JBL Synthesis Sdp3 Manual

							JBL Synthesis
System
Configuration
12
20 100 1k 10k(Hz) (dB)
9.0000
7.0000
5.0000
3.0000
1.0000
-1.000
-3.000
-5.000
-7.000
-9.000
20k
Tilt
The Tilt parameter can be thought of as a straight line that pivots on a
fulcrum at 1kHz to correct the overall tonal balance of source material.
The range is -3.0dB to +3.0dB, referenced to the Treble level. This
control, adjustable in 0.2dB increments, is useful on many older
recordings, or when the desired tonal balance cannot be achieved at the
listening position. The Tilt control does not alter the tonal balance of the
rear or side speakers.
Loudness
A Loudness Contour parameter which boosts bass information, pro-
vides more balanced reproduction at  low volume listening conditions.
Once you have calibrated SDP-3 output levels, set the LOUDNESS
parameter ON to provide the ideal amount of boost for any given volume
setting. This parameter does not affect the sound of the rear or side
speakers.
Tilt Control Frequency Response
20 100 1k 10k(Hz) (dB)
5.0000
4.0000
3.0000
2.0000
1.0000
0.0
-1.000
-2.000
-3.000
-4.000
20k
Loudness vs SDP-3 Volume control
(front left)
20 100 1k 10k(Hz) (dB)
0.0
-10.00
-20.00
-30.00
-40.00
-50.00
-60.00
-70.00
-80.00
20k
Bass Tone Control Frequency Response
20 100 1k 10k(Hz) (dB)
9.0000
7.0000
5.0000
3.0000
1.0000
-1.000
-3.000
-5.000
-7.000
-9.000
20k
Treble Tone Control Frequency
Response 
						

							SDP-3 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
System
Configuration
13
DISPLAY ADJUST MENU
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY
To adjust brightness, use SELECT to highlight BRIGHTNESS, and ▲
or ▼  to set display tbrightness for the room's lighting conditions. Press
DONE twice to return to the main menu.
Display Adjustment
Depending on the location of the SPD-3 in your room, you may need to
adjust the front panel display for optimum viewing. To adjust this display,
press the ▲, ▼ or SELECT buttons on the Remote to enter the Main
Menu.  Press ▼ twice to select DISPLAY ADJUST.
Press SELECT to highlight the Display Adjust Menu. Press ▼ to select
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY.
If you want to turn the front panel display off, use SELECT to highlight
STATUS, then use ▲  o r  ▼  to select OFF. Press DONE twice to return
to the main menu.
The Video On-Screen Display
MAIN MENU
EFFECT ADJUST
EQUALIZATION
DISPLAY ADJUST
SETUP
In addition to the front-panel display, the SDP-3 contains a character
generator for a video overlay display on monitors. Since the on-screen
display is capable of showing the full menu of options available at any
point, calibration of the system is faster and easier if the SDP-3 video
output is connected to a video monitor.
Adjustments to the on-screen display are made from the Display Adjust
menu. To display this menu, press the ▲, ▼ or SELECT buttons on the
Remote to enter the Main Menu.  Press ▼ twice to select DISPLAY
ADJUST.
Press SELECT to enter the Display Adjust menu. Press SELECT to
open the On-Screen Display menu.
MAIN MENU
EFFECT ADJUST
EQUALIZATION
DISPLAY ADJUST
SETUP
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY
STATUS
BRIGHTNESS
▲▼Adjust with       or
ON
75%ON, OFF
25%, 50%, 75%, 100% 
						

							JBL Synthesis
System
Configuration
14
This menu allows you to choose the position and duration of items
displayed on-screen during normal operation, as well as the options of
color or black and white display and conformance to local video format.
Adjusting the position allows you to move the SDP-3 display items to a
location where they will not interfere with any other video overlays or
signals your system may generate.
The STATUS option allows you to choose to have the on-screen display
always off, always on, or on for a two-second duration. Note that if you
choose to have the display "time out", this will not affect the display of
the main menu. Note also that parameter changes will still be performed
when you make adjustments with ▲  o r  ▼, even if the display is inactive.
If you choose ALWAYS OFF, you will not be able to use the video
overlay, and even setup will have to be done using the front-panel
display.
COLOR allows you to have the on-screen display presented in mono-
chrome or color. FORMAT allows you to select NTSC, PAL or SECAM
formats. (Note that SECAM format is available only in monochrome).
MENU BACKGROUND allows you to have on-screen controls dis-
played on a solid color background (ON) or directly superimposed on
your video image (OFF).
Press DONE twice to return to the main menu.
Video Input Selection and the
On-Screen Display
When using the Video Monitor
output with the On-Screen Dis-
play, the SDP-3 automatically
puts up a blue or gray back-
ground when no video signal is
present.
DISPLAY ADJUST MENU
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY
STATUS
POSITION
FORMAT
COLOR
MENU BACKGROUND
▲▼Adjust with       or
2 SECONDS
TOP
NTSC
ENABLED
ONALWAYS ON, 2 SECONDS, ALWAYS OFF
TOP, CENTER, BOTTOM
NTSC, PAL, SECAM
ENABLE, DISABLE
ON, OFF 
						

