AV8 Preamp Processor

Préamplificateur-processeur AV8
Vorverstärker/Prozessor AV8
AV8 Voorversterker Processor
 Safety guidelines
8. Cleaning
CAUTION ATTENTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
Unplug the unit from the mains supply before cleaning.
SHOCK DO NOT OPEN NE PAS OUVRIR
The case should normally only require a wipe with a soft, damp, lint-
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover
free cloth. Do not use paint thinners or other chemical solvents for
(or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified cleaning.
service personnel. We do not advise the use of furniture cleaning sprays or polishes as
WARNING:To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose
they can cause indelible white marks if the unit is subsequently wiped
this apparatus to rain or moisture. with a damp cloth.

The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral

9. Power sources
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated Only connect the appliance to a power supply of the type described in
‘dangerous voltage’ within the product’s enclosure that may be of the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
10. Power-cord protection
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be
the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying
(servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
particular attention to cords and plugs, and the point where they exit
CAUTION: In Canada and the USA, to prevent electric shock, match from the appliance.
the wide blade of the plug to the wide slot in the socket and insert the
11. Grounding
plug fully into the socket.
Ensure that the grounding means of the appliance is not defeated.
12. Power lines
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Locate any outdoor antenna/aerial away from power lines.
13. Non-use periods
This product is designed and manufactured to meet strict quality If the unit has a standby function, a small amount of current will continue
and safety standards. However, you should be aware of the following to flow into the equipment in this mode. Unplug the power cord of the
installation and operation precautions: appliance from the outlet if left unused for a long period of time.
1. Take heed of warnings and instructions 14. Abnormal smell
You should read all the safety and operating instructions before If an abnormal smell or smoke is detected from the appliance, turn
operating this appliance. Retain this handbook for future reference and the power off immediately and unplug the unit from the wall outlet.
adhere to all warnings in the handbook or on the appliance. Contact your dealer immediately.
2. Water and moisture 15. Servicing
The presence of electricity near water can be dangerous. Do not use You should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described
the appliance near water – for example next to a bathtub, washbowl, in this handbook. All other servicing should be referred to qualified
kitchen sink, in a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc. service personnel.
3. Object or liquid entry 16. Damage requiring service
Take care that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when:
enclosure through any openings. Liquid filled objects such as vases A. the power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged, or
should not be placed on the equipment.
B. objects have fallen, or liquid has spilled into the appliance, or
4. Ventilation
C. the appliance has been exposed to rain, or
Do not place the equipment on a bed, sofa, rug or similar soft surface, or
in an enclosed bookcase or cabinet, since ventilation may be impeded. D. the appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a
We recommend a minimum distance of 50mm (2 inches) around the marked change in performance, or
sides and top of the appliance to provide adequate ventilation. E. the appliance has been dropped or the enclosure damaged.
5. Heat
Locate the appliance away from naked flames or heat producing
equipment such as radiators, stoves or other appliances (including SAFETY COMPLIANCE
other amplifiers) that produce heat.
6. Climate This product has been designed to meet the IEC 60065 international
electrical safety standard.
The appliance has been designed for use in moderate climates.
7. Racks and stands
Only use a rack or stand that is recommended for use with audio
equipment. If the equipment is on a portable rack it should be moved
with great care, to avoid overturning the combination.

E-2
E-2
 Welcome to the AV8 Preamp Processor
USING THIS HANDBOOK
Thank you for purchasing the Arcam FMJ AV8 Preamp Processor.
CONTENTS

English
This handbook has been designed to give you all the information you
need to install, connect, set up and use the Arcam FMJ AV8 Preamp Safety guidelines ..........................................................................E-2
Processor. The remote control handset supplied with the equipment Safety instructions ..............................................................................E-2
is also described. Safety compliance...............................................................................E-2
It may be that the AV8 has been installed and set up as part of your Welcome to the AV8 Preamp Processor ..............................E-3
Hi-Fi installation by a qualified Arcam dealer. In this case, you may wish Installation ....................................................................................E-4
to skip the sections of this handbook dealing with installation and Positioning the unit ............................................................................E-4
setting up the unit. Use the Contents list to guide you to the relevant Notes about connections..............................................................E-4
sections. Cables........................................................................................................E-5
Speaker Installation ............................................................................E-5
SAFETY Audio connections.............................................................................E-6
Safety guidelines are set out on page two of this handbook. Zone 2 connections..........................................................................E-7
Video connections .............................................................................E-7
Many of these items are common sense precautions, but for your own Control connections.........................................................................E-8
safety, and to ensure that you do not damage the unit, we strongly Trigger outputs.....................................................................................E-8
recommend that you read them. This is a class 1 product and requires Connecting to a power supply ...................................................E-9
an earth connection.
Configuring the AV8 ............................................................... E-10
Basic Setup ..........................................................................................E-11
INTRODUCTION
Advanced Setup...............................................................................E-14
The AV8 is a high quality and high performance home cinema
Front panel controls ............................................................... E-17
processor and audio pre-amplifier built to Arcam’s traditional high
quality design and manufacturing standards. It combines high resolution Remote control........................................................................ E-18
digital processing with high performance audio and video components Operating your AV8 ................................................................ E-19
to bring you an unrivalled home entertainment centre. Using the controls ...........................................................................E-19
The AV8 allows quality switching and volume control of eight analogue Using the main menu screen ....................................................E-21
and seven digital sources making it an ideal companion for both home Using zone 2.......................................................................................E-23
cinema and two-channel stereo systems. Since many of these source Surround modes ...................................................................... E-24
components are also capable of outputting high quality video signals, Introduction ........................................................................................E-24
the AV8 includes broadcast quality video switching for composite, S- Two-channel source modes ......................................................E-24
video, component and RGB video signals. There are inputs and outputs Multichannel sources .....................................................................E-25
for both tape and VCR, as well as a digital output. DVD-Audio and Multichannel source modes.......................................................E-25
SACD can be connected via the multichannel input. Control of the AV8 THX® Modes ...................................................................................E-25
is either by front panel control buttons, IR remote control or an RS232 DSP Effects Modes .........................................................................E-26
port (which can be used to upload future software enhancements). About THX® cinema processing...........................................E-26
On the back panel there are trigger outputs for easy connection to Troubleshooting ....................................................................... E-27
associated equipment. The AV8 can easily be integrated with various Technical specifications........................................................... E-30
types of power amplifiers and loudspeakers, including those that are
Additional technical information .......................................... E-31
THX certified. The AV8 is itself THX certified, meaning it has passed
SCART connections ......................................................................E-32
the rigorous THX Ultra2 specification enabling it to reproduce THX
Surround EX signals from Dolby Digital soundtracks. IR remote codes...............................................................................E-33
AV8 serial programming interface .........................................E-34
The customised installation of the AV8 in a listening room is an Utility software..................................................................................E-41
important process which requires care at every stage. For this reason,
the installation information is very comprehensive and should be Guarantee.................................................................................. E-42
followed carefully. On line registration.........................................................................E-42

The AV8 has a universal input power supply that is compatible with
mains voltages between 85V AC and 265V AC, 50Hz to 60Hz.

Manufactured under licence from Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

‘Dolby’, ‘Pro Logic’, ‘Surround EX’ and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories.
Copyright © 1992–1999 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5,451,942,
5,956,674, 5,974,380, 5,978,762 and other world-wide patents issued and pending.
“DTS”, “DTS-ES Extended Surround” and “Neo:6” are trademarks of Digital Theater
Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 1996, 2000 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Lucasfilm and THX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lucasfilm, Ltd.

Copyright © Lucasfilm Ltd. &TM.
Surround EX is a jointly developed technology of THX and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and is a
trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
E-3
 Installation
Serial Control Digital audio Component video Composite & S-video
control connections inputs connections connections
Digital
output

REMOTE DIGITAL INPUTS HIGH QUALITY VIDEO

IN 1 2
Y/G U/B V/R Y/G U/B V/R VIDEO
OUT LOCAL DVD AV TAPE

ZONE 2 1 2
VCR VCR
RS232 MONITOR OUT TAPE OUT IN AV SAT DVD
GND
CONTROL VIDEO
TRIGGERS
MM

50/60Hz 12V IN OUT TUNER CD VCR SAT Y/G U/B V/R Y/G U/B V/R
TRIGGER ZONE 2 OUT 1/RGB 2/S-VIDEO PROG
100–240VAC~ 3 MC
MAX 40VA
TAPE VCR
LEFT CENTRE SUB 2 L SURR LS BACK LEFT CENTRE L SURR LS BACK TUNER CD OUT IN OUT IN AV SAT DVD AUDIO

GROUND
L L
LIFT (IN)

R R
RIGHT SUB 1 SUB 3 R SURR RS BACK RIGHT SUB R SURR RS BACK ZONE 2 OUT AUX/
OUTPUTS DVD-A/SACD IN PHONO

Ground lift

Power supply Multichannel Multichannel Zone 2 Analogue audio

connector outputs DVD-A/SACD output inputs and record
inputs outputs

VIDEO
POSITIONING THE UNIT The AV8 does not provide conversion between different video formats
as this would result in degradation of the video signal. This means
 Place the processor on a level, firm surface. simply that the AV8 does not convert between composite, S-video or
component.
 Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near sources of heat
or damp. For example, if you are watching a composite input from a VCR you
must view it from the composite output of the AV8, as there will be no
 Do not place the unit on top of a power amplifier or other picture on the other outputs. Connect as follows:
source of heat.
 VCR (composite) input and Monitor out (composite)
 Ensure adequate ventilation. Do not place the unit in an enclosed
space such as a bookcase or closed cabinet unless there is good or, for a device with an S-video output, such as a DVD player, connect:
provision for ventilation. The processor is designed to run warm  DVD (S-video) input and Monitor out (S-video)
during normal operation. The video quality hierarchy is as follows:
 Make sure the IR receiver on the front panel is unobstructed,  Component/RGB – highest
otherwise this will impair the use of the remote control. If line-
of-sight is impractical, an infrared remote repeater can be used  S-video – middle
with the rear panel IR connector.  Composite – lowest
 Do not place your record deck on top of this unit or any other If all the video inputs are simultaneously connected from one device,
unit which is mains supplied. Record decks are very sensitive e.g., a DVD player, the AV8 will select automatically the best format
to the noise generated by mains power supplies which will be possible.
heard as ‘hum’ if the record deck is too close.
ZONE 2
Zone 2 outputs only a line level signal from the stereo analogue audio
NOTES ABOUT CONNECTIONS and composite video inputs. The analogue inputs are required because
there is no analogue-to-digital, DSP processing or digital-to-analogue
Before connecting your equipment it is important to think about the converstion available for zone 2 signals.
following points as these will affect your choice of connections and As the AV8 does not convert video formats, a composite video signal
subsequent use of the system. must also be connected from the source.
For this reason, we recommend that source devices that have a digital
AUDIO connection are also connected to the analogue inputs. High quality
Wherever possible, connect both analogue and digital outputs of digital YUV/RGB and S-video sources should also have their composite
sources. This enables use of a digital input for the main zone and the outputs connected to the AV8 for use in zone 2.
corresponding analogue input for recording onto an analogue tape
deck or VCR, and for the zone 2 output if used.

E-4
E-4
GENERAL FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT
The inputs are named to make it easier to reference when connecting Position your front left and right speakers to achieve a good stereo
e.g., a DVD or VCR, but they all have the same input circuit, so there image for normal musical reproduction as well as for the multichannel
is no reason why you should not connect a different device to any of modes. If they are placed too close together there will be a lack of
the inputs. For example, if you had two DVD players and the AV input spaciousness; if they are placed too far apart a stereo image will appear
was not being used, then the second DVD player can be connected to to have a large ‘hole’ in the middle and will be presented in two halves.
the AV input. If there is no practical alternative to placing the speakers widely apart,

English
this effect can be overcome in music reproduction by using centre
sound extraction from the left and right speakers (see Dolby ProLogic
CABLES II Music Mode).

CENTRE
We recommend the use of high quality screened analogue, digital and
video cables, as inferior quality cables will degrade the overall quality The centre speaker allows for a more realistic reproduction of dialogue
of your system. Only use cables that are designed for the particular and centre sounds. The centre speaker should have a similar tonal
application as other cables will have different impedance characteristics balance to the front left and right speakers and be positioned at a
that will degrade the performance of your system. similar height.
Video and digital connections must be made with cables that are
designed for this purpose, i.e., coaxial cable with a 75Ω impedance. If SURROUND LEFT AND RIGHT
substandard cables are used you may suffer from poor picture quality The surround left and right speakers reproduce the ambient sound and
such as ghost images and or grainy picture quality (snow). effects present in a multichannel home cinema system and should be
Speaker cables should be kept short and low impedance wire should installed approximately one metre higher than the listener’s ears.
be used throughout to ensure efficient power transmission and avoid
audible distortion. SURROUND BACK LEFT AND RIGHT
All cables should be kept as short as is practically possible. The surround back left and right speakers are used to add extra depth
and better sound localisation and should be installed approximately
It is good practice when connecting your equipment to make sure that
one metre higher than the listener’s ears. Place the two surround
the mains power supply cabling is kept as far away as possible from your
back speakers such that there is an arc of approximately 150 degrees
audio and video cables, as this will provide the best sound and picture
between each surround back speaker and the centre speaker. The
quality. Failure to do so may result in unwanted noise in the audio and
surround back speakers should face the front of the room as shown
video signals.
in the diagram to provide the largest ‘sweet spot’. You will then need
to measure the distance between the two surround back speakers
and set the ‘Advanced Speaker Array’ line of the ‘THX Settings’ menu
SPEAKER INSTALLATION accordingly.

The AV8 allows you to connect up to seven channels of amplification SUBWOOFER

and three active subwoofers in the main system. The output channels A subwoofer will greatly improve the bass performance of your system.
correspond to speakers installed in the front left, centre, front right, This is useful for reproducing special cinema effects, especially where
surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right a dedicated LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel is available, as with
and an active subwoofer (see diagram). many Dolby Digital or DTS encoded discs.
Multiple subwoofers may be required for larger installations, particularly
Front Centre Front
left right in rooms of a timber frame construction. Multiple subwoofers need
care in placement because there may be cancellation effects between
the units. Seek expert advice on multiple subwoofer placement.

Subwoofer

Surround Surround
left right

Surround Surround
back left back right

GENERAL
All speakers, with the exception of the subwoofer, should be arranged
around your normal viewing/listening position (see diagram). The
subwoofer can be placed almost anywhere and we recommend
experimenting with it in various positions to obtain the best result.
The configuration and placement of your speakers are very important.
For THX surround EX playback we recommend that you use a THX
speaker system that is certified by Lucasfilm Ltd. If you are not installing
a full THX surround EX system then ignore the instructions regarding
the surround back left and right loudspeakers.

E-5
 DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
bp DVD, bq AV, br TAPE, bs TUNER, bt CD, ck VCR, cl SAT.
Connect these inputs to the digital ouputs of your available source
Take care to place the audio cables as far from any power supply cabling equipment.
as is practically possible to reduce hum and noise problems.
Connect the analogue outputs from your source devices such as a
DVD player to the analogue inputs as shown:
bp bq br
DIGITAL INPUTS

bo GND DVD AV TAPE

MM

bn MC
TAPE VCR
TUNER CD OUT IN OUT IN AV SAT DVD AUDIO OUT TUNER CD VCR SAT

R
AUX/
cm bs bt ck cl
PHONO

Notes:
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 bk bl bm  Each of these seven digital inputs can be individually allocated to
different audio inputs if required, by use of the ‘Digital Settings’
page of the Setup menu.
ANALOGUE AUDIO INPUTS  The AV8 does not contain an RF decoder for Laserdisc with RF
output.
3 TUNER, 4 CD, 6 TAPE 1N, 8 VCR IN, 9 AV, bk SAT,
bl DVD. Connect the left and right inputs to the left and right outputs DIGITAL OUTPUT
of your source equipment.
cm (Digital) OUT. Connect this coaxial digital output to your digital
bm AUX/PHONO. Unless the optional phono card has been installed, recording device such as a CD-R, digital VCR or minidisc player.
this input will function identically to the other line inputs. For example
When a digital source is selected, the digital output will send an exact
it can be connected to a second CD player.
copy of the incoming digital signal. For example, for a 5.1 digital source,
With the optional phono card installed this input can be connected the digital output will also be in 5.1 format.
directly to a record deck. This card is available from your Arcam dealer
On selecting an analogue source, the digital output will send an SPDIF
and caters for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges.
format digital signal, encoded with the analogue source material, with
bn MM/MC Switch. The switch on the back panel marked MM/MC is one exception: if Neo:6 Cinema or Music mode is selected, the digital
used to select the correct sensitivity to match the cartridge fitted to output will be muted due to the extra processing required for these
the record deck, which is either moving magnet (MM) or moving coil modes.
(MC).
If you are unsure which type of cartridge is fitted to your record deck, MULTICHANNEL DVD-A/SACD INPUTS
connect the record deck and select the ‘MM’ setting on the switch. If, The multichannel input is suitable for use with sources that decode the
when tested, the output from the record deck is very quiet compared surround channels internally, such as DVD-A or SACD players.
with the CD or DVD inputs then your cartridge is probably a moving The AV8 switches these analogue inputs directly to the analogue
coil type cartridge. Turn the AV8 off and select the ‘MC’ setting on the outputs via its own volume control circuit. This direct path maintains
switch and test the record deck again. the best possible sound quality for DVD-A and SACD sources.
Please note that if the AV8 is set to ‘MM’ and the record deck has a
‘MC’ cartridge fitted, testing these together will not cause any damage cn cp cr ct
to either the AV8 or the record deck. LEFT CENTRE L SURR
LS
BACK

bo GND. This is the phono earth or ground terminal and is used to

connect to a turntable earth lead (if fitted). Note that this terminal must
not be used as a safety (mains) earth. RIGHT SUB R SURR RS
DVD-A/SACD IN BACK

ANALOGUE RECORD OUTPUTS co cq cs dk

5 TAPE OUT, 7 VCR OUT. Connect the left and right audio
outputs sockets to the left and right input sockets of your cassette deck
or VCR (usually labelled ‘RECORD’). The VCR connections may also be
used for a second tape deck. cn LEFT, co RIGHT, cp CENTRE, cq SUB, cr L SURR, cs R SURR.
Connect these input sockets to the equivalent audio outputs of your
DVD-Audio or SACD player.

ct LS BACK, and dk RS BACK. These are available for formats

requiring eight channels. Currently no formats are available requiring
these connections, which are provided for future compatibility.

