Sony Ht Sl7 Operating Instructions

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Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System
E eE eE e
A A
A
EeE e
A
A
INPUTAUDIO
IN
Bb
SPEAKERS (IMPEDANCE USE 8–16Ω)SUB
WOOFER
+
–
RL RL
+
–+
–+
–
SURROUNDCENTERFRONT
OUT
Speaker system hookups
Before connecting speakers, be sure to turn off this unit.
Required cords
ASpeaker cords (supplied)
(+) (+)
(–) (–)
BMonaural audio cord (supplied)Black Black
Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System
Front speaker (L) Front speaker (R)
Center speaker
Surround speaker
(L) Surround speaker
(R) Active sub woofer
TipTo prevent speaker vibration or movement while
listening, attach the supplied foot pads at the bottom
of the speakers.
continued
To a wall outlet
(Switch the power
(POWER) to off
before connecting the
power cord.)
 
						

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To avoid short-circuiting the
speakers
Short-circuiting of the speakers may damage
the receiver. To prevent this, make sure to take
the following precautions when connecting the
speakers.
Make sure the stripped ends of each
speaker cord does not touch another
speaker terminal, the stripped end of
another speaker cord, or the metal parts of
the receiver.
Examples of poor conditions of the
speaker cord
Stripped speaker cord is touching another
speaker terminal.
Stripped cords are touching each other
due to excessive removal of insulation.
Speaker system hookups (continued)After connecting all the components,
speakers, and AC power cord, output
a test tone to check that all the
speakers are connected correctly.
For details on outputting a test tone,
see page 17.
If no sound is heard from a speaker while
outputting a test tone or a test tone is output
from a speaker other than the one whose name
is currently displayed on the receiver, the
speaker may be short-circuited. If this happens,
check the speaker connection again.
To avoid damaging your
speakers
Make sure that you turn down the volume
before you turn off the receiver. When you turn
on the receiver, the volume remains at the level
you turn off the receiver.
 
						

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Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System
Performing initial setup
operations
Once you have hooked up the speakers and
turned on the power, clear the receiver’s
memory. Then specify the speaker parameters
(size, position, etc.) and perform any other
initial setup operations necessary for your
system.
TipTo check the audio output during settings (to set up
while outputting the sound), check the connection
(see page 18).
Clearing the receiver’s
memory
Before using your receiver for the first time, or
when you want to clear the receiver’s memory,
do the following.
This procedure is not necessary if the
demonstration activates when you turn on the
power.
1Turn off the receiver.
2Hold down ?/1 for 5 seconds.
The demonstration starts (see page 2) and
all of the following items are reset or
cleared:
• All sound field parameters are reset to
their factory settings.
• All SET UP parameters are reset to
their factory settings.
• The sound fields memorized for each
program source and preset stations are
cleared.
• The master volume is set to “MIN”.
Performing initial setup
operations
Before using your receiver for the first time,
adjust SET UP parameters so that the receiver
correspond to your system. For the adjustable
parameters, see the table on page 31. See pages
13–17 for speaker settings and page 26 for
other settings.
Multi channel surround
setup
For the best possible surround sound, all
speakers should be the same distance from the
listening position (A).
However, the receiver lets you to place the
center speaker up to 1.5 meters closer (B) and
the surround speakers up to 4.5 meters closer
(C) to the listening position.
The front speakers can be placed from 1.0 to
12.0 meters from the listening position (A).
You can place the surround speakers either
behind you or to the side, depending on the
shape of your room (etc.).
Place the sub woofer at the same distance from
the listening position as the front speaker (left
or right).
When placing surround speakers to your side
When placing surround speakers behind you
Note
Do not place the center speaker farther away from the
listening position than the front speakers.
45°
90°
20°
B
CC
AA
45°
90°
20°
B
CC
AA
continued
Sub woofer
Sub woofer
 
						