							SDP-3 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
System
Configuration
15
Input Configuration
The SDP-3 has eight inputs, each of which can be associated with any
of the eight video and eight digital audio inputs. Selecting Input Configu-
ration from the Setup menu displays a sub-menu which lists these inputs
and allows you to select them individually for adjustment. Each input has
an identical parameter sub-menu. V-DISC is shown below as an
example.
SPEAKER CONFIG
OUTPUT LEVELS
LISTENER POSITION
LOCK SETTINGS
SETUP MENU
INPUT CONFIG
Input Gain (Analog Inputs Only)
For optimal performance when using analog inputs, the unit must be
driven to its full input level without clipping. Despite industry attempts at
standardization, different analog sources have a wide range of output
levels. To compensate for this, each of the eight SDP-3 analog inputs
can be assigned a different input gain, assuring optimum performance
regardless of the source. For use with a calibration tone, the Dolby
reference point is indicated by an enlarged tick mark on the Input Level
meters.
The SDP-3 GAIN  function can be set to AUTOMATIC to monitor the
analog input level and automatically optimizes the input gain. If the
signal level is too high, input gain is automatically decreased to a point
which does not cause clipping. When the signal level remains low
(>12dB below clipping for 2.5 minutes), the input gain is increased in
1dB steps to maximize dynamic range.
When MANUAL is selected, the display shows the last auto level
setting. (If the auto level feature has not been used, the display shows
the last manually entered level.) The auto level setting indicates the
optimum input level value as determined by the unit. The ▲ and ▼
buttons increase or decrease the input gain in 1dB increments for the
selected input over a range of -18dB to +12 dB.  The setting is displayed
in dB along with horizontal bargraph meters on the on-screen display to
indicate incoming signal level.
Note that if a level is set manually, then AUTOMATIC is engaged, the
level will not go above the last value entered manually.
INPUT CONFIG MENU
VCR
DVD
TV
AUX
CD
TUNER
TAPE V-DISC
The GAIN control is only available
for analog inputs. Whenever a digi-
tal input is selected under AUDIO
IN, this control is automatically
set to OFF.
INPUT CONFIG       V-DISC
GAIN
NAME
PCM FX
AC-3 FX
DTS FX
FX FORMAT
AUDIO IN
VIDEO IN
REC/ZONE2
▲▼Adjust with        or
OFF
V-DISC
LOGIC 7
5.1 LOGIC 7
DTS LOGIC 7
AUTOMATIC
COAX-2
V-DISC
ANALOGAUTO On/Off or MANUAL -18 to +12dB
RESTORE DEFAULT or EDIT NAME
USE LAST EFFECT or any PCM Effect
USE LAST EFFECT or any AC-3 Effect
Use LAST EFFECT or any DTS Effect
AUTO, PCM only, AC-3 only, DTS only
Sources: ANALOG, COAX 1-5, OPTICAL 1-3
Sources: NONE, VCR, DVD, V-DISC,TV, AUX, CD, TUNER, TAPE
Record Output: Analog, Digital or Blocked 
						

