Sony Ht Sf800m Operating Instructions

							Amplifier Operation
masterpage:Right lename[E:\SEM_Janet\Revision_SF800M\J9050000_2592136121SF800M_GB\2592136121\GB04BSC_HT-SF800M-CEL.fm]
21GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)]
Program type 
indicationDescription
PHONE IN Programs where members of the 
public express their views by 
phone or in a public forum
TRAVEL Programs about travel. Not for 
announcements that are located by 
TP/TA
LEISURE Programs on recreational 
activities such as gardening, 
fishing, cooking, etc.
JAZZ Jazz programs
COUNTRY Country music programs
NATION M Programs featuring the popular 
music of the country or region
OLDIES Programs featuring oldies music
FOLK M Folk music programs 
DOCUMENT Investigative features
NONE Any programs not defined above
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22GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
 [2-592-136-12(1)] ALFE: Lights up when the disc being played 
back contains the LFE (Low Frequency 
Effect) channel and the LFE channel signal is 
actually being reproduced.
BSLEEP: Lights up when sleep timer is 
activated.
CPlayback channel indicators: The letters 
(L, C, R, etc.) indicate the channels being 
played back. The boxes around the letters vary 
to show how the receiver downmixes the 
source sound.
L (Front Left), R (Front Right), C (Center 
(monaural)), SL (Surround Left), SR 
(Surround Right), S (Surround (monaural or 
the surround components obtained by Pro 
Logic processing))
Example: 
Recording format (Front /Surround): 3/2
Sound Field: A.F.D. AUTO
D; DIGITAL: Lights up when the receiver is 
decoding signals recorded in the Dolby Digital 
format.
E; PLII: “; PL” lights up when the receiver 
applies Pro Logic processing to 2 channel 
signals in order to output the center and 
surround channel signals. “; PLII” lights up 
when the Pro Logic II Movie/Music decoder is 
activated. 
Note
Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic II 
decoding do not function for DTS format signals.
FD.RANGE: Lights up when dynamic range 
compression is activated (page 26).
GTuner indicators: Lights up when using the 
receiver to tune in radio stations, etc. See 
pages 17–21 for tuner operations.
Note
“RDS” appears for models of area code CEL, 
CEK only.
HCOAX: Lights up when the source signal is a 
digital signal being input through the COAX 
terminal.
IOPT: Lights up when the source signal is a 
digital signal being input through the OPT 
terminal.
JDTS: Lights up when DTS signals are input.
KSW: Lights up when the audio signal is output 
from the SUBWOOFER jack.
About the indications in the display
LCR
SL S SR
SWSTEREO MONO D. RANGE
MEMORY
DIGITAL SLEEP
PLRDS
OPT COAXLFEDTS
78qaq;9 2 13
456
LCR
SL SR
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							Enjoying Surround Sound
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23GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)]
In this mode, the receiver outputs the sound 
from the front left/right speakers and subwoofer 
only. 
When multi channel surround formats are input, 
the signals are downmixed to 2 channel with 
bass frequencies being output from the 
subwoofer. 
When standard 2 channel stereo sources are 
input, the receiver’s bass redirection circuitry 
will be activated. The front channel bass 
frequencies will be output from the subwoofer. 
Press 2CH to select “2CH ST.”.
The receiver switches to the 2CH STEREO 
mode.
Decoding the input audio 
signal automatically (AUTO 
FORMAT DIRECT)
In this mode, the receiver automatically detects 
the type of audio signal being input (Dolby 
Digital, DTS, standard 2 channel stereo, etc.) 
and performs the proper decoding if necessary. 
This mode presents the sound as it was recorded/
encoded, without adding any surround effects. 
However, if there are no low frequency signals 
(Dolby Digital LFE, etc.) it will generate a low 
frequency signal for output to the subwoofer. 
Press A.F.D. repeatedly to select “A.F.D. 
AUTO”.
The receiver automatically detects the type of 
audio signal being input and performs the proper 
decoding if necessary.
Enjoying Surround Sound
Using only the front 
speakers and subwoofer
— 2CH STEREO
Enjoying higher fidelity 
sound
continued
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24GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
 [2-592-136-12(1)]
Enjoying stereo sound in multi 
channel (2 channel decoding 
mode)
This mode lets you specify the type of decoding 
for 2 channel audio sources. This receiver can 
reproduce 2 channel sound in 5 channels 
through Dolby Pro Logic II or 4 channels 
through Dolby Pro Logic.
