miniDSP NANOAVR DL User manual

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NANOAVR DL
8-CHANNEL HDMI AUDIO PROCESSOR
WITH DIRAC LIVE®TECHNOLOGY
User Manual

miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 2
Revision history
Revision
Description
Date
1.0
Initial public release
4 December 2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information......................................................................................................................................... 5
System Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Disclaimer/Warning ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Warranty Terms............................................................................................................................................... 5
FCC Class B Statement...................................................................................................................................... 5
CE Mark Statement .......................................................................................................................................... 6
What’s Included............................................................................................................................................... 6
A Note on this Manual ..................................................................................................................................... 6
1 Product Overview.......................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Typical system configuration ................................................................................................................ 7
1.2 How Dirac Live® works ......................................................................................................................... 8
1.3 NanoAVR DL / Dirac Live® configuration steps .................................................................................... 10
2 Installation and Setup.................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1 Software installation and license activation........................................................................................ 11
2.1.1 Framework installation ............................................................................................................... 11
2.1.2 Software installation................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.3 License activation ....................................................................................................................... 12
2.1.4 License validation ....................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Hardware connectivity ....................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.1 HDMI input and output............................................................................................................... 14
2.2.2 Ethernet ..................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.3 DC Power.................................................................................................................................... 15
2.2.4 USB............................................................................................................................................. 15
3 Acoustic Measurement................................................................................................................................ 16
3.1 Loudspeaker and microphone positioning .......................................................................................... 16
3.2 Connections for acoustic measurement.............................................................................................. 17
3.3 Configuring for measurement............................................................................................................. 18
3.3.1 Sound System tab ....................................................................................................................... 19
3.3.2 Mic Config tab ............................................................................................................................ 20
3.3.3 Output & Levels tab .................................................................................................................... 21
3.4 Running the measurements................................................................................................................ 22
3.4.1 Listening environment ................................................................................................................ 23
3.4.2 Executing a measurement........................................................................................................... 24
3.4.3 Completing the measurements................................................................................................... 25
3.4.4 Viewing and redoing measurements........................................................................................... 25
3.5 Saving and loading projects ................................................................................................................ 25
4 Filter Design ................................................................................................................................................ 26
4.1 Working with graphs .......................................................................................................................... 27
4.2 Designing your target curve................................................................................................................ 29
4.2.1 The Auto Target.......................................................................................................................... 29
4.2.2 Editing the target curve .............................................................................................................. 29

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4.2.3 Guidelines for target curve design .............................................................................................. 30
4.2.4 Saving and loading target curves................................................................................................. 31
4.3 Generating correction filters............................................................................................................... 32
4.4 Downloading and managing filter sets................................................................................................ 33
5 Using the NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor ............................................................................................. 34
5.1 Status indicators................................................................................................................................. 34
5.2 Front panel controls ........................................................................................................................... 34
5.3 Infrared remote control...................................................................................................................... 35
5.4 Smartphone control app..................................................................................................................... 36
6 Additional Information ................................................................................................................................ 37
6.1 Specifications ..................................................................................................................................... 37
6.2 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................. 38
6.3 MCU Firmware upgrade ..................................................................................................................... 40
6.4 Obtaining Support .............................................................................................................................. 42

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via the
support portal at minidsp.desk.com.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
To configure your NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor, you will require a Windows PC with the following
minimum specification:
Intel Pentium III or later, AMD Athlon XP or later
2 Gigabytes (GB) of RAM or higher
Keyboard and mouse or compatible pointing device
Microsoft• ® Windows® Vista® SP1/Win7/Win8
Microsoft• ® .NET framework v3.5 or later
Two free USB 2.0 ports
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
miniDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use or incorrect
configuration of this product. Please read this manual carefully to ensure that you fully understand how to
operate and use this product, as incorrect use or use beyond the parameters and ways recommended in this
manual have the potential to cause damage to your audio system.
Please also note that many of the questions we receive at the technical support department are already
answered in this User Manual and in the online application notes on the miniDSP.com website. So please take
the time to carefully read this user manual and the online technical documentation. And if an issue arises with
your unit, please read through the Troubleshooting section first. Thank you for your understanding!
WARRANTY TERMS
miniDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one
year from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection or
installation, improper or undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification or alteration of the unit in any
way, or any usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.
FCC CLASS BSTATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

