DVD player’s S-video or composite video output (use one

connection only) to the Video 1, 2 or 3 Input on the AVR. You may also

use the Video 4 Composite or S-video Input located on the AVR’s front

panel (see Figure 31).

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs, including DVD-

Audio, SACD, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, but it is not capable of

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INSTALLATION

• Connect the DVD player’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or

Optical inputs on the AVR.

If the player is capable of playing multichannel discs, including DVD-Audio,

SACD, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, make the following additional connection

(see Figure 23):

AVR 254

• Connect the DVD player’s 6-/8-channel analog audio outputs to the

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs on the AVR.

Figure 24 – Connecting an HDMI-Equipped Recorder

Component Video: If the recorder or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors,

connect the recorder as follows (see Figure 25):

AVR 254

• Connect the recorder’s component video output to the Component

Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR. This connection is for playback only,

as the AVR cannot make recordings from component video sources.

• Connect the recorder’s digital audio output to a Coaxial or Optical

Input on the AVR (if available).

Figure 23 – Connecting a Composite- or S-Video-Equipped Disc Player

• Follow the instructions in the Composite/S-Video section for making

connections required for recordings.

NOTES:

• Refer to Table A2 in the appendix for the default audio and

video input assignments for each source. Using the default

connections, if appropriate for your system, may save a few

steps during Initial Setup. However, thanks to the AVR 254’s

flexibility, you may assign any audio and any video input to

any source, as long as the assignments match the physical

connections.

AVR 254

• If you wish to make recordings from a DVD, use an S-video or

composite video input, and an Analog Audio input in addition

to any other connections. The AVR cannot make recordings

from HDMI or component video sources, and digital audio

sources may only be recorded in two channels.

Figure 25 – Connecting a Component-Video-Equipped Recorder

Connect an Audio/Video Recorder (PVD, DVR or TiVo^®)

Composite/S-Video: If the best video connection common to

both the recorder and the TV is either S-video or composite video, or

to make recordings, follow these steps, using only one type of video

connection throughout (see Figure 26):

HDMI Video: If the recorder and the TV both have an HDMI connector,

connect the recorder as follows (see Figure 24):

• Connect the recorder’s S-video/composite video output to the

Video 2 S-Video/Composite Video Input on the AVR.

• Connect the recorder’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1, 2 or 3 Input

on the AVR. This connection is for playback only, as the AVR cannot

make recordings from HDMI sources.

• Connect the recorder’s S-video/composite video input to the Video 2

S-Video/Composite Video Output on the AVR.

• To make recordings, follow the instructions below for Composite/

S-video recorders.

• Connect the recorder’s analog audio outputs to the Analog 4 Audio

Inputs on the AVR.

• Connect the recorder’s analog audio inputs to the Analog 4 Audio

Outputs on the AVR.

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INSTALLATION

AVR 254

Figure 27 – Connecting a Composite- or S-Video-Equipped Set-Top Box

Figure 26 – Connecting a Composite or S-Video Recorder

• To make two-channel digital audio recordings, connect the recorder’s

digital audio output to one of the Optical or Coaxial Inputs, and con-

nect the AVR’s Coaxial Digital Audio Output to the recorder’s coaxial

input. The AVR will convert an optical digital audio input signal to the

proper format for recording via the Coaxial Digital Audio Output. See

Figure 26.

Connect a CD Player or Any Audio-Only Device

If the CD player or other component has a digital audio output, connect

it to any available digital audio input on the AVR. If not, connect the CD

player’s left and right analog audio outputs to the Analog 1 or 2 Audio

Inputs. No video connection is required, although the AVR will display

any signal at the video input assigned to the same source as the audio

inputs. See Figure 28.

Connect a Cable TV, Satellite, HDTV or Other Set-Top

Box for Broadcast Television

NOTE: If the TV has a digital audio output, connect it to one of

the digital audio inputs. If you use a direct cable connection to

your TV, or an antenna connection with the TV’s internal tuner,

connect either the TV’s digital audio output (if available) or its analog

audio outputs to the AVR. See Step Five for information on

connecting the receiver’s video monitor outputs to the television.

AVR 254

HDMI Video: If the set-top box and the TV both have an HDMI

connector, connect the set-top box as follows (see Figure 24):

Figure 28 – Connecting a CD or Audio-Only Source

• Connect the set-top’s HDMI output to the HDMI 1, 2 or 3 Input

on the AVR.

NOTES:

• A turntable may only be connected to the AVR if it is equipped

with an internal phono preamp, or if you supply an external

phono preamp, available at some audio specialty stores or

through the Harman Kardon Parts Dept. You may then connect

it to any set of analog audio inputs.

Component Video: If the set-top box or the TV does not have an

HDMI connector, but they both have component video connectors,

connect the set-top box as follows (see Figure 25):

• Connect the set-top’s component video output to the Component

Video 1 or 2 Input on the AVR (if available).

• Although there is no official source on the AVR 254 named

CD, Phono or Audio, you may assign the audio device to an

available source, such as TV (if the Cable/Sat source is in use

for broadcast television), Game or AUX. See the Initial Setup

section for more details on source assignment.

• Connect the set-top’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or

Optical Inputs on the AVR (if available).

Composite S/Video: If the best video connection common to both

the set-top box and the TV is either S-video or composite video, follow

these steps (see Figure 27):

Connect a Tape Deck or Any Audio-Only Recorder

If the recorder has digital audio inputs and outputs, connect either its

coaxial or optical digital audio output (not both) to the corresponding

available input on the AVR, and connect the AVR’s Coaxial Digital Audio

Output to the recorder’s coaxial digital audio input.

• Connect the set-top’s S-video or composite video output (use one

connection only) to the corresponding Video 1, 2 or 3 Input on the AVR.

• Connect the set-top’s digital audio output to one of the Coaxial or

Optical Inputs on the AVR (if available). For fully analog set-top boxes,

connect the box’s analog audio outputs to the AVR’s Analog 1, 2, 3,

4 or 5 Audio Inputs.

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INSTALLATION

To make analog audio recordings, connect the recorder’s left and right

analog audio outputs to the Analog 2 Audio Inputs on the AVR, and the

recorder’s analog audio inputs to the AVR’s Analog 2 Audio Outputs.

No video connection is required, although the AVR will display any signal

at the video input assigned to the same source as the Analog 2 Audio

Inputs. See Figure 29.

AVR 254

Figure 31 – Connecting a Device to the Front-Panel Inputs

AVR 254

Audio Components: Connect audio-only devices, such as CD players,

to either the Coaxial or Optical Digital Audio Inputs, or the Analog Audio

Inputs (see Figure 31).

NOTE: If your video devices are equipped with HDMI or com-

ponent video outputs, you may connect them to any available

audio and video input on the AVR.

Figure 29 – Connecting an Audio Recorder

Connect a Portable Audio Player

For audio-only playback from a portable CD player, cassette deck, MP3

player or other device equipped with a 1/8-inch headphone jack, use

a stereo 1/8-inch mini-plug interconnect (not included) to connect the

device’s headphone jack to the Stereo Jack on the AVR. Use the

device’s own controls to operate it. See Figure 30.

Step Five – Connect the Video Display

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not connect any video output on the

video display (TV) to any video input on the AVR. Doing so will

cause undesirable video interference.

HDMI Video: If the display has an HDMI input, connect the HDMI

Monitor Output to the display (see Figure 32). Thanks to the AVR 254’s

sophisticated video processing and upscaling capabilities, no other video

connections are required from the AVR to the video display. Analog

video sources (composite, S-video and component) are converted to

the HDMI format and upscaled to as much as 1080p resolution,

depending on the display’s capabilities. Proceed to Step Six.

AVR 254

Figure 30 – Connecting a Portable Audio Player

Alternatively, use an interconnect with a stereo 1/8-inch mini-plug at

one end and two RCA plugs at the other end to connect the player to

the Audio Inputs on the AVR’s front panel. See Figure 31.

AVR 254

Connecting a Game Console, Camera or Other Device

If a device will only be connected temporarily, you may use the audio/

video inputs on the front panel. When not in use, place the supplied

covers over the jacks for a cleaner appearance by snapping the covers

in place. To remove the covers, gently press on the left side of each

cover so that it pivots out.

Figure 32 – HDMI Monitor Output

Component Video: If the display does not have HDMI inputs, but

does have component video inputs, connect the Component Video

Monitor Outputs to the display (see Figure 33). As with HDMI connec-

tions, the AVR 254 is capable of converting composite and S-video

sources to the component video format, while upscaling the resolution to

as high as 1080i, depending on the display’s capabilities. Unlike HDMI

connections, component video connections do not enable the AVR 254

to detect the display’s capabilities and the appropriate resolution must

be selected manually, as described in the Initial Setup section.

Video Components: Install video components, e.g., game consoles

and camcorders, as follows (see Figure 31):

• Connect the component’s S-video or composite video output (use

only one connection) to the corresponding front-panel Input on the AVR.

• Connect the component’s optical or coaxial digital audio output to

either the Optical or Coaxial Input on the front panel (if available).

For fully analog devices, connect the device’s analog audio outputs

to the AVR’s front-panel Analog Audio Inputs.

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INSTALLATION

Step Seven – Insert Batteries in Remote

The AVR 254 remote control uses four AAA batteries, which are included.

To remove the battery cover located on the back of the remote,

squeeze the tab and lift the cover.

AVR 254

Insert the batteries, as shown in Figure 36, making sure to observe

the correct polarity.

Figure 33 – Component Video Monitor Outputs

Composite/S-Video: If the video display does not have HDMI or

component video inputs, connect the corresponding composite or

S-video Monitor Output to the display. If available, S-video is preferred

over composite video, and if used, the AVR 254 will convert composite

video sources to S-video. See Figure 34.

Figure 36 – Remote Battery Compartment

When using the remote, remember to point the lens toward the front

panel of the AVR 254. Make sure no objects, such as furniture, are

blocking the remote’s path to the receiver. Bright lights, fluorescent lights

and plasma video displays may interfere with the remote’s functioning.

The remote has a range of about 20 feet, depending on the lighting

conditions. It may be used at an angle of up to 30 degrees to either

side of the AVR.

AVR 254

Figure 34 – Composite and S-Video Monitor Outputs

If the remote seems to operate intermittently, or if pressing a button

on the remote does not cause the AVR Settings Button or one of the

Source Selectors to light up, then make sure the batteries have been

inserted correctly, or replace all three batteries with fresh ones.

Consult the manual for your TV to make sure you understand how

to select the correct video input.

Step Six – Plug in AC Power

Having made all of your wiring connections, it is now time to plug each

component’s AC power cord into a working outlet.

Step Eight – Program Sources Into the Remote

The AVR 254 remote not only is capable of controlling the receiver,

but it may also be programmed to control many brands and models

of DVD players, cable boxes, satellite receivers, the Harman Kardon

DMC 1000 digital media center and TVs.

You may plug one device into the AC Switched Accessory Outlet on the

rear of the AVR 254. See Figure 35. Make sure this device draws no

more than 50 watts. The device should have its mechanical or master

power switch turned on, and it will power on any time the AVR 254 is

turned on. If the device has a clock or must always be on, do not plug

it into this outlet.

It may help to think of the remote as a book with pages. Each “page”

represents the button functions for a different device. In order to access

the functions for a particular device, first turn to its page; that is, switch

the remote’s device mode. This is done by pressing the AVR Settings

Button to access the codes that control the receiver, or the Source

Selector Buttons to access the codes for the devices programmed into

the remote.

AVR 254

The AVR 254’s remote is factory-programmed to control many Harman

Kardon DVD players. If you have other source devices in your system,

follow these steps to program the correct codes into the remote.

1. Using the codes in Tables A14 –A24 of the Appendix, look up the

product type (e.g., DVD, cable TV box) and the brand name of your

source. The number(s) listed is/are potential candidates for the

correct code set for your particular device.

Figure 35 – Switched AC Accessory Outlet

Before plugging the AVR 254’s AC Power Cord into an electrical outlet,

make sure that the Master Power Switch on the front panel is popped

out so that the word OFF appears on its top. Gently press the button to

turn the switch off. This will prevent the possibility of damaging the AVR

in case of a transient power surge.

NOTE: The AUX Source Selector is used for the CD, HDTV, PVD

recorder, TIVO and VCR device types. Select the brand code

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INSTALLATION

from the appendix table corresponding to the device and pro-

gram it into the AUX Source Selector. Similarly, the CBL/SAT

Source Selector is used for either a cable or satellite television

set-top box. The first digit of the product code indicates the

device type.

If you are unable to locate a code set that correctly operates your

source device, it will not be possible to use the AVR remote to control

that device. However, you may still connect the source to the AVR 254

and operate it using the device’s original remote control.

Most of the button labels on the remote describe the button’s function

when used to control the AVR 254. However, the button may perform

a very different function when used to control another device. Refer to

the Remote Control Function List, Table A13 in the Appendix, for a list of

each button’s functions with the various product types.

2. Turn on your source device.

3. This step places the remote in program mode. Refer to Figure 37.

Press and hold the Source Selector. The button will turn red, then go

dark. Continue holding it, and when it turns red again, release the

button; the remote is now in program mode. Follow the directions in

Step 4, below.

If you wish, you may program Activities, which are preprogrammed code

sequences that execute many code commands with a single button

press. You may also program “punch-through” codes, which allow the

remote to operate the channel or transport controls of another device

without having to switch the remote’s device mode. See page 53 for

instructions on these advanced programming functions.

Step Nine – Remote IR Inputs and Output (Optional)

The AVR 254 is equipped with a Remote IR Input, a Zone 2 Input and

a Remote IR Output to facilitate use of your system with a remote control

in a variety of situations. See Figure 38.

Figure 37 – Source Selectors

Optional: To reassign a device type from one Source Selector to another

Source Selector not being used, e.g. if there are two DVD players in the

system, press the Source Selector for the new device type now. For

example, to reassign the Cable/Sat Source Selector to operate a DVD

player, first press and hold the Cable/Sat Button, and then press the

DVD Button.

AVR 254

4. Enter a code from Step 1, above.

Figure 38 – IR Inputs and Outputs

a) If the device turns off, press the Source Selector again to accept

the code; it will flash. The remote will exit Program mode.

When the AVR 254 is placed in such a way that aiming the remote at the

front-panel IR sensor is difficult, such as inside a cabinet or facing away from

the listener, you may connect an external IR receiver, such as the optional

Harman Kardon HE 1000, to the Remote IR Input jack. When you are using

the AVR 254 in multizone mode, you may connect an optional IR receiver,

keypad or other control device to the Zone 2 IR Input for remote control

of the AVR 254 (and any sources connected to the AVR’s Remote IR

Output) from the remote zone. Any signals transmitted through the Zone 2

IR Input will only control source selection and volume for the remote zone.

If a source device is being shared with the main listening area, then any

control commands issued to that source will also affect the main room.

b) If the device does not turn off, try entering another code. If you

run out of codes, you may search through all of the codes in the

⁄

remote’s library for that product type by pressing the or

Button repeatedly until the device turns off. When the device turns

off, enter the code by pressing the Source Selector, which will

flash. The remote then exits Program mode.

5. Once you have programmed a code, it’s a good idea to try using

some other functions to control the device. Sometimes, manufacturers

use the same Power code for several different models, while other

codes will vary. You may wish to repeat this process until you’ve

programmed a satisfactory code set that operates most of the

functions you frequently use.

If any of your source devices are equipped with a compatible Remote

IR Input, use a 1/8" mini-plug interconnect cable (not included) to con-

nect the AVR’s Remote IR Output to the source device’s Remote IR

Input, which will pass any applicable remote signals transmitted through

the AVR to the source device. This enables you to control your sources

even when the AVR itself is controlled via an external IR receiver.

6. Find out which code number you have programmed by pressing

and holding the Source Selector to enter the Program mode. Then

press the OK Button, and the Source Selector will flash in the code

sequence. One flash represents “1”, two flashes for “2”, and so forth.

A series of many fast flashes represents “0”. Record the codes pro-

grammed for each device in Table A9 in the appendix.

Check with the manufacturer of the source device for more information

on the type of IR signal expected. The AVR 254 will output a “stripped

carrier” IR signal through the Remote IR Output.

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INSTALLATION

To control more than one source device using the Remote IR Output,

connect all sources in “daisy chain” fashion, with the AVR’s Remote

IR Output connected to the first device’s Remote IR Input, the second

device’s Remote IR Output connected to the next device’s Remote

IR Input, and so forth.

AVR 254

Step Ten – Install a Multizone System (Optional)

The AVR 254 offers several methods of distributing music to other

listening areas in your home. A multizone system is not required to enjoy

the home theater experience. If you prefer not to install a multizone

system at this time, skip to Step Eleven to turn on the AVR 254 and

configure it.

Figure 40 – Surround Back/Multiroom Preamp Outputs

This method requires you to provide an additional component: the

amplifier. However, this method may be used to increase the number

of remote rooms in the system when you are also using the Surround

Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Installing a multizone system typi-

cally requires running various cables inside walls. Always comply

with the appropriate safety codes when installing concealed wiring.

The AVR 254’s multizone connections should be installed per the

requirements of all applicable state and local building codes, as

well as NEC (National Electrical Code) requirements. Failure to do

so may present a potential safety hazard. If you have any doubt

about your ability to work with electrical and telecommunications

wiring, you are advised to hire a licensed electrician or custom

installer to install the multizone system.

Place the amplifier in the same room as the AVR 254 so that a shorter

length of interconnect cable is used with a long run of speaker wire to

the remote room. This is better than placing the amplifier in the remote

room, which necessitates a long run of interconnect cable that would

then be subject to signal degradation.

