Page 1
2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Introduction
4 Safety Information
4 Unpacking
5 Front Panel Controls
7 Front Panel Information Display
9 Rear Panel Connections
11 Remote Control Functions
14 Installation and Connections
14 System Installation
14 Audio Equipment Connections
14 Video Equipment Connections
15 Power Connections
16 System Configuration
16 Speaker Selection and Placement
17 System Setup
17 Speaker Setup
18 Output Level Adjustment
19 Delay Settings
20 Additional Input Adjustments
21 Operation
21 Basic Operation
21 Source Selection
21 Volume Control
22 Surround Mode Chart
23 Surround Mode Selection
23 Digital Audio Playback
23 Selecting a Digital Source
24 Digital Status Indicators
24 Night Mode
25 MP3 Audio Playback
25 Tuner Operation
26 Tape Recording
26 Output Level Trim Adjustment
26 Display Brightness
27 Programming the Remote
27 Direct Code Entry
27 Auto Search Method
27 Code Readout
28 Macro Programming
28 Programmed Device Functions
29 Punch-Through Programming
29 Volume Punch-Through
29 Channel Control Punch-Through
30 Transport Control Punch-Through
30 Reassigning Device Control
Selectors
30 Resetting the Remote Memory
31 Function List
33 Setup Code Tables
42 Troubleshooting Guide
42 Processor Reset
43 Technical Specifications
AVR 120 Audio/ Video Receiver
Typographical Conventions
In order to help you use this manual with the remote control, front panel controls and rear panel
connections, certain conventions have been used.
EXAMPLE -“ (bold type) indicates a specific remote control or front panel button, or rear panel
connection jack
EXAMPLE -“ (OCR type) indicates a message that is visible on the front panel information display
1 -“ (number in a square) indicates a specific front panel control
¡ -“ (number in a circle) indicates a rear panel connection
a -“ (number in an oval) indicates a button or indicator on the remote
A -“ (letter in a square) indicates an indicator in the front panel display
Page 2
3 INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon!
With the purchase of a Harman Kardon
AVR 120 you are about to begin many years of
listening enjoyment. The AVR 120 has been
custom-designed to provide all the excitement
and detail of movie soundtracks and every
nuance of musical selections. With onboard
Dolby* Digital and DTS
®decoding, the AVR 120
delivers six discrete channels of audio that take
advantage of the digital soundtracks from the
latest DVD and LD releases and Digital
Television broadcasts.
While complex digital systems are hard
at work within the AVR 120 to make all of this
happen, hookup and operation are simple.
Color-keyed connections and a programmable
remote control make the AVR 120 easy to use.
To obtain the maximum enjoyment from your
new receiver, we urge you to take a few min-
utes to read through this manual. This will
ensure that connections to speakers, source
playback units and other external devices are
made properly. In addition, a few minutes
spent learning the functions of the various con-
trols will enable you to take advantage of all
the power the AVR 120 is able to deliver.
If you have any questions about this product,
its installation or its operation, please contact
your retailer or custom installer. They are your
best local sources of information.
Description and Features
The AVR 120 is among the most versatile and
multifeatured A/V receivers available, incorpo-
rating a wide range of listening options. In
addition to Dolby Digital and DTS decoding for
digital sources, a broad choice of analog sur-
round modes are available for use with sources
such as CD, VCR, TV broadcasts and the
AVR 120s own FM/AM tuner. Along with the
latest Dolby Pro Logic* II decoding technology,
Dolby 3 Stereo and custom Hall and Theater
modes, only Harman Kardon receivers offer
Logic 7
®to create a wider, more enveloping
field environment and more defined fly-overs
and pans. Another Harman Kardon exclusive is
VMAx
®, which uses proprietary processing to
create an open, spacious sound field even
when only two front speakers are available.
Finally, the AVR 120 is among the very few A/V
receivers that offer decoding of MP3 data, so
that you may listen to the latest music selec-
tions directly from compatible computers or
playback devices with the power and fidelity
you expect from Harman Kardon.In addition to providing a wide range of listen-
ing options, the AVR 120 is easy to configure
so that it provides the best results with your
speakers and specific listening-room
environment.
For the ultimate in flexibility, the AVR 120 fea-
tures connections for five video devices, all with
both composite and S-Video inputs, including
the front panel inputs. Two additional audio
inputs are available, and a total of six digital
inputs make the AVR 120 capable of handling
all the latest digital audio sources. Coax and
optical digital outputs are also available for
direct connection to digital recorders. The
AVR 120s powerful amplifier uses traditional
Harman Kardon high-current design technolo-
gies to meet the wide dynamic range of any
program selection.
Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity
receiver more than forty-seven years ago. With
state-of-the-art circuitry and time-honored cir-
cuit designs, the AVR 120 is one of the finest
receivers ever offered by Harman Kardon.
Onboard Dolby Digital and DTS
Decoding Using Crystal ®Chip
Technology
Harman Kardons Exclusive Logic 7 and
VMAx Modes
Dolby Laboratories Latest Pro Logic II
Decoding Technology
MP3 Decoding for Use With Computers
and Digital Audio Players
Front Panel Digital Inputs for Easy
Connection to Portable Digital Devices
and the Latest Video Game Consoles
Multiple Digital Inputs and Outputs
Color-Coded Input, Output and
Speaker Terminals Comply With the
Latest CEA Standards for Easy
Installation
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: To prevent electric shock,
do not use this (polarized)
plug with an extension cord,
receptacle or other outlet
unless the blades can
be fully inserted to
prevent blade exposure.
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 products
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.