							JBL Synthesis
System
Configuration
16
The input level meters are displayed when you
select the GAIN parameter for an 
active input
which has been selected in the Setup menu.
Input Level Meters
When GAIN is selected, two on-screen horizontal bar meters display
peak  incoming signal level. The highest peak level is shown in dB  in
a separate text line, and as an arrow in the the meter display. White,
yellow and red sections of the bar meter show increasing levels. The
white portion is shown in 3dB increments, the yellow and red portions
are shown in 1.5dB increments. An enlarged block at -21dB indicates
the reference level used with a Dolby calibration tone source.
The peak level display can be refreshed by pressing DONE to exit, then
pressing SELECT to return to the display.
INPUT GAINCD
AUTO GAIN:+00dB
PEAK LEVEL:
-15.0dB
MANUAL AUTO+00dBON
L
R
Input Name
Each input has an associated name, which is displayed during normal
operation whenever the input is selected. The default names corre-
spond to the labels on the SDP-3 remote control, front and rear panels.
These names can be customized to more accurately reflect your system
configuration.
To assign a new name (up to 8 characters) for an input, select NAME
from the Input Configuration menu, and EDIT INPUT NAME from the
sub-menu. The display will show the current name with a cursor marking
the character position to be modified. Use the ▲ and ▼  buttons to select
a new character for that position, and SELECT to move the cursor to
another position. Press DONE twice to return to the Input Configuration
menu.
Restore Input Name
This control allows you to restore the factory name for the currently
selected input. Pressing SELECT displays the message PRESS SE-
LECT TO RESTORE INPUT NAME. Pressing SELECT again restores
the name and exits to the Input Configuration menu.
Input Effect FX Assignment
The SDP-3 has the ability to automatically load an effect whenever an
input is chosen. For example, if you primarily listen to CD’s with the
ROCK/POP effect, the SDP-3 can be set to load this effect when the CD
input is chosen. (You can listen to any similar type of effect using the
EFFECT ▲ and ▼ buttons on the front panel or the FX ▲ and ▼  buttons
on the remote control.) If you select USE LAST, the SDP-3 will load the
last effect used for the selected input. Any effect can be assigned to any
or all of the eight inputs. 
						

							SDP-3 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
System
Configuration
17
The SDP-3 can also be set up to automatically switch to an  appropriate
effect whenever PCM, AC-3 or DTS encoded material is detected at the
input. This allows one input to be used for different formats. For
example, in the factory default state, the V-DISC input will automatically
load the appropriate version of Logic 7 when an AC-3, DTS, or PCM
signal is present. The default selections for input effect assignment are
shown below. More information is provided in the following FX Format
section.
*AC-3 Effect chooses the 5.1 or the 2.0 effect depending on the AC-3 status of the
signal.
FX Format
The FX FORMAT parameter in the Input Configuration menu allows the
SDP-3's format switching option to be individually adjusted for each input.
Many "multi-format" source components, such as laser disc players, are
capable of outputting different signals depending on the software being
used. The SDP-3 automatically identifies the format of incoming audio
signals, and selects an appropriate effect. The four selections available
for FX FORMAT on each input are: AUTOMATIC, PCM ONLY, AC-3
ONLY and DTS ONLY. Each of these selections is described below.
Automatic
When AUTOMATIC is selected, the SDP-3 automatically identifies the
format of the incoming signal and selects an appropriate effect. Effects
can be chosen for each individual input and for each format in the INPUT
CONFIG menu. To illustrate how AUTOMATIC would operate with a
laser disc player, note the following example which assumes an "AC-3
ready" laser disc player used in conjunction with the JBL Synthesis
SDP-RFD AC-3/RF Demodulator. This example assumes the V-DISC
input has the factory preset configuration shown below, and that the
SDP-RFD is connected to COAX 2 on the SDP-3.
NOTE: When AUTOMATIC is selected for an input, and DTS
software is being used, there may be a brief burst of noise before
playback begins. This is inherent in DTS software and does not
represent a problem with your SDP-3. To avoid this, set up an input
as DTS only, and use it exclusively for playback of DTS software.
INPUT CONFIG MENU
VCR
DVD
TV
AUX
CD
TUNER
TAPE V-DISC
INPUT CONFIG       V-DISC
GAIN
NAME
PCM FX
AC-3 FX
DTS FX
FX FORMAT
AUDIO IN
VIDEO IN
REC/ZONE2
OFF
V-DISC
LOGIC 7
5.1 LOGIC 7
DTS LOGIC 7
AUTO
COAX-2
V-DISC
ANALOG


Input PCM Effect AC-3 Effect* DTS Effect
VCRTELEVISION 5.1 LOGIC 7 2.0 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7
DVDLOGIC 7 5.1 LOGIC 7 2.0 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7
V-DISCLOGIC 7 5.1 LOGIC 7 2.0 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7
TVTELEVISION 5.1 LOGIC 7 2.0 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7
AUXTELEVISION 5.1 LOGIC 7 2.0 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7
CDROCK/POP 5.1 MUSIC 2.0 ROCK/POP DTS MUSIC
TUNERTELEVISION 5.1 MUSIC 2.0 ROCK/POP DTS MUSIC
TAPEPRO LOGIC 5.1 MUSIC 2.0 ROCK/POP DTS MUSIC 
						