In addition to the audio signal, you may connect an IR control device to

the AVR 254’s Zone IR Input so that listeners in the remote room may

turn the multizone system on or off, select a source input, control the

source device connected to that input and adjust the volume in the

remote zone.

Multizone operation uses the Surround Back/Zone 2 amplifier channels,

whether you connect the remote speakers directly to the speaker out-

puts, or if you connect an optional external amplifier to the preamp out-

puts. This limits the system in the main listening room to 5.1 channels,

which means you cannot listen to 6.1- or 7.1-channel programs in the

main room.

NOTE: Only analog audio sources are available to the multizone

system.

Step Eleven – Turn On the AVR 254

Select one or both:

Two steps are required the first time you turn on the AVR 254.

1. Connect the remote room’s speakers directly to the Surround

Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs. See Figure 39.

1. Gently press the Master Power Switch until the word OFF is no longer

visible. The Power Indicator above the two power switches should

light up in amber, indicating that the AVR is in Standby mode and is

ready to be turned on. See Figure 41. Normally, you may leave the

Master Power Switch in the ON position, even when the receiver is

not being used.

AVR 254

Figure 39 – Surround Back/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs

Figure 41 – Power Switches

If you prefer not to purchase an external amplifier to power a pair of

remote speakers, you may reassign the AVR 254’s Surround Back

amplifier channels to power the speakers.

2. There are several ways in which the AVR 254 may be turned on from

Standby mode.

a) Press the Standby/On Switch on the front panel. See Figure 41.

2. Connect an external amplifier to the Surround Back/Multiroom

Preamp Outputs. See Figure 40.

b) Using the remote, press the AVR Power On Button or any of the

Source Selectors. See Figure 42.

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INSTALLATION

Figure 42 – AVR Power On and Source Selectors

NOTES:

• Any time you press one of the Source Selectors on the

remote (i.e., Cable/Sat, DVD, Media Server, Radio, TV, Game

or AUX), the remote will switch modes to transmit the codes

programmed to operate that device. To control the receiver,

press the AVR Settings Button to return the remote to AVR

mode. Some AVR functions are available in all device modes,

and you don’t have to press the AVR Settings Button first to

use them: Volume Controls (including Mute), Audio Effects,

Video Modes, Surround Modes, AVR Settings, Info Settings,

Sleep Settings and AVR Power On and Off.

• If you are not using the AVR’s HDMI Output with your display,

you may not see a picture the first time you turn on the AVR 254,

or after a system reset. To correct this, press the front-panel

Resolution Button to display the current video output resolution.

⁄

Use the Button to change it to 480i, which should be com-

patible with all video displays, then press the OK Button to

select the new setting. You will be prompted to accept or can-

cel the change; the CANCEL message will appear on the front

panel. Press the Button to view the ACCEPT option, and

then press the OK Button to complete the change to the output

resolution. Follow the directions in the Initial Setup section to

configure the AVR to function correctly with your display and

other components.

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INITIAL SETUP

Before you begin enjoying your new receiver, a few adjustments should

be made to configure the AVR 254 to match your actual system.

The current menu, setting line or setting will appear in the Message

Display as well as on screen.

Make sure that you have connected a video display to one of the video

monitor outputs on the receiver. When you turn on your display and the

AVR, if the display is connected to the AVR via an analog video (com-

posite, S-video or component) connection, you may see a plain black

screen. Press the front-panel Resolution Button, and the current video

To return to the previous menu or exit the menu system, press the

Back/Exit Button. Be certain all settings are correct, as any changes you

have made will be retained.

We recommend that most users follow the instructions in this INITIAL

SETUP section to configure a basic home theater system. You may

return to these menus at any time to make additional adjustments.

Thanks to the EzSet/EQ system, most of the menu adjustments may

be saved until you have become more familiar with the AVR, and are

therefore described in the Advanced Functions section.

⁄

output resolution will appear in the Message Display. Use the Button

to change it to 480i, which should be compatible with all video displays,

then press the OK Button to select the new setting. You will be prompted

to accept or cancel the change; the CANCEL message will appear on

the front panel. Press the Button to view the ACCEPT option, and

then press the OK Button to complete the change to the output resolution.

The Main Menu should appear when you press the AVR Settings Button

on the remote, or the AVR Button on the front panel. See Figure 43.

The Initial Setup section requires that you complete all of the steps

in the Installation section that apply to your receiver. You should have

connected all of your loudspeakers and a video display, as well as your

source devices. You should be able to turn on the receiver and view

the main menu on your video display when you press the AVR Settings

Button. If necessary, reread the Installation Section and the beginning of

this section before continuing.

Configure the AVR 254 Using EzSet/EQ Technology

One of the most important and perhaps often overlooked aspects of

setting up a home theater system is to calibrate the receiver to match

the loudspeakers, which enables the AVR to perform at its best.

Figure 43 – Main Menu

Until recently, most receivers required the user to perform the calibration

and configuration manually, a somewhat tedious process that called for

a good ear or the purchase of an SPL (sound-pressure level) meter.

Although you may configure the AVR 254 manually, as described in

the Advanced Features section, we recommend that you take advantage

of our signature the EzSet/EQ system.

Although it’s possible to configure the AVR using only the remote and

the front-panel messages, we recommend that you use the full-screen

menu system.

NOTE: When using the AVR’s on-screen menu system, we rec-

ommend selecting a video output resolution of 720p or higher for

best legibility, and to provide graphics that simplify some configu-

ration options. Depending on the resolution selected, the menus

shown by your system may vary in appearance.

Before beginning, eliminate extraneous background noise that might

affect the results, such as noisy air conditioning. Try to avoid making

any loud noises while running EzSet/EQ setup.

Using the On-Screen Menu System

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: During the EzSet/EQ procedure,

a series of very loud test tones will be played through all of the

speakers. Avoid sitting or standing close to any one speaker

during the procedure. If you are particularly sensitive to loud

noises, you may wish to leave the room and have someone

else run the EzSet/EQ process.

The menu system is accessed by pressing the AVR Settings Button

on the remote. See Figure 44.

Figure 44 – Settings Buttons

Step One – Place the included EzSet/EQ microphone in the listening

position, or in the center of the room, at about the same height as the

listeners’ ears. The microphone features a threaded insert on the bottom

so that it can be mounted on a camera tripod for stability.

The Main Menu will appear (see Figure 43), and if a video source is

playing, it will be visible behind the transparent menu.

The menu system consists of five main menus: Source Selection,

Setup Source, Speaker Setup, Zone 2 and System.

Step Two – Plug the EzSet/EQ microphone into the Headphone

Jack/EzSet/EQ Microphone Input Jack on the front of the receiver.

See Figure 45.

⁄ ¤ ‹ ›

Use the

/ / Buttons on the remote or front panel to navigate

the menu system, and press the OK Button to select a menu or setting

line or to enter a new setting.

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INITIAL SETUP

Figure 45 – Plug EzSet/EQ microphone into receiver.

Figure 48 – EzSet/EQ: Number of Speakers

Step Three – Make sure that the AVR 254 and the video display are

NOTE: If you are using fewer than five main speakers in your

system, it will not be possible to configure your speakers using the

EzSet/EQ process; proceed as described in the Advanced Functions

section. If you have selected a 6.1-channel configuration, using only

a single surround back speaker, it is possible to use a combination

of EzSet/EQ automatic configuration for 5.1 speakers, connect the

single surround back speaker to the left Surround Back Speaker

Output, and then configure the surround back speaker manually, as

described in the Advanced Functions section. However, we do not

recommend the 6.1-channel configuration.

turned on. Press the AVR Settings Button to display the Main Menu. See

Figure 43. Use the Button to highlight the Speaker Setup line, and

then press the OK Button. See Figure 46.

The test will begin, and the screen shown in Figure 49 will appear,

asking you to maintain silence during the EzSet/EQ configuration.

If possible, turn off any noisy appliances, such as air conditioners.

Avoid conversation. If unwanted sounds are inadvertently heard during

the test, such as a telephone, select Cancel to return to the Speaker

Setup menu.

Figure 46 – Speaker Setup Menu Screen

Select “Automatic Setup-EzSet/EQ” and the screen shown in Figure 47

will appear to direct you to plug the EzSet/EQ microphone into the

Headphone Jack, and to set the level control on the subwoofer to the

halfway point.

Figure 49 – EzSet/EQ In Progress

Figure 47 – EzSet/EQ Screen

As EzSet/EQ tests each speaker, its position will appear on screen.

Select Cancel to stop the test. If the test tone is heard from a different

speaker than the one indicated on screen, turn off the AVR and check

the speaker-wire connections, then turn the AVR back on and begin the

procedure again.

At any time, you may select Cancel to return to the Speaker Setup

menu without starting the EzSet/EQ process. When you are ready to

begin, select Continue and press the OK Button.

NOTE: Before running the EzSet/EQ process, the AVR 254 will

automatically set its master volume to -25dB.

When the test is completed, the Continue option, will become available.

Select it, and a screen will appear, listing all of the speakers EzSet/EQ

detected, and offering three options:

Step Four – After you select “Continue”, the screen shown in Figure 48

will appear, directing you to select the number of speakers in your system.

Select 5.1 if no surround back speakers are present, or if the surround

back channels will be used for multizone operation.

• The Retest option reruns the EzSet/EQ process. Increasing the master

volume manually at this time may enable the EzSet/EQ process to

correctly detect some speakers.

• Selecting Cancel returns to the Speaker Setup menu.

• If the EzSet/EQ process detected the speakers correctly, select

Continue to proceed to the next test.

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INITIAL SETUP

Step Five – During the next portion of the test, the EzSet/EQ procedure Surround Modes: Select this line to display the Surround Modes sub-

equalizes the AVR 254’s audio circuitry to compensate for the specific

room characteristics and the performance capabilities of each individual

speaker. To do this successfully, the EzSet/EQ microphone must be

placed about two feet from each speaker in the direction toward the

listening position. Wait until the on-screen instructions prompt you

before moving the microphone.

menu, where you may program the desired surround mode for various

types of analog programs, including movies, music and games. You

may also specify a stereo mode (depending on the number of channels

desired) and a virtual surround mode if your system uses fewer than

the full complement of seven main speakers (plus a subwoofer).

Digital surround signals, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, are automatically

played in their native formats, although you may change the surround

mode at any time. See the Advanced Functions section for information

on surround modes available with digital programs.

When the EzSet/EQ process has finished, a screen will appear with

its results.

See the Advanced Functions section for instructions on how to manually

configure the speakers or manually adjust the settings established by the In the factory default Auto Select mode, the AVR will analyze the source

EzSet/EQ process.

signal and select the optimum playback mode. The AVR’s default is to use

the Logic 7 Movie mode for optimal playback of movies, including tele-

vision programs; the Logic 7 Music mode for music recordings, such as

CDs; and the Logic 7 Game mode when a video game console is in use.

To reprogram any of these lines in the Surround Modes menu, select it

and choose from the list of available surround modes. Whenever you

manually select the mode during playback, the AVR will use the new

surround mode.

Set Up Sources

The Source Info menu is used to assign the correct physical audio and

video connections to each source. It also provides access to a variety of

other settings, many of which may be adjusted later as you become

more familiar with the AVR.

The following settings are not optional and must be adjusted now to

enable playback of each source: Video Input from source, Audio Input

from Source and Resolution to Display.

Selecting a surround mode is a matter of taste, although the available

modes depend on the number of speakers in your system and the

format of the incoming signal. Feel free to experiment by selecting any

available mode at any time until you find a few modes that you prefer.

See the Advanced Functions section for more information.

The other settings may be adjusted at any time to improve performance.

To display the Source Info menu, press the Info Settings Button (front

panel or remote). A screen similar to the one shown in Figure 50

will appear. This screen may also be accessed from the Main Menu

by selecting the Setup Source line and selecting a source from the

slide-in menu.

Audio Format From Source: This line is informational only. When a

digital program is playing, its format will be identified here. When analog

audio programs are playing, this line indicates NO AUDIO INPUT, referring

to digital inputs only.

Audio and Video Input Selection

Please see Table A2 in the appendix for the factory default input assign-

ments for each source. You may assign any available input to any

source using the Source Info menu, accessible either by pressing the

AVR Settings Button and selecting the Setup Source line, or by pressing

the Info Settings Button for direct access.

When a source is selected, the AVR will check the assigned digital audio

input for a signal. If one is present, the digital input will be selected. If

not, the AVR will select the analog audio input specified at the Audio

Auto Polling line of the Setup Source menu. If you don’t want the AVR

to select an analog audio input for the source, change this setting to Off.

Figure 50 – Setup Source Menu

Audio Effects: Select this line to display the Audio Effects submenu,

where you may: adjust the bass and treble tone controls; adjust the

LFE trim; or adjust the Night Mode setting. It is recommended that you

leave this submenu at its default settings, and return to it later if your

system requires any fine-tuning. See the Advanced Functions section

for more information.

The AVR will also select the assigned video source. There are no “audio-

only” sources on the AVR 254, other than the Radio, which uses a special

on-screen menu. If no video signal is present, the display will remain

black. You may pair an audio device with an A/V device’s video signal

using the Source Info menu. Sources may share audio or video inputs

to suit your application.

Video Modes: Select this line to display the Video Modes submenu,

to select from preprogrammed or custom picture settings and make

picture adjustments. It is recommended that you leave the settings at

their factory defaults. Picture adjustments should be made to your video

display first, with this menu used only for fine-tuning. See the Advanced

Functions section for more information.

Video Input from source: Select this line to assign the correct

video input to the source. Refer to Table A5 in the appendix, where you

noted the physical video input the source is connected to, and select

the input here.

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INITIAL SETUP

Audio Input from source: Select this line to assign the correct analog

or digital audio input to the source. Refer to Table A5 in the appendix,

where you noted the physical audio input the source is connected to,

and select the input here. If both analog and digital audio connections

were made, select the digital input here, and select the analog input at

the Audio Auto Polling line below.

• Assign the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs to the Audio Auto

Polling setting in the Source Info menu.

• When listening to DVD-Video discs, CDs or other materials outputting

standard-definition digital audio, do nothing, as long as the correct

digital audio input is assigned to the Audio Input From Source setting.

• When listening to high-resolution multichannel discs, the AVR’s auto

polling feature will automatically switch to the multichannel analog

audio inputs.

6-/8-Channel Direct Inputs

The 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs are used when playing certain

multichannel discs, such as DVD-Audio, Blu-ray Discs, SACD and

HD-DVD, on a player that decodes the audio and outputs it via its

multichannel analog audio outputs but not via its HDMI output.

NOTE: The 6-/8-Channel Inputs pass the incoming signals

directly to the volume control, without digitizing or processing

them. Configure the bass management settings (i.e., speaker

size, delay and output level) on your source device to match

the settings programmed using the EzSet/EQ procedure, which

may be viewed using the Speaker Setup menu (see Advanced

Functions section). Consult the owner’s guide for your multi-

channel player for more information.

HDMI-equipped multichannel disc player:

• Connect the player’s HDMI output to one of the AVR’s HDMI Inputs.

No other connections are necessary.

• Assign the HDMI Input to both the Audio and Video Input from source

settings in the Source Info menu.

Resolution to Display: This setting, which may also be accessed from

the AVR Settings menu, reflects the video output resolution, which is

dependent upon the capabilities of the video display.

HDMI-equipped multichannel disc player that does not output

multichannel audio via an HDMI connection:

• Connect the player’s HDMI output and its multichannel analog

audio outputs to one of the AVR’s HDMI Inputs and to the AVR’s

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs.

• If the display is connected to the AVR’s HDMI Output, the HDMI pro-

tocol enables the two devices to communicate with each other, and

the AVR will automatically select the correct video output resolution.

• Assign the HDMI Input to both the Audio and Video Input from source

settings in the Source Info menu.

• If the display is connected to the AVR’s Component Video Outputs,

there is no automatic detection of the display’s capabilities, and the

video output resolution must be manually adjusted to match the

display’s capabilities (which may be obtained from the display’s

manual or its manufacturer’s Web site).

• Assign the 6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs to the Audio Auto

Polling setting in the Source Info menu.

• When listening to DVD-Video discs, CDs or other materials outputting

standard-definition digital audio, do nothing, as long as the HDMI Input

is assigned to the Audio Input from source setting.

• If the display is connected to the AVR’s Composite or S-Video Monitor

Output, the video output resolution must be manually set to 480i to

view any content, including the AVR’s own menus.

• When listening to high-resolution multichannel discs, the AVR’s auto

polling feature will automatically switch to the multichannel analog

audio inputs.

Since there is no picture if the resolution is set higher than the display’s

capability, adjust the resolution by pressing the front-panel Resolution

Button repeatedly until the correct setting appears in the front-panel

Message Display. For composite and S-video, the correct setting is

480i. For component video, it is the highest resolution where a picture

is visible. You will be prompted to accept or cancel the resolution

change, as the CANCEL message will appear on the front panel.

Multichannel disc player without HDMI output, or when video

display has no HDMI input:

• Connect the player’s component video outputs to one set of Component

Video Inputs on the AVR. Depending on the capabilities of the player

and your video display, you may need to use a composite or S-video

connection instead.

Press the Button to view the ACCEPT option, and then press the

OK Button to complete the change to the output resolution.

NOTE: When the display has a DVI input which is connected

to the AVR using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, the picture will be

distorted or blank if the display is not HDCP-compliant. In that

case, a different video connection must be used (component,

composite or S-video).

• Connect the player’s digital audio output to a corresponding available

digital audio input on the AVR.

• Connect the player’s multichannel audio outputs to the AVR’s

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs.

Resolution from Source: This line, which is informational only, indi-

cates the video format (NTSC or PAL) output by the source device.

