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6.1ch Home Theater System
HT-S870
AV Receiver (HT-R820THX)
6.1ch Speaker System (HTP-820)
Instruction Manual
Thank you for purchasing an Onkyo 6.1ch Home
Theater System. Please read this manual thoroughly
before making connections and plugging in the unit.
Following the instructions in this manual will enable
you to obtain optimum performance and listening
enjoyment from your new 6.1ch Home Theater Sys-
tem.
Please retain this manual for future reference.
Contents
Introduction ..................................... 2
Connection..................................... 18
Turning On & First Time Setup ..... 33
Basic Operation
Playing your AV components ....... 34
Using the Tuner ............................ 36
Enjoying the Listening Modes ..... 40
Advanced Operation ..................... 45
Troubleshooting ............................ 58
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2
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radia-
tors, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus
(including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two
blades with one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third grounding
prong. The wide blade or the third prong are pro-
vided for your safety. If the provided plug does not
fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience recepta-
cles, and the point where they exit from the appara-
tus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand,
tripod, bracket, or table spec-
ified by the manufacturer, or
sold
with
the
apparatus.
When a cart is used, use cau-
tion when moving the cart/
apparatus
combination
to
avoid injury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
15. Damage Requiring Service
Unplug the apparatus from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel under the
following conditions:
A. When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged,
B. If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen
into the apparatus,
C. If the apparatus has been exposed to rain or
water,
D. If the apparatus does not operate normally by
following the operating instructions. Adjust only
those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions as an improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often
require extensive work by a qualified technician
to restore the apparatus to its normal operation,
E. If the apparatus has been dropped or damaged in
any way, and
F. When the apparatus exhibits a distinct change in
performance this indicates a need for service.
16. Object and Liquid Entry
Never push objects of any kind into the apparatus
through openings as they may touch dangerous volt-
age points or short-out parts that could result in a
fire or electric shock.
The apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or
splashing and no objects filled with liquids, such as
vases shall be placed on the apparatus.
Don't put candles or other burning objects on top of
this unit.
17. Batteries
Always consider the environmental issues and fol-
low local regulations when disposing of batteries.
18. If you install the apparatus in a built-in installation,
such as a bookcase or rack, ensure that there is ade-
quate ventilation.
Leave 20 cm (8") of free space at the top and sides
and 10 cm (4") at the rear. The rear edge of the shelf
or board above the apparatus shall be set 10 cm (4")
away from the rear panel or wall, creating a flue-like
gap for warm air to escape.
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS
TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CAUTION:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO
USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING
TO
QUALIFIED
SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within
the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
WARNING
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE
NE PAS
OUVRIR
AVIS
PORTABLE CART WARNING
S3125A
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Precautions
1. Recording Copyright--Unless it's for personal use
only, recording copyrighted material is illegal with-
out the permission of the copyright holder.
2. AC Fuse--The AC fuse inside the HT-R820THX
and SKW-820 is not user-serviceable. If you cannot
turn on the HT-R820THX and SKW-820, contact
your Onkyo dealer.
3. Care--Occasionally you should dust the HT-S870
all over with a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, use a
soft cloth dampened with a weak solution of mild
detergent and water. Dry the HT-S870 immediately
afterwards with a clean cloth. Don't use abrasive
cloths, thinners, alcohol, or other chemical solvents,
because they may damage the finish or remove the
panel lettering.
4. Power
WARNING
BEFORE PLUGGING IN THE UNIT FOR THE
FIRST TIME, READ THE FOLLOWING SEC-
TION CAREFULLY.
AC outlet voltages vary from country to country.
Make sure that the voltage in your area meets the
voltage requirements printed on the HT-R820THX's
rear panel (e.g., AC 120 V, 60 Hz).
Setting the [STANDBY/ON] switch to STANDBY
does not fully shutdown the HT-R820THX. If you
do not intend to use the HT-R820THX for an
extended period, remove the power cord from the
AC outlet.
Memory backup
The HT-R820THX uses a battery-less memory backup
system in order to retain radio presets and other settings
when it's unplugged or in the case of a power failure.
Although no batteries are required, the HT-R820THX
must be plugged into an AC outlet in order to charge the
backup system.
Once it has been charged, the HT-R820THX will retain
the settings for several weeks, although this depends on
the environment and will be shorter in humid climates.
For U.S. models
Note to CATV system installer:
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system
installer's attention to Section 820-40 of the NEC which
provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in partic-
ular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected
to the grounding system of the building, as close to the
point of cable entry as practical.
FCC Information for User
CAUTION:
The user changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE:
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 against harmful interfer-
ence in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful inter-
ference 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 dif-
ferent from that to which the receiver is connected.
· Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV tech-
nician for help.
For Canadian Models
NOTE: THIS CLASS B DIGITAL APPARATUS
COMPLIES WITH CANADIAN ICES-003.
For models having a power cord with a polarized plug:
CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK,
MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT,
FULLY INSERT.
Modèle canadien
REMARQUE: CET APPAREIL NUMÉRIQUE DE
LA CLASSE B EST CONFORME À LA NORME
NMB-003 DU CANADA.
Sur les modèles dont la fiche est polarisée:
ATTENTION: POUR ÉVITER LES CHOCS ÉLEC-
TRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS
LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRE-
SPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER
JUSQU'AU FOND.
