MARANTZ SR6400
Service Manual

2. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Dolby Digital identifies the use of Dolby Digital audio coding for such consumer formats as DVD and DTV. As with film sound, Dolby Digital can provide up to five full-range channels for left, center, and right screen channels, independent left and right surround channels, and a sixth ( �.1�) channel for low-frequency effects. Dolby Surround Pro Logic II is an improved matrix decoding technology that provides better spatiality and directionality on Dolby Surround program material; provides a convincing three-dimensional soundfield on conventional stereo music recordings; and is ideally suited to bring the surround experience to automotive sound. While conventional surround programming is fully compatible with Dolby Surround Pro Logic II decoders, soundtracks will be able to be encoded specifically to take full advantage of Pro Logic II playback, including separate left and right surround channels. (Such material is also compatible with conventional Pro Logic decoders.) Dolby Digital EX creates six full-bandwidth output channels from 5.1- channel sources. This is done using a matrix decoder that derives three surround channels from the two in the original recording. For best results, Dolby Digital EX should be used with movies soundtracks recorded with Dolby Digital Surround EX. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. �Dolby�, �Pro Logic�, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

The advantages of discrete multichannel systems over matrix are well known. But even in homes equipped for discrete multichannel, there remains a need for high-quality matrix decoding. This is because of the large library of matrix surround motion pictures available on disc and on VHS tape; and analog television broadcasts. The typical matrix decoder of today derives a center channel and a mono surround channel from two-channel matrix stereo material. It is better than a simple matrix in that it includes steering logic to improve separation, but because of its mono, band-limited surround it can be disappointing to users accustomed to discrete multichannel. Neo 6 offers several important improvements as follow, . Neo 6 provides up to six full-band channels of matrix decoding from stereo matrix material. Users with 6.1 and 5.1 systems will derive six and five separate channels, respectively, corresponding to the standard home-theater speaker layouts. . Neo 6 technology allows various sound elements within a channel or channels to be steered separately, and in a way which follows naturally from the original presentation. . Neo 6 offers a music mode to expand stereo nonmatrix recordings into the five- or six-channel layout, in a way which does not diminish the subtlety and integrity of the original stereo recording.

DTS-ES Extended Surround is a new multi-channel digital signal format developed by Digital Theater Systems Inc. While offering high compatibility with the conventional DTS Digital Surround format, DTSES Extended Surround greatly improves the 360-degree surround impression and space expression thanks to further expanded surround signals. This format has been used professionally in movie theaters since 1999. In addition to the 5.1 surround channels (FL, FR, C, SL, SR and LFE), DTS-ES Extended Surround also offers the SB (Surround Back) channel for surround playback with a total of 6.1 channels. DTS-ES Extended Surround includes two signal formats with different surround signal recording methods, as DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 and DTSES Matrix 6.1. �DTS�, �DTS-ES Extended Surround� and �Neo:6� are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

The stereo CD is a 16-bit medium with sampling at 44.1 kHz. Professional audio has been 20- or 24-bit for some time, and there is increasing interest in higher sampling rates both for recording and for delivery into the home. Greater bit depths provide extended dynamic range. Higher sampling rates allow wider frequency response and the use of anti-alias and reconstruction filters with more favorable aural characteristics. DTS 96/24 allows for 5.1channel sound tracks to be encoded at a rate of 96kHz/24bits on DVD-Video titles. When DVD-video appeared, it became possible to deliver 24-bit, 96 kHz audio into the home, but only in two channels, and with serious limitations on picture. This capability has had little use. DVD-audio allows 96/24 in six channels, but a new player is needed, and only analog outputs are provided, necessitating the use of the D/A converters and analog electronics provided in the player. DTS 96/24 offers the following: 1.Sound quality transparent to the original 96/24 master. 2.Full backward compatibility with all existing decoders. (Existing decoders will output a 48 kHz signal) 3.No new player required: DTS 96/24 can be carried on DVD-video, or in the video zone of DVD-audio, accessible to all DVD players. 4.96/24 5.1-channel sound with full-quality full-motion video, for music programs and motion picture soundtracks on DVD-video.

Circle Surround II (CS-II) is a powerful and versatile multi channel technology. CS-II is designed to enable up to 6.1 multi channel surround sound playback from mono, stereo, CS encoded sources and other matrix encoded sources. In all cases the decoder extends it into 6 channels of surround audio and a LFE/subwoofer signal. The CS-II decoder creates a listening environment that places the listener �inside� music performances and dramatically improves both hi-fi audio conventional surround-encoded video material. CS-II provides composite stereo rear channels to greatly improve separation and image positioning adding a heightened sense of realism to both audio and A/V productions. CS-II is packed with other useful feature like dialog clarity (SRS Dialog) for movies and cinema-like bass enrichment (TruBass). CS-II can enable the dialog to become clearer and more discernable in movies and it enables the bass frequencies contained in the original programming to more closely achieve low frequencies overcoming the low frequency limitations of the speakers by full octave. Circle Surround II, Dialog Clarity, TruBass, SRS and symbol are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc. SRS Circle Surround II, SRS Dialog and SRS TruBass technology are incorporated under license from SRS Labs, Inc.

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