Re: Audio setup for HD A1
ANALOG 5.1 (6CH) Inputs! (I disconnected & quit using my SPDIF COAX Bitstream Input for ALL DVDs)
The
REFERENCE Audio Calibration GOAL: - hasn't changed since the start of DD/DTS-5.1 Home Theater Setups (1997-98).
1)
All-Speakers = 75 dBc
2)
Subwoofer = 78 to 85 dBc (
SPL LEVEL depends on your AV Rec/Amp, Subwoofer & room acoustics)
With my HT Setup in my 20' x 30' w/10'high vaulted ceiling HT/Family room, my REF Audio Calibration @ my 'sweet spot' using
Dolby Labs DD-EX w/dedicated LFE Test Tones DVD (verified w/DVE @
75 dBc & AVIA @ 85 dBc) ...
Yamaha Volume Control Display = -19.5 dB(My REF LEVEL w/FAST LFE SPL Peaks = 115 dBc / RS Meter DIAL = 110 / Weight = C / Speed = FAST)
1)
75 dBc - All Around (JBL S26s x6)
2)
77 dB AVG (highest needle swing = 78 dB / lowest = 76 dB / SVS 25-31PCi)
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I will use my Yamaha RX-V1300 as an example and you just modify your procedure based on your AV Receiver options.
Logistics details:
Yamaha RX-V1300 Options and Design:
1) I do not have any SPL Level Controls for the Front L&R Speakers
.... a) I just raise the Volume Knob until my Left CH =
75 dBc (w/Radio Shack SPL Meter: Dial = 70 / Weight = C = Speed = SLOW)
.... b) If there is any imbalanced SPLs between my Front L vs. Front R, I can use my Balance Control to equalize my SPLs.
.... c) Once all-channels are Calibrated, my ... REFERENCE Calibration Level = Volume Control Knob DISPLAY Number
2) My Yamaha 6CH INPUTS has memory for custom SPL equalization level controls vs. other INPUTS
.... a) So, it requires Audio REFERENCE Calibrating - Equalizing the Speakers SPLs to your designated "sweet spot"
3) My Yamaha has SPL Controls for:
.... a) Center
.... b) L&R Surround Speakers
.... c) Subwoofer
4) Yamaha Design: Fixed Crossover = 90 Hz
.... a) Do not mix Crossover's*, if you can turn-off the one on your Subwoofer, do that. If Not, dial it UP to it's highest setting.
.... b) Since my Yamaha has a fixed xover, I left the Toshiba HD-A1 Subwoofer Crossover = 120Hz
........ 1. Basically the HD-A1 highest xover setting - so it won't interfere with my Yamaha's fixed 90 Hz xover.
*
NOTE: HT Mag. proved two crossovers (Sub & AV Rec/Amp) set close to each other created a -10 dB hole/dip around the xover-frequency. If one of the xover's were removed / turned-off, the lower frequency blend to the mid's were within a more desirable ±3 dB.
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NOTE: Keep in mind that Your process might vary considerably (HT Equip., subwoofer, room acoustics, etc.) vs. My following process.
Here's my ...
Toshiba HD-A1 ANALOG 5.1 (6CH) Audio REFERENCE Calibration Process:(This assumes you've already connected the ANALOG 6 RCA cables to your AV Receiver/AMP)
1) I left the Yamaha 6CH SPKR SPL Level Controls = 0 (Default)
2)
I used the Toshiba HD-A1 Internal 5.1 (6CH) Test Tones
.... a)
The DD+ and TrueHD DAC's are built-in so I'll use their 5.1 (6CH) Test Tones
3) Press "SETUP" - Toshiba Remote
.... a) Slide down the bottom cover to access the small SETUP button
4) Scroll down to "MAINTENANCE"
5) Select "AUDIO"
6) Select "5.1"
7) Select SIZE, then change each SPEAKER = SMALL
8) Select DISTANCE and add those figures in feet
.... a) Measure from your "sweet spot" to each speaker
9) If you have a Subwoofer, Select SUBWOOFER = USE
.... a) If you don't have a Subwoofer, Select = Don't Use
10) Select "CROSSOVER SETTING" = 120 Hz
.... a) As noted above, I choose the highest crossover 120 Hz so it would not interfere with my Yamaha fixed 90 Hz xover.
11) Select "Next" Screen
----- RADIO SHACK SPL METER & TRIPOD -----
12) Install your Radio Shack SPL Meter on a Tripod
.... a) PLACE the Tripod/SPL Meter on your "sweet spot" (couch, chair, etc.)