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Warning: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Notice: Shielded interface cable must be used in order to comply with emission limits.
Notice: Changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CE MARK STATEMENT
The nanoAVR DL has passed the test performed according to European Standard EN 55022 Class B.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
One NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor
One universal 5 VDC power supply with interchangeable power pins
One USB cable for computer connectivity (1.5m)
One flat HDMI v1.4 flat cable (1.5m)
One full license for Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP
Printed Quick-start Guide
Note: your nanoAVR DL purchase does not include the required UMIK-1 USB measurement microphone. Please
add a UMIK-1 to your order if you do not already have one.
ANOTE ON THIS MANUAL
This User Manual is designed for reading in both print and on the computer. If printing the manual, please print
double-sided. The embedded page size is 8 ½” x 11”. Printing on A4 paper will result in a slightly reduced size.
For reading on the computer, we have included hyperlinked cross-references throughout the manual. In
addition, a table of contents is embedded in the PDF file, which will make navigation much easier:
In Adobe Reader on Windows, click on the “bookmarks” icon at the left. The table of contents will appear on
the left and can be unfolded at each level by clicking on the “+” icons.
In Preview on the Mac, click on the View menu and select Table of Contents. The table of contents will
appear on the left and can be unfolded at each level by clicking on the triangle icons.

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1PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Thank you for purchasing a NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor powered by Dirac Live®, the world’s premier
room correction solution. We are delighted to offer you this software and hardware combination, the fruit of
extensive research and development and years of experience in sound system tuning.
The nanoAVR DL is a 2-input HDMI 1.4a switch combined with a sophisticated digital audio signal processor
(DSP) running the Dirac Live® room correction algorithm. The onboard floating-point SHARC processor allows full
time and phase correction of a 7.1 home theater or multichannel audio system using linear PCM (LPCM) audio.
The nanoAVR DL is one of the products in the miniDSP Home Theater Series of audio processors. Deploying a
nanoAVR DL processor in your home theater system will:
Improve imaging and immersion
Improve clarity of music and dialog
Produce a tighter bass
Reduce listening fatigue
Remove resonances and room modes
Reduce early reflections
1.1 TYPICAL SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
The nanoAVR DL typically connects between an HDMI source such as a Blu-ray player and an A/V receiver or
processor. Two HDMI sources can be connected to the nanoAVR DL. Audio from the selected HDMI input is
processed by the Dirac Live® algorithm and passed to the output. Video from the selected input is switched
directly to the output, with no processing applied to the video signal.

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Computer connectivity is used to perform acoustic measurements and generate digital room correction filters
for Dirac Live®. Up to four sets of correction filters can be stored on the NanoAVR DL processor and recalled
from the front panel, via an infrared remote, or with the miniDSP smartphone app. Once the processor is fully
configured, the computer is no longer needed.
1.2 HOW DIRAC LIVE®WORKS
The miniDSP NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor includes Dirac Live®, a premium mixed-phase room correction
technology. This technology is used not only in home stereo and home theater systems but also in cinemas,
recording studios, and luxury cars.
As with any room correction system, Dirac Live® corrects the system’s magnitude response (often referred to
imprecisely as “frequency response”). In contrast to fully automated systems, Dirac Live® corrects the
magnitude response towards a user-adjustable target response. The target response takes account of the
natural frequency range of the loudspeaker system and the normal effects of loudspeaker dispersion on the
measured in-room magnitude response.
Illustration of Dirac Live® magnitude response correction
In addition, Dirac Live® corrects the system’s impulse response, which reflects how the system responds to a
sharp transient such as a drumbeat. Reflections, diffraction, resonances, misaligned drivers, and so on, all
combine to smear out the transient. An ideal loudspeaker has none of these, so correcting the impulse response
makes the speaker in the room behave much more like that ideal loudspeaker. The impulse response is a critical
factor for accurate sound-staging, clarity and bass reproduction. Dirac Live® employs a sophisticated analysis
algorithm to make the optimal correction across the whole listening area, not just at a single point.