Press A.F.D. repeatedly to select the 2 
channel decoding mode.
The selected type of decoding appears in the 
display.
xDOLBY PL (PRO LOGIC)
Performs Dolby Pro Logic decoding. The source 
recorded in 2 channel is decoded into 4.1 channels.
xPLII MOV (PRO LOGIC II MOVIE)
Performs Dolby Pro Logic II Movie mode decoding. 
This setting is ideal for movies encoded in Dolby 
Surround. In addition, this mode can reproduce sound 
in 5.1 channel when watching videos of overdubbed or 
old movies.
xPLII MUS (PRO LOGIC II MUSIC)
Performs Dolby Pro Logic II Music mode decoding. 
This setting is ideal for normal stereo sources such as 
CDs. 
xMULTI ST. (MULTI STEREO)
Output the 2 channel left/right signals from all 
speakers.
Tip
You can also use ; PLII on the receiver to select 
“DOLBY PL”, “PLII MOV” or “PLII MUS”.
Note
Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding do 
not function for DTS format signals.
You can take advantage of surround sound 
simply by selecting one of the receiver’s pre-
programmed sound fields. They bring the 
exciting and powerful sound of movie theaters 
and concert halls into your home. 
Selecting a sound field for 
movies
Press MOVIE repeatedly to select the 
sound field you want.
The selected sound field appears in the display.
About DCS (Digital Cinema 
Sound)
Sound fields with DCS marks use DCS 
technology. 
DCS is the concept name of the surround 
technology for home theater developed by Sony. 
DCS uses the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 
technology to reproduce the sound 
characteristics of an actual cinema cutting studio 
in Hollywood.
When played at home, DCS will create a 
powerful theater effect that mimics the artistic 
combination of sound and action as envisioned 
by the movie director. 
xC.ST.EX A (CINEMA STUDIO EX A) DCS
Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony 
Pictures Entertainment “Cary Grant Theater” cinema 
production studio. This is a standard mode, great for 
watching most any type of movies.
xC.ST.EX B (CINEMA STUDIO EX B) DCS
Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony 
Pictures Entertainment “Kim Novak Theater” cinema 
production studio. This mode is ideal for watching 
science-fiction or action movies with lots of sound 
effects.
Selecting a sound field
Sound field Display
CINEMA STUDIO EX A DCSC.ST.EX A
CINEMA STUDIO EX B DCSC.ST.EX B
CINEMA STUDIO EX C DCSC.ST.EX C
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							Enjoying Surround Sound
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25GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)] xC.ST.EX C (CINEMA STUDIO EX C)
 DCS
Reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony 
Pictures Entertainment scoring stage. This mode is 
ideal for watching musicals or films where orchestra 
music is featured in the soundtrack.
About CINEMA STUDIO EX modes
CINEMA STUDIO EX modes are suitable for 
watching motion picture DVDs (etc.), with 
multi channel surround effects. You can 
reproduce the sound characteristics of Sony 
Pictures Entertainment’s dubbing studio in your 
home.
The CINEMA STUDIO EX modes consist of 
the following three elements.
 Virtual Multi Dimension
Creates 5 sets of virtual speakers from a single 
pair of actual surround speakers.
 Screen Depth Matching
Creates the sensation that the sound is coming 
from inside the screen like in theaters.
 Cinema Studio Reverberation
Reproduces the type of reverberation found in 
theaters.
The CINEMA STUDIO EX modes integrate 
these three elements simultaneously.
Notes
 The effects provided by the virtual speakers may 
cause increased noise in the playback signal. 
 When listening with sound fields that employ the 
virtual speakers, you will not be able to hear any 
sound coming directly from the surround speakers.
Selecting a sound field for 
music
Press MUSIC repeatedly to select the 
sound field you want.
The selected sound field appears in the display.
xHALL
Reproduces the acoustics of a classical concert hall.
xJAZZ (JAZZ CLUB)
Reproduces the acoustics of a jazz club.
xCONCERT (LIVE CONCERT)
Reproduces the acoustics of a 300-seat live house. 
To turn off the surround effect
Press 2CH to select “2CH ST.” or press A.F.D. 
repeatedly to select “A.F.D. AUTO”.
