Parasound Halo C1 Controller User Manual
The Parasound C 1 Controller is a complete home theater control center. With it, you can feed signals
from any of four analog and digital audio and six audio/video components to your surround sound and
video system, simultaneously feeding video and stereo audio (even from a different source) to rooms
in a second entertainment zone, and integrate the C 1 into multi-room home-control systems. You can
adjust volume, bass, and treble separately for each zone. In the main zone, you can use any of 15 sound
patterns, commonly referred to as modes, from 7.1-channel surround (Dolby Digital EX or dts ES) to
mono; in the remote zone, only modes that work with two-channel signals are available.
from any of four analog and digital audio and six audio/video components to your surround sound and
video system, simultaneously feeding video and stereo audio (even from a different source) to rooms
in a second entertainment zone, and integrate the C 1 into multi-room home-control systems. You can
adjust volume, bass, and treble separately for each zone. In the main zone, you can use any of 15 sound
patterns, commonly referred to as modes, from 7.1-channel surround (Dolby Digital EX or dts ES) to
mono; in the remote zone, only modes that work with two-channel signals are available.
The 7.1-channel analog input allows full surround operation with surround-sound sources having no digital
surround output, such as multichannel DVD-Audio or SACD players, which have only analog multichannel
outputs, and any future formats with up to eight channels. The output section already has 7.5 channels,
including two additional dedicated bass channels and two channels which can be programmed for even
more bass functions or a variety of other uses.
surround output, such as multichannel DVD-Audio or SACD players, which have only analog multichannel
outputs, and any future formats with up to eight channels. The output section already has 7.5 channels,
including two additional dedicated bass channels and two channels which can be programmed for even
more bass functions or a variety of other uses.
A full-color, 5" video screen can display the current video program and operating status for either the local or
remote zone. It also speeds and simplifies setting up the C 1 by showing you complete control-menu pages.
The front panel screen on the C 1 is particularly convenient for setup if your primary video screen is connect-
ed via component video jacks, since component video doesn’t carry on-screen display information. Like the
TFT screen on a notebook computer, the C 1 screen should be viewed from directly in front. Its picture qual-
ity is degraded when viewed from more than 15° to either side or more than 30° above or 10° below.
remote zone. It also speeds and simplifies setting up the C 1 by showing you complete control-menu pages.
The front panel screen on the C 1 is particularly convenient for setup if your primary video screen is connect-
ed via component video jacks, since component video doesn’t carry on-screen display information. Like the
TFT screen on a notebook computer, the C 1 screen should be viewed from directly in front. Its picture qual-
ity is degraded when viewed from more than 15° to either side or more than 30° above or 10° below.
An RS-232 serial interface allows the C 1 Controller’s settings to be stored on and modified by a PC; it also
allows the software built into the C 1 to be updated as need be. The digital surround processor engine can
also be upgraded. And an expansion port allows for technologies that haven’t even been invented yet.
allows the software built into the C 1 to be updated as need be. The digital surround processor engine can
also be upgraded. And an expansion port allows for technologies that haven’t even been invented yet.
Any product this versatile is complex (which is why this manual is so thick), but we’ve made operation
as simple as we can. As you learn more about the C 1, you’ll be able to optimize its performance for
your system and your tastes.
as simple as we can. As you learn more about the C 1, you’ll be able to optimize its performance for
your system and your tastes.
You’ll find complete directions further on, but here’s all you need to get started:
Making Connections – A Preview
If you’re installing the C 1 yourself, the following should be helpful; if it’s already been installed for you,
you may prefer to skip straight to the chapters on “Using the Main Controls” and “Using the Master
and SideKick Remotes,” later in this manual.
you may prefer to skip straight to the chapters on “Using the Main Controls” and “Using the Master
and SideKick Remotes,” later in this manual.
When you connect the C 1’s audio and audio-video inputs and outputs to the rest of your system
(including your second entertainment zone, if you have one), you’ll find it easier if you start with the
unbalanced analog audio jacks, which are on the bottom row, then work your way up the panel from
there. It’s a good idea to write down which component each jack is connected to, so you can program
the C 1 to display each source’s name (see “Adjustments, Menus, and Setup” on page 32) rather than
just “Audio 1,” “Video 3,” and so on.
(including your second entertainment zone, if you have one), you’ll find it easier if you start with the
unbalanced analog audio jacks, which are on the bottom row, then work your way up the panel from
there. It’s a good idea to write down which component each jack is connected to, so you can program
the C 1 to display each source’s name (see “Adjustments, Menus, and Setup” on page 32) rather than
just “Audio 1,” “Video 3,” and so on.
Left
Right
Center
Subwoofer
Left Surround
Right Surround
Left Back
Right Back
Pro 1
Balanced Analog Audio Outputs
Balanced Analog Audio Inputs
Left
Right
C2 Controller
Parasound Products, Inc.
San Francisco, California, USA
Input 1
Input 2
Input 3
Output
Component Video Inputs and Outputs
Sync
Red
Green
Blue
H
V
Pr
Y
Pb
Composite Video Inputs
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
Video Outputs
Record
OSD
Zone
NoOSD
Main
S-Video Inputs
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
S-Video Outputs
Record
OSD
No OSD
Main
Digital Out
Coax
Digital Audio Inputs
Optical
Optical 2
Optical 1
Optical 4
Optical 3
Coax 1
Coax 2
Coax 3
Coax 4
Made In
Finland
Expansion Port For
Future Technologies
Main
Zone
IR Inputs
– 12V Triggers –
P1
P2
On-Off
RS-232 Control
RS-232 Control
External Control
L
R
L
R
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
Audio 1
Audio 2
Audio 3
Audio 4
Audio 5
Analog Audio Inputs
Tape Monitor
Record 1 Record 2
Zone
Analog Audio Outputs
Play/In
Rec/Out
Programmable Out
Pro 3
Pro 1
Pro 4
Pro 2
Main Analog Audio Outputs
Sub
Front
Surround
Center
Back
7.1 Analog Audio Inputs
Front
Surround
Center
Sub
Back
1
0
AC Power
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE,
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Balanced Analog Audio
Inputs & Outputs
Unbalanced Analog
Audio Inputs
Composite
Video Outputs
& Inputs
Tape
Monitor
Input &
Outputs
Component Video
Inputs & Outputs
Zone &
Record
Outputs
7.1 Channel
Analog Inputs
Main Analog
Outputs
Programmable
Outputs
S-Video
Inputs & Outputs
Digital Audio
Outputs & Inputs
Control
Jacks
AC Cord
Inlet
AC Power
Switch
GETTING STARTED
5