NTSC is the video format used for standard-definition television in the

U.S. and other parts of the world. The PAL format is used in parts of

• Assign the correct audio and video inputs to the Audio and Video

Input from source Settings in the Source Info menu.

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INITIAL SETUP

Europe and elsewhere. The AVR 254 is capable of detecting PAL

video sources and converting them to the NTSC format for display on

American televisions.

Use the Back/Exit Button to exit, then return to the Setup Source line of

the Main Menu and select the next source to configure. When you have

finished configuring all sources, press the Back/Exit Button to clear the

menus from view.

Adjust Lip Sync: Use this adjustment to resynchronize the audio and

video signals from a source to eliminate a “lip sync” problem. Lip sync

issues can occur when the video portion of a signal undergoes additional

processing in either the source or the video display that desynchronizes

it from the audio. Select this line to display the Lip Sync adjuster by

itself, enabling you to view the video while listening to the audio. Use the

‹ ›

You are now ready to begin enjoying your new receiver!

Buttons to delay the audio by up to 180ms. See Figure 51.

Figure 51 – Adjust Lip Sync

Change Name: Use this line to change the display name for your

source. This can be useful if your source’s device type is different from

⁄ ¤

the available source names. Select this line and use the

Buttons

to scroll forward or reverse through the letters A through Z and the

numbers 0 through 9. When the desired character appears, use the

›

Button to move the cursor to the next position. Move the cursor again

to leave a blank space. When you have finished entering the new name,

press the OK Button. The name will be used on the front panel to refer

to the source, and will appear next to its original name, e.g. DVD,

throughout the on-screen menu system. To clear the entry without

making any changes, scroll to the blank character between “9” and “A”.

Audio Auto Polling: Use this setting when both analog and digital audio

connections are made from the source device to the AVR. When no

digital signal is present, the AVR will automatically switch to the analog

audio input.

This can be useful for some older cable television systems that broad-

cast some channels in analog audio and others in digital audio. It is also

useful for making analog recordings of copy-protected digital sources,

and for multichannel disc players that decode high-resolution multichannel

audio and output it through their multichannel analog audio outputs.

However, it can be inconvenient when no analog audio connection is

made and playback is stopped, as the audio signal will be lost.

If an analog audio connection was made, select it here. If not, choose

the Off setting, and the AVR will always use the digital audio connection.

Zone 2 Audio: When a multizone system has been connected and is

in use, this setting determines the source for the remote zone. Select

the analog audio input the source is connected to. Digital audio is not

available to the multizone system, nor is any type of video.

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OPERATION

Now that you have installed your system components and completed

a basic configuration of your receiver, you are ready to begin enjoying

your home theater system.

Mute Function

To temporarily mute all speakers and the headphones, press the Mute

Button on the remote. See Figure 52. Any recording in progress will

not be affected. The MUTE message will appear in the display as a

reminder. To restore normal audio, either press the Mute Button again,

or adjust the volume. Turning off the AVR will also end muting.

Turning On the AVR 254

Gently press the Master Power Switch until the word OFF is no longer visi-

ble. The Power Indicator above the two power switches should light up in

amber. This indicates that the AVR is in Standby mode and is ready to be

turned on. Normally, you may leave the Master Power Switch in the ON

position, even when the receiver is not being used. See Figure 41.

Sleep Timer

You may program the AVR to play for up to 90 minutes and then turn

off automatically using the sleep timer.

There are several ways in which the AVR 254 may be turned on:

a) Press the Standby/On Switch on the front panel. See Figure 41.

Press the Sleep Settings Button on the remote, and the time until

turn-off will be displayed. See Figure 53. Each additional press of the

Sleep Button will increase the time until turn-off by 10 minutes, up

to a maximum of 90 minutes, then the SLEEP OFF setting appears,

which disables the sleep timer.

b) Using the remote, press the AVR Power On Button or any of the

Source Selectors. See Figure 42.

To turn the receiver off, press either the Standby/On Switch on the front

panel, or press the AVR Power Off Button on the remote. Unless the

receiver will not be used for an extended period of time (for example,

when are on vacation), it is not necessary to turn off the Master Power

Switch. When the Master Power Switch is turned off, any settings you

have programmed, including system configuration and preset radio

stations, will be preserved for up to four weeks.

Figure 53 – Sleep Settings Button

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the PROTECT message ever appears

in the Message Display, turn off the AVR and unplug it. Check

all speaker wires for a possible short. If none is found, bring

the unit to an authorized Harman Kardon service center for

inspection and repair before using it again.

When the sleep timer has been set, the front-panel display will automati-

cally dim to half-brightness. If you press any button on the remote or

front panel, the display will return to full-brightness. The display will dim

again several seconds after your last command.

If you press the Sleep Button after the timer has been set, the remaining

time until turn-off will be displayed. You may press the Sleep Button to

change the time until turn-off.

Volume Control

The volume may be adjusted either by turning the knob on the front

panel (clockwise to increase volume or counterclockwise to decrease

volume), or by pressing the Volume Control on the remote. See Figure 52.

The volume is displayed as a negative number of decibels (dB) below

the 0dB reference point.

Audio Effects

Depending on your preferences or the specific characteristics of your

listening room, you may wish to adjust some of the audio settings, such

as tone controls, to improve performance. Access these settings from

the Audio Effects submenu, as described in the Advanced Functions

section.

Unlike the volume controls on some other products, 0dB is the maximum

volume for the AVR 254. Although it’s physically possible to turn the

volume to a higher level, doing so may damage your hearing and your

speakers. For certain more dynamic audio materials, even 0dB may be

too high, allowing for damage to equipment. We urge caution with

regard to volume levels.

It is not necessary to adjust the Audio Effects settings to enjoy your

new AVR. We recommend leaving the settings at their default values

until you are more familiar with your system.

You may change the volume level display from the default decibel scale

to a 0-to-100 scale by adjusting the Volume Units setting in the System

Settings menu, as described on page 52.

Video Modes

The settings in the Video Modes menu are used to fine-tune the

picture if necessary after making all adjustments on the video display.

It is recommended that you leave the settings at their defaults. See the

Advanced Functions section for detailed information.

Headphones

Figure 52 – Volume Controls

Plug the 1/4" plug on a pair of headphones into the headphone

jack on the front of the receiver for private listening. See Figure 54.

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OPERATION

The DOLBY H:BYPASS message indicates that Dolby Headphone

surround processing is in the default bypass mode, which delivers a

conventional 2-channel signal to the headphones.

Additional tips for systems using HDMI:

• Turn off all devices (including the TV, AVR and any source

components).

• Unplug the HDMI cables starting with the cable between the

TV and AVR, and continuing with the cables between the AVR

and each source device.

Figure 54 – Headphone Jack

• Carefully reconnect the cables from the source devices to

the AVR, and connect the cable from the AVR to the TV last.

Press the Surround Modes Button on the front panel or the remote, to

switch to Dolby Headphone virtual surround processing, indicated by the

DOLBY H:DH message. Dolby Headphone delivers an enhanced sound

field that emulates a 5.1-channel speaker system. No other surround

modes are available for the headphones.

• Turn on the devices in this order: TV, then AVR, then source

devices.

Using the Tuner

To select the AVR 254’s built-in tuner:

Source Selection

1. Press the Source List Button on the front panel repeatedly until the

Press the front-panel Source List Button to scroll through the sources.

Each press of the button scrolls down the list that appears in the display

and on screen. See Figure 55.

⁄ ¤

desired tuner band is selected, or use the

through the source list.

Buttons to scroll

2. Press the Radio Source Selector on the remote. Press this button

again to switch bands (AM, FM or XM).

A screen similar to the one shown in Figure 56 will appear, with the

band indicated in the middle of the screen. (The XM band uses a slightly

different screen.)

Figure 55 – Source List Button

For direct access to any source, press its Source Selector on the remote.

The AVR 254 will switch to the audio and video inputs assigned to the

source.

The source name will appear in the upper line of the front-panel display.

If you retitled the source, the new title will appear. The audio and video

inputs assigned to the source will also appear briefly. The surround

mode will be displayed on the lower line.

Any other settings you adjusted in the Setup Source menu will also be

selected. You may view these settings in the Source Info menu at any

time by pressing the Info Settings Button.

Figure 56 – FM Radio

⁄ ¤

Use the

Buttons to tune a station (or channel for XM Radio).

VIDEO TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:

If a video source is playing and there is no picture:

The frequencies will be displayed in the front panel and graphically on

screen.

• Check that you have selected the source to which the

video input was assigned.

The AVR defaults to automatic tuning, meaning each press of the

⁄ ¤

Buttons scans through all frequencies until a station with accept-

able signal strength is found. To switch to manual tuning, in which each

• Check the wires for a loose or incorrect connection.

⁄ ¤

press of the

Buttons steps through a single frequency increment

• Check that you have selected the correct video input on

the display device (TV).

(0.1MHz for FM, or 10kHz for AM), press the Menu Button. The Radio

Modes line will be highlighted, and each press of the OK Button toggles

between automatic and manual tuning modes.

• Try pressing the Resolution Button on the front panel repeat-

edly until the correct video output resolution is selected and

a picture appears. You will be prompted to accept or cancel

the resolution change, as the CANCEL message will appear

When an FM station has been tuned, toggling the radio mode switches

between stereo and monaural play, which may improve reception of

weaker stations.

on the front panel. Press the Button to view the ACCEPT

A total of 30 stations (AM and FM together) may be stored as presets.

When the desired station has been tuned, press the OK Button, and two

dashes will flash in the front-panel display. Use the Alphanumeric Keys

to enter the desired preset number.

option, and then press the OK Button to complete the change

to the output resolution.

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OPERATION

‹ ›

⁄ ¤

To tune a preset station, press the

Buttons or the Channel

the

Buttons to scan through the channel numbers within the

Control, or press the Menu Button to view the list of programmed pre-

sets and scroll to the desired selection. Press the OK Button to tune the

station. You may also enter the preset number using the Numeric Keys.

For presets 10 through 30 press 0 before the preset number. For

example, to enter preset 21, press 0-2-1.

category.

3. After you have programmed presets, directly enter the preset number

(1 through 40) using the Alphanumeric Keys. For single-digit positions,

enter a “0” before the number.

4. Press the Menu Button to search for a channel by preset, category,

all channels (the default) or direct entry.

XM Radio Operation

XM Radio is a satellite-delivered service that offers hundreds of program

channels, as well as local traffic and weather information for select cities.

The AVR 254 is “XM Ready,” which means that it is able to receive the

XM service when a user-supplied XM antenna module is connected and

the service activated.

When you are able to hear Channel 1, you are ready to activate your

module. If you don’t hear Channel 1, make sure the module’s plug is

firmly seated in the XM Antenna jack, and that the module is near a

south-facing window. Try unfolding the module and rotating it to obtain

reception. You may need to purchase an extension cable, available on

the XM Radio site, to ensure that the module is near the window.

Select an antenna module designated for XM Ready audio components.

An XM Ready-compatible module uses the special connector on the

AVR 254’s rear panel that allows you to use the AVR’s tuner, including

its 40 preset station locations and remote control. Although you may

use a module with standard audio connections, which may be indicated

for “car and home use,” you will not be able to enjoy the AVR 254’s

ease of control.

Tune to Channel 0 for a display of your antenna module’s Radio ID

number, required for activation.

The current channel number and preset location will appear in the upper

line of the Message Display, and the search mode (all channels, category)

will appear in the lower line. Three signal-strength bars will appear to

the right of the channel number and preset location to indicate signal

strength. The song title, artist and channel category, along with the

channel number and preset position (if programmed), will all appear

on screen when a video display is in use.

The XM Mini-Tuner and Home Dock (Models CNP-2000 and CNP-2000H;

both pieces are required) are compatible with the AVR 254. The older

Audiovox^®CNP 1000 “Connect and Play” module for home audio

use is also compatible, but has been discontinued and may no longer

be available. Additional modules may become available in the future.

Modules produced for automotive, or “mobile,” use are not compatible

with the AVR 254, although if they have standard analog or digital audio

outputs, they may be connected to a compatible input and operated

using their own controls.

For traffic and weather channels, the current city’s name will appear

instead of the channel name, and the local weather and temperature

will be displayed on screen.

To store a channel in one of the 40 preset locations:

1. Tune to the desired channel and press the OK Button. The lowest

available preset number will flash on screen and in the front-panel

Message Display.

NOTE: To listen to XM Radio using the AVR 254, you will need

to purchase an XM antenna module and subscription, and

activate your module. XM service is not available in Alaska or

Hawaii. Visit the XM Radio Web site at www.xmradio.com for

more information.

2. Use the Alphanumeric Keys to enter the numbered preset location

you wish to store the channel in, or do nothing if the current preset

location is acceptable.

Plug the module into the XM Antenna Jack on the rear of the AVR 254.

Place the antenna module so that it has a clear view through a south-

facing window in order to obtain reception from the XM satellite.

3. Press the OK Button to store the new preset.

Recording

Select XM Radio as the source in one of these ways:

Two-channel analog and digital audio signals, as well as composite

and S-video signals, are normally available at the appropriate recording

outputs. Thus, to make a recording, you need only make sure to con-

nect your audio or video recorder to the appropriate output jacks, as

described in the Installation section, insert blank media and make sure

the recorder is turned on and recording while the source is playing.

1. Press the Source List Button on the front panel repeatedly until

⁄ ¤

XM Radio is selected, or use the

the source list.

Buttons to scroll through

2. Press the Radio Source Selector on the remote repeatedly until

XM Radio is selected..

NOTES:

You should be able to tune in Channel 1, the Preview Channel, to

confirm that your equipment is ready for activation. There are four

ways to tune an XM Radio channel:

1. Analog audio signals are not converted to digital form, and

digital audio signals are not converted to analog audio form.

However, you may record a coaxial or optical digital audio

source using either type of digital audio output.

⁄ ¤

1. Use the

2. Use the

Buttons to scan through the channel numbers.

Buttons to jump to the next category, and then use

‹ ›

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OPERATION

2. Only PCM digital audio signals are available for recording.

Proprietary formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS may not

be recorded using the digital audio connections, although

if the source is connected to the AVR using analog audio

connections, an analog recording may be made.

Auto Select: With this surround mode option selected, the AVR’s sophis-

ticated circuitry will analyze the incoming audio signal, identify its type

and select an appropriate surround mode. For digital programs, such as

movies recorded with a Dolby Digital soundtrack, the AVR will automati-

cally use the native surround format. For two-channel analog and PCM

programs, the AVR is programmed to default to Logic 7 Movie mode.

3. HDMI and component video sources are not available for

recording.

Virtual Surround: When only two main speakers are present in the

system, Dolby Virtual Surround may be used to create an enhanced

soundfield that virtualizes the missing speakers. Select between Wide

and Reference modes, depending on your preferences.

4. Please make certain that you are aware of any copyright

restrictions on any material you record. Unauthorized duplica-

tion of copyrighted materials is prohibited by federal law.

Stereo: When two-channel playback is desired, select the number of

speakers used for playback:

Stereo Jack Input

Enjoy the full power and resolution of your Harman Kardon system,

including a variety of analog surround modes, while listening to content

stored on your portable device.

• 2 CH STEREO for playback through only two speakers. As described

on page 42, you may select Analog Bypass mode for a pure analog

signal when analog audio inputs are in use. Simply set the Tone

Control setting in the Audio Effects submenu to Off, and the AVR

does the rest.

The Stereo Jack is provided on the AVR’s rear panel for convenient

connection of portable players, such as CD players and the iPod (iPod

and cable not included). Purchase a stereo cable with a 1/8" plug on

at least one end for connection to the Stereo Jack. Plug the other

end of the cable into the portable device’s headphone output, and

operate the device using its own controls. You may also use a cable

with separate left and right audio plugs at one end for connection to

any component equipped with analog audio outputs.

• 5 CH STEREO for playing the left-channel signal through the front

and surround left speakers, the right-channel signal through the right

speakers and a summed mono signal through the center speaker

• 7 CH STEREO follows the same scheme as 5 CH STEREO, but adds

the surround back speakers to the mix. This mode is only available

when the surround back speakers are present and have not been

reassigned to multizone operation. See the Initial Setup section for

more information.

You may assign the Stereo Jack and any analog video input to the

AUX source, which uses the front-panel inputs by default.

Selecting a Surround Mode

Movie: Select an analog surround mode for movie playback: Logic 7

Movie, DTS Neo:6 Cinema or Dolby Pro Logic II (IIx when seven main

speakers are present). The desired mode may also be selected when

a compatible digital surround mode is received.

Surround mode selection can be as simple or sophisticated as your

individual system and tastes. Feel free to experiment with the many

available surround modes on the AVR 254, and you may find a few that

become your favorites for certain sources or program types. Although

more detailed information on surround modes may be found in the

Advanced Functions section, it is easy to select any of the modes

available at a given time:

Music: Select an analog surround mode for music playback: Logic 7

Music, DTS Neo:6 Music or Dolby Pro Logic II (IIx when seven main

speakers are present). The Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx Music mode allows

access to a submenu with some additional settings. See the Advanced

Functions section for more information.

To select a surround mode, press the Surround Modes Button

(front panel or remote) repeatedly until the desired option appears:

SURR: AUTO SELECT, SURR: VIRTUAL, SURR: STEREO, SURR: MOVIE,

SURR: MUSIC or SURR: GAME. The option will be displayed in the

Lower Line of the Message Display, and the Surround Modes menu

will appear on screen (see Figure 57).

Video Game: Select an analog surround mode for game playback:

Logic 7 Game, or Dolby Pro Logic II (IIx when seven main speakers

are present).