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Multi channel surround setup
(continued)
Specifying the speaker
parameters
1Press SET UP.
2Press the cursor buttons (U or u) to
select the parameter you want to
adjust.
3Press + or – to select the setting you
want.
The setting is stored automatically.
4Repeat steps 2 to 3 until you have set
all of the parameters that follow.
Initial settings
Parameter Initial setting
L R (FRONT) XX.X m DIST. 5.0 m
C (CENTER) XX.X m DIST. 5.0 m
SL SR (SURR) XX.X m DIST. 3.5 m
SL SR (SURR) PL. XXX PL. BEHD.
SL SR (SURR) HGT. XXX HGT. LOW
xFront speaker distance (L R)
Set the distance from your listening position to
the front speakers (A on page 13).
xCenter speaker distance (C)
Set the distance from your listening position to
the center speaker. Center speaker distance
should be set from a distance equal to the front
speaker distance (A on page 13) to a distance
1.5 meters closer to your listening position (B
on page 13).
xSurround speaker distance (SL SR)
Set the distance from your listening position to
the surround speakers. Surround speaker
distance should be set from a distance equal to
the front speaker distance (A on page 13) to a
distance 4.5 meters closer to your listening
position (C on page 13).
TipThe receiver allows you to input the speaker position
in terms of distance. However, it is not possible to set
the center speaker further than the front speakers.
Also, the center speaker cannot be set more than
1.5 meters closer than the front speakers.
Likewise, the surround speakers can not be set farther
away from the listening position than the front
speakers. And they can be no more than 4.5 meters
closer.
This is because incorrect speaker placement is not
conducive to the enjoyment of surround sound.
Please note that, setting the speaker distance closer
than the actual location of the speakers will cause a
delay in the output of the sound from that speaker. In
other words, the speaker will sound like it is farther
away.
For example, setting the center speaker distance
1~2 m closer than the actual speaker position will
create a fairly realistic sensation of being “inside” the
screen. If you cannot obtain a satisfactory surround
effect because the surround speakers are too close,
setting the surround speaker distance closer (shorter)
than the actual distance will create a larger sound
stage.
Adjusting these parameter while listening to the
sound often results in much better surround sound.
Give it a try!
 
						

							15GB
Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System
xSurround speaker position (SL SR)*
This parameter lets you specify the location of
your surround speakers for proper
implementation of the Digital Cinema Sound
surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound
fields. Refer to the illustration below.
• Select “PL. SIDE” if the location of your
surround speakers corresponds to section A.
• Select “PL. BEHD.” if the location of your
surround speakers corresponds to section B.
This setting only effects the surround modes in
the “VIRTUAL” sound fields.
xSurround speaker height (SL SR)*
This parameter lets you specify the height of
your surround speakers for proper
implementation of the Digital Cinema Sound
surround modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound
fields. Refer to the illustration below.
• Select “HGT. LOW” if the location of your
surround speakers corresponds to section A.
• Select “HGT. HIGH” if the location of your
surround speakers corresponds to section B.
This setting only effects the surround modes in
the “VIRTUAL” sound fields.
* These parameters are not available when
“Surround speaker size” is set to “NO”.
TipThe surround speaker position parameter is designed
specifically for implementation of the Digital Cinema
Sound modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields.
With the Digital Cinema Sound modes, speaker
position is not as critical as other modes. All of the
modes in the “VIRTUAL” sound fields were
designed under the premise that the surround speaker
would be located behind the listening position, but
presentation remains fairly consistent even with the
surround speakers positioned at a rather wide angle.
However, if the speakers are pointing toward the
listener from the immediate left and right of the
listening position, the “VIRTUAL” sound fields will
not be effective unless the surround speaker position
parameter is set to “PL. SIDE”.
Nevertheless, each listening environment has many
variables, like wall reflections, and you may obtain
better results using “PL. BEHD.” if your speakers are
located high above the listening position, even if they
are to the immediate left and right.
Therefore, although it may result in a setting contrary
to the “Surround speaker position” explanation, we
recommend that you playback multi channel surround
encoded software and listen to the effect each setting
has on your listening environment. Choose the setting
that provides a good sense of spaciousness and that
best succeeds in forming a cohesive space between
the surround sound from the surround speakers and
the sound of the front speakers. If you are not sure
which sounds best, select “PL. BEHD.” and then use
the speaker distance parameter and speaker level
adjustments to obtain proper balance.
continued
45° 90°
20°BB
AA
60
30A
B
A
B
 