Tips
 You can also use SOUND FIELD on the receiver to 
select the sound field you want.
 The receiver lets you apply the last selected sound 
field to an input whenever it is selected (Sound Field 
Link). For example, if you select HALL for the DVD 
input, then change to a different input and then return 
to DVD, HALL will automatically be applied again.
 You can identify the encoding format of DVD 
software, etc. by looking at the logo on the package.
– : Dolby Digital discs
– : Dolby Surround encoded 
programs
– : DTS Digital Surround encoded programs
Note
Sound fields do not function for the signals with a 
sampling frequency of more than 48 kHz.
Sound field Display
HALL HALL
JAZZ CLUB  JAZZ
LIVE CONCERT  CONCERT
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26GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)]
By adjusting the LEVEL menu, you can 
customize the sound fields to suit your particular 
listening situation.
Note on the displayed items
The setup items you can adjust in each menu vary 
depending on the sound field. Certain setup parameters 
may be dimmed in the display. This means that the 
selected parameter is either unavailable or fixed and 
unchangeable.
Adjusting the LEVEL menu
You can adjust the balance and level of each 
speaker. These settings are applied to all sound 
fields except for the effect level parameter. The 
effect level parameter settings are stored 
individually for each sound field.
1Start playing a source encoded with 
multi channel surround effects (DVD, 
etc.).
2Press MAIN MENU repeatedly to select 
“ LEVEL ”.
3Press   or   repeatedly to select the 
parameter you want to adjust.
For details, see “LEVEL menu parameters” 
below.
4While monitoring the sound, press   
or   repeatedly to select the setting 
you want.
The setting is entered automatically. 
5Repeat steps 3 and 4 to adjust the other 
parameters.
LEVEL menu parameters
The initial setting is underlined.
x BAL. L/R XX 
(Front speaker balance)
Initial setting: BALANCE (0)
Lets you adjust the balance between front left and right 
speakers. You can adjust in the range of BAL. L (+1 to 
+8), BALANCE (0), BAL. R (+1 to +8) in 17 steps.
xCTR XXX dB
(Center speaker level)
xSUR.L. XXX dB
(Surround speaker (left) level)
xSUR.R. XXX dB
(Surround speaker (right) level)
xS.W. XXX dB
(Subwoofer level)
Initial setting: 0 dB
You can adjust from –10 dB to +10 dB in 1 dB steps.
x COMP. XXX
(Dynamic range compressor)
Lets you compress the dynamic range of the sound 
track. This may be useful when you want to watch 
movies at low volumes late at night.
OFF
The dynamic range is not compressed.
STD
The dynamic range is compressed as intended by the 
recording engineer.
MAX
The dynamic range is compressed dramatically.
Tip
Dynamic range compressor lets you compress the 
dynamic range of the soundtrack based on the dynamic 
range information included in the Dolby Digital signal. 
We recommend using the “MAX” setting. This greatly 
compresses the dynamic range and lets you view 
movies late at night at low volumes. Unlike analog 
limiters, the levels are predetermined and provide a 
very natural compression.
Note
Dynamic range compression is possible with Dolby 
Digital sources only.
Advanced Adjustments and Settings
Customizing sound fields
LR
D.RANGE
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							Advanced Adjustments and Settings
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27GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)] xEFCT. XXX (Effect level)
Initial setting: STD
Lets you adjust the “presence” of the surround effect in 
3 levels – MIN (minimum effect), STD (standard 
effect) and MAX (maximum effect).
Note
This parameter is valid only when you use a sound 
field selected with the MOVIE or MUSIC buttons.
Resetting sound fields to the 
initial settings
Use the buttons on the receiver for the operation.
1Press ?/1 to turn off the power.
2While holding down SOUND FIELD, 
press ?/1.
“SF. CLR.” appears in the display and all 
sound fields are reset to the initial setting.You can adjust the tonal quality (bass, treble 
level) of the front speakers using the TONE 
menu.
1Start playing a source encoded with 
multi channel surround effects (DVD, 
etc.).
2Press MAIN MENU repeatedly to select 
“TONE”.
3Press   or   repeatedly to select the 
parameter you want to adjust.
For details, see “TONE menu parameters” 
below.
4While monitoring the sound, press   
or   repeatedly to select the setting 
you want.
The setting is entered automatically. 
5Repeat steps 3 and 4 to adjust the other 
items.