After you have made your selection, press the Back/Exit Button until

the screen is cleared.

See the Advanced Functions section for more information on

surround modes.

Figure 57 – Surround Modes menu

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

Much of the AVR 254’s performance is handled automatically, with little

intervention required on your part. However, the AVR 254 is a sophisti-

cated component, and is capable of being customized to suit your

particular system and your tastes. In this section we describe some of

the more advanced adjustments available on the AVR 254. You may

return to this section later, when you have become more familiar with

your receiver.

audio signals to produce multichannel surround sound in a variety

of modes, even when no surround sound has been encoded in the

recording. Among the available modes are the Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx

modes, the Dolby Virtual Speaker modes, the DTS Neo:6 modes, the

Logic 7 modes, and the Stereo modes.

Digital Audio Signals

Digital audio signals offer the benefit of greater capacity, which allows

recording artists to encode center and surround channel information

directly into the signal. The result is improved sound quality and startling

directionality, since each of these channels is reproduced discretely.

Audio Processing and Surround Sound

Audio signals output by sources are encoded in a variety of formats that

can affect not only the quality of the sound but the number of speaker

channels and the surround mode. You may also manually select a

different surround mode, although for certain types of audio signals,

the modes available will be limited in certain ways, as described below.

Alternatively, the artist may encode only two channels, but the digital

signal allows for a higher sampling rate that delivers greater detail.

High-resolution recordings usually sound extraordinarily distortion-free

at all frequencies, but especially at high frequencies.

Analog Audio Signals

Multichannel digital recordings usually are found in the 5.1-, 6.1- or

7.1-channel formats. The channels included in a 5.1-channel recording

are front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right and LFE.

The LFE channel is denoted as “.1” to represent the fact that it is not

full-range, being limited to the low frequencies.

Analog audio signals usually consist of two channels – left and right.

The AVR 254 offers three basic options for playback of analog audio:

1. Analog Bypass Mode: In this mode, the 2-channel signal is passed

directly from the input to the volume control, without being digitized

or undergoing any processing for bass management or surround

sound. The requirements for selecting analog bypass mode are:

6.1-Channel recordings add a single surround back channel, and

7.1-channel recordings add surround back left and surround back

right channels to the 5.1-channel configuration. New formats, such

as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master

Audio, are available in 7.1-channel configurations. The AVR 254 is

able to play the new audio formats, delivering a more exciting home

theater experience.

a) The analog audio inputs for the source must be selected. If neces-

⁄ ¤

sary, press the Info Button on the remote and use the

Buttons to scroll to the Audio Source setting, then select an

analog input.

b) The tone controls must be disabled by setting Tone Control to Off.

Press the Audio Effects Button to access the Tone Control setting

in the Audio Effects submenu.

NOTE: To use the 6.1- and 7.1-channel surround modes, the

AVR 254 must be configured so that the Surround Back channels

are enabled. See the Manual Setup section on page 46 of the

Advanced Functions section for more information.

c) The 2-channel Stereo mode must be selected. Press the Surround

Modes Button to access the STEREO line of the Surround Modes

submenu.

Digital formats include Dolby Digital 2.0 (two channels only), Dolby

Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD,

DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS 5.1, DTS-ES (6.1 Matrix and Discrete),

DTS 96/24, 2-channel PCM modes in 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz

or 96kHz, and 5.1 or 7.1 multichannel PCM.

When the Tone Control setting is Off, the front speakers will be set to

Large automatically, as indicated by the double boxes in their positions

in the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators on the front panel. That indi-

cates that Analog Bypass mode is active. When the Tone Control setting

is turned On, if you have set the front speaker crossover to a numeric

setting, the front speakers will return to the Small setting, as indicated by

single boxes in the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators. When the front

speakers are Small and 2-Channel Stereo mode has been selected in

the Surround Modes submenu, DSP Surround Off mode is active.

When a digital signal is received, the AVR 254 detects the encoding

method and the number of channels. The number of channels encoded

will appear briefly in the front-panel display as three numbers, separated

by slashes (e.g., “3/2/.1”).

The first number indicates the number of front channels in the signal:

2. DSP Surround Off Mode: The DSP Surround Off mode digitizes the

incoming signal and applies the bass management settings, including

speaker configuration, delay times and output levels. This mode is

desirable when your front speakers are small, limited-range satellites

and you are using a subwoofer. To select this mode, use a digital

audio input, or turn the Tone Control setting off.

“1” represents a monophonic recording, usually an older program that

has been digitally remastered or, more rarely, a modern program

for which the director has chosen a special effect.

“2” indicates the presence of the left and right channels, but no

center channel.

“3” indicates that all three front channels (left, right and center)

are present.

3. Analog Surround Modes: One of the main benefits of a surround

receiver such as the AVR 254 is its ability to process 2-channel

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

The second number indicates whether any surround channels are present: Each line is set to a default surround mode:

“0” indicates that no surround information is present.

“1” indicates that a matrixed surround signal is present.

“2” indicates discrete left and right surround channels.

• Virtual Surround: Dolby Virtual Speaker Reference

• Stereo: 7-channel stereo

• Movie: Logic 7 Movie

“3” is used with DTS-ES bitstreams to represent the presence of the

discrete surround back channel in addition to the side surround left and

right channels.

• Music: Logic 7 Music

• Video Game: Logic 7 Game

“4” is used with 7.1-channel digital formats, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby

Digital Plus, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, to indicate the presence of

two discrete side surround channels and two discrete back surround channels.

You may change each line’s setting to a different surround mode.

The choice of new modes depends on the number of speakers in

your system.

The third number is used for the LFE channel:

• Virtual Surround: Dolby Virtual Speaker Reference or Wide

• Stereo: 2-channel stereo, 5-channel stereo or 7-channel stereo

“0” indicates no LFE channel.

“.1” indicates that an LFE channel is present.

• Movie: Logic 7 Movie, DTS Neo 6:Cinema, Dolby Pro Logic II Movie,

Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie

The 6.1-channel signals – Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES Matrix and

Discrete – each include a flag meant to signal the receiver to decode

the surround back channel.

• Music: Logic 7 Music, DTS Neo 6:Music, Dolby Pro Logic II Music,

Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music

For Dolby Digital EX materials, the incoming bitstream will be displayed

as 3/2/.1 EX-ON. For older discs, the display may show EX-OFF, but

you will still be able to select the Dolby Digital EX mode manually.

• Video Game: Logic 7 Game, Dolby Pro Logic II Game, Dolby Pro

Logic IIx Game

For DTS-ES materials, the incoming bitstream will be displayed as

3/3/.1 ES-ON.

When one of the Dolby Pro Logic II Music modes is selected, access

to the Edit submenu becomes available. This submenu may be used

to adjust special settings available only in Music mode: Center Width,

Dimension and Panorama.

When a PCM signal is received, the PCM message, followed by the

sampling rate of the signal (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz), will

appear in the front-panel display.

Once you have programmed the default surround mode for each type

of program, simply select the line from the Surround Modes menu any

time you wish to override the AVR’s automatic surround mode selection.

The AVR will use the same surround mode the next time the source

input is selected.

In addition, the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators will indicate the

number of channels discretely encoded in the signal by displaying a

letter inside that channel’s speaker box. A line will connect the SBL and

SBR boxes when a 6.1-channel signal is detected, indicating that the

same signal is playing through both speakers. The letters flash when

no signal is present, such as when a DVD is paused. See Figure 58.

Please refer to Table A12 in the appendix for more information on which

surround modes are available with different bitstreams.

NOTE: Dolby Digital 2.0 signals may also include a Dolby

Surround flag indicating DS-ON or DS-OFF, depending on

whether the 2-channel bitstream contains only stereo informa-

tion, or a downmix of a multichannel program that can be

decoded by the Dolby Pro Logic decoder in the AVR. By default,

these signals are played in Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie mode, but

you may select another Dolby surround mode manually.

LFE

SBL

SBR

Figure 58 – Speaker/Channel Input Indicators

When only two channels – left and right – are present, the analog

surround modes may be used to decode the signal into the remaining

channels.

If you would prefer a different surround format than the native signal’s

digital encoding, press the Surround Modes Button to display the

Surround Modes menu (see Figure 57).

Surround Modes

Surround mode selection is dependent upon the format of the incoming

audio signal, as well as personal taste. There is no harm in experiment-

ing with all of the modes available with any given source material. Table

A12 offers a brief description of each mode the AVR 254 is capable of

using, and also indicates the types of incoming signals or digital bit-

streams the mode may be used with. Additional information about the

Dolby and DTS modes is available on the companies’ Web sites:

www.dolby.com and www.dtsonline.com.

The Auto Select option (the first line) uses the native signal’s digital

encoding, e.g. Dolby Digital or DTS. For two-channel materials, the

AVR defaults to Logic 7 Movie mode. If you prefer a different surround

processing mode, select the appropriate line from the menu: Virtual

Surround, Stereo, Movie, Music or Video Game.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

When in doubt, check the jacket of your DVD for more information on

which surround modes are available on the disc. Usually, nonessential

sections of the disc, such as trailers, extra materials or the disc menu,

are only available in Dolby Digital 2.0 (2-channel) or PCM 2-channel

mode. If the main title is playing and the letters in the Speaker/Channel

Input Indicators are not lit for all speaker locations, look for an audio or

language setup section in the disc’s menu. Also, make sure your DVD

player’s audio output is set to the original bitstream rather than just

PCM. Check the DVD player’s output setting by stopping play of the

disc and checking the DVD player’s menu system.

Panorama: With the Panorama mode turned ON, some of the sound

from the front speakers is moved to the surround speakers, creating an

enveloping “wraparound” type of effect. Each press of the OK Button

toggles the setting on or off.

Night Mode

Night mode is available with some Dolby Digital programs, if it has been

encoded in the material. It compresses the peak sound levels, maintain-

ing the intelligibility of the dialogue and quieter passages, while reducing

the loudness of special effects and louder passages to avoid disturbing

others. Night Mode is accessed from the Audio Effects menu. Press

the Audio Effects Button and scroll down to the Night Mode line. Three

levels of compression are available:

As indicated in Table A12, different surround modes may only be

available with certain input signals or bitstream formats. For any incom-

ing signal, only a limited number of surround modes are available.

Although there is never a time when all of the AVR 254’s surround

modes are available, there is usually a wide variety of modes available

for a given input.

Off: At this setting, there is no compression, as the Night mode is

deactivated.

Half: A mild compression is applied.

Full: More compression is applied.

To select a surround mode, press the Surround Modes Button

(front panel or remote) repeatedly until the desired option appears:

SURR: AUTO SELECT, SURR: VIRTUAL, SURR: STEREO, SURR: MOVIE,

SURR: MUSIC or SURR: GAME. The option will be displayed in the

Lower Line of the Message Display, and the Surround Modes menu

will appear on screen (see Figure 57). Press the OK Button, and the

menu option will move to the Upper Line, while the Lower Line indicates

⁄ ¤

Table A12 provides descriptions of all surround modes available on the

AVR 254, along with the incoming bitstreams or signals that the particular

mode may be used with. Feel free to experiment and simply cycle

through all of the available modes at any time; you cannot cause any

problems for the AVR 254 by doing so.

the current mode. Use the

Buttons to select a new mode and

press the OK Button, then press the Back/Exit Button to return to the

previous menu.

NOTE: To access 6.1- and 7.1-channel modes, such as

Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Logic 7 (7.1 modes), DTS Neo:6

(6.1 modes), and 7-channel Stereo, you must enable the

surround back channels as explained in the Manual Setup

section. You should not enable these channels if you don’t

have surround back speakers in your system.

Dolby Surround Settings

Some additional settings are available for Dolby modes. Three settings

are active only when the Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx Music modes have

been selected. See Figure 59.

Figure 59 – Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx Music Mode Settings

Center Width: This setting affects how vocals sound through the three

front speakers. A higher number (up to 7) focuses the vocal information

tightly on the center channel. Lower numbers broaden the vocal sound-

‹ ›

stage across the three speakers. Use the

setting.

Buttons to change the

Dimension: This setting affects the depth of the surround presentation,

allowing you to “move” the sound toward the front or rear of the room.

The setting of “0” is a neutral default. Setting “F-3” moves the sound

mostly toward the front of the room, while setting “R-3” moves the sound

‹ ›

mostly toward the rear. Use the

Buttons to change the setting.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

If you send the lowest notes to small satellite speakers, you won’t hear

these notes very well, and you may even damage the speaker by

exceeding its capabilities. If you send the highest notes to the special-

purpose subwoofer, you may not hear them at all.

Manual Setup

The AVR 254 is flexibly designed to be used with almost any loud-

speakers available. The flexibility comes from the AVR 254’s capability to

be configured to match the characteristics of your particular speakers,

and to compensate for the acoustic characteristics of your room.

With proper bass management, the AVR 254 divides the source signal

at a crossover point. All information above the crossover point is played

through the satellite speaker (front left/right, center, surround left/right, or

surround back left/right), and all information below the crossover point is

played through the subwoofer. This enables each loudspeaker in your

system to perform at its best, delivering an enjoyable sound experience.

The EzSet/EQ process automatically detects the capabilities of each

speaker, and optimizes the AVR 254’s performance in your system.

However, if for some reason you are unable to run EzSet/EQ calibration,

e.g., you have misplaced the microphone, or if you wish to make further

adjustments to the settings made by the EzSet/EQ process, you may

use the Manual Setup on-screen menus as described in this section.

Step Two – Measure Speaker Distances

Before beginning manual setup place your loudspeakers in their correct

locations within the room (see Speaker Placement section), and connect

them to the AVR. You will need the specifications for each of your speakers,

which may usually be found in the owner’s guide for the speakers or

on the manufacturer’s Web site. If necessary, contact the manufacturer

to obtain the frequency range specification. Although the output-level

setting portion of manual setup may be performed “by ear,” we recom-

mend that you purchase an SPL (sound-pressure level) meter at a local

electronics store.

Ideally, all of your speakers would be placed in a circle, each at the

same distance from the listening position. However, your room may not

be ideal, and you may have had to place some speakers a little further

away than others. This could affect the overall sound of the receiver,

as sounds that are supposed to arrive simultaneously from different

speakers blur due to different arrival times.

The AVR 254 has a delay adjustment that enables the receiver to

compensate for real-world speaker placements.

Before you begin making adjustments, measure the distance from each

speaker to the listening position, and note it in the Table A4 worksheet

in the appendix. Even if all of your speakers are the same distance from

the listening position, you should enter your speaker distances as

described in Step Three.

We suggest that you record your configuration settings in the appropri-

ate places in Tables A3 through A11 in the appendix in case you need

to reenter them after a system reset, or if the AVR’s Master Power

Switch is turned off or the unit is unplugged for more than four weeks.

NOTE: When using the AVR’s Speaker Setup menus, we rec-

ommend selecting a video output resolution of 720p or higher

to provide graphics that simplify configuration. Those menus will

vary in appearance from the ones shown here.

Step Three – Manual Setup Menu

Now you are ready to program these adjustments into the receiver. It’s

best to sit in the usual listening position and make the room as quiet

as possible.

Step One – Determine Speaker Crossover

With the receiver and video display turned on, press the AVR Button to

Without using the EzSet/EQ process, the AVR 254 can’t detect how

many speakers you’ve connected to it; nor can it determine their capa-

bilities. For this part of the system setup consult the speaker’s technical

specifications.

display the menu system. Use the

Button to move the cursor to the

Speaker Setup line, and press the Set Button to display the Speaker

Setup menu. See Figure 46.

If you have run the EzSet/EQ process, those results were saved. To

tweak the EzSet/EQ results, or to configure the AVR from scratch, select

Manual Setup. The screen shown in Figure 60 will appear.

Locate the frequency response, which is usually given as a range, e.g.,

100Hz – 20kHz ( 3dB). This specification tells you whether the speaker

is able to play sounds that are very high- or low-pitched, represented

by the high and low frequencies. We are concerned here with the lowest

frequency that each of your main speakers is capable of playing, which

is 100Hz in this example. Use the Table A3 worksheet in the appendix

to note this number as the crossover for that speaker (not the same as

the crossover frequency listed in the speaker’s specifications).

The subwoofer’s frequency response will include only the very lowest

frequencies, since the subwoofer is designed to play only bass materials.

A typical frequency response for a subwoofer is 25Hz – 150Hz. In this

case, the higher number should be noted in the worksheet.

Figure 60 – Manual Speaker Setup Menu

This information is required to program the receiver’s bass manage-

ment, which determines which speakers the receiver will use to play

back the low-frequency (bass) portion of the source program.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

NOTE: All of the speaker setup submenus include the Exit and

Back options as shown at the bottom of Figure 58. To return

to a previous menu without making any changes, select Exit.

To save the current settings, select the Back option.

Adjust Crossover Frequencies Menu

After you have programmed the number of speakers in the system, the

AVR will return to the Manual Speaker Setup menu, similar to the one

shown in Figure 46. Navigate to the Crossover (Size) line and press

the OK Button to display the Adjust Crossover Frequencies menu (see

Figure 62).

If you previously saved EzSet/EQ results in this setup position and you

wish to reconfigure the speakers from scratch, select the Reset option.

For best results, we recommend configuring the speakers in this order,

although it may differ from the order in which the submenus appear in

the Manual Speaker Setup menu: Number of Speakers, Crossover

(Size), Sub Mode, Distance and Level Adjust.

Number of Speakers

Move the cursor to the Number of Speakers line and press the Set

Button. See Figure 61.

Figure 62 – Adjust Crossover Frequencies Menu

The AVR will only display those speaker groups which you programmed

in the Number of Speakers menu.

