TAG MCLAREN AUDIO AV32R User manual

contents |1
4controls
6welcome
7safety first / when you need additional assistance
8preparing your remote control - installing batteries
9connectivity
analog audio inputs ................................................9
5.1 analog bypass..................................................9
digital audio inputs..................................................9
TAGtronic Sync Link...............................................10
AC-3 RF Laserdisc interface ....................................10
composite video inputs...........................................11
S-video inputs .......................................................11
audio outputs main zone........................................12
audio outputs zone 2.............................................12
speaker positioning ...............................................13
analog and digital tape outputs ..............................14
TAGtronic Bus routing ............................................15
DAB digital radio antenna......................................15
action switches......................................................16
external infrared receiver connections......................17
composite video outputs .........................................18
S-video outputs......................................................18
19 on screen display
19 video standard & signal conversion
20 basic system set-up: an example
21 switching on / standby
22 controlling remotely
22 front panel display in operation
23 status screen: all essential user settings at a glance
24 source selection
25 volume control - main & zone 2
changing volume...................................................25
changing between main and zone 2 .......................25
start volume ..........................................................25
maximum volume ..................................................25

2|contents
26 mute and partial mute (attenuation)
27 balance (front/rear, left/right)
28 surround modes & initial modes
29 THX post processing
31 THX Cinema, THX Ultra2 and THX Music
32 THX Surround EX
33 surround modes
mono, direct, bypass, HDCD ..................................33
stereo, Pro Logic, Pro Logic II ..................................34
DTS Neo:6, TAG McLaren Surround, party...............35
Dolby Digital, MPEG-2, DTS, DTS ES 6.1 .................36
DTS 96 / 24, Multi-channel....................................37
38 height channel
39 audio channel indicator: audio status
39 tuning the LFE or subwoofer level
40 cursor assigmenment
balance ...............................................................40
Pro Logic II Music ..................................................40
AV32R DAB digital radio tuning..............................40
T32R tuning via TAGtronic Bus................................40
quick settings .......................................................41
42 The AV32R set-up menu : introduction
44 first time set-up wizard
45 Change Set-up
night mode...........................................................45
front panel configuration ........................................46
front panel brightness ............................................47
on-screen configuration ..........................................48
radiotext display ...................................................48
video inputs configuration ......................................49
analog audio inputs configuration ...........................50
digital audio input configuration .............................52
TAGtronic Sync Link configuration ...........................53
When to Use Height Speaker..................................54
5.1 analog bypass configuration/trim .....................55
source input key assignments on remote...................56
loudspeaker definition and calibration .....................57
mode dependent speaker trims ...............................59
distance between back speakers .............................59

contents |3
subwoofer types....................................................60
LFE cut-off frequency ..............................................60
THX boundary gain compensation...........................60
bass redirection rules.............................................61
speaker calibration................................................62
alternative listening position....................................62
5.1 replay through 7.1 loudspeakers.......................63
64 TMREQ TAG McLaren Room EQ -
for details see separate TMREQ manual
main zone / zone 2 configuration...........................65
Dolby Headphone .................................................65
Dolby Pro Logic IIx configuration .............................66
NTSC/ PAL latency offset .......................................67
OSD on composite and S-video...............................67
PSM192: connections and settings ..........................68
DAB digital radio ..................................................71
action switches......................................................74
75 TAGtronic Bus
in and out of standby.............................................75
sending remote commands via AV32R .....................76
controlling (multiple) amplifiers................................77
corresponding with DVD32/DVD192 & T32R............78
81 hardware and software upgrades
how to enable a new software option ......................82
83 programming the remote
87 upgrading the AV32R’s software
89 running in, warming up, cleaning and service
90 acknowledgements

controls |54 |controls
1 power / standby indicator
2 input selection buttons
3 mode / standby buttons
4 function buttons
5 display
6 volume knob
7 remote command receiver window
8 power button
9 special status indicators
10 remote command acknowledge indicator
11 fuse carrier
12 (1)action switches
13 (1)external remote in/out
14 DAB Digital Radio antenna - option
15 composite video in/out sockets
16 (1)back channel output sockets
17 digital output socket(s)
18 analog output sockets (5.1)
19 5.1 analog bypass
20 ac supply socket
21 TAGtronic Communications Bus
22 S-Video in/out sockets
23 digital input sockets
24 TAGtronic Synchronisation Link T2L
25 digital output 2 - optional AC-3 RF
input for Laserdiscs
26 tape monitor
27 analog input sockets, incl. tape input
1. only a vailable if your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ is equipped
with the ‘7.1’ option
Sp ecif ication shown may var y for different count ries