E-6
E-6
ANALOGUE PREAMPLIFIER OUTPUTS A receiver compatible with this connector is available from Xantech
All these analogue outputs are buffered, have a low output impedance (part no. 291-10). Please contact a Xantech registered dealer for this
and are at line level. They are able to drive long cables or several inputs part, as ARCAM do not stock them. See www.xantech.com for more
information.
in parallel if required.
The 3.5mm jack plug for this connector is wired as follows:
dl dn dp dr dt 3.5mm stereo jack Function

English
LEFT CENTRE SUB/2 L/SURR LS/BACK Tip Signal
Ring 0V
Sleeve 12V, 30mA current-limited
RIGHT SUB/1 SUB/3 R/SURR RS/BACK
OUTPUTS This follows the Xantech standard for IR transmission over wire.
dm do dq ds ek gr ZONE 2 Composite video connection. Connect to your zone 2
video display using 75Ω low loss coaxial cable.

dl LEFT, dm RIGHT, dn CENTRE. Connect these to the equivalent

front channel inputs of your power amplifier. VIDEO CONNECTIONS
do SUB 1. Main subwoofer output. Connect this to the input of your
active subwoofer, if you have one.

dpSUB 2, dq SUB 3. Subwoofer auxiliary outputs 2 and 3. These IMPORTANT NOTES

are equivalent to do and allow the use of multiple subwoofers. If The AV8 has no video format conversion between component, RGB,
you are using more than one subwoofer, please set the number used S-video or composite.
on the subwoofer setting page. Refer to ‘Basic and Advanced Set up’, Wherever possible connect multiple video outputs from your video
‘Subwoofer Settings’. sources. This enables use of the higher quality video connection for
dr L SURR. Surround left output. Connect this output to the surround the main system and the corresponding S-video and composite
left power amplifier input. connection for the record and zone 2 outputs.
For any video source to be viewed in zone 2 you must have a
ds R SURR. Surround right output. Connect this output to the composite video connection between the source and the AV8.
surround right power amplifier input.

dt LS BACK, ek RS BACK Surround back left and right outputs (only COMPOSITE VIDEO CONNECTIONS
used in 7.1 channel systems). Connect these outputs to the inputs of
your LS back and RS back amplifiers.
gr el em en eo ep eq er es
ZONE 2 CONNECTIONS VIDEO
ZONE 2 1 2
VCR VCR
MONITOR OUT TAPE OUT IN AV SAT DVD
VIDEO
TRIGGERS
The AV8 allows independent routing and control of analogue audio
and composite video to a separate set of equipment, typically used for 1/RGB 2/S-VIDEO PROG

a second living space, e.g., bedroom or lounge.

Zone 2 only outputs a signal from the analogue audio and composite
video inputs. The analogue inputs are required because there is no
gsgt et fk fl fm fn fo fp fq
analogue-to-digital, digital-to-analogue or DSP processing available for
zone 2 signals. el MONITOR OUT 1. Connect this output to the composite video
As the AV8 does not convert video formats a composite signal must input of your display device. (You will need an RCA phono-to-phono,
also be connected from the source. or, in Europe, a phono-to-SCART video cable to do this.)
For this reason we recommend that source devices that have a digital
em MONITOR OUT 2.This is the same as el MONITOR OUT 1, and
connection are also connected to the analogue inputs. High quality enables a second display device to be used; it can also be used as a sync
YUV/RGB and S-video sources should also have their composite reference for a four-wire RGB signal.
output connected to the AV8 for use in zone 2.
ep VCR IN, eq AV, er SAT, es DVD. Connect these inputs to the
gp gl gn gr composite video outputs of your source equipment.
REMOTE

OUT
IN
LOCAL
eo VCR OUT. Connect to the composite video input of your video
recorder (you will need an RCA phono-to-phono or, in Europe, a
ZONE 2 1 2
MONITOR OUT
phono-to-SCART video cable to do this).
VIDEO
TRIGGERS
ZONE 2
OUT 12V IN
TRIGGER ZONE 2
en TAPE. If you are using the tape loop for a second VCR then connect
1/RGB 2/S-VIDEO PROG the composite video from the VCR to this input.

gm go S-VIDEO CONNECTIONS
et MONITOR OUT. Connect this to the S-video input of your display
device.
gp ZONE 2 OUT. Connect these to a line level input on your zone
2 amplifier. fn VCR IN, fo AV, fp SAT, fq DVD. Connect these inputs to the
S- video outputs of your source equipment.
go IN ZONE 2. This allows the AV8 to be controlled remotely from
zone 2 via infrared remote control. E-7
fm VCR OUT. Connect this to the S-video input of your video
recorder. CONTROL CONNECTIONS
fl TAPE. If you are using the tape loop for a second VCR then connect
the S-video from the VCR to this input. gl gn RS232
CONTROL

REMOTE
HIGH QUALITY (COMPONENT) VIDEO OUT
IN
LOCAL
85 – 265VAC
CONNECTIONS MAX 40VA

These inputs are suitable for connection to component (YUV/ YCrCb)

GROUND
or RGB outputs. These signals are usually available from a DVD player, 12V IN
LIFT (IN)
TRIGGER ZONE 2
set-top box or games console and offer the best possible picture
quality.
Generally, the component video standard is used in North America/ gm go gq
NTSC regions, while RGB is used in Europe.

fr fs gn IN LOCAL. Use with a local IR receiver when the AV8 front panel
IR receiver is obstructed.
HIGH QUALITY VIDEO
1 2
Y/G U/B V/R Y/G U/B V/R
go IN ZONE 2. This allows the AV8 to be controlled remotely from
zone 2 via infrared remote control.
A receiver compatible with this connector is available from Xantech
Y/G U/B
OUT
V/R Y/G U/B
3
V/R (part no. 291-10). Please contact a Xantech registered dealer for this
part, as ARCAM do not stock them. See www.xantech.com for more
information.
gk ft
The 3.5mm jack plug for this connector is wired as follows:

fr VIDEO 1, fs VIDEO 2, ft VIDEO 3 INPUTS. Connect these to 3.5mm stereo jack Function
the video outputs of your high quality video sources. Tip Signal

HIGH QUALITY VIDEO OUT. Connect these sockets to the Ring 0V

gk
component video inputs of your display device. Sleeve 12V, 30mA current-limited
Important notes about HQ video inputs and outputs This follows the Xantech standard for IR transmission over wire.
When you connect your devices to these connectors, take care to Connect to a remote IR receiver in zone 2 to allow control of the AV8
follow the letter/colour coding for each input. No damage will occur if from zone 2.
incorrectly connected, but unusually coloured or unstable pictures will
result. gl (REMOTE) OUT. This enables control of the source components
remotely from zone 2 or zone 1 using the local input. Control is
In the ‘Video Settings’ setup menu, each of these three high quality possible by either connecting to the source devices via the 3.5mm IR
component video inputs can be individually allocated to one of the jack (Arcam units only) or using an IR emitter stuck to the centre of
following inputs: DVD, SAT, TUNER, TAPE, CD, VCR or AV. the IR sensor window on the source component (such as a Xantech
You cannot mix component and RGB sources. 283MW mini emitter).
The high quality component video inputs have sufficient bandwidth for
line-doubled NTSC (525/60) or PAL (625/50) video and US HDTV
gq RS232 CONTROL Use with control devices having an RS232 serial
port (for example, Crestron and AMX touch screen controllers). This
video signals. However, when used with such signals the OSD is not connection is also used for upgrading control software. See the sections
overlaid on the picture but is output at standard interlaced NTSC or at the end of this manual for control and programming information.
PAL (525 or 625 line) rate on a solid background.
Initially, the high quality video inputs are all disabled. Before any HQ
video input can be selected it must be allocated to an input. TRIGGER OUTPUTS
RGB 4-wire connection
Some video projectors and most European TV sets require the use of There are three trigger output sockets on the AV8, each of which is a
a 4-wire RGB connection, where the ‘sync’ signal is separate from RGB. 3.5mm stereo jack with two contacts, ‘tip’ and ‘ring’. See the tables for
In this case, you need to use the composite video MONITOR OUT 2 technical information on the trigger outputs.
for the sync information. A special cable is available from your dealer
for 4-wire RGB connection (refer to the table of SCART connections gm 12V TRIGGER. Use for remotely turning on and off power amps or
at the back of the manual). source equipment for the main zone and zone 2.
3.5mm stereo jack Function Voltage
Tip Main zone on On = 12V, 30mA
Off = 0V
Ring Zone 2 on On = 12V, 30mA
Off = 0V
Sleeve Ground 0V

E-8
E-8
gs VIDEO TRIGGER 1, gt VIDEO TRIGGER 2. The trigger outputs 2/S-video output:
have different functions depending on how the ‘Video Status’ has been
Connection Function Voltage
set (Screen Ctrl or SCART) in the ‘General Settings’ menu.
Tip Video source Any video source selected = 12V
trigger * No video source selected = 0V
ZONE 2 1 2 Ring Video source Any video source selected = 12V
MONITOR OUT
VIDEO
TRIGGERS trigger * No video source selected = 0V

English
Sleeve Ground 0V
1/RGB 2/S-VIDEO PROG

* Video source trigger – This output goes high when any video source
in the main zone is selected. It can be used to initiate closing of curtains
gsgt or dimming lights automatically.
Notes on Screen Ctrl mode
SCART mode In Screen Ctrl mode, the video triggers behave differently. Both
1/RGB trigger output – connect to RGB SCART on your TV: outputs of video trigger 1 double up the role of the 12V trigger
output described earlier.They can be used to remotely switch on or off
Connection Function Voltage
additional equipment such as power amplifiers.
Tip RGB mode select RGB video = 1V (into 75Ω load)
Composite video = 0V
Ring RGB/composite Video present, aspect 4:3 = 12V CONNECTING TO A POWER SUPPLY
SCART input select Video present, aspect 16:9 = 6V
(CVBS status) No video signal = 0V
Aspect ratio 4:3/16:9 1 Power inlet. The AV8 has a universal input power supply that is
compatible with mains voltages between 85VAC and 265VAC.
Sleeve Ground 0V
2/S-video output – connect to S-video SCART (usually SCART no. RS232
CONTROL

2) on your TV:
85 – 265VAC
Connection Function Voltage MAX 40VA

Tip Video source Any video source selected = 12V

GROUND
trigger* No video source selected = 0V LIFT (IN)

Ring S-video SCART S-video present, aspect 4:3 = 12V

input select (CVBS S-video present, aspect 16:9 = 6V 1 2
status) No video signal = 0V
Aspect ratio 4:3/16:9
2 GROUND LIFT (IN) button. In complex setups which involve satellite
Sleeve Ground 0V inputs or radio aerials, grounding the unit may increase the level of
Notes on SCART mode background hum or buzz in the loudspeakers, in which case press the
GROUND LIFT button in to lift the signal ground from the chassis ground.
In SCART mode, seamless selection of composite, S-video and RGB
A/V TV inputs is possible using the AV8. DO NOT REMOVE the safety earth from the mains cable under any
circumstances.
When switched to a video source input, and the AV8 detects the
presence of either an S-video or composite video signal, it sets either
WRONG PLUG?
the S-video or the composite SCART input select lines high. If both
signal types are detected on that source input, then only the S-video Check that the plug supplied with the unit fits your supply. If your
SCART input select line is set high. mains plug is different, consult your Arcam dealer or Arcam Customer
Support on +44 (0)1223 203200.
If a high quality video source in RGB+Composite Syncs mode is
allocated to an input, the AV8 will assume an RGB signal is present
when syncs are detected on the composite input. In this case if only a MAINS LEAD
composite video signal is present on the input the AV8 will detect this The appliance is normally supplied with a moulded mains plug already
as an RGB+Composite Sync signal and display a blank screen, not the fitted to the lead. If for any reason the plug needs to be removed, it
composite video signal. must be disposed of immediately and securely, as it is a potential shock
Information on SCART wiring is provided in the back of this manual. hazard when inserted into the mains socket. Should you require a new
mains lead, contact your Arcam dealer.
NOTE: When the ‘HQ Video’ line of the ‘General Settings’ page is set
to ‘Component’ (rather than ‘RGB’), video trigger 1 behaves as listed
PLUGGING IN
in the table for Screen Ctrl mode.
Push the plug (IEC line socket) of the power cable supplied with the
Screen Ctrl mode unit into the power input socket (1) in the back of the unit. Make sure
1/RGB trigger output: it is pushed in firmly.
Put the plug on the other end of the cable into your power supply
Connection Function Voltage
socket and switch the socket on.
Tip Main zone on trigger Main zone turned on = 12V
Main zone turned off = 0V
Ring Main zone on trigger Main zone turned on = 12V
Main zone turned off = 0V
Sleeve Ground 0V

E-9
 Configuring the AV8
The AV8 ‘Setup Menu’ has six ‘Basic’ and five ‘Advanced’ menu screens NAVIGATING USING THE REMOTE CONTROL
which take you through the configuration process. The ‘Basic’ menus There are two ways to navigate through the Setup menus using the
enable you to match your AV8 to your speakers.The ‘Advanced’ menus remote control. The first method is for use when setting up the AV8
allow you to optimise the operation of your system. Screen shots of for the first time and allows you to progress methodically through the
these menus are shown in shaded boxes on the following pages. menus:
The best way to set up the AV8 is using the on-screen display (OSD). 1. Press and hold the MENU button (which is located immediately
To view the OSD for the initial set up, use the composite video output under the navigation buttons) for two seconds to access the
because the high quality video output has several display modes, and ‘Setup Menu Index’.
may be incompatible with your high quality display device in its default
configuration. NOTE: Just briefly pressing the menu button takes you to
‘Main Menu Screen1’.
The AV8 defaults to the NTSC video standard – most display devices
can sync to this automatically. For PAL-only display devices, press and 2. Navigate between menus using the34 keys (the menu heading
hold the OK button for two seconds, when the AV8 will change to the must be highlighted).
PAL video standard. As soon as a video signal is input to the AV8, it 3. Navigate up and down the menu lines using the56 keys.
automatically detects which standard it is and switches to it.
4. Cycle through the options and select the required setting using
the34 keys.
ENTERING SETUP MODE
Return to the title bar and repeat sequences 2 to 4, working through
To enter the Setup menus press and hold the MENU button on the
the six ‘Basic’ menus and the five ‘Advanced’ menus as required.
remote control, or on the front panel, for at least two seconds. The
‘Setup Menu Index’ is displayed on your display device. 5. Press the MENU button to return to the main Setup menu
screen.
Unstable OSD menu display?
6. Press the OK button twice to select ‘Save Setup’ and save the
Your AV8 may be in the wrong video standard mode. Press and hold
settings.This takes about four seconds.Then press OK twice again
the OK button for more than two seconds to switch between the
to return to the Index, then exit the Setup menu.
NTSC and PAL standard OSD mode.
A second method can be used when you need to make adjustments
SETUP LOCK to a specific menu screen:

To prevent tampering with the AV8 setup configuration you can ‘lock’ 1. Press and hold the MENU button for two seconds to access the
the menus by pressing the OK, TUNER and DVD-A buttons simultaneously ‘Setup Menu Index’.
on the front panel. To unlock the AV8, press the same buttons again. 2. Navigate up and down the ‘Setup Menu Index’ using56,
pressing OK to go to the selected menu option.
SETUP MENU 3. Use56 to navigate up and down the menu lines.
The main ‘Setup Menu’ page allows you instant access to six ‘Basic’ and 4. Use34 to cycle through the options and select the required
five ‘Advanced’ menus. setting.
5. Press MENU to return to the main setup menu screen.
Setup Menu Index
6. Press the OK button twice to select ‘Save Setup’ and save the
Basic Advanced settings.This takes about four seconds.Then press OK twice again
1.General 1.Speaker EQ
to return to the Index, then exit the Setup menu.
2.Speaker Size 2.Video
3.Delays 3.Digital NOTE: It is always possible to navigate between menus using the title
4.Level Set 4.Zone 2 bar at the top of each menu page.
5.Sub Woofer 5.Input Trim
6.THX

Save Setup Exit Setup

NAVIGATING USING THE FRONT PANEL
The AV8 front panel controls can be used to configure the options.
Please note that it is easier to configure using the remote control.
They are listed side-by-side on the OSD on your display device. The
selected line of the menu is also displayed on the front panel of the 1. Press and hold the MENU button for two seconds to access the
AV8. Use the remote control navigation button4 to go to page 1 from Setup menu.
the menu heading, or use the navigation buttons to scroll down the list 2. Navigate up and down the ‘Setup Menu Index’ menu using56,
to a specific page, then press OK to go directly to the page. pressing OK to go to the selected menu option.
Save Setup takes you to the ‘Save Settings’ screen to allow you to 3. Use56 to navigate up and down the menu lines.
save in one of the five available presets.
4. Use34 to cycle through the options and select the required
Exit Setup exits the Setup menus without saving any changes. setting.
Each of the following sections shows the screen that is displayed as you Return to the title bar and repeat sequences 2 to 4, working through
move through the menus. the six ‘Basic’ menus and the five ‘Advanced’ menus as required.
5. Press MENU to return to the main setup menu screen.
6. Press the OK button twice to select ‘Save Setup’ and save the
settings.This takes about four seconds.Then press OK twice again
to return to the Index, then exit the Setup menu.

