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Surround
The AVR-3803/1083 is equipped with a digital signal processing circuit that lets you play program sources in the surround mode to achieve the
same sense of presence as in a movie theater.
Dolby Surround
(1) Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital is the multi-channel digital signal format developed by Dolby Laboratories.
Dolby Digital consists of up to “5.1” channels - front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and an additional channel exclusively
reserved for additional deep bass sound effects (the Low Frequency Effects – LFE – channel, also called the “.1” channel, containing bass
frequencies of up to 120 Hz).
Unlike the analog Dolby Pro Logic format, Dolby Digital’s main channels can all contain full range sound information, from the lowest bass, up
to the highest frequencies – 22 kHz. The signals within each channel are distinct from the others, allowing pinpoint sound imaging, and Dolby
Digital offers tremendous dynamic range from the most powerful sound effects to the quietest, softest sounds, free from noise and distortion.
2 Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic
Comparison of home surround systems Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic
No. recorded channels (elements) 5.1 ch 2 ch
No. playback channels 5.1 ch 4 ch
Playback channels (max.) L, R, C, SL, SR, SW L, R, C, S (SW - recommended)
Audio processing
Digital discrete processing
Dolby Digital encoding/decoding
Analog matrix processing Dolby Surround
High frequency playback limit of surround
channel
20 kHz 7 kHz
2 Dolby Digital compatible media and playback methods
Marks indicating Dolby Digital compatibility: .
The following are general examples. Also refer to the player’s operating instructions.
LD (VDP)
Coaxial Dolby Digital RF output jack 1
Set the input mode to “AUTO”.
(Page 48)
DVD
Optical or coaxial digital output
(same as for PCM) 2
Set the input mode to “AUTO”.
(Page 48)
Others
(satellite broadcasts, CATV, etc.)
Optical or coaxial digital output
(same as for PCM)
Set the input mode to “AUTO”.
(Page 48)
Media Dolby Digital output jacks Playback method (reference page)
1 Please use a commercially available adapter when connecting the Dolby Digital RF output jack of the LD player to the digital input jack.
Please refer to the instruction manual of the adapter when making connection.
2 Some DVD digital outputs have the function of switching the Dolby Digital signal output method between “bit stream” and “(convert to)
PCM”. When playing in Dolby Digital surround on the AVR-3803/1083, switch the DVD player’s output mode to “bit stream”. In some cases
players are equipped with both “bit stream + PCM” and “PCM only” digital outputs. In this case connect the “bit stream + PCM” jacks
to the AVR-3803/1083.
(2) Dolby Pro Logic II
• Dolby Pro Logic II is a new multi-channel playback format developed by Dolby Laboratories using feedback logic steering technology and
offering improvements over conventional Dolby Pro Logic circuits.
• Dolby Pro Logic II can be used to decode not only sources recorded in Dolby Surround ( ) but also regular stereo sources into five channels
(front left, front right, center, surround left and surround right) to achieve surround sound.
• Whereas with conventional Dolby Pro Logic the surround channel playback frequency band was limited, Dolby Pro Logic II offers a wider
band range (20 Hz to 20 kHz or greater). In addition, the surround channels were monaural (the surround left and right channels were the
same) with previous Dolby Pro Logic, but Dolby Pro Logic II they are played as stereo signals.
• Various parameters can be set according to the type of source and the contents, so it is possible to achieve optimum decoding (see page
56).
Sources recorded in Dolby Surround
These are sources in which three or more channels of surround have been recorded as two channels of signals using Dolby Surround
encoding technology.
Dolby Surround is used for the sound tracks of movies recorded on DVDs, LDs and Video cassettes to be played on stereo VCRs, as well
as for the stereo broadcast signals of FM radio, TV, satellite broadcasts and cable TV.
Decoding these signals with Dolby Pro Logic II makes it possible to achieve multi-channel surround playback. The signals can also be
played on ordinary stereo equipment, in which case they provide normal stereo sound.