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Illustration of Dirac Live® impulse response correction
Dirac Live® accomplishes this using mixed-phase filters –filters that match a desired magnitude response and
generate a customized impulse response. This contrasts with the minimum-phase and linear-phase filters that
are commonly used in audio applications. While minimum-phase and linear-phase filters are relatively easy to
design, they are tightly constrained in their impulse response characteristics –neither can make a desired
change to the magnitude response independently of controlling the impulse response. In some cases, they may
even make things worse.
Mixed-phase filters are more difficult to design, but the audible performance of Dirac Live® is due to its success
in using mixed-phase filters to make the system response across the whole listening area more closely resemble
that of an ideal speaker. The energy from the direct wave and from early reflections is optimally combined to
arrive as a single wavefront to the listener. Late reflections are left largely untouched, being corrected only for
their spectral coloration, as they contribute to a larger, more enveloping soundstage.

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1.3 NANOAVR DL /DIRAC LIVE®CONFIGURATION STEPS
The steps for configuring the NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor with Dirac Live® to optimize your home theater
system is summarized as follows:
1. Connect the NanoAVR DL audio processor into your system and
install software. See Section 2, Installation and Setup.
2. Run a series of acoustic measurements using the Dirac Live
Calibration Tool For miniDSP program, to capture the acoustic
behavior of your speakers and room. See Section 3, Acoustic
Measurement.
3. Generate the digital room correction filters that will be executed
by the NanoAVR DL processor. Up to four filter sets can be
downloaded into the processor for easy real-time recall and
auditioning. See Section 4, Filter Design.
4. Once the digital room correction filters are designed and
downloaded, the computer can be disconnected, as computer
connectivity is not required for normal listening. See Section 5,
Using the NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor.

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2INSTALLATION AND SETUP
2.1 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND LICENSE ACTIVATION
Please read this section carefully prior to installing the software.
2.1.1 Framework installation
Prior to installing the software, download and install the following frameworks. You will need to accept the
license agreements in order to successfully complete the installation. If you haven’t updated these recently,
check that you have the latest versions prior to running the miniDSP install programs.
Microsoft .NET framework (version 3.5 or later)
Latest version of Adobe Flash
Latest version of Adobe Air
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package: for x86 (32-bit operating system) or x64 (64-bit operating
system).
2.1.2 Software installation
When you receive notification that your order has shipped, your installation software downloads will be
available at the User Downloads section of the miniDSP website, under the NanoAVR heading.
http://www.minidsp.com/userdownloads
There are two programs to download and install:
nanoAVR DL Utility
The nanoAVR DL Utility is used to configure remote control codes, as well as perform various
other maintenance operations on the nanoAVR DL, including the serial number necessary for
software license activation. You will find it under the heading “nanoAVR DL programmer” in the
nanoAVR section of the User Downloads on minidsp.com.
After downloading, unzip the file and run the nanoAVR_DL.exe installer.
Dirac Live Calibration Tool (DLCT) for miniDSP
The Dirac Live Calibration Tool is used to perform measurements, generate correction filters,
and load them into the nanoAVR DL. You will find it under the heading “nanoAVR Dirac Live
Tools” in the nanoAVR section of the User Downloads on minidsp.com.
After downloading, unzip the file and run the Dirac Live Calibration Tool v1.0.5 Setup.exe
installer (the version number may change).