							JBL Synthesis
System
Configuration
18* As the SDP-3 is in AUTOMATIC mode, there may be a brief burst of noise before normal
playback begins.
The SDP-3 V-DISC input is selected. A movie encoded in Dolby
Surround is put in the laser disc player and starts to play. The SDP-RFD
recognizes that the movie is not AC-3 encoded, and automatically
routes the laser disc player's PCM (2-channel digital) signal to the SDP-
3. The SDP-3 identifies the signal as PCM and automatically loads the
LOGIC 7 effect (as specified in the INPUT CONFIG menu).
Now, assume the movie is replaced with one that is encoded in Dolby
Digital (AC-3). When it begins to play, the SDP-RFD recognizes the
signal as being AC-3 encoded and demodulates it for the SDP-3. The
SDP-3 automatically loads the 5.1 Logic 7 effect.
The FX ▲ and ▼ buttons are used to audition the other available AC-
3 effects and 5.1 DOLBY is selected. At some point during the movie,
the PAUSE button on the laser disc player is pressed. This causes the
laser disc player to temporarily replace the AC-3 output signal with a
PCM signal. This change is recognized by the SDP-3, which automati-
cally loads the Logic 7 effect (because in this example, AUTOMATIC is
selected as the setting of FX FORMAT and LOGIC 7 is selected as the
PCM FX in the INPUT CONFIG menu). Because the laser disc is
paused, there is no audio. When PAUSE is released, playback is
resumed and the SDP-3 automatically reselects the 5.1 DOLBY  effect
because it was the last effect selected before the audio was paused. To
go back to the default effect, simply press the input button.
Now, the movie is replaced with a 5" music disc that is encoded in DTS.
When the disc begins to play, the SDP-RFD recognizes that it is not AC-
3 encoded, and automatically routes the signal to the SDP-3. The SDP-
3 recognizes the DTS signal and automatically loads the DTS LOGIC 7
effect*. The FX ▲ and ▼  buttons are  used to audition the other available
DTS effects and DTS MUSIC is selected. At some point, the skip button
on the laser disc player is pressed several times to advance to a different
track . This causes the laser disc player to temporarily replace the DTS
output signal with a PCM signal while it searches for the selected track.
This change is recognized by the SDP-3, which automatically loads the
Logic 7 effect (because in this example, AUTOMATIC is selected as the
setting of FX FORMAT and Logic 7 is selected as the PCM FX in the
INPUT CONFIG menu). Because the disc player is searching, there is
no audio. When playback is resumed, the SDP-3 automatically
reselects the DTS MUSIC effect.* To go back to the effect  selected as
a default, simply press the input button. 
						

							SDP-3 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
System
Configuration
19
PCM Only
If PCM ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT for a given input, only PCM
effects in the SDP-3 can be used. When the SDP-3 receives a signal
which is not PCM encoded, it will mute and display "NO PCM AUDIO."
In the previous example, if PCM ONLY had been selected, rather than
AUTOMATIC, the SDP-3 would have muted and displayed "NO PCM
AUDIO" when the AC-3 movie and the DTS music disc were being
played.
AC-3 Only
When AC-3 ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT, only AC-3 effects
can be used on that input. Any other type of signal received on that input
will cause the SDP-3 to mute and display "NO AC-3 AUDIO." The FX  ▲
and ▼  buttons will select only AC-3 effects. This is recommended for
any input which will be used only for AC-3 playback.
In our example, selecting AC-3 as the FX Format setting, would have
caused the SDP-3 to mute and display "NO AC-3 AUDIO" when the
Dolby Surround movie and the DTS music disc were played. When the
laser disc was paused, the SDP-3 would have muted rather than
automatically selecting the PCM effect Logic 7.
DTS Only
When DTS ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT, only DTS effects can
be used on that input. Any other type of signal received on that input will
cause the SDP-3 to mute and display "NO DTS AUDIO." The FX  ▲ and
▼  buttons will select only DTS effects.
In our example, selecting DTS as the FX Format setting, would have
caused the SDP-3 to mute and display "NO DTS AUDIO" when the
Dolby Surround and AC-3 movies were played. When the DTS music
disc was advanced, the SDP-3 would have muted briefly rather than
automatically selecting the PCM effect Logic 7. There would not have
been any brief bursts of noise before playback began. NOTE: As DTS is a digital format,
you must have a digital input se-
lected for AUDIO IN in the INPUT
CONFIG menu.
NOTE: PCM ONLY is automati-
cally selected for an input when-
ever ANALOG is selected as the
AUDIO IN setting, as AC-3 and
DTS effects are incompatible with
analog inputs.
NOTE: As AC-3 is a digital format,
you must have a digital input se-
lected for AUDIO IN in the INPUT
CONFIG menu. 
						