Refer back to Step One, where you determined each speaker’s

crossover. For the main speakers, this is the lowest frequency the

speaker reproduces well; and for the subwoofer, it’s the highest.

For each main speaker, select one of the seven crossover frequencies:

40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz or 200Hz. If the crossover

frequency you determined in Step One is below 40Hz, select the first

option, “Large”. This setting doesn’t refer to the speaker’s physical size,

but to its frequency response, which is also called “full range”. This means

the speaker is capable of playing sounds throughout the frequency

spectrum, from the high pitches to the bass.

Figure 61 – Number of Speakers Menu

The Number of Speakers menu lists each of the speaker groups.

Program the correct setting for each group: ON when the speakers are

present in the system, and OFF for positions where no speakers have

been installed. The Front Left & Right speakers are always ON and may

not be disabled. Any changes made to the system configuration will be

reflected in the total number of speakers displayed at the top of the

screen.

Specify the size of the subwoofer’s transducer as 8, 10, 12 or 15 inches.

Make a note of each speaker group’s crossover setting in Table A3 in

the appendix.

The setting for the surround back speakers includes a third option:

Zone 2. The AVR 254 is capable of multizone operation, allowing place-

ment of a pair of speakers in another room. Listeners in the remote room

may enjoy either the same program as in the main room or a different

source. The AVR 254’s assignable surround back amplifier channels make

multizone operation easier than ever, since an external power amplifier is

not required. Simply select the Zone 2 option at this line, and connect the

Surround Back Speaker Outputs to loudspeakers located in the remote

room. The main room will be configured automatically for up to 5.1

channels. See the Multizone Operation section for more information.

When you have finished entering the settings, remember to select Back,

not Exit.

Sub Mode

Move the cursor to the Sub Mode line to program bass management

for the subwoofer. The subwoofer’s setting depends upon how you

programmed the front left and right speakers.

• If you set the front speakers to a numeric crossover frequency, the

subwoofer setting will be LFE, and you won’t be able to change it.

All low-frequency information will always be sent to the subwoofer.

If you don’t have a subwoofer, we recommend that you either

upgrade to full-range speakers or add a subwoofer to your system

at the earliest opportunity.

The settings in this menu affect a number of aspects of the AVR’s

operation, including the remainder of the speaker setup process and

the availability of various surround modes at any time.

When you have finished programming the number of speakers in the

system, select the Back option to insure the settings are saved correctly.

You may use the Back/Exit Button, and the settings will be saved.

• If you set the front speakers to LARGE, you may select between

two possible settings for the subwoofer.

L/R+LFE: This setting sends all low-frequency information to

the subwoofer, including both information that would normally be

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

played through the front left and right speakers and the special

low-frequency effects (LFE) channel information.

section, and select the Unit of Measure line. Press the OK Button to

change the setting from Feet to Meters.

⁄ ¤

LFE: This setting plays low-frequency information contained in the

Use the

Buttons to move the cursor to the Front Left line, press

‹ ›

left and right program channels to the front speakers, and directs the OK Button then use the

Buttons to change the measurement

only the LFE channel information to the subwoofer.

as needed. The values vary between 0 and 30 feet, with a default of

⁄ ¤

10 feet for all speakers. Use the

Buttons to move to each

NOTE: If you are using a Harman Kardon HKTS Series speaker

system, select the appropriate numeric crossover frequency for

the Left/Right, Center, Surround and Surr Back lines, and the

subwoofer will automatically be set to LFE.

speaker in turn – Center, Front Right, Surround Right, Surround Back

Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Left and Subwoofer, if present in

your system.

NOTE: When the multiroom system is in use, the surround back

channels are automatically assigned to the multiroom system, as

mentioned earlier. You will not be able to adjust the delay settings

for these channels, and the cursor will skip past them.

The Speaker/Channel Indicators on the front panel of the receiver (see

Figure 58) will display the speaker size settings as follows. For each

speaker configured numerically, a single box will appear in the position

for that speaker. For each speaker configured as LARGE, a double box

will appear in its position. If a speaker is configured as OFF, no box will

appear. The subwoofer will be indicated by a single box, or no box if

no subwoofer has been configured. The letters inside the boxes appear

when a digital signal is being received that has that channel discretely

encoded. The letters flash when the signal is not present, such as when

a DVD is paused. A line will connect the SBL and SBR boxes when a

6.1-channel signal is detected, indicating that the same signal is playing

through both speakers.

Step Four – Setting Channel Output Levels

Manually

For a conventional 2-channel receiver, the balance control enables the

user to control the stereo imaging by adjusting the relative loudness of

the left and right channels, as heard at the listening position.

With up to seven main channels plus a subwoofer, imaging becomes

both more critical and more complex. Unlike the rotary balance control,

the goal of the AVR 254’s channel output adjustment process is to

examine the output level of each channel independently and ensure

that each is heard at the listening position with equal loudness.

Adjust Speaker Distance Menu

As explained above in Step Two – Measure Speaker Distances, some-

times the speakers are placed at different distances from the listening

position, which can muddy the sound, as sounds are heard earlier or

later than desired.

If you followed the instructions in the Initial Setup section, then you

let EzSet/EQ calibration handle this critical task for you, simply and

automatically.

Even if all of your speakers are placed the same distance from the

listening position, do not skip this menu.

However, if you prefer to make these adjustments manually, the

AVR 254’s Adjust Speaker Levels menu allows you to do so, either

using the system’s test tone or while playing source material. In addition,

this is the only method for adjusting the level of the subwoofer.

On the Manual Speaker Setup menu, move the cursor to the Distance

line and press the Set Button to display the Adjust Speaker Distance

menu. See Figure 63.

If you use a handheld SPL meter (available at many electronics stores),

set it to the C-Weighting, Slow scale.

1. Make sure all speakers have been connected correctly.

2. Adjust the number of speakers, crossover, distance and sub mode

for each speaker in your system as described in Step Three.

3. If you are using a handheld SPL meter with source material, such

as a test disc or another audio selection, play it now and adjust the

AVR’s master volume control until the meter measures 75dB.

Figure 63 – Adjust Speaker Distance Menu

4. There are several methods of adjusting the channel output levels,

using either the test tone or source materials. In all cases, you may

measure the channel levels in one of two ways:

This menu requires you to enter the distance from each speaker to the

listening position, which you measured in Step Two – Measure Speaker

Distances and noted in Table A4 in the appendix.

a) By ear. Try to adjust the levels so that all channels sound equally loud.

The default unit of measurement is feet. If you wish to change the unit

to meters, press the Back/Exit Button until you return to the main AVR

menu. Scroll down to the System line, and select it to view the System

Settings menu. Scroll down this menu to the General AVR Settings

b) Using a handheld SPL meter set to the C-Weighting, Slow scale.

Try to adjust each channel so that the meter reads 75dB.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

The best method of setting the output levels is by running the EzSet/EQ

process, as described in the Initial Setup section. If any finer adjustments

are desired, we recommend using the menu system to make the adjust-

ments while playing the AVR’s built-in test tone and measuring the output

using an SPL meter. Less effective would be to measure the output by ear.

you may either copy the settings you obtained (as a short cut),

or redo the procedure to determine the correct settings.

When you have finished adjusting the speaker levels, select the SAVE

option so that the settings will not be lost. Record the level settings in

Table A3 in the appendix for future reference.

Press the AVR Button to display the menu system, and then navigate

to the Speaker Setup line. Press the OK Button to display the Speaker

Setup menu. Select Manual Speaker Setup, press the OK Button, and

then navigate to the Level Adjust line. Press the OK Button to display

the Adjust Speaker Levels menu. See Figure 64.

Audio Effects

Depending on the specific characteristics of your listening room, you

may wish to adjust some of the audio settings, such as tone controls,

to improve performance. Access these settings from the Audio Effects

menu. Press the Audio Effects Button on the front panel or remote,

and the screen shown in Figure 65 will appear. The menu may also be

accessed from the Setup Source menu by pressing the Info Settings

Button and selecting the Audio Effects line.

NOTE: The settings in the Audio Effects menu affect each

source independently.

Figure 64 – Adjust Speaker Levels Menu

All of the speaker channels will appear with their current level settings.

Reset Levels: If you wish to start by resetting all of the levels to their

factory defaults of 0dB, scroll down to this line and press the OK Button.

The levels will be reset.

If you are using an external source to set your output levels, simply

Figure 65 – Audio Effects Menu

‹ ›

navigate to each channel, press the Set Button and use the

Buttons

to adjust the level as desired between –10dB and 10dB.

Tone Control: This setting determines whether the treble and bass

controls are active. When it’s off, the tone controls are “flat”, with no

changes. When it’s on, the bass and treble frequencies are boosted

or cut depending upon the tone-control settings. When an analog audio

source is in use and the 2-Channel Stereo surround mode is selected,

setting the Tone Control to “Off” places the unit in analog bypass mode,

with no digital processing of the analog signal.

If you would like to set your levels using the AVR 254’s internal test

tone, adjust the TEST TONE line as follows.

Test Tone: This line determines whether the test tone is active. To begin

the process of setting the levels, press the OK Button repeatedly to

select the OFF, AUTO or MANUAL setting. Any time you manually move

the cursor out of the channel listings area of the screen, this

Treble: Boost or cut the high frequencies by up to 10dB by using the

setting will automatically change to OFF, stopping the test tone.

‹ ›

Buttons to change the temperature bar setting. The default setting

is 0dB, at the center of the temperature bar.

When this setting reads AUTO, the test tone will automatically circulate

to all channels, pausing for a few moments at each channel and then

moving to the next channel several seconds later, as indicated by the

highlight bar. You may adjust the level for any channel when the test

‹ ›

Bass: Boost or cut the low frequencies by up to 10dB by using the

‹ ›

Buttons to change the temperature bar setting. The default setting

is 0dB, at the center of the temperature bar.

tone is paused there by using the

Buttons. You may also use the

⁄ ¤

Buttons at any time to move the cursor to another line, and the

LFE Trim: This setting may be used to attenuate the loudness of the

subwoofer. The setting defaults to 0dB, which is the maximum. Press the

‹ ›

test tone will follow the cursor.

Buttons to reduce the level by up to 10dB; the setting will appear

When this setting reads MANUAL, the test tone will not move to the

as a negative number.

⁄ ¤

next channel until you use the

Buttons to move it.

Night Mode: This setting is used with specially encoded Dolby Digital

programs to compress the signal so that louder passages do not disturb

others, while dialogue remains intelligible.

NOTE: Setting the channel levels while one surround mode is

active does not carry over to other mode groups. We recom-

mend that after you have set the levels satisfactorily in one

mode, you note the results and change to other surround

modes. For those modes that don’t reflect your level settings,

• Off: For normal listening.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

• Half: Applies moderate compression.

• Full: Applies the most compression.

screen as sliders with values ranging from 0 to 100. The default

‹ ›

setting for each adjustment is 50. Use the

each setting’s value.

Buttons to change

When you have finished making adjustments in the Audio Effects menu,

press the Audio Effects Button or the Back/Exit Button to clear the screen.

Picture Adjust: Use this setting to change the aspect ratio of the

displayed image.

Video Adjustments

When displaying widescreen (16:9) images on a full screen (4:3)

device, letterbox format will be used, in which black bars may appear

above and below the image (pillarboxing).

The AVR 254 uses leading-edge Faroudja DCDi Cinema video process-

ing technology, with incoming video upscaled to 1080p (up to 1080i

when component video outputs are used) for outstanding video quality,

even with older analog video sources. Faroudja DCDi Cinema’s Dual 3D

comb filters and 10-bit video processing eliminates the jagged edges

and moiré patterns seen with less advanced processing. Thanks to this

“Torino” video processing chip, on-screen graphics may be generated

in high definition, and blended with the incoming video. This not only

delivers crisp, clear information messages, it allows you to continue to

watch a program while making system adjustments.

When displaying full screen images on a widescreen device, black or

gray bars may appear to the left and right of the image.

Some displays, especially plasma and CRT monitors, may suffer from

“burn-in” when the same image, such as the horizontal or vertical bars,

is left on screen for a long period of time. Use this setting to adjust the

picture so that it fills the display’s screen. The options are:

• Auto Fit: The AVR automatically adjusts the image as required to

fit the display’s capabilities.

The video processor automatically provides the best picture based on

the capabilities of your video display and the incoming source video

signals. However, you may experiment with the Video Modes menu

adjustments to try to improve the picture further.

• Height Fit: Adjusts the image to eliminate any bars above or below

it. Bars may remain at the sides.

• Width Fit: Adjusts the image to eliminate any bars on the sides.

Video Modes

Bars may remain above and below the image.

After you have adjusted the picture settings on your video display, addi-

tional adjustments may be made to the AVR, if necessary, to further

improve the picture. Access these settings from the Video Modes menu.

Press the Video Modes Button on the front panel or remote, and the

screen shown in Figure 66 will appear. The menu may also be accessed

from the Setup Source menu by pressing the Info Settings Button and

selecting the Video Modes line.

• Zoom 1x: Displays the image as received from the source. If the

image is in the 4:3 aspect ratio, on widescreen displays pillarbox

format may be used. If the image is in the 16:9 aspect ratio, on full

screen (4:3) displays letterbox format may be used.

• Zoom 2x: Stretches the image evenly to completely fill the screen.

The outer portions of the image may be cropped.

Feel free to experiment with this setting for each source until you find

a pleasing display format for each program.

›

Advanced Video Settings: Press the or OK Button to display the

Advanced Video Modes submenu (see Figure 67).

Figure 66 – Video Modes Menu

Video Mode: The default setting of Processor Off passes the video

signal through to the display without any processing. Select one of these

processing options to optimize the picture for the current program by

applying adjustments to the brightness, contrast, color and sharpness:

Figure 67 – Advanced Video Modes Menu

• Sports: For sporting events.

Noise Reduction: Change this setting from its default of Off to Low,

Medium or High to filter out signal noise.

• Nature: For programs shot outdoors, in a natural setting.

• Movie: For movies and many television broadcasts.

MPEG Noise Reduction: This setting is designed to address two

specific types of video distortion, mosquito noise and blocking artifacts.

If you see haziness or shimmering around the edges of objects or the

scrolling credits in a film, or if the image appears to “pixellate” into

• Custom: Allows manual adjustment of the picture settings. The

Brightness, Contrast, Color and Sharpness settings will appear on

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

blocks, change the MPEG Noise Reduction setting from its default of

Off to the Low, Medium or High setting to improve the picture.

Contrast Adjustment

1. Adjust the contrast on your TV until you see a bright white bar in the

lower right corner of the screen and a deep-dark-black bar to the

left. The optimal contrast setting will depend on your preference and

the surrounding light in the TV room.

Cross Color Suppressor: Turn this setting on to remove cross color

artifacts, which can occur when high-frequency luminance (brightness)

signals are misinterpreted as chroma (color) signals, which can cause

unwanted flickering, flashing colors or rainbow patterns.

2. If the brightness of the white bar no longer increases when the con-

trast is turned up or the borders of white letters bloom (overlight) into

the black areas (drastically decreasing the sharpness of the type), the

contrast has been turned up too much. Reduce the contrast until

these effects disappear and the video still looks realistic.

Film Mode Detect: While normally left off, turn this setting on to com-

pensate for authoring errors in the process of converting film programs

to video.

How to Adjust the Custom Picture Settings

3. If you are watching TV with ambient daylight, adjust the contrast so

that a normal video picture has about the same look as the surround-

ings in your room. That way the eye is relaxed when watching the TV

picture. This contrast setting may be reduced when the surrounding

light is dimmed, thereby usually improving the sharpness of a video

significantly.

Set the Video Mode to Custom to display the picture settings as shown

in Figure 68.

4. The gray scale in the middle line needs to have the same clear

difference between each bar as before the contrast adjustment. If

not, go back to “Brightness Adjustment” and repeat Step 3 and then

“Contrast Adjustment,” making only minor adjustments each time for

optimization.

Figure 68 – Video Modes Custom Processing

Color Adjustment

With a color bar test pattern screen from a test disc or other source

showing on your video display, the following adjustments may be made:

1. When the brightness and contrast are set optimally, adjust the color

control to the level of your preference. Set the level so that the colors

look strong but still natural, not overdone. If the color level is too

high, depending on the TV, some of the bars will seem wider or the

color intensity will not increase when the control is turned up. Then

the color control must be reduced again. Ultimately, you also should

test the color intensity with a video – e.g., pictures of natural faces,

flowers, fruit and vegetables, and other common natural articles for

an optimal setting of the color intensity.

• The proper color intensity setting on your TV.

• Proper color adjustments using the color bars, which should be (left

to right) black, white, yellow, cyan (turquoise), green, magenta, red,

blue, black.

• The proper color transition, seen as sharp separation of the bars.

• The performance of the color circuits in your TV (with “Video” signals);

bar edges should show no vertical crawling dots.

2. Refer to the large white bar below the gray scale to tweak the

warmth of the picture. Every viewer has a preference as to how the

glow of the picture should be. Some prefer a colder picture, some

a warmer glow. The Tint function on your TV and the white bar can

be used to control this. Adjust the Tint to the level where you feel

the white color has the tone you prefer.

With the gray scale and the black/white fields below the color bars, the

brightness and contrast of your screen can be adjusted.

Brightness Adjustment

1. Turn down the color control on your TV until the color bars appear

in black and white.

Sharpness Adjustment

Contrary to intuition, the picture will appear sharper and clearer with the

sharpness backed off from the maximum setting. Reduce the sharpness

setting on your television, and the setting on the AVR 254 if necessary,

to minimize the appearance of any white lines between the bars in the

gray scale portion of the test screen.

2. Adjust the contrast to the lowest level where you still can see all gray

scale bars separately and clearly.