E-10
E-10
 Sync On Green: This applies only if RGB video is used. On makes
BASIC SETUP the AV8 feed the video sync signal out with the green signal. Some
RGB-driven display devices require a sync signal on the green input
to lock on to the video signal coming in, while others need the video
1 – GENERAL SETTINGS: synchronisation on a separate lead. Systems using SCART connections
will normally have a four-wire system (i.e., with sync on composite
1 - General Settings [CVBS] video).

English
NOTE: The ‘Sync on Green’ menu option is not selectable when
Volume Display: Normal 0-72
Max Volume: +72
‘Component’ is selected as the HQ video type.
Max On Volume: +20

Delay units: Imperial 2 – SPEAKER SIZES

OSD Mode: Mixed
The size and number of loudspeakers are defined on this page of the
Video Status: SCART
HQ Video: RGB OSD.
Sync On Green: Off
2 - Speaker Sizes

Volume display: Allows you to select how volume is displayed. Auto Setup: Custom
Choose from Normal 0–72 (in 1dB steps), THX Ref –53dB to +18dB,
and Fine 0–72 (in 0.5dB steps). We recommend setting this to THX Front L/R: Small
Centre: Small
Ref as this represents a volume control around 0dB (the reference Surr.L/R: Small
level) which is the same loudness level of a movie in a movie theatre Surr.Back L/R: Small
once you have correctly calibrated your system. Subwoofer: Present
Max Volume: Limits the maximum volume setting the system can be Rears for 5.1: Both
turned up to. This is a useful feature to prevent accidental overdriving
of low power-handling speakers, for example.
A note on speaker sizes
Max On Volume: Limits the maximum volume the system operates
at when it is first switched on. The system comes on at this volume if A Large speaker is one that is capable of handling a full range signal (i.e.,
the last used (possibly very loud) volume exceeds this value. 20Hz–20kHz).
Delay units: Controls whether the delay settings for the speakers A Small speaker is one that is not capable of reproducing a deep bass
in surround modes are specified in terms of Time, Imperial or signal (i.e., below 100Hz), for example a satellite speaker.
Metric distances from the listening position. Either enter the time None is used when there is no speaker connected to that channel.
delay to each channel if calculating the delay in milliseconds, or select
Auto Setup: Allows the setting of ‘standard configurations’ as in the
between Imperial or Metric measurements to calculate the time delay
table below:
automatically. Imperial is measured in feet and Metric is measured more
precisely in 0.1m (10cm) increments. Note that 1 foot is approximately Speaker Config 1 Config.2 Config.3 Custom THX THX
0.3 metres. Surr.Ex

NOTE: Changing the units resets all distances/times to zero. It is Front Small Large Large Sm/Lge Small Small
L/R THX THX
therefore important to choose the units (Time, Imperial or Metric)
before set up. Centre Small Small Small Sm/Lge/ Small Small
None THX THX
OSD Mode: Controls how the on screen display is viewed. Mixed
will overlap the OSD on top of the existing video picture, while Full
Surr Small Small Large Sm/Lge/ Small Small
Page will give a full screen black background with the OSD displayed L/R None THX THX
in white.
Surr Small Small Small Sm/None None Small
NOTE: In Mixed mode, the highlight bar is black if video is present. It Back THX
is blue if no video signal is present or if in Full Page mode. L/R
Sub- Present None Present Present/ Present Present
Video Status: Can be set to Screen Ctrl or SCART.This controls the
woofer None THX THX
triggers (Video Trig 1) into the display device to tell the display what
video type is being used. SCART refers to the multipole A/V connector 5.1 Both Both Both SurrL/R/ Surr Both
commonly used on European A/V equipment. Rears Sur Back L/R
L/R/Both
HQ Video: Allows selection of the high quality video output to match
your display device. Choose between RGB or Component. The AV8 Custom setting allows you to choose any combination of speakers to
allows progressive scan and high definition TV (HDTV) signals to be suit your system. Note that the centre and rear speakers cannot be set
passed through the high quality component inputs to the high quality to large if the front speakers are set to small.
output. Note that the OSD cannot overlay text at any rate other than
standard NTSC or PAL. THX automatically sets the speaker selections to the specified
configuration for THX™ listening. This automatically sets the
On video signals that have a sync rate of greater than the normal surround back speakers to None‚ and all filters are set to 80Hz. This
interlaced rate (i.e., progressive scan, frame-scaled video, HDTV) the configuration is not adjustable. Only select this if you are using a full set
OSD will automatically go into Full Page mode (black background) so of THX™certified speakers.
that the control menu can be accessed. Any pop-up displays (such as
the volume bar, source selection information, etc) will be switched off. THX Surr.EX automatically sets the speaker selections for a THX™
Surround EX setup with a pair of surround speakers, a pair of surround
back speakers and all filters set to 80Hz. This configuration is not
adjustable. Only select this if you are using a full set of THX™ certified
speakers.

E-11
5.1 Rear speakers defines how the speakers in a full ‘7.1’ installation 4 – LEVEL SETTINGS
handle 5.1 decoded sources.
4 - Level Settings
Surr L/R redirects 5.1 surround signal to the surround left and
Test Tone Cycle: Manual
right speakers. No signal will be directed to the surround back Front L: ---I--- +0dB
left or right speakers. Centre: ---I--- +0dB
Front R: ---I--- +0dB
Surr Back L/R redirects 5.1 surround signal to the surround back
Surr. R: ---I--- +0dB
left and right speakers. No signal will be directed to the surround Surr. BR: Not Present
left or right speakers. Surr. BL: Not Present
Surr. L: ---I--- +0dB
Both redirects the 5.1 surround signal to both pairs of speakers
Subwoofer: ---I--- +0dB
with the signal to each set reduced by 3dB. Select Speaker for Tone

3 – SPEAKER DELAY SETTINGS

It is very important to calibrate the speakers correctly to achieve an
3 - Delay Settings accurately centred sound stage. We recommend you use a sound
pressure level meter (SPL meter) to perform this part of the setup as
Front Left: 3Ft it is difficult to judge the levels accurately by ear alone.
Centre: 3Ft
Front Right: 3Ft Manual is best for setting up with an SPL meter as the test tone will
Surr. Left: 3Ft not change to the next speaker until instructed by you. Auto is best for
Surr. Back L/R 3Ft setting up by ear as the test tone changes automatically to each speaker
Surr. Right: 3Ft after a two second burst of sound.
Subwoofer: 3Ft
On first installation, watch the OSD display as you cycle through the
available speakers with the test tone. Check that the speaker in use
corresponds to that indicated on the OSD. If there is an error then
check and correct the system cabling before proceeding further.
NOTE: Only enter these delay settings once you have specified what
delay units (i.e., Time, Imperial or Metric) you will be using, or the To calibrate the speakers with an SPL meter, place the meter at ear
information will be lost when changing units. If the delay units are set level with the microphone pointing towards the ceiling, when seated in
to Time, then enter the delay in milliseconds for each channel. the usual listening position. You will need to set the meter to ‘C’‚ setting
with a ‘slow’‚ response and to read 75dB SPL at the centre of the scale.
The speaker distance control automatically sets the appropriate time This volume is equivalent to normal conversation.
delays required for all the speakers in your system.To set up the correct Each speaker can be finely tuned by 1dB increments to ±10dB. The
speaker distance, you must measure from the usual listening position to output from each speaker needs to be adjusted to the 75dB SPL sound
the front of each individual speaker in the system.The delay adjustment level. No adjustments can be made for a speaker that is not selected in
is not a substitute for proper speaker placement – it helps to ensure the previous ‘Speaker Sizes’ menu.
accurate and correct signal arrival times from all the channels to the
primary listening position. NOTE: If you do not have an SPL meter, simply set the front left
speaker to 0dB on the menu and then match all the other speakers
No measurement can be entered for a speaker that is not selected in
to this level.
the previous ‘Speaker Sizes’ menu.

Sub
woofer
5 – SUBWOOFER SETTINGS
If no subwoofer was selected in the previous speaker menus you
Fro
nt Centre Fro
n cannot adjust the stereo sub level or the number of subwoofers.
righ t
left t
5 - Subwoofer Settings
e.g. 3m
(9ft) e.g. 4m
Crossover Freq.: 80Hz THX
(12ft)
Stereo Mode: Sat+Sub
LFE Level: ---I--- -0dB
DTS LFE Gain: 0dB Normal
Sub Stereo: ---I--- -0dB
DVD-A Sub Level: Normal
No. of Subwoofers: 1
e.g. 2m
Surr (6ft) Surr
left right

Crossover Frequency: Allows you to set the frequency at which

Surr Surr the signal is redirected from small speakers to the subwoofer or large
back back
left right speakers.The adjustment can be made in increments of 10Hz between
40Hz and 150Hz.
If THX or THX Surr.EX have been selected in the previous menus, the
crossover frequency will be set to THX specification at 80Hz.
Distance measurements for 5.1 [and 7.1]
speaker delay settings Stereo Mode: Select between Large, Large+Sub or Sat+Sub. You
have the flexibility to choose how bass information is distributed to
your speakers only if you have large front left and right speakers and
a subwoofer as part of your home theatre speaker system. To decide
which setting is best for your room, once you have positioned all of
your speakers, choose the option which gives you the most solid even
sounding bass using a setup disc or live program material.
Large Pure stereo information. Use this setting if you have large
front speakers.
E-12
E-12
 Large+Sub Pure stereo fed to left and right and extracted bass is Manual The AV8 will not select THX Surr. EX automatically. It
sent to the subwoofer. can however be selected manually by pressing the THX button.
Sat+Sub Use this setting if you have ‘Small’ satellite left and right Boundary Gain Compensation
speakers. Full bass management is used in analogue stereo so THX Ultra2 Sub: THX Ultra2 specified subwoofers can effectively
that analogue sources are fed to the DSP where the bass is deliver down to 20Hz, which may be problematic in some rooms.
filtered off left and right and redirected to the subwoofer.
Set to No if the subwoofer being used is not a THX Ultra2 specified

English
NOTE: The above three Stereo Mode settings pass the audio subwoofer, or is not capable of a good response to 20Hz.
through the DSP. The Large setting can be duplicated for analogue
Set to Yes If you are using a 20Hz subwoofer or a THX Ultra2
inputs by pressing Direct to bypass the DSP.
specified subwoofer. When set to Yes, another menu option
LFE Level: Allows you to adjust the output level of the low frequency appears.
effects channel relative to the other speakers in the system. This Boundary Gain Compensation: Tailors the subwoofer low
adjustment affects the loudness of movie low frequency effects such as frequency response.
thunder, explosions, etc.
When set to On, this will roll off the very low frequency
DTS LFE Gain: DTS soundtracks typically have the LFE track recorded information coming from the subwoofer so that any interactions
10dB lower than the main audio tracks. It is therefore necessary to and reinforcements from nearby boundaries (i.e., walls) can be
compensate for this by raising the LFE output level by 10dB. Setting the compensated for to reduce boom and overblown bass response.
DTS LFE gain to Normal activates this compensation. We recommend this setting for smaller rooms.
Some DTS soundtracks have been recorded with the LFE signal at When set to Off, the subwoofer output from the AV8 will
the same levels as the main audio and therefore require no gain remain flat to 20Hz.
compensation. For these disks set the DTS LFE gain to -10dB.
Advanced Speaker Array: Set this distance to be the separation
Sub Stereo: Allows you to trim the subwoofer output for stereo between the surround back left and right speakers.This enables the AV8
listening. Use this trim setting, with a stereo source, to reduce the to distribute the signal to the surround back speakers appropriately to
subwoofer output in stereo playback to an acceptable level. The get the most accurate image for the soundstage.
subwoofer level for stereo music often needs to be set at a lower
level than that for cinema use. This depends on various factors such as
speakers, the types and styles of music to be played and personal taste.
DVD-A Sub Level: External decoder sub level outputs are typically
the same level as the main audio and therefore require no gain Surr Surr
compensation. For these decoders set the DVD-A sub level to Normal, left right

the default setting.

Surr Surr
Some external decoders may have the sub output 10dB lower than the back back
left right
main audio outputs. It is therefore necessary to compensate for this by
raising the sub level by 10dB. Setting the DVD-A sub level to +10dB
activates this compensation.
No. of subwoofers: Allows you to set the number of subwoofers Measurement units are in inches only, 30cm = 12 inches.
used in the system from 1 to 3. All three subwoofer outputs are active
all the time. This setting compensates the sub output level for the SAVING SETTINGS AND EXIT SETUP
number of subwoofers in the system. You can either save the settings now and exit or continue to the
‘Advanced Setup’ instructions.
6 – THX SETTINGS Save Setup
6 - THX Settings 1. Press MENU to go to the ‘Setup Menu Index’ at the ‘Save Setup’
point.
THX Surr. EX: Auto
2. Press OK to go to the ‘Save Settings’ menu.
Boundary Gain Compensation
THX Ultra 2 Sub: No
3. Press56 to select the desired ‘Preset’ to which to save the
setting.
Advanced Speaker Array 4. Press OK twice to save and exit to ‘Setup Menu Index’.
SurrBack L/R: 12 to 48in
5. After the AV8 has finished saving, press OK to return to the
‘Setup Menu Index’.
6. Press OK to select ‘Exit Setup’ and exit system configuration.
6 - THX Settings NOTE: It is possible to change the name of the presets – see the
‘Advanced Settings’ section for a more detailed explanation.
THX Surr. EX: Auto

