HeaDSPeaker - 5.1 DSP Headphone System With Head Tracking USER'S MANUAL Revision history Rev. Date Author Chapters 01.11 24.03.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Part # Photo Description 1 2 DSP unit Head tracking sensor (for headphones) USB cable, 3 A plug mini USB (5PIN) M 4 5 6 7 8 230V – USB adapter 3.5 mm 3.5 mm audio cable Software installation media Volume attenuator 3.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 1. G eneral in stru ction s HeaDSPeaker 5.1 headphone system makes realistic, immersive multichannel audio playback possible using regular stereo headphones. The underlying technology is based on modeling the human auditory mechanisms using advanced signal processing algorithms and real-time head tracking. To be able to produce a surround sound experience that satisfies even the most demanding users, head tracking feature is a necessity.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 2. D S P U nit' s Indi c ator s a nd C o nne ction s 2.1 Front p anel 1 2 3 4 5 Figure 3: front panel indicators of the DSP unit 1 AUDIO indicator led • OFF = no audio input • GREEN = audio input present 2 TRACKER indicator led • OFF = direct stereo audio (no processing) • GREEN = head tracking functioning normally • ORANGE = errors in tracking or tracking disabled.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 5 Microphone for voice • Only operates during USB connection • Can be used, for example, in online-gaming Figure 4: rear panel connectors of the DSP unit 2.2 R e ar P a n el C onne ctor s • LINE IN: Stereo (stereo encoded surround) line input, 3.5mm jack • USB: digital multichannel audio input / set-up using a computer • SENSOR: head tracking sensor connector, 3.5mm jack • HEADPHONES: headphone output connector (binaural 5.1-audio), 3.5mm jack 2.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 2.4 C o nne ctin g for 5.0 D olby s urround • Attach the head tracking sensors (part #2) to your headphones using the provided strip or other suitable way. Make sure that connection is secure and sensors are firmly in place (see figure 5). Please note that orientation is significant, sensors must face towards the DSP unit and have a clear line-of-sight. • Attach signal cable (part #5) between head tracking sensor's connector and DSP unit's ”sensor” connector.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 3. S oft w are In st allation Connecting the DSP unit to a computer's USB port will initiate the installation of required system drivers. To make personal adjustments, it is highly recommended to install the provided diagnostic software also. To install the diagnostic software, place the provided installation disc in the disc drive. Installation procedure should start automatically. If it doesn't, autorun feature is disabled in the operating system.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 8: Windows XP sound and audio properties • If the topmost line displays any other device than HeaDSPeaker, open up Audio tab. Select HeaDSPeaker from the topmost drop-down list (see figure 9). This way sound output from the computer goes through HeaDSPeaker whenever possible.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 9: selecting the default sound device • Return to the first tab (Volume) and click Advanced button. Channel configuration dialog appears. Speaker setup should be in multichannel state. If it isn't, select 5.1 surround from the list as shown in figure 10. • Close the window by clicking OK. • Make sure that the device is working properly by launching the diagnostic software (see chapter 4. for further information).
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 10: selecting surround speaker setup 3.2 S o u nd S ettin g s U n der Windo w s Vi st a As above, connect the DSP unit to a vacant USB port. System should automatically identify the device and install any necessary hardware drivers. After that, please make sure that HeaDSPeaker has the default sound device status. • Launch control panel from the Start-menu and select sound devices. A window similar to that shown in figure 11 should pop up.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 11: Sound and audio devices under Windows Vista • This list displays sound devices installed in the system. Please make sure that HeaDSPeaker is present and has a green symbol indicating the default device status. • If HeaDSPeaker isn't the default device, right-click it and select set as default device. • Click the configure button at the bottom left to open a speaker configuration dialog (figure 12).