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Speaker Precautions
Placement
· The speaker cabinets are made out of wood and are
therefore sensitive to extreme temperatures and
humidity, do not put them in locations subject to direct
sunlight or in humid places, such as near an air condi-
tioner, humidifier, bathroom, or kitchen.
· Do not put water or other liquids close to the speakers.
If liquid is spilled over the speakers, the drive units
may be damaged.
· Speakers should only be placed on sturdy, flat surfaces
that are free from vibration. Putting them on uneven or
unstable surfaces, where they may fall and cause dam-
age, will affect the sound quality.
· Subwoofer is designed to be used in the upright verti-
cal position only. Do not use it in the horizontal or
tilted position.
· If the unit is used near a turntable or CD player, howl-
ing or slipping of sound may occur. To prevent this,
move the unit away from the turntable or CD player
otherwise lower the unit's output level.
Using Close to a TV or Computer
TVs and computer monitors are magnetically sensitive
devices and as such are likely to suffer discoloration or
picture distortion when conventional speakers are
placed nearby. To prevent this, the SKF-820F and SKC-
820C feature internal magnetic shielding. In some situa-
tions, however, discoloration may still be an issue, in
which case you should turn off your TV or monitor, wait
15 to 30 minutes, and then turn it back on again. This
normally activates the degaussing function, which neu-
tralizes the magnetic field, thereby removing any discol-
oration effects. If discoloration problems persist, try
moving the speakers away from your TV or monitor.
Note that discoloration can also be caused by a magnet
or demagnetizing tool that's too close to your TV or
monitor.
Do not place surround speakers close to TV or a com-
puter monitor because they have no magnetic shield.
Input Signal Warning
The speakers can handle the specified input power when
used for normal music reproduction. If any of the fol-
lowing signals are fed to them, even if the input power is
within the specified rating, excessive current may flow
in the speaker coils, causing burning or wire breakage:
1. Interstation noise from an untuned FM radio.
2. Sound from fast-forwarding a cassette tape.
3. High-pitched sounds generated by an oscillator,
electronic musical instrument, and so on.
4. Amplifier oscillation.
5. Special test tones from audio test CDs and so on.
6. Thumps and clicks caused by connecting or discon-
necting audio cables (Always turn off your amplifier
before connecting or disconnecting cables.)
7. Microphone feedback.
Features
Amp
· 6-channel amplifier
· 130 watts per channel min. RMS at 8
, 2 channels
driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than 0.08%
total harmonic distortion
· WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
· Optimum gain volume circuitry
· OptiResponseTM Equalizer (OR-EQTM)*1 function
Processing
· Dolby*2 Digital EX and Dolby Pro Logic IIx
· DTS, DTS-ES Matrix/Discrete, DTS Neo:6, and DTS
96/24 processing*3
· THX Surround EX*4
· THX Select certified
· Linear PCM 96 kHz/24-bit D/A converters on all
channels
Audio/Video
· HDTV-capable component video (2 inputs, 1 output)
·4 S-Video inputs, 2 outputs
·4 assignable digital inputs (3 optical, 1 coaxial)
· Subwoofer pre out
· Color-coded multichannel input for use with Super
Audio CD and DVD-Audio
· A/B speaker drive
· Color-coded speaker terminal posts
FM/AM Tuner
· 30 FM/AM presets
· FM/AM auto tuning
Remote Controller
· Preprogrammed for use with other AV components
Speaker
· Color coded speaker cable
· A-OMF cone (front and center speakers)
· Color coded and gold plating binding post terminals
*1. OptiResponse and OR-EQ are trademarks of Onkyo Cor-
poration.
*2. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
"Dolby", "Pro Logic", "Surround EX" and the double-D
symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
*3. "DTS," "DTS 96/24," "DTS-ES," and "Neo:6" are trade-
marks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
*4. "THX" is a trademark or registered trademark of THX Ltd.
"Surround EX" is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. Used
under authorization. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
Important Safety Instructions................2
Precautions .............................................3
Speaker Precautions ..............................4
Features...................................................4
Supplied Accessories ............................6
Before Using the HT-R820THX ..............7
Front & Rear Panels ...............................8
Speaker Package ..................................11
Remote Controller ................................12
Connecting Speakers...........................18
Connecting Antenna ............................20
Connecting the HT-R820THX...............22
Playing Your AV Components.............34
Using the Tuner ....................................36
Common Functions..............................38
Using the Listening Modes..................40
Recording..............................................45
Advanced Function ..............................46
Advanced Setup ...................................48
Controlling Other Components...........52
Specifications .......................................62
THX Select
Before any home theater component can be THX
Select certified, it must pass a rigorous series of qual-
ity and performance tests. Only then can a product
feature the THX Select logo, which is your guarantee
that the Home Theater products you purchase will
give you superb performance for many years to come.
THX Select requirements define hundreds of parame-
ters, including power amplifier performance, and pre-
amplifier performance and operation for both digital
and analog domains. THX Select receivers also fea-
ture proprietary THX technologies (e.g., THX Mode)
which accurately translate movie soundtracks for
home theater playback.
Introduction
Connection
Turning on & First Time Setup ............. 33
Basic Operation
Enjoying the listening Modes
Advanced Operation
Troubleshooting .................................... 58
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