TAG McLaren Audio exists with one aim in mind: to
produce the very best audio and audio-visual equipment
in the world.
Like many people, I often have my best ideas when
relaxing to a piece of music or watching a movie. For
years, knowing the technical capabilities of TAG
McLaren, I have nurtured the ambition to push music
reproduction to the absolute limit; that’s why we formed
TAG McLaren Audio.
At the core of our development team are highly
experienced engineers whose heritage of award-winning
hi-fi and world-beating electronic control systems is
envied by many and equalled by few.
There are many immediate spin-offs into audio from our
expertise in automotive electronics, mechanical
engineering and the material science of Formula One
motor racing: multi-layer printed circuits, fast digital
signal processing, electronic noise suppression, radio
frequency technology and software expertise to name but
a few - all prerequisites of an outstanding audio product.
TAG McLaren Audio’s aim is perfection combined with
aesthetic delight and solid build quality – a rare
combination in hi-fi.
Enjoy ...
Dr. Udo Zucker
6|welcome
Dr. Udo Zucker
Chief Executive Officer
TAG McLaren Audio
welcome to
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:00 PM Page 6

before you start
Make sure that all components of your audio-visual system are disconnected from the AC supply
whenever you change any connections. The power button is a latching switch. One press will
hold it in; the next will release it. Check that the power button is out so that power is off.
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ is designed to run warm during normal operation. Please
ensure that there is adequate ventilation above and below the unit.
Do not place anything on top of your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’!
Do not place your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ on top of any electronic product (or hot
surface), it will warm both products because of restricted ventilation.
We recommend that you do not place your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ near any heat
sources such as radiators or in direct sunlight.
Do not expose your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ to dripping or splashing liquids. Do not
place objects filled with liquid, such as vases, on or near it.
Do not connect the AC cable, supplied, until you have completed all connections.
safety first / when you need additional assistance |7
To maximize the performance from your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’, it is essential to configure it
correctly. This will ensure it performs its role at the heart of your home cinema system to its
optimum. Without this set-up you will significantly
reduce your system’s potential.
In case you need any support, remember:
• refer to the on screen help, available from
the on screen display
• ask your TAG McLaren Audio retailer for
assistance
• contact our [email protected]
by email, using either the English or
German language
• refer to the Discussion Forum at
www.tagmclaren.com to share your
specific issue with others
when you need additional assistance
1. Throughout the manual, bold print indicates the lettering that you will find on the panels of your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ or the remote.
safety first
For on-line help select the ?using the
cursor keys, followed by ok(1).
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:00 PM Page 7

8|preparing the remote control
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ is supplied with a ‘learning’ remote.
This is supplied pre-programmed for TAG McLaren Audio home
cinema products, but may easily be re-programmed to control
other devices using an infra-red remote within your home audio
and audio-visual system. The remote uses four AAA 1.5 V
batteries. These are supplied with the AV32R ‘Dual Processor’.
To open the battery compartment, push the latch forward towards
the top of the remote, and lift the latch up. Make sure that
batteries are inserted in the correct orientation, with the + and –
markings on the batteries match those in the battery
compartment(1).
To close the battery cover, slide it straight back in (towards the top
of the remote) and push down until it clicks into place.
1. Make sure you do not press any keys on the remote during battery changing, as you will lose any user- programmed functions. For more
information about programming the remote, please refer to page 87 ‘programming the remote’.
installing batteries
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:10 PM Page 8