Boundary Gain Compensation

Exit without saving
THX Ultra 2 Sub: Yes If you choose to ‘Exit Setup’ without first saving the changes, then these
Boundary Gain Comp: On new settings will be used by the AV8 until you recall a preset or press
Advanced Speaker Array
FAV on the remote control, when the last used preset will be recalled.
SurrBack L/R: 12 to 48in
This is the case even if the AV8 is put into standby or turned off.
1. Press MENU to go to the ‘Setup Menu Index’ at the ‘Save Setup’
point.
THX Surr. EX: This can either be set to Auto or Manual and is only 2. Press4 to select ‘Exit Setup’.
applicable when playing THX Surr. EX encoded material.
3. Press OK when ‘Exit Setup’ is selected to exit system
Auto The AV8 automatically switches THX to THX Surr. EX when configuration.
suitably encoded material is detected (this can be temporarily
overridden by pressing the THX button on the AV8).
E-13
 source at the same time – for example, you can listen to radio while
ADVANCED SETUP watching TV for a sports simulcast.
Audio and Video: Applies to the audio and video assignments set up
in the ‘Main Menu Screen 1’.
ADV 1 – SPEAKER EQ. If set to Separate, then audio and video signals for video sources
can be separately assigned (e.g., DVD sound with video from
Adv 1 - Speaker Eq.
a satellite receiver). Once assigned separate, audio and video
Bass Treble
FL: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB remain separate.
C: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB If set to Tracked, audio and video signals are linked together
FR: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB
(e.g., DVD audio and video). This setting is recommended for
SR: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB
SBR: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB simplicity. In this mode, audio and video sources can still be
SBL: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB separated temporarily by using ‘Main Menu Screen 1’.
SL: --I-- +0dB --I-- +0dB
HQ Vid 1, 2 and 3: Allocates the high quality component or RGB
Auto Stereo Tone Bypass: Yes
video inputs to any source buttons. For example, to use the component
or RGB output on a DVD player with HQ Vid 1 input, select DVD in
the menu.
Allows advanced adjustment of all the speakers for bass and treble
management in 1dB steps up to ±6dB. The tone control nominal ADV 3 – DIGITAL SETTINGS
corner frequencies are at 100Hz and 8kHz, shelf type. Use these
adjustments sparingly to compensate for speaker response problems Adv 3 - Digital Settings
caused by positioning, adjacent surface textures, or mixed brands of Coaxial Inputs
loudspeakers. DVD input: DVD button
AV input: AV button
Work with one speaker on at a time, and as an example, use the bass Tape input: Tape button
control to reduce boom problems for speakers placed in corners, and Tuner input: Tuner button
the treble control for speakers placed near reflective surfaces. CD input: CD button
Optical Inputs
We recommend trying to obtain a good speaker response by speaker VCR input: VCR button
placement first, then apply speaker eq. last. Sat input: Sat button
Auto Stereo Tone Bypass: Set to Yes if you wish to automatically
have any tone adjustments made in ‘Main Menu Screen 1’ by-passed in
analogue or digital mode. Coaxial inputs and Optical inputs. Each of the digital inputs can
NOTE:This does not switch the AV8 into Direct mode, only sets the be assigned to any of the eight stereo source buttons (AUX, CD, TUNER,
TAPE, DVD, SAT, AV and VCR), or can be assigned No button.
tone controls to zero.
The OSD menu lists the physical inputs, as per the back panel, on the
left hand side of the screen, and the buttons used to select the inputs
ADV 2 – VIDEO SETTINGS are listed on the right hand side.
Adv 2 - Video Settings Each digital input can only be allocated to one source button. For
OSD: On example, if you choose the ‘Coaxial DVD input’ to be assigned to the
Video Input Aux: None DVD button, then the choices for the other digital inputs are: Aux, CD,
Video Input CD: None
Video Input Tuner: None
Tuner, Tape, Sat, AV, VCR and No button. If you wish to re-allocate
Video Input DVD-A: None the DVD input to a button that is already assigned to the ‘AV input’
Audio and Video: Tracked (for example), ‘AV input’ must be assigned to a different button (or No
button) before you can re-assign this new button to ‘DVD input’.
HQ Vid 1 Comp/RGB: None
HQ Vid 2 Comp/RGB: None
HQ Vid 3 Comp/RGB: None

This menu allows advanced adjustment of the video settings for your
AV8.
OSD: Selects whether the main zone OSD is on or off.
When set to On‚ all user adjustments that are made during the
general use of the AV8 are displayed on the screen.This includes
the adjustment of the volume control, the inputs selected and
the setup menus.
When set to Off‚ you will have no displays of the general user
adjustments – only the setup menus and the main menus are
displayed.
It is recommended you keep the OSD turned On‚ since if you cannot
see the front panel of the AV8 you will have no idea if any adjustments
you have made to the processor are correct or to your liking.
Video Inputs: Composite and S-video inputs for DVD, Sat, AV, VCR
and Tape have, by default, their audio and video assigned to track each
other. The four Video Input lines for Aux, CD, Tuner and DVD-A allow
you to assign a video source to these normally audio-only sources. You
can allocate the same video source to more than one audio input. This
facility allows you to listen to an audio source and view a separate video

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E-14
ADV 4 – ZONE 2 SETTINGS ADV 5 – INPUT TRIMS

Adv 4 - Zone 2 Settings Adv 5 - Input Trims

Max Vol 20-72: 72 Aux: Reference 2V

Fix Vol: No DVD: Reference 2V
Max On Vol 0-72: 20 Sat: Reference 2V
Zone 1 Standby: Local Only AV: Reference 2V

English
Zone 2 Standby: Local Only VCR: Reference 2V
Local OSD: On Tape: Reference 2V
Zone 1 Control: Yes CD: Reference 2V
Access: All Tuner: Reference 2V
DVD-A: Reference 2V

Max Vol 20–72: Limits the maximum volume setting for zone 2. This Input trims: Allows the adjustment of the input sensitivity of the
is a useful feature to prevent accidental overdriving of low power- analogue inputs (in Volts rms) so that each one achieves the optimum
handling speakers (for example). dynamic range and sounds similar in loudness to each other.
Fix Vol:This selects between fixed and variable audio output to zone 2. Available level settings are; Low 1V, Reference 2V, Medium 4V, High 8V.
If No is selected, the output level can be controlled from zone 2 or the The reference level of 2V should be appropriate for most inputs.
main system. If you want to fix the volume level, first set the zone 2 To ensure the correct level is set up, first ensure that all source levels
volume to the desired level, then select Yes. are set to Reference 2V. Find some loud music or use a 0dB reference
Max On Vol 0–72: Limits the maximum volume zone 2 operates at signal from each source. If the source activates the ‘Analogue CLIP’
when it is first switched on. Zone 2 comes on at this volume if the last indication at the bottom of the screen, then adjust its level upwards
used (possibly very loud) volume exceeds this value. to 4V or 8V, until the ‘Analogue CLIP’ indicator is no longer there.
Zone 1 Standby: This allows zone 1 (the main zone) to be put into Then repeat the adjustment process with every other input, selecting
standby, either locally only or by zone 2 as well. the lowest voltage setting that does not activate the ‘Analogue CLIP’
indicator. If in doubt or a loud signal is not available, then leave a
Local Only Only zone 1 will be switched into standby from
source on the 2V setting. If you have a CD player with built-in HDCD
zone 1.
decoding, you should generally use the 4V setting.
All Off Both zone 1 and zone 2 will be switched into standby
If a source is very quiet compared with the other sources you can
from zone 1.
increase its loudness by selecting the Low 1V setting. Once set, we
NOTE: The setting for ‘Zone 1 Standby’ only applies for putting suggest you play some loud music from this source to check the
the AV8 into standby mode. Re-activating zone 1 is always a local ‘Analogue CLIP’ indicator does not come on.
function.
NOTE:The ‘Analogue CLIP’ detector is only active in the ‘Input Trims’
Zone 2 Standby: This allows zone 2 to be put into standby, either menu, and only responds to the input indicated by the highlight bar
locally only or by zone 1 as well. on the screen.
Local Only Only zone 2 will be switched into standby from When the Aux input is converted into a Phono (turntable) input, the
zone 2. sensitivity adjustment is still available.
All Off Both zone 1 and zone 2 can be switched into standby The ‘Input Trims’ control is only available for analogue inputs. Whenever
from zone 2. a digital input is selected, this control is overridden.
NOTE: The setting for ‘Zone 2 Standby’ only applies for putting
the AV8 into standby mode. Re-activating zone 2 is always a local
function.

Local OSD: Selects whether the zone 2 OSD is on or off.

When set to On‚ all user adjustments that are made during the
use of zone 2 are displayed on the zone 2 video.This includes the
adjustment of the volume control, the inputs selected and the
setup menus. It is recommended that zone 2 OSD turned On‚
as there is no other display available in zone 2.
When set to Off, all user adjustment displays are disabled, but
pressing the MENU key still displays the zone 2 control menu.
Zone 1 Control: If set to Yes this allows zone 2 to control and adjust
inputs and user controls for the main zone.
Access: This acts as a ‘parental control’ device to disable or enable
access to sources for zone 2.
Press the unwanted source button on the remote control handset or
front panel to disable it for zone 2. Press again to enable the source.
Enabled sources are listed on the ‘Access:’ line of the OSD.

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SAVING SETTINGS AND EXITING SETUP

Save Settings

No Save - Return to index

Save as:Preset 1*
Preset 2
Preset 3
Preset 4
Preset 5
Press OK to edit- OK to save

All the settings you have made on the previous screens can be saved
as a user profile and stored as one of five ‘Presets’. A choice of setup
presets caters for different events such as movies or sport, and for
different user preferences.
To make these customised settings easier to retrieve, you can give each
preset a memorable name, such as ‘John’, ‘Jacky’, ‘Movies’, ‘Sport’, ‘Rock’,
etc.
The presets store the complete setup of the AV8, including the modes
used for each of the inputs and if they are in direct mode or not.
The presets can be used to create different listening preferences. You
may wish to set up different presets for listening to music, watching
DVD, watching TV material or for different listening positions.
To change the name of a preset, highlight it by using the
navigation5 and6 buttons. Press the OK button to edit. Using
the5 and6 navigation buttons, cycle through and select lower case
letters (a…z), upper case letters (A…Z) and numbers (0…9). Move
along the line using the3 and4 buttons.
When you are satisfied with the text you have written, press OK to save
the preset name and to store the setup parameters under this name.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Settings must be explicitly saved before the
unit is switched off, otherwise changes to the settings will be lost and
the unit will need to be set up again.

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 Front panel controls

1 2 3 4 bp bo

English
THX SURROUND EX To n e AV8 PREAMP PROCESSOR

Vol: +8 An. PLII

Movie
THX EFFECT MODE

DISPLAY MENU OK DVD SAT AV VCR PHONO/AUX CD TUNER TAPE DVD A DIRECT MUTE POWER

5 6 7 8 9 bk bl bm bn

1 Remote control receiver. This is positioned behind the FMJ bk Source selectors. These buttons select the source connected to
badge. Ensure the receiver is in a clear line of sight from the remote the corresponding input. A light above the relevant button indicates
control for operation. If this is not possible, use a separate sensor which input is currently selected.
connected to the IR input on the rear panel.
bl Direct. Stereo direct on/off. Provides a direct analogue path from
2 THX. Selects between the available THX® modes. analogue inputs to the left and right front outputs. Switches off any
sound processing modes and shuts down the DSP circuits for best
3 Effect. Selects between the available DSP effects modes for two- stereo sound quality.
channel sources. All other modes must be switched off first.
bm Mute. Mutes all main analogue ouputs when selected.
4 Mode. Selects between Stereo, Mono and the available surround
modes for the current source. bn Power. Switches the main power to the AV8 on and off.
NOTE: Once the unit is switched off, it should be left off for at least
5 Phones.This socket accepts headphones with an impedance rating
between 32Ω and 600Ω, fitted with a 1/4-inch stereo jack plug. ten seconds before switching on again.

Display. This switches the display brightness between Off/Dim/ bo Power/Standby LED. This indicates the status of the preamp
6
Bright. processor. When first turned on, the LED is yellow, to indicate that the
AV8 is ‘initialising’.This changes to green when the AV8 is fully powered
7 Menu. Selects the ‘Main Menu’ on the OSD. Also accesses the and ready. Red indicates that the AV8 is in standby mode.
‘Setup Menu Index’ when pressed for two seconds.
bp Tone Control Indicator. Indicates that bass or treble tone
8 OK. Used to enter selections made from operating menus. Also equalisation is currently active.
changes the OSD video standard (PAL/NTSC) when pressed for two
seconds.

9 Control knob. The control knob has two functions:

 as a volume control, to adjust the output to the power
amplifier(s) and headphones connected to the AV8.
 when used in the menus with the6EFFECT button and5MODE
button, to navigate menu options.

E-17
 Remote control
The CR80 remote control is a multi-function unit that controls the AV8
and up to seven other devices. The instructions on this page only refer
to the control of the Arcam FMJ AV8.
For information on using the remote control for other devices, and a
full list of features, see the instruction booklet supplied with the CR80.
Device selection
IMPORTANT: Press the ‘AMP’ button first to
operate the AV8.

Source selection
DVD – DVD input
SAT – Satellite input SET

VCR – Video Cassette Recorder input On/Standby

CD – Compact Disc player input SELECT DEVICE This allows the AV8 to be put into and taken out of
AUX – Auxillary (line) input standby remotely.
CBL DVD VCR TV
TAPE – Tape (monitor) input
TUN – Tuner input SAT CD AMP AUX
AV – AV input
MCH – DVD-A (multichannel) input
1 DVD 2 SAT 3 VCR

Press the relevant button once to select input; press

and hold to select the analogue input if a digital input 4 CD 5 AUX 6 TAPE
is present. THX (THX mode)
7 TUN 8 AV 9 MCH
MUTE Use this button to cycle through available THX
modes.
Press once to mute the main system. Press again (or MUTE 0 FM AM

use VOL +/–) to un-mute.

LAST FX (DSP effects mode)
THX
VOLUME +/– Use this button to cycle through effects modes for
SLEEP
VOL
two-channel sources.
Adjusts the volume. FX CH
A–B
SUB SUB (Subwoofer trim)
GUIDE EXIT Allows a temporary trim of the subwoofer level.
MODE MODE OPEN Press SUB, then adjust using the34 buttons on
the navigation panel.
Use this button to cycle through available surround
modes.
OK Navigation buttons
Arrow buttons allow navigation around the menus
on the AV8.
INFO INFO MENU Confirm selection by pressing OK. Press and hold
Press once to display the OSD report on source the OK button to swap PAL/NTSC OSD modes.
inputs and processing mode. MENU
Press to select the OSD Main menu.

SYN (Lip sync) P.MODE SUBT TITLE MENU

Press and hold for more than two seconds to
select the ‘Setup Menu Index’.
Press once to adjust the Lip sync audio delay. Use P– P+ TM FAV

the3 and4 navigation buttons. ZOOM AUDIO MEM RETURN FAV (Favourite)
TST SYN DYN SLP
Press again to exit the Lip sync function. Use this button to clear any temporary
ANGLE SETUP STATUS SEARCH
adjustments and return to the current preset
DIS (Display) DIS TRM 1 2
settings.
Press to cycle through Off/Dim/Bright illumination
of the front panel display The other buttons in this area are used for DVD
and Tuner control and do not effect the AV8.
CR80

TRM (Speaker trim)

Press to display the OSD Speaker trim level menu.
TRM allows temporary adjustment of speaker
levels, using the navigation buttons. Press again to
exit the ‘Speaker Trim’ function. NOTE
Remember to correctly install the two AA batteries supplied
before trying to use your remote control.
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E-18
 Operating your AV8
INTRODUCTION The processing mode and Stereo Direct functions are remembered
For information display we recommend you use the OSD on your and recalled for each input. The digital input and high quality video

English
TV/screen whenever possible. However all key information is also input associated with each source may be customised in the setup
duplicated one line at a time on the front panel display of the AV8. procedure.
The DVD-A input is intended for direct analogue pass-through of DVD
Audio or SACD surround sources. Apart from volume control and
USING THE CONTROLS level trim, no processing modes are possible on this input.

TAPE OPERATION
SWITCHING ON
The AV8 has a fully independent tape loop. This can be configured to
Press the power button in. Between one and five seconds later, the
record the source you are listening to, or to record any other input
power LED will then come on (first as yellow), the front panel display
using the ‘Record to Tape’ option in ‘Main Menu Screen 2’.
window shows ‘ARCAM’, followed by ‘initialising’. This is followed by
the initial volume setting and the name of the input selected. After Pressing the TAPE button will select audio from the tape input.
initialisation is complete, the power LED changes colour to green. If the ‘Record to Tape’ option is set to Source (its default setting), the
Please wait until the unit has finished initialising before operating the tape LED will illuminate as well as the previously selected input.
AV8. It is recommended that if the unit is switched off, you should wait If the ‘Record to Tape’ option is set to a specific input, the tape LED will
at least 10 seconds before switching the unit back on. illuminate as well as the input selected in the ‘Record to Tape’ menu
item.
STANDBY This indicates the tape loop is active and displays the source that will
The AV8 has a standby mode which can be entered by pressing be recorded.
STANDBY on the remote control. When in standby mode the display is For example, if ‘Record to Tape’ is set to Source and you want to record
blank and the power LED glows red. the CD input:
When not being used, the AV8 may be left in standby mode, as power  Select the CD input then put your recorder into record pause so
consumption is low. If you are not using your AV8 for several days we that it will monitor its input.
recommend you switch the unit completely off at the front panel.
 Press the TAPE button – you can now listen to the sound actually
TO SWITCH ON FROM STANDBY being recorded by your tape deck from the CD player.

Press one of the source buttons on the front panel or on the remote  If you select a different source from CD, the recording will
control, or use the standby button on the remote control. change to this source.
If you want to record from CD while listening to the Tuner input:
FRONT PANEL DISPLAY  Call up the ‘Main Menu Screen 2’ and set ‘Record to Tape’ to
The AV8 is ready for use after about four seconds. This display window CD.
shows the processing mode and initial volume setting.
 Put your recorder into record pause so that it monitors its input
Output channels in digital processing modes are indicated in the format: then press the TAPE button.You can now start the recording and
‘3/2.1’, where ‘3’ refers to the front channels, ‘2’ to the rear channels, listen to the sound actually being recorded by your tape deck
and ‘.1’ to the subwoofer channel. Some variants of this format are from the CD player.
described below.
 Once the recording is running press the TUNER button to listen
To n e to the Tuner, the recording of the CD will continue.
Vol: +8 An. PLII
Movie
 You can check the progress of the recording at any time by
pressing the TAPE button again.