							JBL Synthesis
System
Configuration
20
NOTE: S-Video input signals will be
output on both the composite and S-
Video jacks. However, if you are only
connecting to the monitor via the S-
Video output, composite video input
sources will not be displayed.
Audio In
This option in the INPUT CONFIG menu determines which audio input
connector on the SDP-3 rear panel will be used for the MAIN zone. Using
the digital inputs will usually yield better performance, and these should
be used whenever a source component has a digital audio output. The
options available for AUDIO IN are: ANALOG, COAX (1-5) and OPTI-
CAL (1-3).
Analog
When ANALOG is selected for a given input, the SDP-3 will use the
corresponding analog stereo audio input to generate the MAIN OUT-
PUTS. Note that selecting ANALOG will automatically select PCM
ONLY as the FX FORMAT as the AC-3 and DTS effects are only
compatible with digital inputs.
COAX 1-5 and OPTICAL 1-3 (Digital Audio Inputs)
When one of these eight digital inputs is selected, the SDP-3 will use it
to derive the signal for the MAIN OUTPUTS. Note that all eight digital
inputs can be used for various SDP-3 inputs. This is particularly useful
when using a source component such as a VCR, laser disc or DVD
player to drive multiple SDP-3 inputs.
NOTE: The Expansion Port input 
cannot be assigned as the default
for any input.
Video In
The inputs labeled VCR, DVD, V-DISC, TV, AUX, CD, TUNER and
TAPE have corresponding video inputs. For maximum configuration
flexibility, each of these video inputs can be assigned to a different input,
or to multiple inputs. If the assigned video input has both S-Video and
composite jacks, the S-video signal takes priority whenever a cable is
plugged into the appropriate S-video connector. 
						

							SDP-3 Digital Surround Processor/Controller
System
Configuration
21
Record/Zone 2
The SDP-3 is designed to be the control center of any system. As such,
there are separate outputs for easy integration of external recording
devices as well as an additional “zone” in multi-room installations.
The Record and Zone 2 outputs on the SDP-3 are wired in parallel so that
the input selection will always be the same for both. For example, if the
CD input is selected for Record, the CD input is also output to Zone 2.
The primary difference between the Record and Zone 2 outputs is that
Zone 2 has its own volume control, while the Record output level is fixed.
As protection against feedback, the TAPE and VCR inputs are normally
blocked from being used as sources for the Record and Zone 2 outputs.
This default condition can be changed in the Input Configuration menu
as follows.
Use  ▲ and ▼ to select REC/ZONE 2, then press SELECT. The  ▲ and
▼ buttons will select ANALOG, DIGITAL, or BLOCKED as the state of
the Zone 2 output.
ANALOG allows maximum flexibility from digital sources by utilizing
both the digital and analog outputs  of a digital source component
(provided both are connected). The SDP-3 processes the digital input
signal for the main zone, and simultaneously routes the analog input
signal to the Record and Zone 2 outputs.  Since no D/A converters are
necessary for the analog input signal, the functionality in the Main zone
is not compromised.
DIGITAL routes the digital signal, assigned to the input, to the SDP-3’s
24-bit Digital to Analog (D/A) converters. After conversion, the signal is
sent to the Record and Zone 2 outputs. As this setup bypasses the
D/A converters in the source component, and utilizes the 24-bit D/A
converters in the SDP-3, sound quality can be dramatically improved
when recording or listening in Zone 2. Note, however, that this setup
automatically loads the appropriate 2-Channel effect in the main zone.
BLOCKED simply blocks the input from being sent to the Record and
Zone 2 outputs. This prevents feedback from occurring with devices that
have both an input and output attached to the SDP-3 (Tape deck, VCR,
etc.).
Record/Zone 2 Controls
Record/Zone 2 functions can be accessed from the SDP-3 front panel
or the remote control. In either case, press and hold Record/Zone 2
while pressing one of the following buttons.
ON
Turns on the Zone 2 outputs, lights the red Record/Zone 2 front panel
NOTE: When listening to DTS material
from a source component, DTS digital
data may also be sent out of the analog
outputs. DTS data, which sounds like
loud white noise, may cause damage to
a system.
NOTE: Removing the block from any
input which has both an input and output
attached to the SDP-3 may cause dam-
aging feedback.