						

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Multi channel surround setup
(continued)
Only when you use the speaker system
other than the supplied one, be sure to
set the following parameters.
The speaker size and sub woofer selection has been
preset to MICRO SP. (Micro Satellite Speaker)
according to the supplied speaker system. If you
change the speaker system, choose NORM. SP.
(Normal Speaker) to adjust the speaker size and sub
woofer selection. To select NORM. SP., turn off the
power, then turn on again while pressing the cursor
button U. (To reset to MICRO SP., do the same
procedure.)
Parameter Initial setting
L R (FRONT) LARGE
C (CENTER) LARGE
SL SR (SURR) LARGE
SW (SUB WOOFER) S.W. YES
You cannot change the configuration if you choose
MICRO SP.
xFront speaker size (L R)
• If you connect large speakers that will
effectively reproduce bass frequencies, select
“LARGE”.
• If the sound is distorted, or you feel a lack of
surround effects when using multi channel
surround sound, select “SMALL” to activate
the bass redirection circuitry and output the
front channel bass frequencies from the sub
woofer.
• When the front speakers are set to “SMALL”,
the center and surround speakers are also
automatically set to “SMALL” (unless
previously set to “NO”).xCenter speaker size (
C)
• If you connect a large speaker that will
effectively reproduce bass frequencies, select
“LARGE”. However, if the front speakers are
set to “SMALL”, you cannot set the center
speaker to “LARGE”.
• If the sound is distorted, or you feel a lack of
surround effects when using multi channel
surround sound, select “SMALL” to activate
the bass redirection circuitry and output the
center channel bass frequencies from the front
speakers (if set to “LARGE”) or sub woofer.*
1
• If you do not connect a center speaker, select
“NO”. The sound of the center channel will be
output from the front speakers.*
2
xSurround speaker size (SL SR)
• If you connect large speakers that will
effectively reproduce bass frequencies, select
“LARGE”. However, if the front speakers are
set to “SMALL”, you cannot set the surround
speakers to “LARGE”.
• If the sound is distorted, or you feel a lack of
surround effects when using multi channel
surround sound, select “SMALL” to activate
the bass redirection circuitry and output the
surround channel bass frequencies from the sub
woofer or other “LARGE” speakers.
• If you do not connect surround speakers, select
“NO”.*
3
Tip*1–*3 correspond to the following Dolby Pro Logic
modes
*1 NORMAL
*2 PHANTOM
*3 3 STEREO
 
						