Recorded Front Surround Sub- Comment VCR OPERATION

format speakers speakers woofer The AV8 has a fully independent VCR loop for audio and video
3/2/1 3 2 Yes Full 5.1 sound (Composite and S-video only). This can be configured to record the
source you are watching to or to record any other input using the
3/2/0 3 2 No 5-channel sound, no LFE
‘Record to VCR’ option in the ‘Main Menu Screen 2’.
3/0/0 3 No No 3-channel sound, no LFE
 Pressing the VCR button selects audio and video from the VCR
2/0/0 2 No No Stereo (Dolby digital or input.
DTS encoded)
 If the ‘Record to VCR’ option is set to Source (its default setting),
the VCR LED illuminates as well as the previously selected
SELECTING A SOURCE
input.
To select a particular source, press the corresponding button on
the front panel or on the remote control. There are nine inputs  If the ‘Record to VCR’ option is set to a specific input, the VCR
available: DVD, Sat, AV, VCR, Phono/Aux, CD, Tuner, Tape and DVD-A LED illuminates as well as the input selected in the VCR menu.
(multichannel). This indicates the VCR loop is active and displays the source that will
On selecting a source, the AV8 will normally select an active digital be recorded.
input in preference to an analogue input. If you want to override the
digital input and select the analogue input, press and hold the source
button for at least two seconds.

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For example, if ‘Record to VCR’ is set to Source and you want to record To listen to zone 2 using the headphones:
the SAT input:
 Call up ‘Main Menu Screen 1’ by pressing the MENU button.
 Select the SAT input then put your VCR into record pause so that  Navigate to screen 3 of the Main Menu by pressing the4 button
it will monitor its input.
on the remote, or by turning the volume knob on the front
 Press the VCRbutton, and you can now watch the audio and panel.
video actually being recorded by your VCR from the satellite
 Move the highlighted line to ‘Headphone Out’.
system.
 Use the4 button on the remote, or use the volume knob to
 If you select a different source from SAT, the recording changes select zone 2.
to this source.
When listening to zone 2 via the headphones, you can control the
If you want to record from SAT while watching the AV input:
source and volume from ‘Main Menu Screen 3’.
 Call up the ‘Main Menu Screen 2’ and set ‘Record to VCR’ to To select a source:
SAT.
 Move the highlighted line to ‘Zone 2 audio’.
 Put your VCR into record pause so that it monitors its input, then
press the VCR button.  Use the34 buttons to select the source you wish to hear.
 You can now start the recording and watch the audio and video To change the volume:
actually being recorded by your VCR.  Move the highlighted line to ‘Vol’.
 Once the recording is running, or you have set the timer on the  Use the34 buttons to move the volume up and down.
VCR, press the AV button to watch the AV input. The recording
NOTE: If the headphones are associated with zone 2, the main
of the SAT input continues or starts when the timer activates.
volume control knob on the AV8 will not adjust the headphone
 You can check the progress of the recording at any time by volume level as this only controls the main zone 1 volume setting.
pressing the VCR button again.
EFFECTS/FX
STEREO DIRECT
The EFFECTS button (FX on the remote) cycles through the available
To listen to a pure analogue stereo input, press the DIRECT button. The effect modes. The effects are only available when the AV8 is in stereo
Direct mode automatically bypasses all processing and any surround mode. The AV8 effects are:
functions. In Direct mode, digital processing is shut down to improve
the sound quality and reduces digital noise within the AV8 to an Effect Description
absolute minimum. The LED above the DIRECT button on the front None No effects active, stereo signal
panel also lights to indicate this mode.
Music Extracted ambience and centre information
NOTE: When the digital processing is shut down, no digital output
Party All speakers on
is available.
Club Small room
Hall Medium reverberant room
VOLUME CONTROL
Sport Very reverberant with extracted ambience and dry centre
It is important to realise that the position of the volume control
dialogue
indicator bar is not an accurate indication of the power delivered to
your loudspeakers. The AV8 often delivers its full output power long Church Long reverberant room
before the volume control reaches its maximum position, particularly For more information on the effects, see the section ‘DSP Effects
when listening to heavily recorded music. In comparison, some movie Modes’.
sountracks can appear to be very quiet, as many directors like to keep
the maximum levels in reserve for special effect sequences. THX
If your system is set up in THX reference configuration, the volume This button cycles through the available THX modes.The available THX
range will cover –53dB to +18dB, where 0dB is the THX reference modes change depending on what mode the AV8 is in and what source
level at which the movie director intended the movie to be reproduced. material is being played.
If your room is small you may find this too loud, so reduce the level until
you are comfortable. For more information on THX, see the section ‘THX Modes’ on page 26.

HEADPHONES SUB
To use headphones with the AV8, plug the headphones into the socket This button on the remote allows temporary trim of the Subwoofer
on the left hand side of the front panel. level. Press SUB, then adjust using the34 buttons on the navigation
pad.
When headphones are plugged into the headphones socket the
outputs for the zone to which they are assigned is muted. If that zone
is zone 1 and it is in a surround sound mode, the audio will be down-
FAV
mixed to two channels (2.0). The two-channel down-mix is required Use this button on the remote to clear any temporary adjustments and
so that the centre channel and surround information can be heard via return to the current or ‘favourite’ preset settings.
the headphones.
NOTE: If the headphones are selected to zone 2, only analogue MUTE
sources can be heard as there is no digital-to-analogue conversion Use this button to mute the local zone. Press again (or use VOL+/–) to
available for zone 2. un-mute. The Mute LED will light when zone 1 output is muted.

MODE
Use this button to cycle through the available surround modes.

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INFO
Press this button on the remote once to display the local OSD report
USING THE MAIN MENU SCREEN
on source inputs and processing mode. The display times out after
about three seconds. Three Main Menu screens allow day-to-day changes to be made to the
way the AV8 operates. Examples include adjusting the tone control for
SYN a particular input, recording one source while listening to another or
configuring the headphone output.

English
Delays may be introduced into the video signal by external video
processing equipment which causes a mismatch between the audio The three Main menu screens are available on your display device. The
and video timing. You will notice this by speech sound being out of selected line of each screen is also displayed on the front panel of the
synchronisation with the lip movements in the video. AV8. Each of the following sections has a picture showing the screen
that is displayed as you move through the menus.
To compensate for this you can adjust the lip sync audio delay. Press
SYN and use the34 navigation buttons to change the delay. Press SYN
again to exit the lip sync function. USING THE REMOTE CONTROL
Briefly press the MENU button to enter ‘Main Menu Screen 1’. Use
DISPLAY the navigation5 and6 buttons to go up and down the menu
This allows you to select the illumination level of the front panel display. respectively. The3 and4 buttons are used to alter the selection
Press DISPLAY on the front panel or DIS on the remote to cycle through on the highlighted line, or to change to the next screen if the menu
the settings Off/Dim/Bright. heading is highlighted.

TRIM USING THE FRONT PANEL

This allows temporary adjustment of the speaker levels. Press TRM to Press the MENU button to enter the main menu. To cycle through the
access the OSD ‘Speaker Trims’ menu, using the navigation buttons to items on a menu, use the6EFFECT button to go down and5MODE
adjust the levels required. Press again to exit the trim function. As this is button to go up one line for each press. Use the volume control knob
a temporary adjustment, the trim levels are reset to 0 when the unit is for the3 and4 functions in order to cycle through the available choices,
turned off or the selected input is changed, but are retained if the unit or to change the menu page if the menu heading is highlighted.
is put in standby. These temporary trim levels are independent of the
‘Level Settings’ page found in the Setup Menu. MAIN MENU SCREEN 1

Main Menu Screen 1

Vol:----------I------- +0
Preset: Preset 1
Audio Input: DVD
Video Input: DVD
Video Type: 4:3
Stereo Direct: Off
Bass: THX
Treble: THX
Balance: THX

Vol: Shows the present volume being used for the main zone and can
be adjusted from here.
Preset: Cycles through user setup presets 1 to 5. These presets may
have customised names. (See ‘Advanced Setup’.)
Audio Input: This shows the current audio input source selected. The
current audio input can be changed when this line is highlighted using
the source select buttons on the front panel or the remote.
Changing the audio input also changes the video input to the same
setting.
Video Input: This shows the current video input source selected. The
current video input can be changed when this line is highlighted using
the source select buttons on the front panel or the remote.
Changing the video input does not change the audio input, so you can
watch a different input from the one you are listening to.
If the audio and video are set to different inputs, they will be reset to be
the same when the audio input is next changed. However it is possible
to set the AV8 so that they remain separated in the ‘Video Settings’ in
the Setup Menu.
For example, you may wish to watch a sports event from satellite but
wish to listen to the commentary from a radio broadcast.
Video Type: This line is only present if SCART mode has been set in
the ‘General Settings’ in the Setup Menu. It shows the video aspect ratio
currently selected on the display. It can be set manually to 4:3 or 16:9,
depending on which format you are feeding into the unit.

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Stereo Direct: If Stereo direct is Off, the AV8 functions in its normal video processing is used in the system for line doubling or progressive
way. scan video. The range of lip sync delay is -5 to 220 milliseconds.
If stereo direct is On, the AV8 uses the analogue input signal for the The other use for lip sync is when a DVD has been poorly mastered or
source, bypassing the digital circuitry. In this mode, the AV8 functions a broadcast shows noticeable delay between the video and audio.
like an analogue preamp: it also shuts down all the unused digital The lip sync function works on all sources, unless Stereo Direct is
circuitry for optimum stereo performance. selected. Lip sync is also directly available on the SYN button on the
NOTE: In Direct mode no digital output is available. remote control.
The lip sync adjustment can only correct for delayed video: if the audio
Bass and Treble:These allow you to alter the bass and treble controls
is delayed, set lip sync to its minimum.
temporarily for all currently active speakers. In the case of Stereo, this
would only apply to the front left and right speakers. In Effects, Pro Pro Logic II Music Mode
Logic II Music, Dolby Digital and DTS modes (for example), this would This allows the adjustment of the sound field for Dolby Pro Logic II
apply to all present speakers. Music decoding of two-channel sources.
You can adjust the bass and treble by up to ±6dB.These adjustments are  Dimension: allows the user gradually to adjust the soundfield
in addition to those made in ‘Speaker Eq’ in the Setup Menu. However, either towards the front or towards the rear. If a recording is
the maximum overall tone control range for each speaker using this too spacious or strong from the surrounds, it can be adjusted
screen plus the settings in ‘Speaker Eq’ is still ±6dB (not ±12dB). ‘forward’ to get a better balance. Likewise, if a stereo recording is
NOTE: Bass and treble alterations are not available in THX mode, somewhat too ‘narrow’ sounding, it can be adjusted toward the
Stereo mode when ‘Audio Stereo Tone Bypass’ is set to Yes, or in rear to get a more enveloping, immersive result. We recommend
Stereo Direct mode. ‘Dimension’ is set to 3 for normal use.

Balance:To alter the sound balance temporarily between the front left  Centre Width: With Pro Logic decoding, dominant centre
and right speakers. You can alter the sound stage to either the left or signals come only from the centre speaker. If no centre speaker
right by up to 10dB. Note that it is not possible to shift the audio signal is present, the decoder splits the centre signal equally to the
completely over to one channel. left and right speakers to create a ‘phantom’ centre image. The
Centre Width control allows variable adjustment of the centre
NOTE: Balance alterations are not available in THX mode. image so it may be heard only from the centre speaker; only
from the left/right speakers as a phantom image; or from all
MAIN MENU SCREEN 2 three front speakers to varying degrees. We recommend ‘Centre
Width’ is set to 3 for normal use.
Main Menu Screen 2

Record to Tape: Source

Record to VCR: Source
Compression: Off
Lip Sync.: +0ms
Pro Logic II Music Mode:
Dimension: +3
Centre Width: +3
Panorama: Off

Record to Tape: Allows any analogue input to be directed to the tape

output, independently of the input that is being listened to.
You cannot select tape as a record source: if allowed this would cause
feedback through the tape recorder.
If ‘Record to VCR’ is set to the tape input, you cannot select the VCR
input as a ‘Record to Tape’ option. If allowed this would cause feedback
through the VCR.
Record to VCR: Allows any analogue audio, together with Composite Display Centre spreading effect
or S-video input, to be directed to the VCR output. The selection is
independent of the input that is currently being listened to or 0 No centre spreading
watched. 1 20.8°
You cannot select VCR as a record source: if allowed this would cause 2 28°
feedback through the VCR. 3 36°
If ‘Record to Tape’ is set to the VCR input, you cannot select the tape 4 54°
input as a ‘Record to VCR’ option. If allowed this would cause feedback
5 62°
through the tape recorder.
6 69.8°
Compression: Allows selection of two different compression
ratios (medium and high) which are ideal for late night listening. The 7 Phantom centre
compression effect increases the volume of the quiet passages and
decreases the volume of the louder passages. Compression can be
disabled by setting to Off.
Compression is only available on Dolby Digital recordings and on some Panorama Mode: Extends the front centre image to include the
DTS recordings. surround speakers for an exciting ‘wrap-around’ effect with side wall
imaging.
Lip Sync: Allows the introduction and adjustment of a time delay
between the audio and video signals to compensate for the sound and
picture not being synchronised. This is normally required when extra

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MAIN MENU SCREEN 3
This page refers to zone 2 functions. These are required if your system
USING ZONE 2
is installed to send audio and video to a separate ‘zone 2’ room, or you
wish to make use of the zone 2 headphone facility.
INTRODUCTION
Main Menu Screen 3
Zone 2 provides the option for the occupants of the master bedroom,
children’s room or kitchen to view or listen to a different source at a

English
Zone 2
Vol:--------------I--- +0 different volume level from the main zone (zone 1).

Headphone Out: Zone 1

If a video feed is provided to zone 2, then the following menu, unique
to a zone 2 IR receiver, can be called up using the MENU button on a
Zone 2 Audio: Follow Zone 1 CR80 remote control.
Zone 2 Video: Follow Zone 1

Zone 2 Status: On
CONTROL VIA ZONE 2 MENU
Zone 2 Main Menu
Vol: Shows present volume being used in zone 2 and can be adjusted
Vol:----------------I- +0dB
from here. This is also the volume control for the headphones output Audio Input : DVD
if it is assigned to Zone 2. Video Input : DVD
Headphone Out: Selects whether the audio signal being fed to the Record to Tape: Source
Record to VCR : Source
headphone socket is the audio from zone 1 or zone 2.
Zone 1 Status : On
Zone 2 Audio: Selects which audio source is sent to zone 2. The Zone 1 Volume : +0dB
source can be selected specifically, or can be set to Follow Zone 1. Zone 1 Audio : CD
Zone 1 Video : DVD
Zone 2 Video: Only sources that have been allowed in the ‘Access’
line of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu can be selected. If zone 2 is
set to Follow Zone 1, and zone 1 is on a disallowed input, no audio or Vol: Shows present volume being used in zone 2, which can be
video is available in zone 2. adjusted from here.
Zone 2 Status: Turns zone 2 output On or Off. This should be set to Audio Input: This shows the current audio input source selected. The
Off if no equipment is connected to the zone 2 outputs on the AV8. current audio input can be changed when this line is highlighted, using
the34 navigation buttons. Changing the audio input also changes the
NOTE: You cannot change the zone 2 audio or video inputs unless
video input to the same setting.
zone 2 is on. It takes about five seconds to initialise zone 2.
Video Input:This shows the current video input source selected.The
current video input can be changed when this line is highlighted, using
the34 navigation buttons.

Changing the video input does not change the audio input, so it is
possible to watch a different input from the one you are listening to.
Record to Tape: Allows any analogue input to be directed to the tape
output, independently of the input being listened to. You cannot select
tape as a record source: if allowed, this would cause feedback through
the tape recorder.
Record to VCR: Allows any analogue audio input together with
Composite or S-video input to be directed to the VCR output. The
selection is independent of the input that is currently being listened to
or watched.
You cannot select ‘VCR’ as a record source: if allowed this would cause
feedback through the VCR.
Zone 1 Status: Shows the user status of zone 1 (the main zone). The
status can be On (i.e., being used) or Off (i.e., in standby mode).
Zone 1 Volume: Shows and allows adjustment of the volume in zone
1 (the main zone).This can be locked out with the ‘Zone 1 Control’ line
of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu.
Zone 1 Audio: Shows and allows adjustment of the audio selection
in zone 1 (the main zone). This can be locked out with the ‘Zone 1
Control’ line of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu.
Zone 1 Video: Shows and allows adjustment of the video selection
in zone 1 (the main zone). This can be locked out with the ‘Zone 1
Control’ line of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu.