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 12: Selecting surround sound setup 3.3 C h a nnel C onfi guration: 5.1 or 7.1 ? HeaDSPeaker supports both 6-channel (5.1) and 8-channel (7.1) PCM-audio 1, depending on which firmware is installed in the device. If the name of the device has a postfix 8ch, 7.1 configuration is in use. Otherwise, six channel configuration is used. Which of the configurations is a better choice in practise, depends on your operating system and other applications.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Windows XP usually doesn't interfere with channel mapping, thus 6 channel mode is a better starting point for 5.1 audio. Naturally, when full 8-channel audio is available, corresponding 8-channel firmware should be installed regardless of the operating system. See page 22 for instructions on how to install the firmware.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 4. Di a g n o sti c A p pli c ation 4.1 G en eral Diagnostic application is a handy tool for making sure that settings are correct and the device is working proprely. It allows adjusting several parameters according to personal preferences. It is recommended that every user should choose an ear model that best corresponds with individual directional hearing. Start diagnostic application by clicking its shortcut in the desktop or start-menu folder.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM You can hear directional test sounds by clicking any of the 7 virtual speaker icons (subwoofer doesn't have a test sound so it cannot be clicked). Same speaker icons also indicate channel activity. Thus, diagnostic application can be used to determine which channels are used for audio in other applications.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 4.2 M a kin g Per s on al A dju st m ent s Adjust head tracker sensitivity Adjust room response Click any loudspeaker icon to hear directional test sound Adjust tracker angle offset Disable all processing (enter bypass mode) Disable head tracking feature Toggle between basic ear models. Currently active model is displayed in red.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Head tracker sensitivity adjusts the magnitude of the effect of the tracked head movement. The easiest way to find the correct value is to play a test tone from any channel. Rotate your head and pay attention on how the virtual sound source behaves spatially. If tracker sensitivity is too great, sound source seems to travel to the opposing direction when your head rotates. Conversely, too small value makes sound source to ”fall behind”.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 4.3 C h o o sin g a n E ar M o d el Activate ear models by left-clicking icons Ear models are divided into five classes (groups) Suitable alternatives can be “highlighted” with right mouse button Click “Done” when you are satisfied with selected ear model Figure 15: Choosing ear model from the complete database Settings-window offers three most common ear models. The chosen model has a great impact on the quality of the perceived directional sound.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM There is no universally correct answer which model to use, so select the one you like the best. If you have multiple favorites, you can right-click icons to ”highlight” them. This way you can remember the good alternatives for a second iteration. When you have found a satisfying ear model, close the window by clicking done. Clicking accept will store your settings to non-volatile memory of the device. The settings will remain in the memory even when device is turned off.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM HeaDSPeaker icon appears at the notification area of the task bar when main window is minimized Open menu by right-clicking the icon If checked, diagnostic software will launch automatically when Windows starts Close the program Quick access to different user profiles Figure 16: Diagnostic software minimized to system tray 4.5 U p d atin g Fir m w are HeaDSPeaker supports software-based firmware updates using the diagnostic application.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 5. Proble m s a nd S o lution s • If audio doesn't sound 3-dimensional when HeaDSPeaker is connected via USB, make sure that the lowest led, ”5.1 PCM/ANALOG”, is lit green. If it isn't, check the audio configuration of the computer (as described in chapter 3.). Also check the application's audio settings that you're using. Some notes about audio in DVD playback can be found below. If the problem persists, please contact customer support by e-mailing support@vlsi.fi.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM Figure 17: configuring the AC3-filter • Latest Windows Media Player supports 5.1 audio, but only with the help of third-party codec pack installation, such as FFDSHOW. • Some systems doesn't switch to USB audio automatically. It may be necessary to force USB-audio manually (see chapter 3. for more information). • Many games support 5.1 USB-audio already. However, some games are only able to provide 2.0 stereo PCM audio.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 6. A d dition al Infor m ation 6.1 G en eral HeaDSPeaker system can be connected to a computer with an USB port. This enables personal configuration using dedicated software application. When the device detects the USB connection, USB audio mode is automatically activated. All PCM audio formats are supported, from 1.0 (mono) up to 7.1.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 6.3 U S B-a u dio C o ntrol s USB audio specification supports standard audio controls which can be utilized by operating system or audio applications when controlling USB audio devices. These include volume control, bass/treble controls etc. If the host device supports USB audio controls, volume level of the HeaDSPeaker device can be adjusted using these controls. Accordingly, level of bass output can be adjusted if host device supports USB audio controls.
HEADSPEAKER – 5.1 HEADPHONE SYSTEM 7. M a nufa cturer a nd S u pp ort Manufacturer: VLSI Solution Oy Entrance G, 2nd floor Hermiankatu 8 FIN-33720 Tampere FINLAND Fax: +358-3-3140-8288 Tel: +358-3-3140-8200 Email: sales@vlsi.fi WWW: http://www.dspeaker.com/ Product support: support@vlsi.