Notes
 You cannot adjust the tone when the receiver is 
decoding signals with a sampling frequency of more 
than 48 kHz.
 You also cannot adjust the tone when you select a 
sound field for movies and music (page 24, 25).
TONE menu parameters
xBASS XX dB 
(Front speaker bass level)
xTREB. XX dB 
(Front speaker treble level)
Initial setting: 0 dB
You can adjust from –6 dB to +6 dB in 1 dB steps.
Adjusting the tone
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28GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)]
Using the SET UP menu to 
adjust the receiver
You can adjust various receiver settings using 
the SET UP menu.
1Press MAIN MENU repeatedly to select 
“SET UP”.
2Press   or   repeatedly to select the 
parameter you want to adjust.
For details, see “SET UP menu parameters” 
below.
3Press   or   repeatedly to select the 
setting you want.
The setting is entered automatically.
4Repeat steps 2 and 3 to adjust the other 
items.
SET UP menu parameters
The initial setting is underlined.
xVD2-XXXX 
(Audio input mode for VIDEO 2 input)
Lets you select the audio input mode for VIDEO 2 
input.
 AUTO
Gives priority to digital signals when there are both 
digital and analog connections. If there are no digital 
signals, analog is selected.
OPT
Specifies the digital audio signals input to the 
DIGITAL VIDEO 2 OPT IN jack.
 ANLG
Specifies the analog audio signals input to the 
VIDEO 2 AUDIO IN (L/R) jacks.
xCD-XXXX 
(Audio input mode for SA-CD/CD input)
Lets you select the audio input mode for SA-CD/CD 
input.
 AUTO
Gives priority to digital signals when there are both 
digital and analog connections. If there are no digital 
signals, analog is selected.
OPT
Specifies the digital audio signals input to the 
DIGITAL SA-CD/CD OPT IN jack.
 ANLG
Specifies the the analog audio signals input to the 
SA-CD/CD AUDIO IN (L/R) jacks.
xA.V.SYNC. X
(Time alignment)
 Y (Yes) (Delay time: 68 ms)
The audio output is delayed so that the time gap 
between the audio output and visual display is 
minimized.
N (No)
 (Delay time: 0 ms)
The audio output is not delayed.
Notes
 This parameter is useful when you use a large LCD 
or plasma monitor or a projection TV.
 This parameter is valid when you use a sound field 
selected with the 2CH or A.F.D. button except when 
PCM 96 kHz signals are input.
xDUAL XXX
(Digital broadcast language selection)
Lets you select the language you want to listen to 
during digital broadcast. This feature only functions 
for Dolby Digital sources.
 M/S (Main/Sub)
Sound of the main language will be output through 
the front left speaker and sound of the sub language 
will be output through the front right speaker 
simultaneously.
M (Main)
Sound of the main language will be output.
 S (Sub)
Sound of the sub language will be output.
 M+S (Main + Sub)
Mixed sound of both the main and sub languages will 
be output.
Advanced settings
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							Advanced Adjustments and Settings
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29GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)] xDEC. XXXX 
(Digital audio input decoding priority)
Lets you specify the input mode for the digital signal 
input to the DIGITAL IN jacks.
The initial setting is “DEC. AUTO” for VIDEO 2 and 
“DEC. PCM” for DVD and SA-CD/CD.
 AUTO
Automatically switches the input mode between 
DTS, Dolby Digital, or PCM.
PCM
PCM signals are given priority (to prevent the 
interruption when playback starts). Even when other 
signals are input, the sound is output. However, this 
receiver cannot decode DTS-CD when set to “DEC. 
PCM”. 
Note
When set to “DEC. AUTO” and the sound from the 
digital audio jacks (for CD, etc.) is interrupted when 
playback starts, set to “DEC. PCM”.
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30GB
model name [HT-SS600/HT-SF800M]
[2-592-136-12(1)]
 
You can set the receiver to turn off automatically 
at a specified time.
Press SLEEP while the power is on.
Each time you press SLEEP, the display changes 
cyclically as follows:
2-00-00 t 1-30-00 t 1-00-00 t 0-30-00 t 
OFF
The display dims after you have specified the 
time.
Tip
To check the remaining time before the receiver turns 
off, press SLEEP. The remaining time appears in the 
display. If you press SLEEP again, the sleep timer will 
be canceled.
Other Operations
Using the Sleep Timer
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