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 Surround modes
If you would rather listen to a 2.0 or 2.1 bitstream in ordinary stereo
INTRODUCTION (with or without a subwoofer), press MODE to cycle through to the
Stereo mix mode (e.g., Dolby Digital 2/0.0 on the display). However, if
the source becomes a multichannel bitstream (e.g., 5.1) again, the AV8
Your AV8 processor provides all the key decoding and processing
will recall Stereo mix mode and therefore output a Stereo Downmix
modes for analogue and digital signals.
of the multichannel signal. Full surround output can be re-achieved by
pressing MODE to cycle through to the surround mode encoded on
MODES FOR DIGITAL SOURCES the disc.
Digital recordings are usually encoded to include information about If at any point THX post-processing is applied to a source (either
their format type. The AV8 automatically detects the relevant format analogue or digital), it is applied globally to that source button
in a digital signal, such as Dolby Digital or DTS, and switches in the regardless of digital input format (Dolby Digital or DTS), analogue or
appropriate decoding. digital two-channel surround mode (e.g., Neo:6 Music) or downmixing
Sometimes additional material at either the beginning or the end of the modes. The only exceptions where THX post-processing is not applied
main movie may only be in a two-channel format, rather than 5.1 for are in the Effects modes and Direct mode.
the main movie. Your AV8 automatically chooses the correct decoding
of the soundtrack as necessary.
TWO-CHANNEL SOURCE MODES
MODES FOR ANALOGUE SOURCES
Analogue recordings do not contain information about their encoding The following decoding and surround modes are available;
formats, so the desired decoding mode – such as Dolby Pro Logic
Mono
– needs to be selected manually.
Stereo
MODE MEMORY Pro Logic II Movie
The AV8 has a comprehensive memory that allows it to store different Pro Logic II Music
settings for each source button. The text below applies to all inputs
except DVD-A. Pro Logic Emulation

Dolby Digital or DTS audio data (sometimes collectively referred to as Neo:6 Cinema
‘bitstream’ sources) can be output in three mix modes, selected using Neo:6 Music
the MODE button:
These modes are available with two-channel analogue and two-channel
 Surround (e.g., five main channels plus a subwoofer for a 5.1 PCM digital sources.
source)
NOTE: A Dolby Digital 2.0 source may only be decoded as Mono,
 Stereo Downmix Stereo or Pro Logic II Movie.
 Mono Downmix Mono: The AV8 will combine the left and right audio channels from
The AV8 will remember which mix mode was last used with a bitstream a stereo signal to produce a mono signal. This can be of benefit when
source. See ‘Multichannel Source Modes’ for more information. playing older audio recordings or VCR tapes, especially mono LP
Two-channel audio, regardless of whether it is analogue or digital PCM records.
(e.g., the digital output from a CD player) can also be output in three Analogue Stereo: In this mode the AV8 works as a conventional high
mix modes, selected using the MODE button: quality audio pre-amplifier. If the subwoofer is enabled in Stereo mode,
some processing of the signal will be carried out. For ultimate sound
 Surround (e.g., Dolby Pro Logic II Movie, Neo:6 Music, etc.)
quality with analogue sources, select the Stereo Direct function.
 Stereo (or Effects) Digital Stereo: Decodes two-channel digital signals such as PCM
 Mono signals from sources such as CDs and some DVDs.
The AV8 will remember which mix mode was last used with a two- Dolby Pro Logic II: There are two different modes available in
channel source, and if Surround, which particular surround mode. See Pro Logic II; Movie and Music modes. Due to the different recording
‘Two Channel Source Modes’ for more information. If an effect mode methods used for movies and music, use the right decoding mode for
has been applied whilst in Stereo, this will also be remembered. See your source material for best results.
‘DSP Effects Modes’ for more information.
 Movie Mode: Movies are mixed and monitored in a calibrated
A special situation occurs with a bitstream (Dolby Digital or DTS) 2.0 multichannel environment. Movie mode is a fixed mode designed
or 2.1 source. They can be output in the following three mix modes: to reproduce a similar end result when listening using a home
 Surround (using Dolby Pro Logic II Movie mode) cinema system.

 Stereo  Music Mode: Stereo music is not designed for surround

processing, although good surround effects can be obtained
 Mono Downmix through the right processing. As the optimum processing varies
There is a link between the mix modes for multichannel bitstream (e.g., according to the recording, Music mode allows user adjustment
5.1) and two-channel bitstream (2.0 or 2.1) sources. If a 5.1 source of the processing characteristics. Information about adjusting the
is played in Surround mix mode, the AV8 will remember this for all Music mode by using ‘Dimension’ and ‘Centre Width’ controls
bitstream sources (e.g., DTS-ES Matrix, Dolby Digital 3.0, etc.) and can be found in the ‘Main Menu Screen 2’ section.
use the maximum number of speakers the signal is encoded for. As a Dolby Pro Logic Emulation: This mode should only be used when
result, when a 2.0 or 2.1 bitstream is played the Surround mix mode the source material is encoded as Dolby Pro Logic. Pro Logic processing
is recalled and the AV8 enters Dolby Pro Logic II Movie mode to try on straight stereo sources can sound muffled and compressed, and is
to recreate the surround environment from what may be a Pro Logic not recommended.
encoded source.
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E-24
The AV8 allows both Pro Logic and Pro Logic II decoding. Generally, DTS 5.1: Less common than the Dolby Digital format, but generally
you will find Pro Logic II performs better and gives a livelier, more recognised within the audio industry as being of superior sound quality.
realistic surround sound field. DTS 5.1 delivers surround sound with five full range channels plus an
DTS NEO:6 Cinema: A movie mode designed to reproduce LFE channel.
a movie theatre environment with natural steering to all available DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix: This is a 6.1 channel format based on DTS
surround speakers from a two-channel stereo or matrix encoded 5.1. It has the sixth channel matrix encoded into the surround left
source. and surround right channels. The sixth channel is a surround centre

English
DTS NEO:6 Music: A music mode designed to produce a lively yet channel and is directed to the surround back left and surround back
high integrity surround effect from most two-channel music sources right speakers.
from all available speakers. DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete: This is a true discrete 6.1 channel sound
format, unlike DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix where the sixth (surround centre)
channel information is extracted from the two surround channels.
MULTICHANNEL SOURCES DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete mode operates only on sources with DTS-ES 6.1
Discrete audio encoding, e.g., certain DVD discs.
A list of available software titles with DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix and DTS-ES
Digital multichannel source material is normally provided as ‘5.1 audio’.
6.1 Discrete titles can be found at www.dtsonline.com.
The ‘5.1 channels’ comprise of: left, centre, and right front speakers, two
surround speakers and a low frequency effects (LFE) channel. Since the
LFE channel is not a full range channel, it is referred to as ‘.1’.
Surround systems decode and reproduce the 5.1 channels directly.
THX® MODES
THX Surround EX and DTS-ES enhanced decoding systems create
one extra rear channel from information buried in the two surround THX processing offers additional performance benefits on top of the
signals of the 5.1 source. These EX and ES enhanced systems are conventional decoding modes listed earlier.
sometimes referred to as ‘6.1’ systems. This extra surround back THX is an exclusive set of technologies and standards established by
channel is normally reproduced through two separate loudspeakers, the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd. THX
creating a ‘7.1 system’. grew from George Lucas’ personal desire to make your experience of
the film soundtrack, in both movie theatres and in your home theatre,
5.1 PLAYBACK ON 7.1 SPEAKER SYSTEMS as faithful as possible to what the director intended.
When listening to 5.1 channel digital recordings, such as Dolby Digital Movie soundtracks are mixed in special movie theatres called dubbing
and DTS on a 7.1 channel speaker system you will have two speakers stages and are designed to be played back in movie theatres with similar
producing no sound. These two surround back speakers can be equipment and conditions. This same soundtrack is then transferred
assigned the same signal as the surround speakers in the ‘Speaker Sizes’ directly onto DVD, Laserdisc, VHS tape, etc., and is not changed for
page of the Setup Menu. When both the surround and surround back playback in a small home theatre environment.
speakers are selected the volume from both will be reduced by 3 dB to THX engineers developed patented technologies to translate
keep the sound levels in balance. accurately the sound from the movie theatre environment into the
home, correcting the tonal and spatial errors that would otherwise
occur.
MULTICHANNEL SOURCE MODES A full explanation of THX technologies is provided in the section
‘About THX Cinema Processing’. Available THX modes are:
The following modes are available for multichannel digital sources. THX Cinema
Special modes like DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix and DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete are
THX Cinema mode provides the additional processing required for the
only available from the correct source material.
optimal presentation of movies in the home.
FOR DOLBY DIGITAL SOURCES  In Surround reproduction, this mode provides Re-Equalisation™,
Timbre Matching™ and Adaptive Decorrelation™ as necessary
Dolby Digital 5.1
to all channels.
Dolby Digital 5.1 Stereo Downmix  In Two-channel reproduction, this mode provides Re-
Dolby Digital 5.1 Mono Downmix Equalisation™ of the left and right channels.
 In Mono reproduction, this mode provides Re-Equalisation™ of
FOR DTS SOURCES the mono signal.
DTS 5.1 THX Ultra2 Cinema
DTS 5.1 Stereo Downmix THX Ultra2 Cinema mode plays 5.1 movies using all 7.1 speakers giving
you the best possible movie watching experience. In this mode, ASA
DTS 5.1 Mono Downmix (Advanced Speaker Array)™ processing blends the surround speakers
DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix and surround back speakers providing the optimal mix of ambient and
directional surround sounds. See ‘About THX Cinema Processing’ for
DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete more information.
DTS-ES (6.1 Matrix and 6.1 Discrete) and Dolby Digital Surround EX
MODE DESCRIPTIONS encoded soundtracks will be detected automatically if the appropriate
Dolby Digital 5.1: The most commonly used sound format for DVD flag has been encoded on the DVD.
video, and is also the standard for US digital television. Dolby Digital 5.1 Some Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks are missing the digital
sources deliver surround sound with five discrete full-range channels; flag that allows automatic switching. If you know that the movie that
left, centre, right, surround left, and surround right, plus a low frequency you are watching is encoded in Surround EX, you can select the THX
effects (LFE) channel. Surround EX playback mode manually.

E-25
THX Surround EX and Surround ES
Surround EX is a joint development of Dolby Laboratories and the ABOUT THX® CINEMA PROCESSING
THX division of Lucasfilm Ltd. In a movie theatre, film soundtracks
that have been encoded with Surround EX technology are able to THX TECHNOLOGY
reproduce an extra channel which has been added during the mixing Re-Equalization™
of the programme. This channel, called surround back, places sounds
behind the listener in addition to the front left, centre, front right, The tonal balance of a film soundtrack will be excessively bright and
surround left, surround right and LFE channels. This additional channel harsh when played back over audio equipment in the home because
provides the opportunity for more detailed imaging behind the listener film soundtracks were designed to be played back in large movie
and brings more depth, spacious ambience and sound localization theatres using very different professional equipment. Re-Equalization
than with simple 5.1 reproduction. Movies that were created using restores the correct tonal balance for watching a movie soundtrack in
the Surround EX technology, when released into the home consumer a small home environment.
market may exhibit wording to that effect on the packaging. Timbre Matching™
With appropriate material, the THX Surround EX mode will normally The human ear changes our perception of a sound depending on the
activate automatically, providing this option has been enabled in the direction from which the sound is coming. In a movie theatre, there
‘THX Settings’ page of the Setup Menu. Some Dolby Digital Surround is an array of surround speakers so that the surround information is
EX soundtracks are missing the digital flag that allows automatic all around you. In a home theatre there are usually only two speakers
switching. If you know that the movie that you are watching is encoded located at either side of your head. The Timbre Matching feature filters
in Surround EX, you can select the THX Surround EX playback mode the information going to the surround speakers so that they more
manually. closely match the tonal characteristics of the sound coming from the
You can also switch on the THX Surround EX mode during the front speakers. This ensures seamless panning between the front and
playback of 5.1 channel material that is not Surround EX encoded. surround speakers.
In such case the information delivered to the surround back channels Adaptive Decorrelation™
will be programme-dependent and may or may not be very pleasing In a movie theatre, a large number of surround speakers help create
depending on the particular soundtrack and the tastes of the individual an enveloping surround sound experience, but in a home theatre there
listener. are usually only two speakers. Two surround speakers can sound like
THX MusicMode headphones that lack spaciousness and envelopment. The surround
For the replay of multichannel music the THX MusicMode can be sounds will also collapse into the closest speaker as you move away
selected. In this mode THX ASA processing is applied to the surround from the middle seating position. Adaptive decorrelation slightly changes
channels of all 5.1 encoded music sources such as DTS and Dolby one surround channel’s time and phase relationship with respect to the
Digital to provide a wide stable rear soundstage. other surround channel. This expands the listening position and creates
– with only two speakers – the same spacious surround experience as
in a movie theatre.
DSP EFFECTS MODES ASA (Advanced Speaker Array)™
ASA is a proprietary THX technology which processes the sound
fed to two surround and two surround back speakers to provide the
The AV8 has a number of effects modes that can be used to enhance
optimal surround sound experience. ASA is used in two modes; THX
a stereo signal and to make use of the surround loudspeakers. DSP
effects modes are only available with stereo source signals. Ultra2 Cinema and THX MusicMode.

You can listen to the influence of any effect mode by playing a CD, then
THX STANDARDS
pressing pause, when the decaying reverberation effect can be heard.
Lucasfilm define a series of technical performance standards that
Available effects modes
equipment must exceed before it is awarded THX certification. Several
Music: Music surround makes full use of the additional speakers placed levels of performance standards are defined, the most demanding
at the centre, sides and rear of the room. This effect uses ambiance standards are set for THX Ultra2. THX Ultra2 requirements cover
extraction for the side and rear speakers and offers the most subtle every aspect of the product including pre-amplifier performance and
surround processing with no reverberation or reflections. operation, video pass through, and hundreds of other parameters in
Party: The Party effect allows unprocessed stereo signals to be played both the digital and analogue domain.
over all speakers for background music or for maximum acoustical Before any home theatre component can be THX Ultra2 certified,
output of the system. it must incorporate all the technology features above and also pass
Club: The Club effect generates reflections and short reverberation this rigorous series of quality and performance tests. Only then can a
information to the front, side and rear speakers. It simulates a small club product feature the THX Ultra2 logo, which is your guarantee that the
venue, such as a Jazz Club. home cinema products you purchase will give you superb performance
for many years to come.
Concert Hall: The Concert Hall effect generates the ambient
information for the simulation of a medium size hall. Reflections and A list of available DVD software titles encoded with Dolby Digital
medium length reverberation information are sent to all channels. Surround EX technology can be found at www.thx.com and
www.dolby.com.
Sports: Sports stadium effect is ideal for use when watching live sports
events which would normally be in stereo. The open ambience of a
sports stadium is actively recreated around you, except from the centre
channel which is kept clear for commentary.
Church: The Church effect uses a reverberation algorithm which
emphasises rich, smooth reverberant decay in large spaces. As its name
suggests, it works well for simulating a space with long reverberation
time relative to its size, such as a large church or cathedral.

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E-26
 Troubleshooting
There are no lights on the unit: OSD Display is pink/red
Check that: If a component video signal is fed into the AV8 when the ‘HQ Video’

English
setting is set to RGB you will have a pink/red OSD.
 the power cord is plugged into the AV8 and the mains socket
outlet it is plugged into is switched on. To correct this you must set the ‘HQ Video’ line on the General Settings
menu to ‘Component’.
 the power button is pressed in.
No On Screen Display (OSD) overlaid on video:
If a red LED is present, the AV8 is in standby mode. Press any source
button on the front panel or on the remote control. The AV8 cannot overlay video onto progressive scan or HDTV
signals. In this case, the AV8 creates a full screen display with a black
The unit responds erratically or not at all to the remote
background for the menus and turns off the pop up messages.
control:
No sound is produced:
Check that:
Check that:
 there are fresh batteries in the remote control.
 the correct input has been selected.
 the Remote IR receiver window is visible and you are pointing
the remote control towards it.  the source equipment is on, is operating normally, and is in ‘play’
mode if appropriate.
The front panel display is blank:
Check that:
 the volume is turned up to a reasonable level and ‘MUTE’ is not
displayed on the front panel display.
 the display hasn’t been turned off. Press the DIS button on the
remote control.
 your power amplifier(s) are turned on and working correctly.

