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FAQ

What is HDMI?
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the newest interface for audiovisual equipment such as high-definition television and home theater systems. With 19 wires wrapped in a single cable that resembles a USB wire, HDMI is able to carry a bandwidth of 5 Gbps (gigabits per second). This is more than twice the bandwidth needed to transmit multi-channel audio and video, future-proofing HDMI for some time to come. This and several other factors make HDMI much more desirable than its predecessors, component video, S-Video and composite video. HDMI is an uncompressed, all-digital signal, while the aforementioned interfaces are all analog. With an analog interface, a clean digital source is translated into less precise analog, sent to the television, then converted back to a digital signal to display on screen. At each translation, the digital signal loses integrity, resulting in some distortion of picture quality. HDMI preserves the source signal, eliminating analog conversion to deliver the sharpest, richest picture possible.

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What is ATSC / QAM Digital TV Tuning?
ATSC is the 8VSB (8-level Vestigial Sideband Modulation) system. This is the digital TV broadcast system chosen by the ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) for broadcast TV in the USA. QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is the digital TV system chosen by the U.S. Cable TV companies for user over digital cable. Toshiba integrated digital TVs have both ATSC and QAM digital tuning capability so that you can receive terrestrial digital broadcasts as well as digital �cable-in-the-clear� broadcasts.

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What is CableClear DNR Plus?
Designed to optimize poor NTSC signals from antenna or cable, this noise reduction system eliminates video noise "snow" for a clean, crisp image. This system detects the quality of the incoming video signal, and automatically applies the needed amount of video optimization. It utilizes the 3DYC comb filter to compare video fields and determine the existence of random luminance noise. Digital filters then eliminate field variances to clear the random noise. In addition, the sharpness setting is automatically optimized to best match the video signal quality.

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What is DTS� Compatible (Digital Theater Systems)?
DVDs and CDs encoded in DTS� surround sound will deliver six channels (5.1) of 20-bit audio in the space previously allotted for only two channels. The player�s single bit-stream output routes the DTS signal to a receiver, which then fully decodes the soundtrack into its six discrete channels of audio

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What is HDMI� Video Upconversion � 720p / 1080i?
HDMI� can support uncompressed digital video up to HDTV resolution. Thus, the player makes use of this conduit by upconverting the standard DVD picture resolution to near HDTV-quality with output resolutions of 720p or 1080i. This makes a DVD player with an HDMI� connection the perfect match for today�s digital televisions. Because this conversion is performed in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts.

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What is SRS� WOW?
SRS WOW is a combination of three unique sound field enhancements. SRS� 3D creates a wide three-dimensional sound field from two TV speakers. TruBass boosts bass frequency perception for more dramatic low frequency effects. And, FOCUS raises the sound image vertically to create clearer voices, even at lower volume levels. The combination of these features creates dramatically improved home theater sound.

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What is VESA?
Video Electronics Standards Association is an international non-profit corporation which supports and sets industry-wide interface standards for the PC, workstation, and consumer electronics industries. VESA develops, open standards for the flat panel televisions display industry, ensuring common standards for flat panel television wall mounts. Purchasing a VESA compatible television means that if you decide to mount your television, you will have a wide variety of mount manufacturers and styles to choose from.

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How do I clean an LCD TV?
Always unplug the TV before cleaning. Gently wipe the display surface (the TV screen) using a dry soft cloth only (cotton, flannel, etc.) A hard cloth may damage the surface of the panel. Avoid contact with alcohol, thinner, benzene, acidic or alkaline solvents , abrasive cleaners, or chemical cloths, which may damage the surface. Never spray volatile compounds such as insecticides on the cabinet. Such products may damage or discolor the cabinet.

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What is 1080p Full Display?
With Full HD, there is no need to scale down a 1080 signal. With twice the pixel resolution of 720p HD models, Full HD creates the pinnacle in picture quality.

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What does 1080P mean?
Refers to a TV picture that is broadcast or shown on a screen using 1080 lines of pixels. These pixels are scanned in a progressive manner in which each line is scanned one after the other.

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What is DIVX?
DivX is a digital media format like MP3 for video. DivX technology compresses video files to a fraction of its original size for efficient storage on your hard drive and easy sharing online. DivX is a common media language that delivers a pure digital experience. DivX powers a whole range of video services and products that all work together. From video creation tools like Dr. DivX and the DivX Converter to media playback applications like the DivX Player and the DivX Web Player. DivX delivers a seamless PC video experience. Thanks to the DivX Certified Program it also frees digital video from the PC allowing you to easily transfer any DivX video to a DivX certified device like a DVD player or portable video player. With DivX you can watch your media on your TV, on your morning commute and almost anywhere else you can imagine.

