RCA RT2910 (01) PDF Document

The RCA RT2910 has two main safety symbols:

• 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 product.

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 RCA RT2910 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 interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference 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 different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Please adhere to the following safety instructions for your RCA RT2910:

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 radiators, 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 is provided 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 receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution 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.

WARNING: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the RCA RT2910 to rain or moisture. 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.

CAUTION: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.

The ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, table-cloths, curtains, etc. No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the apparatus.

You should not attempt to service the RCA RT2910 yourself. This apparatus is not user serviceable. Opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards and will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

For headphone safety with your RCA RT2910:

• Do not play your headset at a high volume. Hearing experts advise against continuous extended play.

• If you experience a ringing in your ears, reduce volume or discontinue use.

• Do not use while operating a motorized vehicle; the use of headphones while driving may create a traffic hazard and is illegal in many areas.

• You should use extreme caution or temporarily discontinue use in potentially hazardous situations.

• Even if your headset is an open-air type designed to let you hear outside sounds, don’t turn up the volume so high that you can’t hear what’s around you.

• Sound can be deceiving. Over time your hearing ‘comfort level’ adapts to higher volumes of sound. So what sounds ‘normal’ can actually be loud and harmful to your hearing. Guard against this by setting your equipment at a safe level BEFORE your hearing adapts. Excessive sound pressure from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss.

The following items are included with your RCA RT2910:

• One main unit

• Two front speakers with speaker cables

• Two rear speakers with speaker cables

• One center speaker with speaker cable

• One subwoofer

• One remote control

• Two batteries for remote

• One pair of audio cables for analog connections

• One optical digital audio cable for digital connections

• One AM loop antenna and one FM wire antenna

To connect the speakers to your RCA RT2910, follow these steps:

1. The RCA RT2910 is equipped with color-coded speaker jacks for easy connection. Match the colored wires to the jacks of the same color.

2. Each speaker wire has two strands. One is plain and the other has a black or grey line to indicate polarity.

3. Connect the wire with the line to the corresponding colored jack (positive) and the plain wire to the black jack (negative).

4. Make the connections by pressing down the tab of the speaker terminal on the back of the main unit, inserting the bare end of the wire, and then releasing the tab.

5. Ensure that the wires are securely connected and that no stray strands are touching other terminals.

6. Correct speaker connections are as follows:

• Center: Green wire to green jack, plain wire to black jack.

• Front Left: White wire to white jack, plain wire to black jack.

• Front Right: Red wire to red jack, plain wire to black jack.

• Rear Left: Blue wire to blue jack, plain wire to black jack.

• Rear Right: Grey wire to grey jack, plain wire to black jack.

• Subwoofer: Purple wire to purple jack, plain wire to black jack.

Important: If the cords are reversed, the sound will be distorted. Do not let the speaker wires touch each other, as it will damage the unit.

To connect the antennas to your RCA RT2910 for radio reception, follow these steps:

1. Unpack the AM loop antenna and the FM wire antenna.

2. For AM reception, insert the two wires of the AM loop antenna into the AM antenna jacks on the back of the unit. Position the antenna for the best reception.

3. For FM reception, connect the FM wire antenna to the FM antenna jack. Extend the antenna to its full length. You may need to move the antenna in different directions to get the best reception.

To set up your RCA RT2910, please follow this sequence:

1. First, connect all your speakers and external audio components to the unit.

2. Do not connect the AC power cord until all other connections are made.

3. Do not place anything on top of the unit.

4. To avoid overheating, do not block the ventilation openings. The unit may become warm during use; this is normal. Always provide adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

The RCA RT2910 is designed to accept Dolby Digital Surround or PCM (Stereo) signals.

Digital Connections:

Your unit provides one optical and one coaxial digital input jack for the connection of your components that provide a digital audio output.

1. Using an optical digital cable (one is included), connect one end to the optical digital audio output of your component (e.g., TV, Satellite/Cable box, DVD/Blu-ray player) and the other end to the OPTICAL IN jack on the back of the RCA RT2910.

2. Using a coaxial digital cable (not included), connect one end to the coaxial digital audio output of your component and the other end to the COAXIAL IN jack on the back of the RCA RT2910.

Analog Connections:

The RCA RT2910 also provides analog inputs. Use standard RCA audio cables to connect the audio outputs of your TV or other analog devices to the TV, AUX1, or AUX2 jacks on the back of the unit.