3. Adjust the brightness so that the bars in the gray scale are all visible.

The bar farthest to the left has to be as black as possible rather than

gray but the next gradation must clearly be distinct from it. All the

bars in the gray scale should be gradually and evenly changing from

black to white, left to right.

Convergence and Edge Focus

The crosshatch pattern that surrounds the test screen may be used to

evaluate edge focus and convergence in front- or rear-projection video

displays. However, the controls used to adjust these parameters are

often not user-accessible. In any event, these adjustments are extremely

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

complex, and require proper training and experience to avoid worsening

However, when the multizone system is turned off, you may reassign your

remote speakers to the main listening room for 7.1-channel operation.

the situation. Therefore, it is recommended that if you are unable to

improve the picture using the available controls, contact the video display

manufacturer’s authorized service representative for assistance.

You may install an optional remote infrared (IR) receiver in the remote

room and connect it to the Zone 2 IR Input on the back of the receiver.

This lets you use an optional second-zone remote, a keypad or another

control device to turn the multizone system on or off, select a source

input, and operate any source devices that are connected in daisychain

fashion to the AVR 254’s Remote IR Output. You may use the main

AVR 254 remote control in the remote zone, or you may purchase a

second-zone remote by contacting Harman Kardon customer service

through our Web site.

When you have finished making any video adjustments, press the

Back/Exit Button to back out of the menu system.

Multizone Operation

The AVR 254 offers the benefits of multizone operation, a rarity in a

receiver this affordable. With the multizone system in use, you may enjoy

an exciting 5.1-channel home theater presentation in the main listening

area, while others listen to the same materials or an entirely different

presentation in another room.

You may use the above connection methods simultaneously to increase

the total number of remote rooms in your system. Remember that

sending control commands from one room in the system will affect

the entire remote zone of the multizone system.

Although installation of a multizone system is not complicated, it requires

running wires inside walls. We urge you to check your local building

codes and comply with the requirements for in-wall wiring systems to

prevent the possibility of a dangerous situation. If you have any ques-

tions about installing a multiroom system, we strongly recommend that

you contact a professional custom installer.

Operating the Multizone System

The AVR 254’s multizone system is accessed using the on-screen

Zone 2 menu. Press the AVR Button to display the menu System, and

⁄ ¤

use the

Buttons to navigate to the Zone 2 line. Press the

OK Button to display the Zone Control menu. See Figure 69.

Installing a Multizone System

A typical multizone system consists of only one remote room in the

remote zone. That is, you connect only one pair of loudspeakers to the

AVR 254, placing those speakers in the remote room the same way

you would place the front left and right speakers in the main listening

room. It is not recommended that you place the left and right

multizone speakers in different rooms.

To use the AVR 254 with more than one remote room, purchase a

multichannel external amplifier that enables you to connect several pairs

of loudspeakers. However, the AVR 254 only outputs one remote zone,

meaning that only one signal is sent through the multizone system.

All remote rooms will hear the same source, even when a multichannel

amplifier is used.

Figure 69 – Zone 2 Menu

Status: This line is used to turn the multizone system on or off. When

no one is listening in the remote room, leave this setting at the default

of OFF.

There are two ways of connecting the remote speakers to the AVR 254:

Source: This line indicates the source input selected for the remote

zone. You may select any source input for which a device has been

connected to the AVR 254, even when a different source is being

enjoyed in the main listening area. However, if the tuner has been

selected for simultaneous operation in both the main listening area and

the remote zone, listeners in both areas will hear the same radio station.

a) Connect the speakers to the left and right SB/Zone 2 Speaker

Outputs on the rear panel of the AVR 254. This is the simplest

type of multizone system. However, it is not recommended for long

speaker-wire runs (e.g., more than 25 feet), as the audio signal tends

to degrade over long distances. If your application would require a

long speaker-wire run, consider option b) below.

NOTE: Only analog audio sources are available to the multizone

system. To hear digital devices, such as a CD player, in the

remote zone, follow these steps:

b) Purchase an external amplifier. Connect the SB/Zone 2 Preamp

Outputs to the amplifier’s inputs. You may place the amplifier either in

the main listening room or the remote room. Placing the amplifier in

the main listening room would require the use of long speaker wires

to reach the remote room, while placing the amplifier in the remote

room calls for the opposite – long interconnect cables and short

speaker wires.

1. In addition to a digital audio connection, connect the source

device’s analog audio outputs to any available analog audio

inputs on the AVR, noting in Table A5 in the appendix which

set of inputs was used.

When you use either the SB/Zone 2 Speaker Outputs or the Preamp Outputs

for a multizone system, you will not be able to use the surround back

speakers with your main system, which will then be limited to 5.1channels.

2. In the Setup Source menu, leave the Audio Source setting at

the digital audio input. However, scroll down to the Zone 2 Audio

setting and select the analog audio source used in step 1.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

Volume: The volume is controlled separately for the remote zone.

when turned on. This feature avoids discomfort for listeners in case the

last user turned the volume very high.

To operate the multizone system using the remote, slide the Zone Select

Switch at the bottom of the remote to the “2” position (see Figure 70).

Press a Source Selector to select a source input for the remote zone.

Adjusting the volume or mute controls will only affect the volume in the

remote zone. The on-screen menu functions will not be operative. The

remote will operate source devices that have been programmed into it

as explained in the Initial Setup section.

Turn Volume Default on, and then set the Volume Default Level to the

desired turn-on volume.

Unit of Measure: This setting only affects the speaker-distance settings

when performing Manual Speaker Setup. Select between meters and feet.

Language: Select the preferred language for the AVR’s on-screen

menus and displays: English, French, Spanish or German.

HDMI Audio to TV: This setting determines whether audio signals

received through any of the HDMI Inputs are passed through the HDMI

Output to the video display. In normal operation, leave this setting Off,

as audio will be played through the AVR rather than the video display’s

built-in speakers. However, sometimes you may wish to use the TV by

itself, without using the complete home theater system. For those occa-

sions change this setting to On. You may always mute the TV’s speakers

when using the AVR for audio.

Figure 70 – Zone Select Switch

System Settings

Resolution to Display: This setting reflects the video output resolution.

See page 36 in the Initial Setup section for more information.

The AVR 254 offers system settings that allow you to make the receiver

easier to use rather than directly affecting performance. These settings

may be accessed from the System Settings menu, which is selected

by pressing the AVR Button and navigating to the System line. Press the

OK Button to display the System Settings menu. See Figure 71.

Menu Appearance

OSD Transparency: This setting allows you to select whether video

programs will be visible when the menu system is in use. Select Normal

for a fully-transparent background, Medium for the menu background to

be partially visible or Opaque to block the view of any video programs

while the menus are on screen.

Volume Status Messages: When the AVR is turned on, the volume is

adjusted or the source is changed, or if a change in the input signal is

detected, a status message will be displayed on screen. Use this setting

to select how long the message remains visible. The setting varies from

2 to 10 seconds, with a default of 3 seconds.

Figure 71 – Systems Settings Screen

Menus: Some menu settings only remain in effect during the current

listening session, including the settings in the Surround Modes, Video

Modes and Audio Effects menus. This setting governs how long these

menus will remain visible after your last adjustment, varying from 2 to

10 seconds, with a default of 3 seconds.

Front Panel Dimmer: Some people find the front-panel messages

distracting while watching a movie. The AVR 254 allows you to dim the

front-panel lighting or turn it off altogether. When the display is partly or

fully dimmed, it will return to full brightness for five seconds whenever a

command is entered, and then it will dim again. Select On 100% for full

brightness, dim to 50% or 25% of full brightness or select Off to fully

darken the display. The light inside the Volume Control will go out when

the display is partly or fully dimmed, but the Power Indicator will always

remain lit to remind you that the AVR is powered on.

Setup and Slide-In Menus: This setting determines how long the

setup menus (Main Menu, Speaker Setup Menu, Zone 2 Menu,

all slide-in menus) remain visible after your last adjustment. Select

a timeout period of 5, 10 or 15 (the default) minutes, or no timeout,

which leaves the menus on screen until you manually clear them.

We recommend setting some timeout period to avoid the possibility

of burn-in damage to plasma or CRT displays.

General AVR Settings

Volume Units: Select whether volume is displayed in the conventional

decibel scale or on a numeric scale from 0 to 100. When the decibel

scale is used, 0dB is the maximum volume, with lower volumes measured

as negative values.

Screen Saver: Use this setting to program a timeout period for no

activity (with no menus displayed) before the AVR’s built-in screen saver

begins. Select a period of 5 (the default), 10 or 20 minutes, or turn off

the screen saver. We recommend setting some timeout period to avoid

the possibility of burn-in damage to plasma or CRT displays.

Volume Default and Volume Default Level: These two settings are

used together to program a volume level the AVR will always switch to

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

device, but with more flexibility than the built-in punch-through controls.

Up to eleven activities may be programmed.

Advanced Remote Control Functions

The AVR 254 remote control not only operates the AVR 254, but it also

serves as a universal remote that may be programmed to operate many

other home theater components, as described in the Installation section.

Each time you select one of your other components, the AVR remote

switches to the control functions for that component. Since many buttons

have unique functions for each component, refer to the Function List

(Table A13 in the appendix) for assistance in operating your other com-

ponents. The function of each button will not necessarily correspond to

the label printed on the button.

NOTE: Use caution when programming complicated activities. It

isn’t possible to program a pause or delay before sending com-

mands after Power On, and the component may not be ready

to respond to commands instantaneously after powering on.

To program, or “record” an activity, follow these steps:

1. To enter Program mode, simultaneously press and hold the Activity

Button and the Alphanumeric Key or AVR Power On Button to which

the activity will be assigned.

Punch-Through Programming

2. Press the Input (or AVR) Selector for each device before you enter

commands to be transmitted to that device. This step counts as one

of the 19 commands allowed for each macro.

The AVR 254 remote’s punch-through feature allows you to select

one component for the remote to operate, while simultaneously setting

certain groups of controls to operate another component. For example,

while using the AVR to control surround modes and other audio func-

tions, you may operate the transport controls of your DVD player. Or while

using the remote to control video functions on your TV, you may use your

cable box to change channels.

3. For the Power On command, press the AVR or Device Power On

Button as appropriate.

4. Press the AVR or Device Power Off Button to program the Power

Off command.

To program punch-through control while operating any device:

5. Press the Activity Button to end the programming process, and the

last Source Selector (or the AVR Settings Button) will flash 3 times

to indicate that the activity has been programmed.

1. Press and hold the Source Selector (or AVR selector) for the main

device the remote will be operating. The Source Selector will light,

go dark and then light up again, indicating the remote is in Program

mode and that you may release the button.

It isn’t possible to “edit” a command within a macro. However, you may

erase the macro as follows:

2. Select the type of punch-through programming.

1. Simultaneously press and hold the Activity Button and the Numeric

Key or AVR Power On Button assigned to the activity until the Source

Selector or AVR Settings Button lights.

a) To program channel control punch-through, press the Channel

Up Button.

2. Press the Activity Button to erase the macro.

b) To program transport control punch-through, press the Play Button.

3. Press the Source Selector for the device whose channel or transport

controls you would like to be active while operating the device you

selected in the first step. The Source Selector will flash to confirm the

programming.

Resetting the Remote

To reset the remote to its factory defaults, simultaneously press and

hold the TV Source Selector and the “0” Alphanumeric Key. When the

TV Button re-lights, enter the code “333”. When the TV Button goes

out, and all of the Source Selectors flash, the remote will have been

fully reset.

For example, if you wish to watch your TV while changing channels

using your cable box, first press and hold the TV Button until it lights.

Then press the Channel Up Button, followed by the CBL/SAT Button.

Processor Reset

To undo punch-through programming, follow the same steps as above,

but press the same Source Selector in Steps 1 and 3.

There may be instances when you wish to fully reset the AVR 254 to its

factory defaults, or the unit may behave erratically after a power surge.

NOTE: The remote always allows volume-control punch-

through, since the Volume and Mute controls are dedicated

to the AVR.

To correct erratic behavior, first try turning the Master Power Switch off

and unplugging the AC power cord for at least three minutes. Plug

the cord back in and turn the receiver back on. If this doesn’t help,

try a system reset.

Activities (Macros)

Activities are used to program sequences of up to 19 commands that

are executed with a single button press. Activities are well suited for

power on and off commands, or to send out a favorite multidigit channel

number with one button press, or to have the ability to send out a code

sequence to control another device while the remote is operating one

NOTES:

• A system reset erases all user configurations, including video

resolution, speaker and level settings, and tuner presets. After

a reset, you will need to reenter all of these settings.

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS

• The RS-232 Reset Button on the rear panel of the AVR 254

does not perform a system reset. DO NOT press the RS-232

Reset Button.

To reset the AVR 254, place the receiver in Standby mode (press the

front-panel Standby/On Switch so that the Power Indicator turns amber).

Then press and hold the front-panel OK Button for at least five seconds

until the RESET message appears in the display.

Follow the directions in the note on page 32 to restore the picture

if necessary.

If the receiver still does not function correctly after a processor reset,

contact an authorized Harman Kardon service center for assistance.

Authorized service centers may be located by visiting our Web site

at www.harmankardon.com.

Memory

If the AVR 254 is unplugged or experiences a power outage, it will

retain user settings for up to four weeks.

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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

SYMPTOM

CAUSE

SOLUTION

Unit does not function when Main

Power Switch is pushed

• No AC Power

• Make certain AC power cord is plugged into

a live outlet

• Check to see whether outlet is switch-controlled

Display lights, but no sound

or picture

• Intermittent input connections

• Make certain that all input and speaker connections

are secure

• Mute is on

• Volume control is down

• Press Mute Button

• Turn up volume control

No sound from any speaker;

light around power switch is red

• Amplifier is in protection mode

due to possible short

• Amplifier is in protection mode

due to internal problems

• Check speaker wire connections for shorts at receiver and

speaker ends

• Contact your local Harman Kardon service center

No sound from surround or

center speakers

• Incorrect surround mode

• Input is monaural

• Incorrect configuration

• Stereo or Mono program material

• Select a mode other than Stereo

• There is no surround information from mono sources

• Check speaker mode configuration

• The surround decoder may not create center- or rear-channel

information from nonencoded programs

Unit does not respond to

remote commands

• Weak batteries in remote

• Wrong device selected

• Remote sensor is obscured

• Change remote batteries

• Press the AVR selector

• Make certain front-panel sensor is in line of sight of remote

or connect an optional remote sensor

Intermittent buzzing in tuner

• Local interference

• Move unit or antenna away from computers, fluorescent

lights, motors or other electrical appliances

Letters flash in the channel indicator • Digital audio feed paused

display and digital audio stops

• Resume play for DVD

• Check that the correct digital input is selected

Surround Back Speaker settings

cannot be accessed, and test tone

does not play through Surround

Back Speakers

• Multizone system has been turned

on, and the surround back channels

were reassigned to multizone operation

• Use the menu system to access the Zone 2 menu and turn

off the multizone system.

The XM Preview Channel (001)

is silent

• XM antenna is not plugged in

• Make sure you are using a home audio XM antenna module

designed for use with XM Ready home audio equipment,

and that the module is plugged into the XM Radio Jack

on the rear panel of the receiver.

• XM antenna is not located in such

a way as to enable reception

• The XM Antenna module needs to be placed with an

unobstructed view of the southern sky, or within range of an

XM terrestrial repeater. If necessary, purchase an extension

cable from your XM Radio dealer.

Unable to activate Program mode

on remote

• Source Selector not held for at least

3 seconds

• The selector will light as you initially press it, and go dark as you

hold it down. Wait at least 3 seconds for the selector to light

up again.

Remote behaves erratically

• Buttons are pressed too hard

• Remote is in Zone 2 mode

• Always press remote control buttons as gently as possible.

Remote buttons light, but AVR does

not respond

• Slide the Zone Switch at the bottom of the remote to the

Zone 1 position

Additional information on troubleshooting possible problems with your AVR 254, or installation-related issues, may be found in the list of “Frequently

Asked Questions”, which is located in the Product Support section of our Web site at www.harmankardon.com.

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APPENDIX

Appendix – Default settings, worksheets, remote product codes

Table A1 – Recommended Source Component Connections

Device Type

AVR 254 Source

Digital Audio Connection

Analog Audio Connection

Video Connections

Cable TV, satellite TV, HDTV

or other device that delivers

television programs

CBL/SAT

HDMI 2

Analog 1

HDMI 2

DVD Audio/Video, SACD,

Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD player

DVD

HDMI 1

Analog 2

Analog 5

HDMI 1

Media Server, including

Media Server

Optical 2

S-Video 1

Harman Kardon DMC 1000

Optical 1

Coaxial 1

Coax Front

Analog 3

Component 1

Video game console

Game

AUX

Analog 4

Composite 1

Any audio or video device,

e.g. CD player, camcorder,

cassette deck

Analog Front

Composite Front (not used for

audio-only devices)

Recorder

Any

Coaxial 1 or 2 input and

Coaxial Output

Analog 4 inputs and outputs

Composite OR S-Video 2 input

and output

Portable audio player

AUX

Any

Stereo Jack (use mini-plug

cable, not included)

Not required.

Make this connection only when using the TV source for a non-display device. Do not connect your television’s or video display’s video output to the AVR at any time.