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What are the differences between HDMI v.1.2 and 1.3?
HDMI 1.3 has all of the features of 1.2 plus; Deep Color: Deep Color lets HDTVs and other displays go from millions of colors to billions of colors allowing consumers to enjoy unprecedented vividness and accuracy of color on their displays. Deep Color eliminates on-screen color banding, for smooth tonal transitions and subtle gradations between colors. It enables increased contrast ratio, and can represent many times more shades of gray between black and white. Lip Sync: In a DTV, typically the video processing takes more time than the audio. As a result, lip sync can become an issue where it's noticeable to the viewer, creating an effect similar to that of a badlydubbed movie. HDMI 1.3 provides a method whereby the audio processing times in devices can be automatically adjusted to remove lip sync. Lossless Audio Formats HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new, lossless compressed digital audio formats Dolby� TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio� for theater-like, professional sound quality. For additional information go to www.hdmi.com

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What should I know about HDMI connections and cables?
The operation of a product by means of an HDMI connection is guaranteed only when a cable certified by the HDMI standard is used. Product performance can not be guaranteed when a cable not certified by the HDMI standard is used, as signal degradation of the high frequency digital signal can occur. This is often confused as a problem with the device rather than the cable itself. Typical performance failures from uncertified cables can include no picture, blinking (on/off) display, pixilation, sandstorm type of interference and poor quality picture. The HDMI logo is not a certification that the cable has passed the HDMI standard guaranteeing product performance.

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What is Bi-Amping? Is it the same as Bi-Wiring?
Bi-amping and bi-wiring are different. But they�re often confused because both bi-amped and bi-wired systems have two sets of speaker cables running from amplifier(s) to a speaker. However, it�s what happens to the audio signal before it gets sent to the speaker that really distinguishes these two techniques. The only way we can answer your question is to dive into the details. So, here they are Traditionally speaking, bi-amping means the use of two separate amplifier channels connected directly (no passive crossover in the signal path at all!) to individual loudspeaker drivers optimized to reproduce a particular frequency range. For example, one amplifier channel would be connected directly to a tweeter for high frequency reproduction, another to a woofer for bass reproduction. Bi-amping requires an electronic crossover to divide the wide range audio signal from a preamplifier before that signal ever gets to the amplifiers. The advantages of traditional bi-amping are significant. Damping factor (a measure of the amplifier�s ability to control the back-and-forth motion of the driver) increases, intermodulation distortion goes down, and effective amplifier power is increased dramatically. Bi-wiring refers to separate wire runs from a common amplifier output to two different inputs on the same speaker. This requires a speaker specifically designed with bi-wiring in mind as the speaker�s passive crossover must be designed to allow this. And the speakers must have two sets of external binding posts connected by removable jumpers or "bus bars." In ordinary use, you simply leave the jumpers in place and connect the amplifier to either set of binding posts with a single run of dual-conductor speaker cable. For bi-wired operation, simply remove the jumpers and connect each set of binding posts to the same amplifier channel with separate runs of speaker cable. (Many manufacturers make special "bi-wire" speaker cables that reduce bi-wiring�s visual intrusion by jacketing four conductors in one larger cable.) Bi-wiring�s advantages are generally considered to be more subtle than bi-amping and center around better control of back EMF (electromotive force) from the speaker drivers and increased definition. However, remember that conventional bi-wiring is also much less expensive to implement than bi-amping as it does not require separate amplifiers or electronic crossovers. The confusion between bi-amping and bi-wiring arose when audiophiles began connecting different legs of a bi-wireable loudspeaker�s passive crossover to different amplifiers or different channels of the same amplifier. Notice that, like conventional bi-wiring, no electronic crossover is used so both amplifier channels are being fed the same full range signal. The "improvements" resulting from this connection scheme, especially when compared to simple bi-wiring, are even more subtle indeed as the signal must still pass through the loudspeaker�s passive crossover. This is one case where we think tradition wins. Bi-amping will refer to those instances where an electronic crossover divides a wide range audio signal and then sends it to two separate amplifier channels that are, in turn, connected directly to the voice coils of drivers reproducing a specific range of frequencies. We�ll use the term bi-wiring whenever the output of a single wide range amplifier channel is connected to two sets of loudspeaker binding posts which are, in turn, connected to different sections of a passive crossover located between the amp�s output and the drivers� voice coils. For those who can�t leave well enough alone, we�ll use "bi-amping/bi-wiring" whenever a full range signal goes through two separate amplifier channels before it hits a loudspeaker�s binding post sets. But we�ll use it infrequently as we don�t think there�s a lot of real musical value in that approach.