 the AV8 is not in ‘Programming mode’ by turning it off, waiting  you have assigned the digital input to the correct source button.
ten seconds then switching back on again. The sound is poor or distorted:
No picture is produced: Check that:
Check that:  the cables to that source and to the power amplifier are making
a good connection. If necessary withdraw the cable from the
 your viewing device is turned on and switched to display your
connector and plug it back in again. (Turn the power off before
AV8. Test by pressing the MENU button on the AV8 or AV8
doing this)
remote and look for the AV8 ‘Main Menu Screen 1’ displayed on
your device.  you have not excessively reduced the input sensitivity on the
‘Input Trims’ page in the Setup Menu if an analogue input has
 the correct video input is selected on the AV8
been selected. Check that the input is not clipping by using the
 the video source is on, is operating normally, and is in ‘play’ mode ‘Analogue Settings’ page.
if appropriate.
 you have selected the correct size of speakers to suit your
 you have the same video connection between the video source system on the ‘Speaker Sizes’ page in the Setup Menu.
and the AV8 as between the AV8 and your viewing device. For
Sound only comes from some of the speakers:
example, composite video is used from the source to the AV8,
and from the AV8 to the display device. Check that:
The video source is different to the audio:  you have an appropriate surround sound source selected and
playing.
Check that:
 the video and audio inputs are correctly selected in ‘Main Menu  the DVD disc is encoded in the appropriate format, and that the
correct format has been selected in the Disc start menu of the
Screen 1’. Press MENU, then change either the video or audio
DVD player (if applicable).
source by first using the navigation5 and6 buttons, then use
the source buttons to select the correct input.  the DVD player has been set to output ‘Bitstream’ audio on the
digital output.
 the digital audio inputs and HQ video inputs are correctly
assigned to their sources on the ‘Digital Settings’ page in the  the display window indicates that the disc you are playing is a
Setup Menu. multichannel recording.
There are bright edges or ‘ghosts’ on the picture:  all the speakers are correctly connected to the power amp, and
Check that: are secure.
 the cables used for video connections are designed for that  you have not selected ‘Stereo’ in the mode selection.
purpose (i.e., they are 75Ω coaxial cables).  your speaker balance is correct.
 the ‘Sharpness’ control on your video display device is switched  all amplifiers are turned on and all channels are working
off or set near minimum. correctly.
There is no on screen display (OSD):  after setup, that you have configured your AV8 to include all the
Check that: speakers in your system.
 your video display device is connected to your AV8 correctly.
 the on screen display has not been turned off on the ‘Video
Settings’ or ‘Zone 2 Settings’ pages (for zone 1 and zone 2
respectively) in the Setup Menu.
 if you are using a component display, check that the AV8 is set for
component video. See the ‘Basic Setup’ section.
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Unable to select Dolby Digital or DTS decoding modes: Volume is always too loud when I turn the system on for the
The AV8 can only apply Dolby Digital and DTS decoding to sources main zone or zone 2:
which have been encoded in the same format. Check:
Check that:  the ‘Max On Volume’ line of ‘General Settings’ or ‘Zone 2
 a digital source is selected and connected. Settings’ pages in the Setup Menu. They will need adjusting to a
lower level.
 the source is playing appropriately encoded material.
You can’t select a particular input in zone 2:
 the DVD disc is encoded in the appropriate format, and that the Check that:
correct format has been selected in the Disc start menu of the
DVD player (if applicable).  you have not blocked that particular input using the ‘Access’ line
of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu.
 the DVD player has been set to output ‘Bitstream’ audio on the
digital output. When zone 2 is put into standby, the main zone is also
turned off:
When playing a Dolby Digital DVD, the AV8 selects Dolby
Pro Logic: Check that:
Check that:  the ‘Zone 2 Standby’ line of ‘Zone 2 Settings’ in the Setup Menu
is set to Local Only.
 you have a digital connection from your DVD player.
Component Video connection to AV8 only:
 sometimes Dolby Digital DVD discs contain material at either
the beginning or the end of the main movie that is not in full 5.1 It is possible to configure the AV8 by using the front panel as the
format, but in two-channel or Pro Logic encoding. selected line of the menu is displayed on the front panel, however it is
easier using the OSD on your display device.
Hum on an analogue input:
If you are using only a component connection to your display device
Check that: it is possible to turn the HQ video output on and therefore view the
 all cables are making a good connection. If necessary withdraw OSD information with just a few buttons of the remote control as
the cable from the connector and plug it fully in again. (Turn the listed below.
power off before doing this)  Turn the AV8 on and wait for it to initialise
 the connections inside the source cable connector are not  Press and hold the MENU button on the remote control for two
broken or badly soldered. seconds. The front panel display will indicate ‘Setup Menu Index’.
 if the hum originates only when one particular source  Press4554 in sequence.
component is connected, that an aerial, cable or dish connection
to this source is ground isolated. Contact your installation The OSD information is now displayed on your display device.
contractor. Unable to alter settings in Setup Menus:
 try switching the ground lift switch on the back panel. To prevent tampering with the AV8 setup configuration you can ‘lock’
the menus by pressing the OK, TUNER and DVD-A buttons simultaneously
There is radio or television reception interference:
on the front panel. To unlock the AV8 press the same buttons again.
Check:
Unstable OSD on screen display:
 where the interference is coming from. Switch off each source The AV8 defaults to the NTSC video standard: most display devices
component in turn, then any other equipment. Most electronic
can sync to this automatically.
equipment does generate low levels of interference.
For PAL-only display devices, press and hold the OK button for two
 try re-arranging cabling from the nuisance source away from seconds: this will switch the video standard to PAL. Repeating this
other cabling returns the AV8 to the NTSC video standard.
 ensure that the cabling used is high quality, specified for its Feedback when making digital recording:
purpose, and is properly screened.
As the AV8 has only one analogue-to-digital converter (ADC), it is not
 if the problem persists contact your installer. possible to use a tape monitor loop when making a digital recording. If
The source switching changes randomly or freezes on one you try to do this, the tape analogue input is directed to the ADC (so
source: that the tape input can have DSP processing), converting it to digital
and feeding it to the digital output. This creates a loop through the
Check that:
digital recorder.
 there are no static or impulse interference problems caused Digital recorders should not be used with the analogue tape monitor if
by nearby power equipment switching, e.g., heating or air you are using digital output from the AV8.
conditioning control. Switch the AV8 off, wait ten seconds, then
switch it on again to clear an operating problem. Contact your No zone 2 audio when playing DTS film:
installer if the problem returns or persists. The DV27 (and most other two-channel DVD players) cannot output
Zone 2 is changing the source inputs in the main zone: a stereo decoded version of the DTS signal – its analogue outputs are
muted when playing back DTS films. If you want to watch a DVD in
Check that: both the Main zone and zone 2, please use the Dolby Digital sound
 on the ‘Zone 2 Settings’ page of the Setup Menu, you have set track.
the ‘Zone 1 Control’ line to No. Strange aspect ratio of video in zone 2:
The DV27 (and other DVD players) can only decode video to one
aspect ratio at a time. If you are using wide screen in the Main zone,
then wide screen information will also be fed to zone 2.
To overcome this, either set the film to 4:3 for the main zone when
you want to use zone 2 as well, or change the zone 2 display to a wide
screen capable type.

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Unable to adjust bass and treble controls:
Bass and treble is not available in THX mode. For Analogue Stereo and
Digital Stereo modes, check that the ‘Auto Stereo Tone Bypass’ line of
‘Speaker Eq’ in the Setup Menu is set to No.
Unable to adjust balance control:
Balance is not available in THX mode.

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Digital signal drops out when other electrical appliances
turn on (heating, fridge, freezer, etc.):
If a poor quality or incorrect type of cable has been used for the digital
inputs, they can pick up electrical noise. Change the cable to a 75Ω low
loss coaxial type.
Check the connections have not oxidised. Clean the connectors with
contact cleaner if they appear oxidised.

E-29
 Technical specifications
Audio
Line input sensitivity (set to Reference) 2V rms
Input impedance 10kΩ
Preamp output level (nominal) 2V rms
Output impedance 25Ω
Signal/noise ratio (unwtd 20Hz–20kHz) – analogue >100dB
Signal/noise ratio (unwtd 20Hz–20kHz) – digital (24-bit) >98dB
THD+N – analogue 0.0012%
THD+N – digital (24-bit) 0.0015%
Headphone maximum output level into 600Ω 5V p-p
Output impedance 5Ω
Video inputs and outputs
Input and output impedance 75Ω
Composite video level 1V
HF response to (–3dB) 12MHz
S-video level (Y/C) 1V / 0.28V
HF response to (–3dB) 12MHz
HQ (component) video
level (Y / Cr / Cb) 1V / 0.5V / 0.5V
level (R / G / B) 1V / 1V / 1V
HF response to (–3dB) 300MHz
Digital inputs
Coaxial connection (level/impedance) 0.5V/75Ω
Acceptable sampling frequencies, all inputs 44.1kHz, 48kHz, (and 96kHz stereo only)
Digital output
Output level/impedance 0.5V/75Ω
Sampling frequency in ADC output mode 44.1kHz
Trigger outputs
Output D.C. voltage (excl. RGB status) 12V ±1V
Allowable load 30mA max (min 400Ω)
Remote inputs and output
Signal modulated 36kHz carrier
Coding Philips RC-5
General
Mains voltage range 85V to 265V
Power consumption 35VA
Power consumption (standby) 32VA
Dimensions Width x Depth x Height (including feet) 433mm x 360mm x 130mm
Weight (net) 9kg
Weight (packed) 14kg
Supplied accessories Mains lead, CR80 remote control, 2 x AA batteries
E&OE

NOTE: All specification values are typical unless otherwise stated. CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY
Arcam has a policy of continual improvement for its products. This
means that designs and specifications are subject to change without
notice.

E-30
E-30
 Additional technical information
RADIO INTERFERENCE LOCKING THE SETUP MENU
The AV8 is a digital audio device which have been designed to very high With the facility for up to five preset setups, and the ability to

English
standards of electromagnetic compatibility. temporarily trim many settings, there should little need to use the
The unit can radiate RF (radio frequency) energy. In some cases this can Setup Menus once the system is fully installed. Many of the AV8 settings
cause interference with FM and AM radio reception. If this is the case, in the Setup Menus require specialist knowledge and measurement.
keep the AV8 player and its connecting cables as far from the tuner and Access to the Setup Menus may be locked out to prevent changes
its aerials as possible. Connecting the AV8 and the tuner to different being made to the settings by inexperienced users.
mains sockets can also help to reduce interference. To lock the setup menus, press the OK, TUNER and DVD-A buttons on
EU COUNTRIES – These products have been designed to comply with the front panel together at the same time. ‘Setup Menus Locked’ is
directive 89/336/EEC. displayed.
Similarly, to unlock the menus, press the same three buttons together
USA – These products comply with FCC requirements.
at the same time.
PROCESSING COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS PROGRAMMING VIA THE RS232 INPUT
The following list of chipsets used in the AV8 is provided for the interest Re-programming the AV8 with new operating software is possible via
of technical enthusiasts: the RS232 control input, but this should only be carried out by trained
technical personnel.
SPDIF receiver: Crystal Semiconductor CS8415A – a 96kHz digital
audio interface receiver chipset. Use the RS232 Connection gq with a suitable lead to the re-
ADC: AKM AK5383 – a 24-bit, 96kHz, 128x oversampling two-channel programming computer. Locate the Programming button fk which is
A/D converter for professional digital audio systems. adjacent to the S-video inputs.
DAC: WM8740 – a 24-bit 96kHz very high performance stereo DAC To re-program, the AV8 must first be turned off. Press and hold the
designed for home theatre systems. PROG button while powering up the AV8. Note that the front display
Volume control: Burr-Brown PGA2310 digitally controlled stereo is blank in programming mode. Follow the operating instructions
analogue volume control. provided with the update software. When reprogramming is complete,
turn the AV8 off then on again ten seconds later to restore normal
OSD: STV5730 – a high performing chipset used for on screen
operation with the new software.
displays.
Video switching composite/S-video: Rohm BA7625 – a high
performance chipset used for video switching.
Video switching YUV/RGB: Elantec EL4332 – a very high performing
broadcast quality chipset designed for component video multiplexing.
DSP: Crystal Semiconductor CS49326 and CS49330 – these are 24-bit
96kHz multi-standard DSP decoders.
Micro controller: Hitachi HD64F2329VF25 – provides three serial
communications ports, a watchdog timer, and 384KB flash-updated
memory.

E-31
 SCART CONNECTIONS

These pinouts describe the signal connections between the AV8 and your display device input.
SCART RGB cable with audio back to processor
Pin Signal Connector type Connector Pin Cable Type Label
1 Audio output B (right) From TV Tuner RCA Phono (1) Centre Coaxial cable (1) Audio out R
2 Audio input B (right) Not connected
3 Audio output A (left) From TV Tuner RCA Phono (2) Centre Coaxial cable (2) Audio out L
4 Ground (audio) RCA Phono (1 and 2) Sleeve Coaxial cable (1 and 2)
5 Ground (blue) RCA Phono (3) Sleeve Coaxial cable (3)
6 Audio input A (left) Not connected
7 Blue input RCA Phono (3) Centre Coaxial cable (3) Blue
8 RGB/composite SCART input select Stereo Mini Jack 3.5mm Ring Screened twin cable Trigger RGB
(CVBS status)
9 Ground (green) RCA Phono (4) Sleeve Coaxial cable (4)
10 Comms data 2 Not connected
11 Green input RCA Phono (4) Centre Coaxial cable (4) Green
12 Comms data 1 Not connected
13 Ground (red) RCA Phono (5) Sleeve Coaxial cable (5)
14 Ground (comms) Not connected
15 Red input RCA Phono (5) Centre Coaxial cable (5) Red
16 RGB mode select Stereo Mini Jack 3.5mm Tip Screened twin cable
17 Ground (video input & output) RCA Phono (6 and 7) Sleeve Coaxial cable (6 and 7)
18 Ground (RGB switching control) Stereo Mini Jack 3.5mm Sleeve Screened cable
19 Video output (composite) RCA Phono (6) Centre Coaxial cable (6) Comp out
20 Video input (composite) RCA Phono (7) Centre Coaxial cable (7) RGB sync (Comp in)
21 Common ground (shield) SCART Sleeve Overall Cable Screen

SCART S-video cable with audio back to processor

Pin Signal Connector Type Connector Pin Cable Type Label
1 Audio output B (right) from TV Tuner RCA Phono (1) Centre Coaxial cable (1) Audio out R
2 Not connected
3 Audio output A (left) from TV Tuner RCA Phono (2) Centre Coaxial cable (2) Audio out L
4 Ground (audio) RCA Phono (1 and 2) Screen Coaxial cable (1 and 2)
5 Not connected
6 Not connected
7 Not connected
8 CVBS (AV control) Stereo Mini Jack 3.5mm Ring Screened cable Trigger S-video
9 Not connected
10 Not connected
11 Not connected
12 Not connected
13 Ground (chroma) S-video Mini DIN Pin 2 Coaxial cable (3) screen S-video
14 Not connected
15 Chroma input S-video Mini DIN Pin 4 Coaxial cable (3) centre S-video
16 Not connected
17 Ground (video input & output) S-video Mini DIN Pin 1 Coaxial cable (4) screen S-video
18 Ground (S-video SCART input select) Stereo Mini Jack 3.5mm Sleeve Screened twin cable
19 Not connected
20 Video input (luma) S-video Mini DIN Pin 3 Coaxial cable (4) centre S-video
21 Common ground (shield) SCART Overall Cable Screen

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E-32
 IR REMOTE CODES Command Command code
Modes 28
The following information is supplied for owners of advanced THX modes 32
programmable remote controls, such as the Philips ‘Pronto’ and similar Effects modes 70
devices, where it is possible to program remote codes directly into the
Mono mode 106
device.

English
Stereo mode 107
The coding system for the AV8 is based on the Philips RC-5 standard.
The main system control uses RC-5 system code ‘16’, so for example, Dolby PL 2 Movie mode 108
to program in a ‘Standby’ command, use the command ‘16-124’. Dolby PL2 Music mode 109
Zone 2 also uses RC-5 system code 16 as standard, as zone 2 is Dolby Pro Logic Emulation 110
normally operated in a separate room using a standard (system code
DTS Neo:6 Cinema mode 111
16) remote control.
DTS Neo:6 Music mode 112
Changing the system code for zone 2 (or zone 1) from ‘16’ to ‘19’
is possible, but this is only necessary for non-standard use of zone THX off 113
2. A specially programmed remote control will be required if the THX Cinema mode 114
system code is changed. The CR80 remote control has system code THX Ultra2 Cinema mode 115
19 functions only for zone 2 in memory as code ‘1213’. Alternatively,
remote controls such as the Philips ‘Pronto’ can be specially computer THX Music mode 116
programmed. Consult Arcam customer support about changing the THX Surround EX 117
remote system code. Effect off 63
TABLE OF REMOTE CODES Effect: Music 64
Example for programming; Display = RC-5 code 16–59 Effect: Party 65

Command Command code Effect: Club 66

Standby 124 Effect: Hall 67

On 123 Effect: Sport 68

Power toggle 12 Effect: Church 69

Display 59 Preset 1 72

Menu 82 Preset 2 73

Info 55 Preset 3 74

Mute 119 Preset 4 75

Un-mute 120 Preset 5 76

Mute toggle 13 Nav up 85

Volume up 16 Nav down 86

Volume down 17 Nav left 81

Sat input 0 Nav right 80

AV input 2 OK 87

Tuner input 3 Trim menu 37

DVD input 4 Sub trim 51

Tape input 5 Lip sync 50

VCR input 6 Restore (“Fav”) 14

CD input 7 Sat video 19

Aux input 8 AV video 20

DVD-A input 9 DVD video 22

Direct on 78 Tape video 23

Direct off 79 VCR video 24

Direct toggle 10 Video type 126

E-33
 QUERY COMMANDS
AV8 SERIAL PROGRAMMING INTERFACE The current values of a small subset of settings may be queried, by
preceding the command with a ?. For example, to query the mute
status of zone 2, use:
INTRODUCTION ?Z2MUT<lf>
This section of the document details the serial command set of the If zone 2 mute is ON, the AV8 responds with the message:
AV8 software. The serial port is set as follows:
Z2MUT1<lf>
baud rate 38,400 This response gives the zone it is reporting on (Z2 in this case), the
data bits 8 setting (MUT), and the current value (a 1, showing it as ON).
parity none In order to keep the RS232 controller informed of the current state
stop bits 1 of the AV8, certain changes in configuration/state will result in the AV8
automatically sending messages, just as if they had been queried using
flow control none
the method above. Changes in the following items will result in an
Command lines must be terminated by an ASCII line feed (0X0A RS232 response:
hexadecimal) and be no longer that 64 bytes (including the line feed
 Zone Status  THX Mode
terminator).
For example: to turn zone 1on, send:  Zone 1 Audio  Zone 1 Volume

Z1PWR1<lf>  Zone 1 Video  Audio Signal Type

where <lf> is an ASCII line feed.  Decode Mode  Current Preset
 Effect Mode  Direct Mode
SETTING VALUES
As well as setting options directly to specific values, as described above, COMMAND PROCESSING
current values may be incremented or decremented by following the Command processing begins when the first semicolon separator of line
command with a + (increment) or – (decrement). For example, to feed terminator is received. If there is an error in the command an error
increment the decode mode in zone 1: message FAIL is sent back. If the command is executed successfully,
Z1DEC+<lf> the command is echoed back to the sender.
If a zone is not specified, the command is carried out in relation to zone In the command tables below, one or more of the following parameters
1. For example, to decrement the THX mode: may be used:
Z1THX-<lf> Param. Description
would produce identical results to using: ? Query Option. The value can be queried by putting a ? before the
THX-<lf> command.
Multiple commands may be placed on a single command line if z Zone selection. The zone can be selected by putting a z before
separated by a semicolon. For example, to turn on zone 1 and switch the command. Values are Z1 (for zone 1) or Z2 (for zone 2).
to the tuner, use: x On/Off, Yes/No. The value can be set by putting an x after the
Z1PWR1;Z1AUD2<lf> command. Values are 1 (for On/Yes) or 0 (for Off/No).
y Value. The value can be set by putting a y after the command.
Values have various ranges, as described in the tables below.
i Input Source. The source can be set by putting an i after the
command. Values are in the range 0 to 9,A,B as follows:
0 = None/Not Connected, 1 = Source, 2 = AUX, 3 = CD,
4 = TUNER, 5 = DVD, 6 = SAT, 7 = AV, 8 = MULTICHANNEL,
9 = TAPE, A = VCR, B = Follow Zone 1.
s Channel/Speaker Select. Values are in the range 0 to 8 as follows:
0 = Centre, 1 = Front Left, 2 = Front Right, 3 = Surr. Left,
4 = Surr. Right, 5 = Surr. Back Left, 6 = Surr. Back Right,
7 = Subwoofer, 8 = All/Master.