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2.1.3 License activation
1. Start the miniDSP NanoAVR DL Utility program. It will appear as shown on the left below.
2. Connect your NanoAVR DL processor to your computer via USB, then click on the Connect button. It will
change to a green tick.
3. Click on Get Activation Serial Number. The program will get your unique serial number from the connected
nanoAVR DL and display it, as shown on the right below.
4. Using this serial number, activate your license on the miniDSP Dirac Live activation page:
http://www.minidsp.com/dirac-series/activate/#activate
If you have not purchased a Dirac Live license before, use the New User screen on the left. If this is not your
first Dirac Live license, use the screen on the right.

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Notes:
1. The serial number that must be entered in the activation screen is not the serial number printed on the
hardware unit. A unique serial number specific to Dirac Live is programmed into the firmware of each unit
and can only be accessed with the nanoAVR DL Utility program (step 3 above).
2. The email address and username used during license activation and validation are not related to your user
account on miniDSP.com. To activate and validate a Dirac Live license, you must create an account on the
Dirac server using the form shown at left in step 4 above.
3. If you purchase more than one NanoAVR DL or Dirac Series processor, each will need to be activated with
its unique serial number. Use the form shown on the right in step 4 above and enter the serial number of
each additional processor, and they will in turn be added to your license.
2.1.4 License validation
Start the Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP program. It will ask you to validate your software license. Enter
the email address and password that you used when activating your license, and then click on Validate:
You will need to be connected to the Internet to validate your license. Any active firewalls will need to have
HTTP (normal web traffic) enabled.
The Username in the validation screen must be the email address that you used in the activation screen
above. It is not your miniDSP website username.

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2.2 HARDWARE CONNECTIVITY
All connections to the nanoAVR DL are made on the rear panel.
2.2.1 HDMI input and output
Two HDMI connections are available for input, and one for output. The input connectors can be connected to
any HDMI source such as a Blu-ray or DVD player, provided that the source is capable of producing a linear PCM
audio signal. Other sources may include media streaming devices and computers with an HDMI port†. The
output connector will be connected to an HDMI input on an A/V receiver or processor.
Ensure that your HDMI sources are set to produce linear PCM (also referred to as PCM, L-PCM, or LPCM)
on their HDMI outputs. The nanoAVR DL does not decode compressed formats such as Dolby and DTS.
†Apple Macs with a Thunderbolt port can be connected to the nanoAVR DL with the use of a Thunderbolt to
HDMI adapter cable.
2.2.2 Ethernet
To control the nanoAVR DL using the miniDSP smartphone app, you can connect it to your home network via the
Ethernet port. See Smartphone control app on page 36.

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2.2.3 DC Power
The supplied 5 VDC power supply includes a set of interchangeable power pins. Fit the correct pins for your
country. Connect the DC plug to the 5 VDC power socket.
HDMI units communicate with a set of “hand-shaking” signals in order to establish the capabilities
of each device. We recommend that for at least the first time the system is powered up, equipment
be powered on in this order: TV, AVR, nanoAVR DL, source/player.
2.2.4 USB
To configure the nanoAVR DL using Dirac Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP:
Connect the USB port of the nanoAVR DL to a USB 2.0 port on your computer using the supplied cable.
Connect a miniDSP UMIK-1 to a second USB port on your computer using the supplied cable.
Note: the miniDSP UMIK-1 is the only measurement microphone that can be used with the nanoAVR and Dirac
Live Calibration Tool for miniDSP.

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3ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT
The Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP uses a set of measurements made in your listening room to gather
all the acoustical information about your room and speakers that it needs to calculate the correction filters. The
measurements are made using the NanoAVR DL HDMI audio processor and a miniDSP UMIK-1 measurement
microphone (must be purchased separately).
3.1 LOUDSPEAKER AND MICROPHONE POSITIONING
Prior to performing acoustic measurements, loudspeaker and subwoofer positioning should be optimized. In
particular, the location of the subwoofer within the room will have a large impact on the smoothness of bass
response. With Dirac Live®, you have more freedom with loudspeaker and subwoofer placement, but the best
result will still be achieved if optimal placement is used together with Dirac Live®.
A total of nine measurements are needed, with the microphone located in different positions in the room and
pointed vertically (that is, at the floor or ceiling). The first measurement must be taken at the central location of
the listening area, as this location sets the levels and delays of each speaker. Eight more measurements are then
taken at locations spread around the listening area and at different heights from the floor.