Table A2 – Source Setting Defaults

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server Radio

Game

AUX

Surround Modes (Auto Select)

Video Input

Logic 7 Movie

HDMI 2

Logic 7 Movie Logic 7 Movie Logic 7 Movie Logic 7 Movie

Logic 7 Movie

Composite 1

Coaxial 1

720p

Logic 7 Movie

Composite Front

Coaxial Front

720p

HDMI 1

720p

S-Video 1

Optical 2

720p

N/A

720p

N/A

Component 1

Optical 1

720p

Audio Input

HDMI 2

Resolution to Display

Audio Auto Polling

Zone 2 Audio

720p

Analog 1

Analog 2

Analog 5

Analog 3

Analog 4

Analog Front

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APPENDIX

Table A3 – Speaker/Channel Setting Defaults

Audio Input

All Digital and 2-Channel Analog Audio Inputs

6-/8-Channel Analog Audio Inputs*

Your Settings

Left/Right Speakers

Center Speaker

Left/Right Surround Speakers

Left/Right Surround Back Speakers

Subwoofer

Left/Right Speakers Crossover

Center Speaker Crossover

Left/Right Surround Speakers Crossover

Left/Right Surround Back Speakers Crossover

Subwoofer Mode

100Hz

LFE

Large

N/A

Subwoofer Size

8 inch

0dB

N/A

Front Left Level

0dB

Center Level

Front Right Level

Surround Right Level

Surround Back Right Level

Surround Back Left Level

Surround Left Level

Sub Level

Note: The 6-/8-Channel Inputs are “direct” inputs whose signals are passed directly to the volume control without any bass management processing. Thus, the speakers are always full-range

and cannot be adjusted. The settings are global for the remaining audio inputs.

Table A4 – Delay Setting Defaults

Speaker Position

Distance From Speaker to Listening Position

Your Delay Settings

Front Left

10 feet

0mS

Center

Front Right

Surround Right

Surround Left

Surround Back Right

Surround Back Left

Subwoofer

A/V Sync Delay

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APPENDIX

Table A5 – Source Settings

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server Radio

Game

AUX

Surround Modes

Video Input

Audio Input

Resolution to Display

Adjust Lip Sync

Change Name

Audio Auto Polling

Zone 2 Audio

Table A6 – Audio Effects Settings

Default

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server Radio

Game

AUX

Tone Control

Treble

Off

0dB

Off

Bass

LFE Trim

Night Mode

Off

Table A7 – Video Modes Settings

Default

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server Radio

Game

AUX

Video Mode

Processor Off

Brightness

Contrast

Color

Sharpness

Picture Adjust

Auto Fit

0ff

Noise Reduction

MPEG Noise Reduction

0ff

Cross Color Suppressor

Off

Film Mode Detect

Off

Note: These settings are only available when the Video Mode is set to Custom.

**^{Note: These settings are only displayed when Advanced Video Settings is selected.}

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APPENDIX

Table A8 – Surround Modes

Default

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server Radio

Game

AUX

Auto Select

Logic 7 Movie or

native digital format

Virtual Surround

Dolby Virtual

Speaker Reference

Stereo

Movie

Music

Game

7 CH Stereo

Logic 7 Movie

Logic 7 Music

Logic 7 Game

Center Width

Dimension

Panorama

Off

Note: These settings are only available when Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx Music mode has been selected. Access these settings by selecting the Edit option.

Table A9 – Remote Control Codes

Source Input

Device Type (if changed)

Product Code

Cable/Sat

DVD

Media Server

Game

AUX

Table A10 – System Settings

Feature

Default

On 100%

Your Setting

Front Panel Dimmer

Volume Units

Volume Default

Off

Volume Default Level

Unit of Measure

Language

-25dB

Feet

English

Off

HDMI Audio to TV

OSD Transparency

Volume/Status Messages

Menus

Normal

3 seconds

5 seconds

15 minutes

5 minutes

Setup and Slide-In Menus

Screen Saver

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APPENDIX

Table A11 – Zone 2 Settings

Source Input

Device Type (if changed)

Your Settings

Status

Off

Source

Cable/Sat

-25dB

Volume

Surround Back Amps

Main Room

Table A12 – Surround Modes

Surround Mode

Description

Incoming Bitstream or Signal

Dolby Digital

Provides up to five separate main audio channels and a dedicated

low-frequency effects (LFE) channel. May be encoded for Night mode,

which allows the user to apply a compression setting that maintains

intelligibility of softer passages while reducing the loudness of dynamic

passages to avoid disturbing others.

• Dolby Digital 1/0/.0 or .1, 2/0/.0 or .1,

3/0/.0 or .1, 2/1/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1,

3/2/.0 or .1

• Dolby Digital EX (played as 5.1)

• Dolby Digital Plus decoded and delivered

via coax or optical connection.

Dolby Digital EX

Dolby Digital Plus

An expansion of Dolby Digital 5.1 that adds a surround back channel

which may be played through one or two surround back speakers. May

be manually selected when a non-EX Dolby Digital stream is detected.

• Dolby Digital EX

• Dolby Digital 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or .1

An enhanced version of Dolby Digital encoded more efficiently, Dolby

Digital Plus has the capacity for additional discrete channels and for

streaming audio from the internet, all with enhanced audio quality. Source

material may be delivered via an HDMI connection, or decoded to Dolby

Digital or PCM and transmitted via S/P-DIF coaxial or optical digital audio.

• Dolby Digital Plus via HDMI connection

(source device decodes to Dolby Digital

when a coax or optical connection is used).

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby TrueHD is an expansion of MLP Lossless^™audio, the same format

used on DVD Audio discs. Dolby TrueHD adds the features found in

Dolby Digital, such as night mode settings, while delivering fully lossless

audio that is a true reproduction of the studio master recording.

• Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD encoded with

Dolby TrueHD, delivered via HDMI or

multichannel analog connection.

Dolby Digital Stereo

Delivers a 2-channel downmix of Dolby Digital materials.

• Dolby Digital 1/0/.0 or .1, 2/0/.0 or .1,

3/0/.0 or .1, 2/1/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1,

3/2/.0 or .1

• Dolby Digital EX

Dolby Pro Logic II

Mode Group

Analog decoder that derives five full-range, discrete main audio channels

from matrix surround-encoded or 2-channel analog sources. Four variants

are available.

See below.

Dolby Pro Logic II

Movie

Variant of Dolby Pro Logic II that is optimized for movie and

television programs.

• Dolby Digital 2.0 or 2.1

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Dolby Pro Logic II

Music

Variant of Dolby Pro Logic II that is optimized for music selections.

Allows adjustment of sound field presentation in three dimensions:

• Center Width (adjusts width of vocal soundstage)

• Dimension (adjusts depth of soundstage)

• Dolby Digital 2.0 or 2.1

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

• Panorama (adjusts wraparound surround effect)

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APPENDIX

Surround Mode

Description

Incoming Bitstream or Signal

Dolby Pro Logic II

Game

Variant of Dolby Pro Logic II that emphasizes use of the surround

channels and subwoofer for total immersion in the video gaming

experience.

• Dolby Digital 2.0 or 2.1

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Dolby Pro Logic

Original version of Dolby Pro Logic that steered a mono signal

containing information below 7kHz to the surround channels.

• Dolby Digital 2.0 or 2.1

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Mode Group

An expansion of Dolby Pro Logic II that adds a surround back channel

which may be played through one or two surround back speakers. The

Dolby Pro Logic IIx modes may be selected not only with Dolby Digital bit-

streams, but thanks to the AVR 254’s post-processor, they may also be used

with some DTS bitstreams to add a surround back channel to 5.1 modes.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Movie

This mode is similar to Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, with an added surround

back channel.

• Dolby Digital 2/0/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1,

3/2/.0 or .1, EX

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Music

This mode is similar to Dolby Pro Logic II Music, including the availability

of center width, dimension and panorama adjustments. Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Music adds a surround back channel.

• Dolby Digital 2/0/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1,

3/2/.0 or .1, EX

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Game

This mode is similar to Dolby Pro Logic II Game, with the added benefit

of a surround back channel.

• Dolby Digital 2/0/.0 or .1

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

Dolby Virtual Speaker

Mode Group

Simulates 5.1 channels when only two speakers are present, or a more

enveloping sound field is desired.

See below.

Dolby Virtual Speaker

Reference

When only two main speakers are present, the Reference mode virtualizes

a full surround presentation with accurate localization.

• Dolby Digital (uses only two-speaker mode

when signal does not contain center channel

information)

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

Dolby Virtual Speaker

Wide

Wide mode may be used with two main speakers to widen the front

soundstage by virtualizing the locations of the left and right speakers.

• Dolby Digital (number of channels available

varies by number of channels in signal)

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

DTS Digital

Using a different encoding/decoding method than Dolby Digital, it also

provides up to five discrete main channels, plus an LFE channel.

• DTS 1/0/.0 or .1, 2/0/.0 or .1, 3/0/.0 or .1,

3/1/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or .1

• DTS-ES Matrix (played as 5.1)

• DTS-ES Discrete (played as 5.1)

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APPENDIX

Surround Mode

Description

Incoming Bitstream or Signal

DTS-HD

DTS-HD is a new high-definition audio format that complements the

high-definition video found on Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVD discs. It is transmitted

using a DTS core with high-resolution extensions. Even when only DTS 5.1

surround sound is desired (or available, if the multizone system is in use),

the higher capacity of high-resolution discs serves up DTS at twice the bit

rate used on DVD-Video discs.

• Blu-ray Discs or HD-DVD discs encoded

with DTS-HD modes, delivered via HDMI or

multichannel analog connection.

DTS-HD Master Audio DTS-HD Master Audio technology delivers bit-for-bit reproductions of the

studio master recording in up to 7.1 channels, for an incredibly accurate

performance.

• Blu-ray Discs or HD-DVD discs encoded with

DTS-HD Master Audio technology, delivered

via HDMI or multichannel analog connection.

DTS-ES Matrix

DTS Extended Surround adds a single surround back channel to DTS 5.1

digital surround sound. The Matrix version includes the surround back

channel information “matrixed” into the left and right (side) surround

channels, for compatibility with 5.1-channel systems.

• DTS-ES Matrix

DTS-ES Discrete

DTS Stereo

DTS-ES Discrete is another Extended Surround mode that adds a surround

back channel, but this information is encoded discretely on the disc, and

is not derived from information contained in the surround channels.

• DTS-ES Discrete

Delivers a 2-channel downmix of DTS Digital materials, or presents

a matrix-encoded surround presentation.

• DTS 1/0/.0 or .1, 2/0/.0 or .1, 3/0/.0 or .1,

3/1/.0 or .1, 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or .1

• DTS 96/24

• DTS-ES Matrix

• DTS-ES Discrete

DTS Neo:6

Mode Group

DTS Neo:6 analog processing is available with DTS and DTS 96/24

signals and 2-channel analog or PCM signals to create a 3-, 5- or 6-channel

presentation.

See below.

DTS Neo:6

Cinema

Depending on the number of speakers in your system, select 3-, 5- or

6-channel modes, enhanced for movie or video presentations.

• DTS 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or .1

• DTS 96/24

• Analog (2-channel)

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

DTS Neo:6

Music

Available only in 5- and 6-channel modes, creates a surround presentation

suitable for music recordings.

• DTS 2/2/.0 or .1, 3/2/.0 or .1

• DTS 96/24

• Analog (2-channel)

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

Logic 7

Mode Group

A Harman International proprietary technology, Logic 7 technology enhances

2-channel and matrix-encoded recordings by deriving separate information

for the surround back channels. This provides more accurate placement of

sound, improves panning and expands the sound field, even when used

with 5.1-channel systems. Logic 7 technology uses 96kHz processing, and is

available in 5.1-or 7.1-channel modes. Three variants are available.

See below.

Logic 7

Movie

Especially suited to 2-channel sources containing Dolby Surround or matrix

encoding, Logic 7 Movie mode increases center channel intelligibility.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

Logic 7

Music

The AVR 254 is programmed at the factory to default to this mode for

2-channel signals. Logic 7 Music mode is well suited to conventional

2-channel music recordings.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

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APPENDIX

Surround Mode

Description

Incoming Bitstream or Signal

Logic 7 Game

Use Logic 7 Game mode to enhance enjoyment of video game consoles.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

5-Channel Stereo

7-Channel Stereo

2-Channel Stereo

Useful for parties, the left- and right-channel information is played through

both the front and surround speakers on each side, while the center speaker

plays a summed mono mix.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

Expands the 5-Channel Stereo presentation to include the surround back

channels.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz or 48kHz)

Turns off all surround processing and plays a pure 2-channel signal.

The signal is digitized and bass management settings are applied, making it

appropriate when a subwoofer is used.

• Analog (2-channel)

• Tuner

• PCM (32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz)

2-Channel Stereo

(Analog Bypass)

Maintains an analog input signal in that form, bypassing all digital processing

(i.e., surround and bass management). Requires Tone Control setting to be off. • Tuner

• Analog (2-channel)

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of the fonts accompanying this license (“Fonts”) and associated documentation files (the “Font Software”),

to reproduce and distribute the Font Software, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, merge, publish, distribute, and/or sell copies of the Font Software, and to permit persons

to whom the Font Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright and trademark notices and this permission notice shall be included in all copies of one or more of the Font Software typefaces.

The Font Software may be modified, altered, or added to, and in particular the designs of glyphs or characters in the Fonts may be modified and additional glyphs or characters

may be added to the Fonts, only if the fonts are renamed to names not containing either the words “Bitstream” or the word “Vera”.

This License becomes null and void to the extent applicable to Fonts or Font Software that has been modified and is distributed under the “Bitstream Vera” names.

The Font Software may be sold as part of a larger software package but no copy of one or more of the Font Software typefaces may be sold by itself.

THE FONT SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,

FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT, PATENT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER RIGHT. IN NO EVENT SHALL BITSTREAM OR THE GNOME FOUNDATION

BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF

CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE FONT SOFTWARE OR FROM OTHER DEALINGS IN THE FONT SOFTWARE.

Except as contained in this notice, the names of Gnome, the Gnome Foundation, and Bitstream Inc., shall not be used in advertising or otherwise to promote the sale, use or other dealings

in this Font Software without prior written authorization from the Gnome Foundation or Bitstream Inc., respectively. For further information, contact: fonts at gnome dot org.

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation

and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless

otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

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APPENDIX

10 11

35 36 37 38

Refer to the numbered buttons in Figure 72 when using the Function List.

50 51 52 53

Figure 72 – Remote Control Function List Reference

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APPENDIX

Table A13 – Remote Control Function List

Radio

Media Server

DMC1000

No.

Button Name

AVR

DVD

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

03 Device Power On

04 Device Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Off

Power On

Power Off

CBL/SAT

DVD

Media Server

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Radio

Game

AUX

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Last

Activity

Back/Exit

Last

Activity

Back/Exit

Last

Activity

Back/Exit

Left

Right

Down

Last

Prev. Ch

Activity

Clear

Left

Enter

Right

Down

Disc Menu

Angle

Subtitle

Audio

Activity

Back

Left

Enter

Right

Down

Disc Menu

Angle

Subtitle

Audio

Activity

Back/Exit

Tune Up

Preset/Down

Activity

Back/Exit

Tune Up

Preset/Down

Left

Channel/Preset Up

Preset/Category Down

Preset/Category Up

Channel/Preset Down

Left

Right

Down

Disc Menu

Red

Green

Yellow

Blue

Volume +

Volume –

Mute

Preset/Up

Tune Down

Preset/Up

Tune Down

Right

Down

OSD

Zoom

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Preset Up

Preset Down

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Preset Up

Preset Down

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Preset Up

Preset Down

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Page Up

Page Down

Prev. Step

Pause

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

Channel/Page Up Channel/Preset Up

Channel/Page Down Channel/Preset Down

Pause

Next Step

Rew 77

Next Step

Rew 77

Play

FF33

Record

Stop

FF33

Record

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

Setup

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

Setup

AVR Settings

Info Settings

Source Settings

Sleep

AVR Settings

Info Settings

AVR Settings

Info Settings

AVR Settings

Info Settings

AVR Settings

Info Settings

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV/VCR

Sleep

Zone Select

Sleep

Zone Select

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APPENDIX

Table A13 – continued

AUX

PVD

No.

Button Name

CBL/SAT

Game

HDTV

TiVO

VCR

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Play

Stop

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

AVR Power On

AVR Power Off

Power On

Power Off

Input Sel

Radio

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

03 Device Power On

04 Device Power Off

CBL/SAT

DVD

Media Server

Radio

Game

AUX

Input Sel

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Audio Effects

Video Modes

Surround Modes

Last

Activity

Back/Exit

Left

Right

Down

Disc Menu

Red

Green

Yellow

Blue

Volume +

Volume –

Mute

Prev. Ch

Activity

Bypass

Left

Right

Down

OSD

Guide

PPV

Fav. Ch

Music

Enter

Activity

Clear

Start

Left

Select

Right

Down

DVD Menu

•

Prev. Ch

Activity

Exit/Cancel

Left

Enter

Right

Down

OSD

Caption

Fav. Ch

MTS

Aspect

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

Back

Pause

Replay

Rew 77

Instant Replay

Activity

Exit

Enter/Last

Activity

Exit

Left

Select

Right

Down

Activity

Cancel

Left

Setup

Right

Down

Mark

Left

Enter

Right

Down

OSD

TiVo

Open/Close

Random Play

Repeat

Intro Scan

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

(+10)

Disc Skip

Skip Down

Pause

Skip Up

R. Search

Window

Live TV

Slow

■

Repeat

Jump Up

Jump Down

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

Last Clip

Pause

▲

Skip

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Scan Up

Scan Down

Slow Down

Pause

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

Thumb Down

Pause

AVR Volume +

AVR Volume –

AVR Mute

Channel Up

Channel Down

Scan Down

Pause

Channel/Page Up

Channel/Page Down

Pause

Rew 77

Slow Up

Prev.