E-34
E-34
QUERY COMMANDS
Command Parameters Description Response

PWR ?zPWR Query Power State zPWRx, where z is the zone parameter you supply.
MUT ?zMUT Query Mute State zMUTx, where z is the zone parameter you supply.
EFF ?EFF Query Effect Mode EFFy, where y may have the values 0 to 7, as follows:

English
0 = off, 1 = music, 2 = party, 3 = club, 4 = hall, 5 = sport, 6 = church, 7 = next effect.
THX ?THX Query THX Mode THXy, where y may have the values 0 to 4, as follows:
0 = Off, 1 = THX Cinema, 2 = THX Ultra2 Cinema, 3 = THX MusicMode, 4 = THX SurrEX.
DEC ?DEC Query Decode/Downmix DECy
Mode If Audio Signal Type is Analogue or PCM, y may have the values 0 to 6 as follows:
0 = Mono, 1 = Stereo, 2 = Pro Logic II Movie, 3 = Pro Logic II Music, 4 = Pro Logic, 5 = Neo:6
Cinema, 6 = Neo:6 Music.
If Audio Signal Type is Digital Surround (Dolby or DTS), y may have the values 0 to 2 as follows:
0 = Mono Downmix, 1 = Stereo Downmix, 2 = No Downmix.
DIR ?DIR Query Direct State DIRx
VOL ?zVOL Query Volume zVOLy, where z is the zone parameter you supply. y may have a value in the range -53 to
+19:
-53 = –53dB
+19 = +19dB
AUD ?zAUD Query Audio Source zAUDi, where z is the zone parameter you supply.
VID ?zVID Query Video Source zVIDi, where z is the zone parameter you supply.
SIG ?zSIG Query Audio Signal Type zSIGy, where z is the zone parameter you supply. y may have the values 0 to 20 as follows:
0 = Analogue, 1 = PCM, 2 = Dolby Digital 1+1, 3 = Dolby Digital 1/0, 4 = Dolby Digital 2/0, 5 =
Dolby Digital 3/0, 6 = Dolby Digital 2/1, 7 = Dolby Digital 3/1, 8 = Dolby Digital 2/2, 9 = Dolby
Digital 3/2, 10 = Dolby Digital EX, 11 = DTS 1/0, 12 = DTS 1+1, 13 = DTS 2/0, 14 = DTS
3/0, 15 = DTS 2/1, 16 = DTS 3/1, 17 = DTS 2/2, 18 = DTS 3/2, 19 = DTS-ES Matrix, 20 =
DTS-ES Discrete.
STS ?zSTS Query Zone Status. Reports the current state of Audio, Video, Volume, Mute, Audio Signal Type, *Decode/Downmix
Mode, *Effect Mode, *THX Mode.
* Zone 1 only
PRE ?PRE Query Current Preset PREy, where y may have the values 1 to 5 for the current preset.
TRM ?TRMs Query Trims TRMsy, where y may have a value in the range -10 to +10:
-10 = –10dB
+10 = +10dB
BSA ?BSA Query Bass Trim BSAy, where y may have a value in the range -6 to +6:
-6 = –6dB
+6 = +6dB
TBA ?TBA Query Treble Trim TBAy, where y may have a value in the range -6 to +6:
-6 = –6dB
+6 = +6dB
BAL ?BAL Query Balance BALy, where y may have a value in the range -10 to +10:
-10 = +10dB to Left
+10 = +10dB to Right
VDT ?VDT Query Video Type VDTy, where y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = 4:3, 1 = 16:9.
RCT ?RCT Query Record To Tape RCTi
RCV ?RCV Query Record To VCR RCVi
COM ?COM Query Compression COMy, where y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = Off, 1 = Medium, 2 = High.
LIP ?LIP Query Lip Sync LIPy, where y may have a value in the range -1 to +44:
-1 = –5ms
+44 = +220ms
HED ?zHED Query Headphone Out HEDz, where z is the zone parameter you supply.

E-35
GENERAL OPERATION COMMANDS
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
PWR ?zPWRx Power on/off
MUT ?zMUTx Mute on/off
FAN zFANx Force Analogue
EFF ?EFFy Effect Mode Selection y may have the values 0 to 7, as follows:
0 = off, 1 = music, 2 = party, 3 = club, 4 = hall, 5 = sport, 6 = church, 7 = next
effect.
THX ?THXy THX Mode Selection y may have the values 0 to 4, as follows:
0 = Off, 1 = THX Cinema, 2 = THX Ultra2 Cinema, 3 = THX MusicMode, 4 =
THX SurrEX.
DEC ?DECy Decode/Downmix Mode Selection If Audio Signal Type is Analogue or PCM, y may have the values 0 to 6 as follows:
0 = Mono, 1 = Stereo, 2 = Pro Logic II Movie, 3 = Pro Logic II Music, 4 = Pro Logic,
5 = Neo:6 Cinema, 6 = Neo:6 Music.
If Audio Signal Type is Digital Surround (Dolby or DTS), y may have the values 0 to
2 as follows:
0 = Mono Downmix, 1 = Stereo Downmix, 2 = No Downmix.
DIS VFD Display
RES Restore Preset
INF Current Source information (on OSD)
SIG ?zSIG Current Audio Signal Type
STS ?zSTS Zone Status. Displays current state of
Audio, Video, Volume, Mute, Audio Signal
Type, *Decode/Downmix Mode, *Effect
Mode, *THX Mode.
* Zone 1 only
TRM TRMsy Trim Levels y may have a value in the range -10 to +10:
-10 = –10dB
+10 = +10dB

MAIN MENU COMMANDS

Command Parameters Description Parameter values
VOL ?zVOLy Volume y may have a value in the range -53 to +19:
-53 = –53dB
+19 = +19dB
PRE PREy Preset Select y may have a value in the range 1 to 5.
AUD ?zAUDi Audio source selection
VID ?zVIDi Video source selection
VDT VDTy Video Type y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = 4:3, 1 = 16:9.
DIR ?DIRix Stereo Direct
BAL BALy Balance y may have a value in the range -10 to +10:
-10 = +10dB to Left
+10 = +10dB to Right
RCT RCTi Record To Tape Select
RCV RCVi Record To VCR Select
COM COMy Compression y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = Off, 1 = Medium, 2 = High.
LIP LIPy Lip Sync Control y may have a value in the range -1 to +44:
-1 = –5ms
+44 = +220ms
DIM DIMy Pro Logic II MusicMode Dimension y may have a value in the range 0 to 6.
CTW CTWy Pro Logic II Music Mode Centre Width y may have a value in the range 0 to 7.
PAN PANx Pro Logic II MusicMode Panorama
HED HEDz Headphone Out

E-36
E-36
SETUP COMMANDS – BASIC
Basic General
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
VDS VDSy Volume Display y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = Normal, 1 = dB ref, 2 = Fine.

English
MXV zMXVy Max Volume y may have a value in the range -33 to +19:
-33 = –33dB
+19 = +19dB
MXO zMXOy Max On Volume y may have a value in the range -53 to +19:
-53 = –53dB
+19 = +19dB
DYU DYUy Delay Units y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = Imperial, 1 = Metric, 2 = Time.
OMD OMDy OSD Mode y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = Full Page, 1 = Mixed.
VST VSTy Video Status y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = Scart, 1 = Screen Control.
HQV HQVy HQ Video y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = RGB, 1 = Component.
SYG SYGx Sync On Green

Basic Speakers
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
AST ASTy Auto Setup y may have the values 0 to 5, as follows:
0 = THX, 1 = THX SurrEX, 2 = Config. 1, 3 = Config. 2, 4 = Config. 3, 5 = Custom.
SSZ SSZsy Speaker Size y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = None, 1 = Small/Present, 2 = Large.
5P1 5P1y 5.1 Rears y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = SurrL/R, 1 = SurrBackL/R, 2 = Both.

Basic Delay
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
DLY DLYsy Speaker Delays y may have a value in the range below, depending on the chosen delay units:
Imperial: 0 to 117 feet in 1ft steps
Metric: 0 to 12.7 meters in 0.1m steps
Time: 0 to 105 milliseconds in 1ms steps
Basic Levels
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
LVL LVLsy Speaker Level settings y may have a value in the range -10 to +10:
-10 = –10dB
+10 = +10dB

E-37
Basic Sub
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
CRF CRFy Crossover Frequency y may have a value in the range 0 to 11:
0 = 40Hz
11 = 150Hz
(in 10Hz steps)
STM STMy Stereo Mode y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = Large+Sub, 1 = Sat+Sub, 2 = Large.
LFE LFEy LFE Level y may have a value in the range -10 to 0:
-10 = –10dB
0 = 0dB
DLF DLFy DTS LFE Gain y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = 0dB Normal, 1 = –10dB.
SST SSTy Sub Stereo y may have a value in the range -10 to 0:
-10 = –10dB
0 = 0dB
DAL DALy DVD-A Sub Level y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = 0dB Normal, 1 = +10dB.
NSW NSWy No. of Subwoofers y may have the values 1 to 3, for 1 to 3 subwoofers.

Basic THX
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
TEX TEXx THX Surround EX Flag detection
U2S U2Sx THX Ultra 2 Sub
BGC BGCx Boundary Gain Compensation
ASA ASAy Advanced Speaker Array y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = 0–12”, 1 = 12–48”, 2 = 48”+.

E-38
E-38
SETUP COMMANDS – ADVANCED
Advanced Speaker
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
BAS BASsy Bass Levels y may have a value in the range -6 to +6:
-6 = –6dB
+6 = +6dB

English
TRB TRBsy Treble Levels y may have a value in the range -6 to +6:
-6 = –6dB
+6 = +6dB
STB STBx Auto Stereo Tone Bypass

Advanced Video
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
OSD zOSDx OSD
VIA VIAi Video Input AUX
VIC VICi Video Input CD
VIT VITi Video Input Tape
VIM VIMi Video Input Multichannel
ANV ANVy Audio and Video y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 = Tracked, 1 = Separate.
HQS HQSyi HQ Video Setting y may have the values 0 to 2, as follows:
0 = HQ Vid 1, 1 = HQ Vid, 2 = HQ Vid 3.

Advanced Digital
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
DIG DIGyi Digital Inputs y may have the values 0 to 6; i=1 (for digital input) or i=2 (for source assigned).

Advanced zone 2
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
FVL FVLx Zone 2 Fix Volume
SBY zSBYy Standby y may have the values 0 to 1, as follows:
0 =Local Only, 1 = All Off.
CZI CZIx Zone 1 Control
ACC ACCix Zone 2 Access 0 =None, 1 = All.

Advanced Analogue
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
ANS ANSiy Analogue Settings y may have the values 0 to 3, as follows:
0 = Low 0.5V, 1 = Medium 1V, 2 = Reference 2V, 3 = High 4V.

Save Settings
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
SAV SAVy Save Preset y may have the values 0 to 5, as follows:
0 = Current Preset, 1 = Preset 1, 2 = Preset 2, 3 = Preset 3, 4 = Preset 4, 5 =
Preset 5.
PNM PNMyn Preset Name y may have the values 0 to 5, as follows:
0 = Current Preset, 1 = Preset 1, 2 = Preset 2, 3 = Preset 3, 4 = Preset 4, 5 =
Preset 5, n = up to 14 characters.

E-39
Engineering Settings
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
RC5 zRC5y RC5 System Code y may have the values 0 to 5, as follows:
0 = RC5 System Code 16, 1= RC5 System Code 19.
SCM SCMx Scrolling Message
SCT SCTyn Scrolling Text Select y may have a value in the range 0 to 8. If y = 0, then n can be a string of your
choice. If no string is given, the default is used.
EPE Eeprom Erase (Restore Defaults)
DIA DIAx Diagnostics
FPR FPRx Front Panel IR Receiver

Multi-button Presses
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
LOC Setup Menu Lock
TST Test VFD and LEDs
PLL PLL Status
RCM RC5 Decode Mode

Menu Access
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
M My Display Main menus y may have a value in the range 1 to 3 to display each of the Main menus.
B By Display Basic Setup Menus y may have a value in the range 1 to 6 to display each of the Basic Setup menus.
A Ay Display Advanced Setup Menus y may have a value in the range 1 to 5 to display each of the Advanced Setup
menus.
SM Display Setup Menu
SS Display Save Settings Menu
SV Display Software Versions Menu
EM EMy Display Engineering Menu y may have a value in the range 1 to 2 to display each of the Engineering menus.
TM Display Trims Menu
LS Display LipSync Shortcut
SW Display Subwoofer Shortcut

Navigation
Command Parameters Description Parameter values
U Up
D Down
L Left
R Right

Simulated Button Presses

Command Parameters Description Parameter values
O OK
M Menu

E-40
E-40
 UTILITY SOFTWARE

AV8 PROGRAMMER
The AV8 programmer utility allows future software upgrades to be

English
installed and allows backup and restoration of the unit’s settings via the
RS232 port on the back of the AV8.
The following equipment is required:
 IBM PC compatible computer running Windows 98 or later.
 Software – ARCAM AV8 Programmer utility (included on the
AV8 CD-ROM).
 Lead – RS232 9-way female D-type to 9-way female D-type (i.e.,
a null modem).
Full Instructions on how to install and operate the Programmer utility
are available in the root directory of the CD-ROM.

E-41
 Guarantee
WORLDWIDE GUARANTEE For further details contact Arcam at:
This entitles you to have the unit repaired free of charge, during the Arcam Customer Support Department,
first two years after purchase, at any authorised Arcam distributor Pembroke Avenue, Waterbeach, CAMBRIDGE, CB5 9QR, England
provided that it was originally purchased from an authorised Arcam Telephone: +44 (0)1223 203200
dealer or distributor. The manufacturer can take no responsibility for Fax: +44 (0)1223 863384
defects arising from accident, misuse, abuse, wear and tear, neglect or Email: [email protected]
through unauthorised adjustment and/or repair, neither can they accept
Problems? Always contact your dealer in the first instance.
responsibility for damage or loss occurring during transit to or from the
person claiming under the guarantee. If your dealer is unable to answer any query regarding this or any other
Arcam product please contact Arcam Customer Support on +44 (0)
THE WARRANTY COVERS: 1223 203200 or write to us at the above address and we will do our
best to help you.
Parts and labour costs for two years from the purchase date. After two
years you must pay for both parts and labour costs. The warranty does
not cover transportation costs at any time.
ON LINE REGISTRATION
CLAIMS UNDER GUARANTEE
This equipment should be packed in the original packing and returned You can register your Arcam product on line at:
to the dealer from whom it was purchased, or failing this, directly to the www.arcam.co.uk
Arcam distributor in the country of residence. It should be sent carriage
prepaid by a reputable carrier -– NOT by post. No responsibility can
be accepted for the unit whilst in transit to the dealer or distributor
and customers are therefore advised to insure the unit against loss or
damage whilst in transit.

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