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What is the difference between Bi-Wiring & Bi-Amping speakers?
Bi-Wiring and Bi-Amping refer to two different methods of connecting amplifiers and receivers to Hi Fidelity or Home Theater speakers. In order to Bi-amp or Bi-wire a system the speakers must have separate terminals for the Tweeters (treble) and the Woofers (bass). These terminals usually have a jumper bar that connects both the treble and bass sections of the speaker together for normal operation. This jumper must be removed to Bi-amp or Bi-Wire a speaker. With the Bi-Wiring method, each speaker is connected via two sections of speaker wire from the receiver/power amp to the treble and bass inputs of the each speaker. In a Bi-Amp configuration each speaker is connected to two separate amplifiers for each speaker, one for the treble and one for the bass. Note not all models support Bi-Wiring and Bi-Ampin

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How do I know when to select "Large or Small" for my main speakers (Left, Center, Right) when I'm first setting up my surround sound system?
If your system has a subwoofer, select Subwoofer "Yes" or "On". Then, check the main (left/right) speakers settings next. If you are using very large main speakers (some models even include powered "subwoofer" sections), you can select Large. Deep bass present in the program's left and right front channels will only be routed to the left and right speakers. For most systems, even if you are using larger left and right speakers, if you have a sub, choose Small for the left/right and any deep bass present in the program material will be routed to the subwoofer. This usually produces better sound, as the subwoofer is generally going to a better job of providing clean, deep and louder bass than can be obtained from conventional full range speakers. Always choose Small for center channel (we know of no dedicated center channel speakers that are flat to 20 Hz). Choosing Large setting for the center channel will always result in reduced bass, as well as substantially degraded dialog quality. Always choose Small for the surround channels as well. The bass management within the surround decoder will then route any deep bass information present to the subwoofer. If your system has no subwoofer, then choose Large for the left and right speakers, keeping the center and surrounds set to Small. Any deep bass present in any channel of the program material will be routed to the left and right speakers - this would include any deep bass sounds encoded in the ".1" or LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel. Some have advocated a dedicated subwoofer for the LFE channel, while using very large and bass-capable main left and right speakers (set to Large). This arrangement is usually less satisfactory, as most soundtracks actually contain little or no information in the LFE channel. Often, after a prolonged period of no LFE activity, the subwoofer goes into "standby" mode, and when a burst of LFE deep bass comes along, the subwoofer has to "wake up", causing some of the material simply not to be reproduced. We recommend that the subwoofer be used for deep bass reproduction of all bass within the soundtrack, not just for whatever might be in the LFE channel (assuming there is any information in the LFE channel for a particular program). Choose subwoofer Yes and Main/Center/Surround to Small for the best overall results. *Please also see our note on the Bass Mix MIX/BOTH option for the Large speaker setting

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Can I use THX on music?
We don�t recommend THX processing for music-only sources of any kind. THX was specifically developed (and works very well with) movie soundtracks. Enjoy its capabilities there and let the music take care of itself! Here�s the story. . THX circuitry operates only when you�ve already selected Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Digital processing. As you know, these Dolby-developed multi-channel techniques contain very precise directional clues so that a decoder will correctly place certain sounds in the center, in the rear, etc. If your source was not recorded specifically for Dolby playback and you use a Dolby decoder anyway, there�s almost no chance of hearing what the artist intended you to hear. So why bother? And, as we�ve said, you can�t use THX if you�re not already using Dolby processing. But what about music CDs recorded specifically for Dolby playback? Even here, THX may not be desirable. Remember that THX Re-Equalization�, an essential part of THX processing, is designed to reduce front channel high frequency response to make movie soundtracks more listenable. But if the music on a Dolby-encoded disc was recorded without a movie soundtrack�s emphasized high frequency content, THX processing will make it sound comparatively dull. Not an ideal situation, is it? Two further notes: There�s a big difference between a movie soundtrack and a CD containing music from that same soundtrack. Although THX may enhance your enjoyment of the soundtrack itself, it won�t (for reasons we�ve already outlined) help you much with the music CD. Made-for-TV movies, even those with a Dolby Surround soundtrack, usually don�t have the emphasized high frequency content typical of films intended for theatrical release. So THX processing will probably diminish high frequency content by an unacceptable degree. On the other hand, most theatrically-released movies, even when they�re shown on TV, might well benefit from THX playback. You�ll have to make this call yourself but if you know that a particular movie is being broadcast with a surround audio signal, give THX a try.

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What does PCM on my display stand for?
PCM pulse code modulation Sound is analog, and computers are digital. So for a computer to deal with sound, the sound needs to be digitized. The most common technique for doing so is pulse code modulation PCM is also the usual digital method used for music audio playback of music CDs. While supported by DVDs, DVDs have a greater volume so they use Linear PCM, which has a higher sampling rate - up to 24-bit at a sampling rate of 96 kHz.