							17GB
Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System
TipInternally, the LARGE and SMALL settings for each
speaker determine whether or not the internal sound
processor will cut the bass signal from that channel.
When the bass is cut from a channel, the bass
redirection circuitry sends the corresponding bass
frequencies to the sub woofer or other “LARGE”
speakers.
However, since bass sounds have a certain amount of
directionality, it best not to cut them, if possible.
Therefore, even when using small speakers, you can
set them to “LARGE” if you want to output the bass
frequencies from that speaker. On the other hand, if
you are using a large speaker, but prefer not to have
bass frequencies output from that speaker, set it to
“SMALL”.
If the overall sound level is lower than you prefer, set
all speakers to “LARGE”.
xSub woofer selection (SW)
•
If you connect a sub woofer, select “S.W. YES”.
• If you do not connect a sub woofer, select
“S.W. NO”. This activates the bass redirection
circuitry and outputs the LFE signals from other
speakers.
• In order to take full advantage of the Dolby
Digital bass redirection circuitry, we
recommend setting the sub woofer’s cut off
frequency as high as possible.
Adjusting the speaker level
Use the remote while seated in your listening
position to adjust the level of each speaker.
NoteThe receiver incorporates a new test tone with a
frequency centered at 800 Hz for easier speaker level
adjustment.
1Press ?/1 to turn on the receiver.
2Turn MASTER VOLUME on the receiver
clockwise (until 10 to 20 appears in the
display).
3Turn on the power of the sub woofer.
4Turn LEVEL on the sub woofer
clockwise (about 
 position).
5Press TEST TONE on the remote.
You will hear the test tone from each
speaker in sequence.
Front (left) t Center t Front (right) t
Surround (right) t Surround (left) t
Sub woofer
6Adjust the level parameters so that the
level of the test tone from each speaker
sounds the same when you are in your
main listening position.
To adjust the balance and level of speakers,
press MENU < / > on the remote to select the
level parameter you want to adjust (page 22).
Then press MENU +/– to select the setting.
7Press TEST TONE again to turn off the
test tone.
TipYou can adjust the level of all speakers at the same
time. Turn MASTER VOLUME on the main unit or
press MASTER VOL +/– on the remote.
Notes• The test tone is not output when the MULTI CH IN
function is on.
• The front balance, surround balance, center level,
surround level, and sub woofer level are shown in
the display during adjustment.
•
Although these adjustments can also be made via the
front panel using the LEVEL menu (when the test tone
is output, the receiver switches to the LEVEL menu
automatically), we recommend you follow the
procedure described above and adjust the speaker
levels from your listening position using the remote.
• To enjoy the better sound quality, do not turn the
volume of the subwoofer too high.
POWER indicatorPOWERLEVEL
continued
 
						

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Basic Operations
Selecting the component
Function buttons
Press a function button to select the component
you want to use.
To select Press
VCR VIDEO
DVD player DVD
Digital satellite tuner (etc.) TV
Tuner TUNER FM/AM
An audio/video AUXcomponent
After turning on the component you selected,
select the component and play the program
source.
MULTI CH IN
Press MULTI CH IN to enjoy the audio source
connected to the MULTI CH INPUT jacks with
the video from the selected component.
• When the MULTI CH IN is selected, the sound
field and surround parameters do not function.
MUTING
Press MUTING to mute the sound. MUTING
appears on the display when the sound is
muted. The muting function is canceled when
turning the power off, or disconnecting the
power cord.
PHONES
Use the PHONES jack to connect headphones.
• When the headphones are connected, speaker
output is automatically cancelled.
TipIn addition to outputting the test tone, you can also
adjust the level of each speaker while listening to the
sound of a CD or DVD, etc. Although you lay the
foundation for high quality surround sound by
matching the levels of all speakers using the test tone,
it may be necessary to make further adjustments
while listening to playback of actual software. This is
because most software contains center and surround
channels recorded at slightly lower levels than the
two front channels.
When you actually playback software recorded in
multi channel surround you will notice that increasing
the center and surround speaker levels produces a
better blend between the front and center speakers
and greater cohesion between the front and surround
speakers. Increasing the level of the center speaker
about 1 dB, and the surround speakers about 1~2 dB
is likely to produce better results.
In other words, in order to create a more cohesive
soundstage with balanced dialog we recommend that
you make some adjustments while playing your
software.  Changes of only 1 dB can make a huge
difference in the character of the soundstage.
Checking the connections
After connecting all of your components to the
receiver, do the following to verify that the
connections were made correctly.
1Press ?/1 to turn on the receiver.
2Press a function button to select a
component (program source) that you
connected (e.g., DVD player).
3Turn on the component and start
playing it.
4Rotate MASTER VOLUME to turn up the
volume.
If you do not obtain normal sound output after
performing this procedure, see
“Troubleshooting” on page 27 and take the
appropriate measures to correct the problem.
Multi channel surround setup
(continued)
 