connectivity: audio sources |9
Please have a look at the rear panel of your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ and you will see
many potential connections can be made to your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’. Fortunately
these connections can be separated in logical groups which are described in the
following paragraphs:
audio inputs
You can connect analog (stereo and 5.1) and digital audio signals.
stereo analog inputs
Your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ has six, electrically identical
analog inputs at the rear, labelled for convenience TV, VCR,
SAT, TUNER, AUX, TAPE.
5.1 bypass
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ offers a 5.1 BYPASS, which is
also configurable as three stereo inputs. The 5.1 BYPASS is
a true 5.1 analog bypass with analog volume control,
allowing the direct connection of DVD Audio or multi-
channel SACD players.
ANALOG INPUT
TAPE AUX TUNER SAT VCR TV
L
RR
L
5.1
BYPASS
SR SL SUB C R L
DVD CD
DAB MD SYNC LD
DIGITAL INPUT
Signals connected to the 5.1 Bypass
will not be digitised, therefore no
processing beside analog volume
control will be possible.
All analog inputs use phono sockets and should be connected using
good-quality, screened, analog audio cable, such as our Cable
AvantGarde analog interconnect.
SPDIF digital audio inputs
Your AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ has five digital audio inputs using the
SPDIF interface standard. They are labelled for convenience DVD,
CD, LD, MD and DAB.
The inputs labelled DVD, CD, and LD use phono sockets and should
be connected using a digital cable. The inputs DAB and MD use
optical TOSLINK connectors.
Cable AvantGarde offers good-quality, screened, coaxial digital
interconnects with phono and BNC connectors or a combination of both.
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:00 PM Page 9

10 |connectivity: TAGtronic Sync Link / AC-3 RF Laserdisc
The stability of the timing of digital data has a dramatic effect on
sound quality. When designing digital to analog converters, it is
vital to have a stable digital clock as close to the converter
electronics as possible. The best place for an ultra-low-jitter clock is
within the audio-visual processor itself, but it is conventionally
located in the source from which the digital data is sent.
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ incorporates sophisticated electronics
which enable it to ‘drive’ the source clock of products equipped with
this technology to provide the correct data rate to the converters. By
a process called ‘re-clocking’, the jitter in the digital audio data is
dramatically reduced.
To enable this feature, the TAGtronic Sync Link SYNC connector must
be connected to the appropriate SYNC connector of the digital
audio source using a high-quality analog interconnect.
The sync output software must also be enabled using the on-screen
set-up menu system, for details see page 53.
If you want to play NTSC Laserdiscs encoded in Dolby Digital, you
will need the optional AC-3 RF interface. This interface converts the
Radio Frequency (RF)-encoded information stored on the Laserdisc
into an SPDIF-compatible Dolby Digital bitstream, allowing the
AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ then to decode this data in the same way
as if the signal had come from a DVD encoded with Dolby Digital.
If the AC-3 RF Laserdic interface option is installed, it uses the phono
connector COAXIAL OUTPUT(1) as the 2 (AC-3 RF) input.
1. When the interface is not fitted, this socket is available as a second coaxial COAX OUT 2/RF
SYNC
1
COAXIAL
OUTPUT
2
(AC-3 RF)
TAGtronic Sync Link(1)
AC-3 RF Laserdisc interface
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:00 PM Page 10

connectivity: video sources |11
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ can process analog Composite video and S-video signals.
Composite video
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ has four 75 Ohm Composite video inputs at
the rear, labelled for convenience TV-C, VCR-C, LD-C and SAT-C.
All inputs, except SAT-C are electrically identical - SAT-C has been modified
to accept video signals with high DC offset, a signal degradation found in
some satellite receivers.
S-video
The AV32R ‘Dual Processor’ has four 75 Ohm Mini-DIN S-video inputs at
the rear, labelled for convenience VCR-S, DVD-S, LD-S and SAT-S.
All inputs, except SAT-S are electrically identical - SAT-S has been modified
to accept video signals with high DC offset, a signal degradation found in
some satellite receivers.
video inputs
COMPOSITE
VCR-COUT TV-C
LD-C+ OSD SAT-C
SAT-SLD-S
DVD-SVCR-S
D BOX-S TV-S
S-VIDEO
OUT
OUT +OSD
GRP00989.02-UK AV32R Dual.qxd 10/22/03 4:00 PM Page 11