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3.2 CONNECTIONS FOR ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT
The figure below shows a typical connection diagram for performing acoustic measurement. No changes to the
existing HDMI connections are needed. Simply:
1. Connect the supplied USB (type A to type B) cable from the nanoAVR DL to a USB port on the computer.
2. Connect the supplied USB (type A to mini type B) cable from the UMIK-1 to a USB port on the computer.
Place the UMIK-1 microphone into a microphone stand and position the computer and cabling so that there is
enough freedom of movement to move the microphone into the needed locations. A small tripod stand is
supplied with the UMIK-1, but a larger stand with boom arm can be used if desired. We recommend that the
microphone be oriented vertically (pointed at the floor or ceiling) and the “90 degree” calibration file used (see
Mic Config tab below).

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3.3 CONFIGURING FOR MEASUREMENT
Start Dirac Live Calibration Tool For miniDSP.
Ensure that no other programs are running that may attempt to communicate with the nanoAVR DL,
such as the nanoAVR DL utility program, as this may result in communication conflicts and errors.
Logo and status/progress bar
This area shows a progress bar with current status when the program is performing calculations. If the
program seems unresponsive at any time, check the status here.
Screen selection tabs
Each tab selects the information shown in the main display area. These are generally worked through in
order, from top to bottom. This section covers the first four tabs; the final two are covered in Filter
Design.
Load and save a project
A set of measurements can be saved to a file and reloaded at a later time. See Saving and loading projects.
Back to previous / proceed to next
Use these two buttons to advance to the next tab when each is complete, or to go back to the previous
tab to make alterations. The tabs at the left can also be clicked on directly.
Help open/close
Click on the small Help divider at the right of the screen to open a pane with help on the currently
selected tab. Click on the divider again to close the help pane.

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3.3.1 Sound System tab
On the Sound System tab, set the following parameters.
Choose system configuration
Use the dropdown menu to select your system configuration. For home theater use, usually 5.1
or 7.1 will be selected.
Test signal playback device
Preset to nanoAVR DL. This will ensure that test signals are sent into your audio system via the
NanoAVR DL processor.
If the nanoAVR DL is not showing, check that your NanoAVR DL processor is connected via USB
and powered on, click the Rescan button, and then use the drop-down menu to select nanoAVR
DL.
Once you have verified that this tab is correct, click the Proceed button.

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3.3.2 Mic Config tab
On the Mic Config tab, set the following parameters.
Recording device
Preset to the UMIK-1.
If UMIK-1 is not showing, ensure that the UMIK-1 is
connected securely to the computer via USB, and go back
to the Sound System tab and click on Rescan. Then use
the drop-down menu to select the “Microphone” item
underneath “UMIK-1”.)
Recording channel
Select 1from the drop-down menu.
Microphone calibration file
Each UMIK-1 measurement microphone is individually calibrated to ensure accuracy. To
download the unique calibration file for your microphone, go to the UMIK-1 page and enter your
microphone's serial number. It is in the form xxx-yyyy and labelled on the microphone. Ensure
that you download both the regular calibration file and the “90-degree”calibration file. (The
latter is generated specifically for use with the nanoAVR DL.)
Then click on the Load file button and select your calibration file.
For home theater applications, it is best to use the 90-degree calibration file as this
is created specifically for the vertical microphone orientation. This file is
downloaded with the suffix “_90deg” in the file name.
Once you have verified that this tab is correct, click the Proceed button.