						

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Enjoying Surround Sound
Enjoying Surround Sound
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. You can also
customize the sound fields to obtain the sound
you want by changing the various surround
parameters.
To fully enjoy surround sound, you must
register the number and location of you
speakers. See “Multi channel surround setup”
starting from page 13 to set the speaker
parameters before enjoying surround sound.
Selecting a sound field
You can enjoy surround sound simply by
selecting one of the pre-programmed sound
fields according to the program you want to
listen to.
Press SOUND FIELD +/– repeatedly to
select the sound field you want.
The current sound field is indicated in the
display. See pages 19–20 for information on
each sound field.
To turn the surround effect off
Select A.F.D. or 2CH ST. (page 20).
Tips•The receiver memorizes the last sound field selected
for each program source (Sound Field Link).
Whenever you select a program source, the sound
field that was last applied is automatically applied
again. For example, if you listen to DVD with
HALL as the sound field, change to a different
program source, then return to DVD, HALL will be
applied again.
•You can identify the encoding format of program
software by looking at its packaging.
Dolby Digital discs are labeled with the 
logo, and Dolby Surround encoded programs are
labeled with the  logo.
About DCS (Digital Cinema Sound)
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.
xNORM.SURR. (Normal Surround)
Software with multi channel surround audio
signals is played back according to the way it
was recorded. Software with 2 channel audio
signals is decoded with Dolby Pro Logic to
create surround effects.
xSTUDIO A–C (Cinema Studio A–C)
DCS
•CINEMA STUDIO A reproduces the sound
characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s
classic editing studio.
•CINEMA STUDIO B reproduces the sound
characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s
mixing studio which is one of the most up-to-
date facilities in Hollywood.
•CINEMA STUDIO C reproduces the sound
characteristics of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s
BGM recording studio.
Basic Operations/Enjoying Surround Sound
continued
 
						

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xV.M.DIMENS.* (Virtual Multi Dimension)
DCS
Uses 3D sound imaging to create an array of
virtual surround speakers positioned higher
than the listener from a single pair of actual
surround speakers. This mode creates 4 sets of
virtual speakers surrounding the listener at
approximately a 30° angle of elevation.
xV.SEMI M.D.* (Virtual Semi Multi
Dimension) DCS
Uses 3D sound imaging to create virtual
surround speakers from the sound of the front
speakers without using actual surround
speakers. This mode creates 5 sets of virtual
speakers surrounding the listener at a 30° angle
of elevation.
xHALL
Reproduces the acoustics of a rectangular
concert hall.
xJAZZ (Jazz Club)
Reproduces the acoustics of a jazz club.
xL.HOUSE (Live House)
Reproduces the acoustics of a 300-seat live
house.
xGAME
Obtains maximum audio impact from video
game software.
*“VIRTUAL” sound field: Sound field with virtual
speakers.
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.
Use the buttons on the remote to operate the
following modes.
A.F.D. (AUTO FORMAT DECODING)
Automatically detects the type of audio signal
being input (Dolby Digital, DTS, or standard 2
channel stereo) and performs the proper
decoding if necessary. This mode presents the
sound as it was recorded/encoded, without
adding any effects (ex. reverberation).
2CH ST. (2 CHANNEL)
Outputs the sound from the front left and right
speakers only. Standard 2 channel (stereo)
sources completely bypass the sound field
processing. Multi channel surround formats are
downmixed to 2 channel.
Notes•No sound is output from the sub woofer when
you select NORM. SP. (page 16) and “2CH ST.” is
selected. To listen to 2 channel (stereo) sources
using the front left and right speakers and a sub
woofer, select “A.F.D.”.
•When you select MICRO SP., internal sound
processor will automatically redirect bass sound to
subwoofer.
Selecting a sound field (continued)