When connecting digital audio sources to your RCA RT2910, please note the following:

• In digital input mode (COAXIAL or OPTICAL), this unit can play back Dolby Digital, PCM (up to 96kHz), and Dolby Pro Logic formats.

• If you connect players, satellite receivers or televisions based on DTS (Digital Theater System), no sound will be output because this system is not compatible with DTS formatted digital signals.

• Connections to a PC may not work properly due to the variations of PC configurations.

Proper speaker placement is crucial for the best surround sound experience with your RCA RT2910.

Front Speaker Placement:

For best results, the speaker placement diagram should be followed. Place the left and right front speakers at an equal distance from the TV and at an angle of about 45 degrees from the listening position. These speakers carry mainly music and sound effects.

Center Speaker Placement:

The center speaker should be placed directly above or below the TV. It is important for movie dialogue and music vocals. Its height should be as close as possible to the front speakers.

Surround (Rear) Speaker Placement:

Place the surround speakers on either side of the listening area, not behind it. Ideally, they should be at a height of 2 to 3 feet above the listener’s ears. If you cannot place them at this height, try to locate them as shown in the diagram. These speakers reproduce the “surround” sounds.

Subwoofer Placement:

The subwoofer can be placed on the floor in any location. The sound is non-directional, so placement is not critical. Placing it in a corner will provide the greatest bass output.

Magnetic Shielding:

All speakers are magnetically shielded. You can place them close to your TV set without affecting its color.

If you cannot place surround speakers at the side of the listening position, place them just behind the listening position, but not too far apart. They should be angled in towards the center of the room, as illustrated in the provided diagrams. You may need to experiment with placement to find the optimal location. For best surround sound, the surround speakers can give stereo effects to approximate side-mounting, or they can be switched to MONO to provide a more diffuse rear-channel effect.

The front panel of the RCA RT2910 has the following controls:

1. ON/STANDBY button: Turns the unit on or into standby mode.

2. TUN/PRESET button: Toggles between tuner manual tuning and preset channel mode.

3. LINE IN: 3.5mm jack for connecting audio devices like MP3 players.

4. BAND button: Selects between AM and FM radio bands.

5. – (DOWN)/ + (UP) button: In tuner mode, decreases/increases the radio frequency. In other modes, adjusts volume.

6. SELECT button: Enters setup menu and navigates through options.

7. – (VOLUME) + button: Adjusts the master volume.

8. SOURCE button: Selects the audio source (TV, AUX1, AUX2, COAXIAL, OPTICAL, FM, AM, LINE IN, GAME).

9. SURR button: Selects surround sound modes (DOLBY PROLOGIC, STEREO, etc.).

10. MUTE button: Mutes and restores the sound.

The remote control for the RCA RT2910 has the following functions:

1. ON•OFF: Turns the unit on or into standby mode.

2. SLEEP: Activates the sleep timer.

3. NIGHT: Selects night listening mode.

4. SETUP: Enters or exits the SETUP menu.

5. SURR (Surround): Selects various surround sound effects.

6. MUTE: Mutes and restores sound.

7. +/- VOLUME: Increases or decreases volume.

8. LEVEL: Used to select and adjust speaker level settings.

9. SUBWOOFER: Used to select and adjust the subwoofer level.

10. MEM: Saves a radio station in AM/FM mode.

11. TUNER: Selects tuner mode and AM/FM band.

12. Number Pad (0-9): Used to select preset stations.

13. SOURCE: Selects between different audio sources.

14. MODE: Selects among preset equalizer settings (FLAT, JAZZ, CLASSIC, ROCK, BASS, and TREBLE).

15. ENTER: Confirms a selection.

16. PRESET/CH +/-: Selects preset radio stations.

17. UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT Arrows: Used for navigating menus and adjusting settings.

18. TUNE +/-: Tunes up or down the radio frequency.

19. EDIT: Used to name preset stations in AM/FM mode.

20. GAME: Activates game mode.

To select an audio source on the RCA RT2910, press the SOURCE button on the front panel or remote control repeatedly. The display will cycle through the available sources in the following order: TV > AUX1 > AUX2 > COAXIAL > OPTICAL > FM > AM > LINE IN > GAME.

To connect and listen to a Blu-ray player using your RCA RT2910, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Blu-ray player’s audio output to one of the available inputs on the RCA RT2910 (e.g., OPTICAL IN or COAXIAL IN for digital sound, or AUX1/AUX2 for analog sound).

