Harman Kardon Firmware Upgrades for AVR 630 & AVR 430 A/V Receivers
- No-Charge Upgrade Adds Dolby* Pro Logic* IIx Processing and Additional Enhancements -
- Dolby Pro Logic IIx 7.1-channel surround sound processing,
- Switchable automatic digital input polling and other improvements,
Best of all it is available free of charge to AVR 630 and AVR 430 owners.
Tom McLoughlin, Harman Kardon president, commented: "At Harman Kardon, we are dedicated to providing our customers with products that deliver the very highest levels of performance and functionality . To this end, the AVR 630 and AVR 430, as well as other current Harman Kardon receivers, are equipped with a bi-directional RS-232 port that allows their DSP software and internal operating system firmware to be upgraded, to incorporate new technologies and capabilities as they become available. " Thanks to our AVR 630 and AVR 430 upgrade, owners of these models can now enjoy the improved sonic realism offered by Dolby Pro Logic IIx surround sound processing, along with additional benefits - and unlike other manufacturers who charge for such upgrades, we are offering this upgrade at no cost to our customers."
Expanded Capabilities and Improved Performance
A significant enhancement provided by the software/firmware upgrade is the addition of Dolby Pro Logic IIx surround sound processing, which delivers a natural, expansive, full-range 7.1-channel listening experience from stereo and 5.1-channel-encoded sources. Using a highly sophisticated, proprietary DSP algorithm, Dolby Pro Logic IIx produces heightened surround sound realism, with a greater sense of spatial depth and improved directionality of individual sound sources. It is also compatible with 6.1-channel playback configurations.
The upgrade includes;
- Complete parameter adjustment capability
- Selection of Movie, Music or Game listening modes and enabling precise tailoring of the multichannel sound field.
- Adds switchable automatic digital input polling capability for the receivers' digital audio inputs.
This feature detects whether an audio-signal program source (such as a cable set-top box) is digital or analog and automatically configures the receiver to provide the required audio output. The highly useful function eliminates the necessity of having to manually switch a receiver's input from digital to analog when changing from digital to analog channels using a set-top box with both types of audio outputs. If desired, it may be switched off when the listener wishes to select only one type of audio input.
In addition to adding these valuable new features, the upgrade provides a number of secondary updates to enhance system functionality, such as improved surround mode acquisition time whenever a different surround sound program source or listening mode is selected, or when resuming playback after a DVD disc is paused.
The software/firmware upgrade for the AVR 630 and AVR 430 can be downloaded directly from the
Harman Kardon Web site, www.harmankardon.com , or ordered from the site for delivery on a CD-ROM. In either case, a standard male-to-female serial cable (not supplied) is required to connect the computer to the receiver's RS-232 port and install the upgrade. The software may be configured for use with PC-compatible computers with the Microsoft ® Windows ® 98SE operating system or higher; system requirements are listed on the Download Software Page on the Web site.
The Web site and CD-ROM both include files that contain detailed step-by-step instructions to guide the user through the installation process. The upgrade package also includes a "virtual operating console," which is displayed on the computer screen and loads the new software into the receiver. The operating console also enables the user to operate their receiver from a compatible Windows-based computer, via the RS-232 connection. Additional materials supplied include a worksheet for copying current receiver settings before installing the upgrade, and a copy of the new Owner's Manual (incorporating the updated features) in PDF format.
Harman Kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
*Trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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