Next Clip

Rew 77

Thumb Up

Rew 77

Scan Up

Rew 77

Play

FF33

Record

Stop

Subtitle

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

Program

Sleep

F. Search

Time

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

FF 33

Record

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV/VCR

Sleep

FF33

Record

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV/DVR

Sleep

FF33

Record

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV Input

Sleep

FF33

Record

Stop

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV/VCR

AVR Settings

Info Settings

Source Settings

Sleep

AVR Settings

Info Settings

TV/CATV

Sleep

Zone Select

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APPENDIX

Refer to Tables A14 through A24 when programming the codes for your components into the remote.

Table A14 – Remote Control Product Codes: TV

TV Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

AIWA

027

LG/GOLDSTAR

LLOYTRON

LODGENET

LOGIK

101 110 122 128 132

A MARK

ADMIRAL

AKAI

122 132

172 173

192

069

123 160

069

AMPRO

164

LUXMAN

LXI

128

ANAM

045 106 109 112 122

077 145 148

AOC

122 123 128

MAGNAVOX

MARANTZ

MATSUI

MEMOREX

METZ

030 123 128 132 145 148

BLAUPUNKT

BROKSONIC

CANDLE

CAPEHART

CENTURION

CENTRONIC

CITIZEN

084

115 123 148

205 206

148

123 128

069 128

059

084

123 171

MGA

115 123 128

045

MINERVA

MITSUBISHI

MTC

084

045 123 128 132

077 115 123 128 160 167 168

CLASSIC

CONCERTO

CONTEC

CORANDO

CORONADO

CRAIG

045

175 176

128

NATIONAL

NEC

148 177 179 180 181 182

045

115 121 123 125

172

NIKEI

045

132

ONKING

ONWA

045

045 157 158 159

045

CROWN

045 132

OPTONICA

ORION

077

CURTIS MATHES

CXC

123 128 132

207 208 209 210 211

045

PANASONIC

PHILCO

087 148 169

DAEWOO

045 087 102 105 106 108 111

045 115 123 128 132 148

114 116 119 127 128 132

PHILIPS

033 034 035 036 123 128 132

DAYTRON

128 132

145 148

DIGI LINK

200

PIONEER

PORTLAND

PROSCAN

PROTON

QUASAR

RADIO SHACK

RCA

024 123 128

DYNASTY

045

128 132

DYNATECH

ELECTROHOME

EMERSON

063

133

115 132

059 122 128 132 165

045 123 128 132 139 157 158

032 087

159 162 205

045 128 132 180 196 197

FUNAI

045

021 115 123 128 133 145 161 163

FUTURETECH

045

REALISTIC

RUNCO

045 167 196

029 087 121 123 128 133 145

152 153

159 163

SAA

183

GRUNDIG

HALL MARK

HARMAN KARDON

HITACHI

INFINITY

INKEL

193

SAMPO

059 123 128

128

SAMSUNG

SANYO

020 022 124 128 132 145

201

026 054

123 128 132 144 147

SCOTT

045 128 132

148

SEARS

128 132 145

120

SHARP

077 128 132

JBL

148

SIEMENS

SIGNATURE

SONY

084

JC PENNEY

JENSEN

JVC

115 123 128 132 145

069

019

028 031 117 130 136 194 212

079 087 134

SOUNDESIGN

SPECTRICON

SSS

045 128

KAWASHO

KEC

173

122

045

KENWOOD

KMC

123 204

SYLVANIA

SYMPHONIC

TANDY

025 123 128 145 148

132

184

077

KTV

045 123 132 162

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APPENDIX

Table A14 – continued

TV Manufacturer/Brand

Setup Code Number

TATUNG

063

TECHNICS

TECHWOOD

TEKNIKA

TELERENT

TERA

181

128

045 069 115 123 128 132

069

156

THOMSON

TMK

190 191

128

TOSHIBA

TOTEVISION

VIDEO CONCEPTS

VIDTECH

WARDS

063 129 202

132

160

128

069 128 132 148

YAMAHA

YORK

123 128

128

YUPITERU

ZENITH

045

069 090

122

ZONDA

Table A15 – Remote Control Product Codes: AUX HDTV

TV Manufacturer/Brand

Setup Code Number

604

605

601

603

602

MOTOROLA

RCA

SAMSUNG

ZENITH

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APPENDIX

Table A16 – Remote Control Product Codes: AUX VCR

VCR Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

AIWA

AKAI

AMPRO

ASA

340

SALORA

SAMSUNG

SANSUI

SANYO

320

348 408 409 426

376

434

345 351 395 405 409

348 416 447

317 320

AUDIO DYNAMICS

BROKSONIC

CANDLE

CANON

318 348

410 447

434 435

435 440

SCOTT

SEARS

SHARP

SONY

410 412

317 320

429 456

380 429

CAPEHART

CITIZEN

CRAIG

DAEWOO

DAYTRON

DBX

DIRECTV

DYNATECH

EMERSON

FISHER

394

434

SOUNDESIGN

SYLVANIA

SYMPHONIC

TANDY

TASHICO

TATUNG

TEAC

TEKNIKA

THOMAS

TiVo

340

317 340

434

348

340 348

340

345 416

317 394 404

394

318 348

314 315

340

313 340 342 410 412

317

340

304 305 306 307 308 309 310

FUNAI

340

311 312

376 395 424

TMK

313

GO VIDEO

HARMAN KARDON

HITACHI

413

TOSHIBA

TOTEVISION

UNITECH

412 455

345

302 303 318 349

340 348

JC PENNEY

JENSEN

JVC

KENWOOD

LG/GOLDSTAR

LLOYD

318 345

348

318 348 411 432

320 348

318 407

340

VECTOR RESEARCH

VIDEO CONCEPTS

VIDEOSONIC

WARDS

YAMAHA

ZENITH

318

318 340

345

340 345 412

318 340 348

340 350 376 383

LXI

320 340

MAGIN

345

MAGNAVOX

MARANTZ

MEMOREX

MGA

340

318

317 320 340 352 353 354 376

349

MITSUBISHI

MULTITECH

NAD

349 431

340

439

NATIONAL

NEC

440

318 348

NORDMENDE

OPTIMUS

ORION

348

459

447

PANASONIC

PHILCO

425 450 467 472

340

PHILIPS

340 375

PORTLAND

PULSAR

QUASAR

RADIO SHACK

RCA

394

376

301 425

355 434 440 442 458 459

395 424 425 457 472

317 320 340 345 459

REALISTIC

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APPENDIX

Table A17 – Remote Control Product Codes: AUX CD

CD Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

ADCOM

063 069

RCA

024 081 093 150

AIWA

072 111 118 156 170

RCX

169

AKAI

050 177 184

REALISTIC

SANSUI

SANYO

SCOTT

SHARP

SHERWOOD

SONY

058 093 095 104 105 108 164 166

047 081 134 157 172

033 082 095

108

058 105 114 151 159 167 180 181

003 041 058 105 133

103 115 116 118 132 139 163 205

206 207 208 212 217

AUDIO TECHNICA

AUDIOACCESS

AUDIOFILE

BSR

CALIFORNIA AUDIO

CAPETRONIC

CARRERA

CARVER

053

125

211

044

109

070

087

136 140 141 143 144 145 185 186 SOUNDSTREAM

124

CASIO

CLARINETTE

DENON

117 166

166

187 188 213

SYMPHONIC

TAEKWANG

TEAC

059 110

177

011 058 085 086 106 107 110 121

EMERSON

FISHER

FRABA

052 093 108

055 095

117

137 146 154

039

013 074 097 151 155 173

THETA DIGITAL

TOSHIBA

FUNAI

126

164

VECTOR RESEARCH

VICTOR

087

120 130

GENEXXA

HAITAI

HARMAN KARDON

HITACHI

108

099 214

001 002 025 054 190

093

WARDS

YAMAHA

YORK

095

019 031 053 061 135 169

166

INKEL

216

JC PENNEY

JENSEN

098 147

153

JVC

176 195 196

KENWOOD

030 062 078 079 148 151 176

178 181

LG/GOLDSTAR

LOTTE

016 087

108

LUXMAN

LXI

077 102

164

MAGNAVOX

MARANTZ

MCINTOSH

MCS

039 113

058 084 191 192 193

194

080 098

MITSUMI

MODULAIRE

NAD

152

166

013 074 197 198

NAKAMICHI

NEC

199 200 201

069

NIKKO

053 055

ONKYO

037 038 045 046 171 175 202 203

OPTIMUS

PANASONIC

PHILIPS

065 089 091 092 099 104 212

075 109 119 158 183 204

039 138 149 209

PIONEER

071 094 100 112 123 131 161

162 215

210

PROTON

QUASAR

109

RADIO SHACK

126 166 213

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APPENDIX

Table A19 – Remote Control Product Codes: SAT

SAT Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

Table A18 – Remote Control Product Codes: DVD

DVD Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

ALPHASTAR

ALPHASTAR DBS

ALPHASTAR DSR

BIRDVIEW

CHANNEL MASTER

CHAPARRAL

CITOH

DRAKE

DX ANTENNA

ECHOSTAR

472

450

442

425

APEX DIGITAL

DENON

HARMAN KARDON

JVC

LG/GOLDSTAR

MAGNAVOX

MARANTZ

MITSUBISHI

NAD

ONKYO

PANASONIC

PHILIPS

061

019 051

003 004

001 002 007 068 201 202

320 321 325 361

315 316 451

360

313 317 318 413 481

331 352 379 483

395 397 452 453 463 477 478

484 485

006

005 055 064 066

056

059

023

062

009 048

024 030 044

056

ELECTRO HOME

FUJITSU

392

324 329 334

GENERAL INSTRUMENT 303 311 323 365 403 454 468 474

PIONEER

PROCEED

PROSCAN

RCA

SAMSUNG

SHARP

041 065

060

003 004

053 054

028

043 045

003 004

009 058 067

030 063

005 055 064

HITACHI DBS

HOUSTON TRACKER

HUGHES

455

463

437 489

JANIEL

366

JERROLD

KATHREIN

LEGEND

454 468 484

410

453

SONY

THOMSON

TOSHIBA

YAMAHA

ZENITH

MACOM

317 365 369 370 371

MAGNAVOX

MEMOREX

NEXTWAVE

NORSAT

461 473

453

423

373

OPTIMUS

466

PACE DSS

PANASONIC

PANASONIC DBS

PANSAT

487

366 469

457

420

PERSONAL CABLE

PHILIPS

418

375

PICO

407

PRESIDENT

PRIMESTAR

RCA

381 404

412 454 468 475

301 439 465 490

RCA DSS

458

REALISTIC

SAMSUNG

349 480

442

SATELLITE SERVICE CO 335 388

SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA

SONY

339

405

STAR CHOICE DBS

STARCAST

459

347

SUPER GUIDE

TELECOM

TOSHIBA

327 423

330 333 390 391 393 409

302 426 460 461 462 470

323 332 348 349 350 351 354 355

381 383 389 403 466 479 480

384 385 387 394 419 488

UNIDEN

ZENITH

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APPENDIX

Table A20 – Remote Control Product Codes: GAME

Table A21 – continued

Game Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

CBL Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

MICROSOFT (XBOX)

SONY (PLAYSTATION 2) 002

001

SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA

SEAM

183 203 221 222

121

SIGNATURE

SPRUCER

STARCOM

STARGATE

TANDY

TELECAPATION

TEXSCAN

TFC

001 188

053 081 177 189

002 011 163

120

024

028

036

122

123

170 205

011

033 034 039 042 113

124 211

019 025 086 089 190

065 125 211 219

116

Table A21 – Remote Control Product Codes: CBL

CBL Manufacturer/Brand Setup Code Number

ABC

001 011

ALLEGRO

AMERICAST

ARCHER

BELCOR

111

212

112

113

TIMELESS

TOCOM

CABLE STAR

CITIZEN

033 113

111

UNITED CABLE

UNIVERSAL

VIDEOWAY

VIEWSTAR

ZENITH

COLOUR VOICE

DIGI

085 090

114

EAGLE

186

EASTERN

ELECTRICORD

EMERSON

FOCUS

066 070

039

112

116

ZENTEK

Table A22 – Remote Control Product Codes:

AUX-MEDIA SERVER

G.I.

001 011 017 096 097

GC ELECTRONICS

GEMINI

GENERAL

113

032 060

210

Manufacturer/Brand

Setup Code Number

HARMAN KARDON

002

GENERAL INSTRUMENT 210

GOODMIND

HAMLIN

HITACHI

112

Table A23 – Remote Control Product Codes:

056 099 100 101 117 175 208

001 188

111

AUX-CBL/SAT RECORDER (PVD)

JASCO

Manufacturer/Brand

Setup Code Number

JERROLD

001 002 011 017 073 096 097 162

188 210

118

191

017 019 068

035 039

035 190

197 220

DAEWOO

ECHOSTAR

EXPRESSVU

HUGHES

HYUNDAI

KEEN

PANASONIC

PHILIPS

PROSCAN

RCA

701 704

714 715 716

714

717 727

718

709

710 723

711 717 724 727

719

719 727

708 710 712 725 726

710 712

707 713 720 721 722 723 724

LINDSAY

MACOM

MAGNAVOX

MOVIE TIME

NSC

OAK

PACE

PANASONIC

PANTHER

PHILIPS

179

053 176 177 189 214

114

013 019 020 085 090

001 041 119 171 209 215 216

116

120

162

111 112 213

053 214

116

056 099 100 101 208

032

003 072 186

REPLAYTV

SONICBLUE

SONY

PIONEER

POPULAR MECHANICS

PRELUDE

PRIMESTAR

RADIO SHACK

RCA

RECOTON

REGAL

REMBRANT

SAMSUNG

Table A24 – Remote Control Product Codes: AUX-TiVO

Manufacturer/Brand

Setup Code Number

DIRECTV

PIONEER

SERIES 2 DVR

TOSHIBA

806 (See also Table A16)

801

802 809

803

OTHER T

iVo

804 805 807 808 810

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NOTES

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NOTES

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AVR 254 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Audio Section

Stereo Mode

Continuous Average Power (FTC)

AM Tuner Section

Frequency Range

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Usable Sensitivity

Distortion

520–1720kHz

45dB

Loop 500µV

1kHz, 50% Mod 0.8%

10kHz, 30dB

65 Watts per channel, 20Hz–20kHz,

@ <0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms

Selectivity

Seven-Channel Surround Modes

Power per Individual Channel

Video Section

Front L & R channels:

50 Watts per channel

@ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Television Format

NTSC

1Vp-p/75 ohms

Input Level/Impedance

Output Level/Impedance

Video Frequency Response

(Composite and S-Video)

Center channel:

50 Watts @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

10Hz–8MHz (–3dB)

Video Frequency Response

(Component Video)

HDMI^™

Surround (L & R Side, L & R Back) channels:

50 Watts per channel

@ <0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

10Hz–100MHz (–3dB)

Version 1.3a with 10-bit Deep Color

General

Input Sensitivity/Impedance

Linear (High-Level)

Power Requirement

Power Consumption

AC 120V/60Hz

65W idle, 540W maximum

(7 channels driven)

200mV/47k ohms

100dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A)

Surround System Adjacent Channel Separation

Dimensions

Width

Height

(Product)

(Shipping)

Pro Logic I/II

Dolby Digital (AC-3)

DTS

40dB

55dB

17-5/16 inches (440mm) 21-7/8 inches (555mm)

6-1/2 inches (165mm)

15 inches (382mm)

10-1/2 inches (266mm)

18-5/16 inches (465mm)

Depth

Frequency Response

@ 1W (+0dB, –3dB)

(Product)

27.1 lb (12.3kg)

(Shipping)

32.8 lb (14.9kg)

10Hz –130kHz

35 Amps

Weight

High Instantaneous

Current Capability (HCC)

Depth measurement includes knobs, buttons and terminal connections.

Height measurement includes feet and chassis.

All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Transient Intermodulation

Distortion (TIM)

Unmeasurable

40V/µsec

Slew Rate

Harman Kardon and Logic 7 are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered

in the United States and/or other countries. EzSet/EQ, Designed to Entertain and The Bridge logo are trademarks

of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

FM Tuner Section

Frequency Range

Usable Sensitivity

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Distortion

iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Audiovox is a registered trademark of Audiovox Corporation.

87.5–108.0MHz

IHF 1.3µV/13.2dBf

Mono/Stereo 70/68dB

Mono/Stereo 0.2/0.3%

40dB @ 1kHz

400kHz, 70dB

80dB

Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

CEA is a registered trademark of the Consumer Electronics Association.

Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark of Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Stereo Separation

Selectivity

Image Rejection

IF Rejection

Dolby and Pro Logic are registered trademarks, and MLP Lossless is a trademark, of Dolby Laboratories.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of

90dB

DTS, DTS-ES and DTS Neo:6 are registered trademarks, and DTS 96/24, DTS-HD and

DTS-HD Master Audio are trademarks, of DTS, Inc. Manufactured under license under U.S. Patent #’s:

5,451,942; 5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762; 6,226,616; 6,487,535; 7,003,467 and other

Faroudja DCDi Cinema is a registered trademark of Genesis Microchip Inc.

HD-DVD is a trademark of the DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation (DVD FLLC).

HDMI is a trademark or registered trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.

SACD is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

TiVo is a registered trademark of TiVo Inc.

Please register your AVR 254 on our Web site at

www.harmankardon.com.

XM and XM Ready are registered trademarks of XM Satellite Radio.

NOTE: You’ll need the product’s serial number.

At the same time, you can choose to be notified about

our new products and/or special promotions.

Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.

250 Crossways Park Drive, Woodbury, New York 11797

www.harmankardon.com

Part No. CQX1A1310Z

Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.

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