2. Press ON•OFF on the remote control to switch the unit on.

3. Press the SOURCE button to select the input you used (e.g., OPTICAL, COAXIAL, AUX1).

4. Press the SURR button to choose a surround mode. The mode will depend on the source material. For example, if your Blu-ray is in Dolby Digital, select a Dolby surround mode.

To connect and listen to your TV’s audio through the RCA RT2910, follow these steps:

1. Connect your TV’s audio output to the TV input on the back of the RCA RT2910 using an analog RCA cable.

2. Press ON•OFF on the remote control to switch the unit on.

3. Press the SOURCE button to select TV.

4. Press the SURR button to choose a surround mode. The display will show available modes like STEREO or DOLBY PLII MOVIE. Choose the desired mode. If the last mode you used was DOLBY PLII MUSIC, the unit will turn on in that mode.

To operate the radio tuner on your RCA RT2910:

1. Press the TUNER button on the remote or the BAND button on the front panel to enter tuner mode and select the AM or FM band.

Manual Tuning:

Press the TUNE + or TUNE – button on the remote control repeatedly to manually tune to the desired frequency.

Auto Tuning (Seek):

Press and hold the TUNE + or TUNE – button on the remote control. The unit will automatically search for and stop at the next available station with a strong signal.

Using Preset Stations:

You can store up to 30 FM stations and 30 AM stations. After storing presets:

1. Press the PRESET/CH + or – button to select a stored station.

2. Alternatively, use the number pad on the remote to directly select a preset channel.

To Store a Preset Station:

1. Tune to the station you want to save.

2. Press the MEM button on the remote. The preset channel number will blink on the display.

3. Use the number pad to select the preset location (1-30) where you want to store the station.

4. Press the MEM button again to confirm. The station is now saved.

To use the GAME mode on your RCA RT2910:

1. Connect your game console’s audio output to one of the three front game inputs (GAME L/R and VIDEO IN).

2. Press the SOURCE button on the remote or front panel repeatedly until “GAME” is shown on the display.

3. The sound from your game console will now play through the system’s speakers.

The sleep timer allows you to set a time after which the RCA RT2910 will automatically turn off.

1. Press the SLEEP button on the remote control.

2. The display will show the current sleep time setting. Each press of the SLEEP button cycles through the options: SLEEP 90 > 80 > 70 > 60 > 50 > 40 > 30 > 20 > 10 > OFF.

3. To cancel the sleep timer, press the SLEEP button repeatedly until “SLEEP OFF” is displayed, or turn the unit off and on again.

The RCA RT2910 features several advanced sound systems:

• Dolby Digital: This system provides up to 5.1 channels of discrete digital audio, offering realistic sound for movies encoded in Dolby Digital. It uses separate channels for Left, Center, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround, and a dedicated Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) channel for the subwoofer.

• Dolby Pro Logic II: This technology creates a 5.1-channel surround sound field from 2-channel stereo sources like CDs, tapes, stereo TV, and videos. It offers modes like MOVIE for film soundtracks, MUSIC for stereo recordings, and GAME for video games.

• DSP (Digital Sound Processor): The DSP system allows you to adjust the sound to simulate different environments. You can choose from various preset sound fields like CONCERT, CHURCH, STADIUM, and more to match your listening material.

To access the fine settings on your RCA RT2910:

1. Press the SETUP button on the remote control. The setup menu will appear on the display.

2. Use the LEFT and RIGHT arrow buttons to navigate through the main setting categories: MODE, INPUT, SPEAKER, DISTANCE, and LEVEL.

3. Once a category is selected, use the UP and DOWN arrow buttons to change the specific setting within that category.

4. Press SETUP again to exit the menu.

For maximum bass output from the subwoofer, ensure the speaker setup menu shows “SUBW: YES”.

The MODE setting on the RCA RT2910 allows you to choose from different sound modes. The default is different for various sources. For analog inputs, the default is STEREO, while for digital inputs, it is AUTO. The AUTO mode automatically selects the best surround sound setting based on the incoming signal.

The RCA RT2910 has three analog and two digital audio inputs. You can assign the digital inputs (COAXIAL or OPTICAL) to any of the analog sources (TV, AUX1, or AUX2). This is useful if, for example, your TV is connected to the TV analog input and also to the OPTICAL digital input.