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How do I clean my plasma TV?
When cleaning the screen or cabinet of the television or monitor, wipe it gently with a soft dry cloth (either the cloth supplied when you purchased the TV or a similar cotton or flannel cloth). Do not use water or a hard cloth when cleaning your plasma TV. A hard cloth or rubbing too hard will cause scratches and water droplets from a wet cloth may enter the product, resulting in malfunction. Do not use any chemicals as they can cause damage. This includes, but is not limited to: - benzene - thinner - volatile gas or fluid such as pesticide - other chemicals or cleaners In addition, do not make the product contact with rubber or vinyl products for a long period of time. The effect of plasticizer in the plastic may result in quality deterioration or coating removal.

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What does HDMI Pass Thru mean?
A receiver that is an HDMI Pass Thru unit to hear audio via the receiver speakers you will need an additional cable to make an additional audio connection between the HDMI connected component and the receiver.

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What is the benefit of a THX Select2 receiver?
THX Select2 certified receivers deliver optimal quality audio and video presentations to small and medium sized home theaters. A viewing distance of approximately 10 feet / 3 meters from the display to the listening position is best served by these specifications, which translates to a 2,000 cubic foot room. Based on the same values and principles of THX Ultra2, THX Select2 certified receivers deliver exceptional quality to smaller home theater environments. THX Select2 specifications are designed to address the growing needs of the newest generation of home entertainment enthusiasts - those who crave immersive DVD, music, and video game experiences, but do not have the space for a dedicated home theater.

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What is the maximum HDMI cable length that you recommend?
The working group that sets HDMI specifications has not set a maximum cable length. Instead they require that approved HDMI cables meet a required performance standard. At this time it is expected that conventional, reasonably priced copper cables up to approximately 15 feet in length can meet the required performance standards. In the future, as technology improves, even longer cable runs can be reached using fiber optic cables, and with active cable technologies such as amplifiers or repeaters.

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Is there any differences between Dolby Digital and DTS?
Dolby Digital has been selected as the default format for DVD video, standard 2 channel audio playback and HDTV Digital broadcasting. Dolby Digital features two independent surround channels giving same full range as the three front channels. Plus it adds a Low Frequency Effect channel LFE. Dolby Digital accomplishes this by using a technique called compression. Digital Theater Systems DTS uses the same concept but implements a lower compression rate. This supposedly leads to more dynamic range, improved channel separation, and more subtle nuances.

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What is a DSP mode?
DSP stands for Digital Signal Processing. These modes are used to simulate surround environments, ex. Hall, Live, Studio, etc.

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Can I hear a difference when using Optical or Coax cable for my digital connection?
Technically, a coax connection will sound better because there is less processing to the signal. In certain situations, when experiencing EMI, RFI or long distance cable runs, using an Optical cable would be your best choice

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What is the best video connection that I can use for my TV monitor?
There are three video options that you have. The best connection really depends on what your Television has for inputs. The original connection was the AV composite video input (Yellow connection) is a one-channel signal that combines information about chrominance, luminance, picture, and sync. This is the most common connector. The S-video (also known as Y/C) produces a higher-quality picture than RCA composite because it splits up the chroma and luminance information into two separate signals. Component Video, known as analog RGB. Originally found only in professional video equipment, component video splits up the signal into red, green, and blue channels. As a result component video input provides the highest-quality video signal. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) This high-bandwidth interface supports not only brilliant digital video, but digital audio as well. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, and with 5 Gbps of bandwidth, HDMI can accommodate future enhancements and requirements. . In addition, HDMI enables a single remote point and click, allowing manufacturers to deliver home theater systems that automatically configure from a single command from a remote control -- turning on or off the components necessary to view a DVD, listen to a CD, or watch cable or satellite TV. This is the highest quality connection to use if your devices support them.

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Can I plug my TV AC plug to the extra outlet on the receiver?
Never plug anything that requires a lot of power to the additional power outlets at the back of the receivers. These items include, but are not limited to, TVs, projectors, microwave ovens and lawn mowers. Use it only for low-powered equipment such as DVD players, Turntables, Tuners, or CD changers.

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Can I use a 4 Ohm speaker set?
Please read the impedance rating carefully, if the receiver is rated for 6-8 Ohm, don't use any speaker with the impedance rating outside what's recommended.

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My receiver is shutting down and/or running really hot?
Always make sure that there is not a single strand of bare wire touching another and/or any other metal parts. Check to ensure that this is the case on both the amplifier/receiver and/or the speakers. Any short-circuit will cause the receiver to shut down, overheat, and/or damage to the receiver and/or the speakers.

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