.... b) POINT your SPL Meter towards your Center CH**
.... d) TILT / ANGLE UP your RS SPL Meter = approx. 50-degrees**
........ 1. Dolby Labs Mixer Manuals does not point the SPL Meter straight up but use approx. 50-degrees tilt angle
........ 2. The same 50-degree angle is use @ the Century/Cinema Theaters (SF Bay Area) when they Calibrate the Audio SPL
.... d) RAISE UP the SPL Meter microphone to = approx. your seated ear height
**
NOTE: DO NOT MOVE THE SPL METER FROM THIS POSITION DURING THE ENTIRE SPL CALIBRATION PROCESS
-----
13) Pick the most efficient speaker, in my case, it was my Center Channel Speaker and so I
lowered HD-A1 CENTER LEVEL = -12
.... a) JBL S26 (x6) Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) 87dB
.... b) JBL S-Center Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) 91dB
14) Select "Automatic Test Tones" (all SPL Speaker Level Adjustments performed using the HD-A1)
.... a) Adjust each Speaker =
75 dBc (RS SPL Meter Dial = 70 / Weight = C / Speed = SLOW)
........ 1. I select the CENTER SPL Test Tones & turn-up my Yamaha Volume Control until my CENTER CH =
75 dBc
........ 2. Then I select each SPKR Test Tones and adjust them as required =
75 dBc
........ 2. Leave the Subwoofer Level = 0 (doesn't go any higher)
15) After you're done, check the Subwoofer SPL - which should be
5 dB to 10 dBc higher vs.
speakers 75 dBc SPL
.... a) If it is, ... play one of your DD+ or TrueHD DVDs - YOU'RE DONE!!!
.... b) If you want a little more support, use your AV Receiver / AMP Subwoofer Level Control
16) If the Subwoofer SPL is
not 5 dB to 10 dB higher, since you cannot add to the SPL Level using the HD-A1, pick one of the following options:
.... a) Manually adjust your Subwoofer Volume Control UP***
or
.... b) Add Subwoofer volume from your AV Receiver / AMP Subwoofer Level Controls***
***
NOTE: Like your previous SD DVD Player REF Level Calibration session, "What you hear or feel - will be your FINAL Subwoofer SPL adjustment." In most cases, it will not be more than +10 dBc above your Speakers SPL Calibration.
17) Exit the HD-A1 SETUP menu when you are done. Time to play!
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My FINAL Toshiba HD-A1 REFERENCE Audio Calibration Results:YAMAHA 6CH VOL CNTRL DISPLAY: -36.5
1)
SPEAKERS SPL = 75 dB
2)
SUBWOOFER* = 82 to 83 dB SPL ( (Dial = 80dB - lowest to highest needle swing)TOSHIBA HD-A1 5.1 Speaker Settings:Front Left:...... -5
Center:.......... -12
Front Right:.... -5
L Surround:.... -4
R Surround:.... -4*Subwoofer:...... 0 (No adjustments required from my Yamaha)
- Afterwards, I ran my
Digital Video Essentials DVD 5.1 Test Tones and
verified my REFERENCE Audio Calibration SPLs.
After I dialed-up my Yamaha Volume Control =
75 dBc,
all settings were IDENTICAL,
except the L&R Surrounds, which I matched after I changed my Yamaha L&R Surround Levels = +1 (left the HD-A1 5.1 Speaker Settings alone - see above).
-----
Looks like the Toshiba HD-A1 INTERNAL 5.1 Test Tones are Pretty ACCURATE afterall - at least with my HD-A1 Unit!!!
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The proof of any REF Calibrations is to verify the results by playing one of my HD DVDs - right?
After I load up one of my HD DVDs, .... I dial up to my usual -10 dBc below REF Level SPLs, ... which contains approx
105-106 dBc Fast LFE SPL Peaks, which is just
loud enough to move the floor, couch, walls, chairs and pant-leg(s) 
@ all my seating areas!!! 
... but still be audible enough to hear the whispering dialog during the quiet moments during the blockbuster HD DVD movie.
With HD DVD's, my Volume Control Display ranges between -19.5 dB to -22.5 dB / depending on the HD DVD.
Volume Control Display DD+ (Dolby Digital Plus) Example:
1) Sahara = ....................approx. -21.5 dB
2) Ray = .........................approx. -19.5 dB
3) Serenity = ...................approx. -22.5 dB
4) Bourne Supremacy = ...approx. -21.0 dB
Volume Control Display TrueHD:
5) "The Phantom of the Opera" = approx. -9.5 dB.
Everything sounded crystal clear, especially the dialog tracks, w/balance 20Hz to 20kHz frequency resolution, very dynamic pant-leg-moving impacts when the LFE called for it, exceptional 360-degree seamless distinct pin-point surround effects pans all-around - just like the Mixing ENG. designed it, ... IT WAS JUST PLAIN GLORIOUS!!! 
The higher Volume required to reach my -10 dB below REF LEVEL standard for the
TrueHD track in "The Phantom of the OPera" was no problem. Any well-designed AV Receiver/Amp with >75 dB S/N Ratio, ... will not hear any 'HISSSSSsssss' during the quiet /silent moments of
any HD DVD Movie.
Phil