To configure inputs:

1. Press SETUP on the remote.

2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the INPUT menu.

3. For each analog input source (TV, AUX1, AUX2), you can assign a digital input (OPTICAL, COAXIAL) or select “ANALOG” if no digital source is connected.

To configure your speakers on the RCA RT2910, access the SPEAKER menu in the SETUP options. Here you can individually set each speaker to “LARGE” or “SMALL” or turn them off (“NO”).

• Front Speakers (FRNT): Set to LARGE (default) or SMALL.

• Center Speaker (CNTR): Set to LARGE, SMALL (default), or NO.

• Surround Speakers (SURR): Set to LARGE, SMALL (default), or NO.

• Subwoofer (SUBW): Set to YES (default) or NO.

When a speaker is set to “SMALL”, the low-frequency sounds from that channel are redirected to the subwoofer for better bass response.

The Test Tone feature helps you balance the volume levels of each speaker from your listening position.

1. Press SETUP on the remote.

2. Navigate to the LEVEL menu.

3. Select the “TEST” option and set it to ON. You will hear a hissing noise cycle through each speaker (Left, Center, Right, Right Surround, Left Surround, Subwoofer).

4. While the test tone is active, navigate to the level setting for each speaker (e.g., L, C, R, RS, LS, SW) and use the UP and DOWN arrows to adjust its volume until the sound level from each speaker seems equal at your listening position.

5. Once finished, set “TEST” back to OFF and exit the SETUP menu.

If your RCA RT2910 does not power on, please check the following:

• Make sure the AC power cord is securely plugged into an AC outlet.

• Check if the outlet is live by plugging in another device.

• Check if the ON/STANDBY button has been pressed.

If you have no sound from your RCA RT2910, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Check that the MUTE function is not active. Press the MUTE button to restore sound.

• Increase the volume level.

• Ensure the speaker wires are connected correctly and securely to both the main unit and the speakers.

• Verify that the correct audio source is selected.

• Check the audio connections from your external components (TV, DVD player, etc.).

• Check the digital output setting on your connected digital device (e.g., DVD player). It should be set to “Bitstream” or “Original”, not PCM, for Dolby Digital signals.

If the remote control for your RCA RT2910 is not functioning, please check the following:

• Press the ON/STANDBY button on the main unit to ensure it is turned on.

• Make sure you are pointing the remote at the remote sensor on the front of the main unit.

• Check if the path between the remote and the sensor is clear of obstacles.

• The batteries may be weak or dead. Replace them with fresh batteries, ensuring they are inserted with the correct polarity (+ and -).

• Select the correct mode on the remote for the function you want to perform.

For poor radio reception on your RCA RT2910, try the following:

• Ensure the AM and FM antennas are properly connected.

• Reposition the AM loop antenna for better reception.

• Fully extend the FM wire antenna and reposition it to find the best signal.

• Move the main unit away from other electronic devices, like a TV, as they can cause interference.

To care for your RCA RT2910, disconnect the AC power source before performing any maintenance. Clean the exterior of the system with a soft, dust-free cloth. Do not use chemical agents such as benzene or alcohol, as they may damage the finish of the cabinet.

Please follow these battery safety precautions for the remote control of your RCA RT2910:

• Insert batteries correctly observing the polarities (+ and -).

• Use only batteries of the type specified.

• Do not mix old and new batteries, or different types of batteries (e.g., alkaline and carbon-zinc).

• If the remote is not to be used for a long period, remove the batteries to prevent damage from leakage.

• Do not dispose of batteries in a fire, as they may explode or leak.

• Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.

Amplifier Section

• Total Output Power: 1000W Peak Power

• Output Power: 135W/ch (Front, Center, Surround Speakers, 1kHz 10% THD), Subwoofer 165W (100Hz, 10% THD)

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz

• Digital Inputs: Coaxial, Optical

FM Tuner Section

• Tuning Range: 87.5 – 108.0 MHz

• Usable Sensitivity: 15dBu

• Stereo Separation: 25dB at 1kHz

• Image Rejection: 25dB

AM Tuner Section

• Tuning Range: 530 – 1710 kHz

• Usable Sensitivity: 500u V/M

• Selectivity: 20dB

Dimensions (H x W x D mm)

• Receiver Section: 125 x 356 x 325

• Front, Surround Speakers: 178 x 108 x 114

• Center Speaker: 108 x 178 x 114

• Subwoofer: 356 x 229 x 330