Pioneer VSX-21TXH, VSX-9140TXH, VSX-23TXH, VSX-9040TXH User Manual

Operating Instructions – Advanced MCACC PC Display Application Software –

audio/video multi-channel receiver

About this manual

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These are the Operating Instructions for an application which displays on your computer screen the listening room reverberation frequency characteristics and the MCACC parameters measured by the Advanced MCACC function of your VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH, VSX-9140TXH or VSX-9040TXH. It explains everything you need to know to use the application, from installation to troubleshooting. You will need to operate the receiver to use this application, so please refer also to the Operating Instructions supplied with the receiver.

About the Advanced MCACC Application

The functions of the Advanced MCACC application are used with the same purpose as the “Reverb View” functions of the receiver itself (see page 84 of the receiver’s Operating Instructions), namely to display the reverberation characteristics of the listening environment. Using a computer provides cleaner, more easily readable graphs. The application can also be used to display the measurement values stored in the receiver’s MCACC memory.

Requirements for using the application on your PC

• The computer must be a PC functioning with one of the following operating systems: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Basic/Home Premium/Ultimate SP1, Windows® XP Professional/Home Edition SP3 or Windows

• The monitor must have a display resolution of 800 x 600 dots (SVGA) or greater.

• An RS-232C port connector is necessary for graphical output. Refer to the PC’s operating instructions and/or the PC manufacturer for more information on making the proper port settings.

Microsoft®, Windows®Vista, Windows®XP and Windows®2000 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

2000 Professional SP4.

Main features of the application

1. Displays 3D graphs of the reverberation frequency characteristics of your room. You can choose to

see these measurements both with and without the equalization performed by this receiver (before and after calibration).

2. Allows you to display a list of the Advanced MCACC parameters (the results of measurements).

3. Allows you to view graphs in a number of different formats.

4. Allows you to save the various measured data on the computer.

5. Allows you to make memos about the conditions in your room when you made the measurements,

etc.

6. Allows you to print the various graphs and the MCACC measurement values.

About the Advanced MCACC Application (Continued)

Things you can accomplish with this application

1. Advanced EQ Setup, which you can do with the receiver (see page 84 of the receiver’s Operating

Instructions), allows you to choose the optimum time period for auto EQ setup. You can use this application’s reverberation characteristics (Reverb) as a guide in choosing the best time period for your room. For details, see Deciding the time period for Advanced EQ Setup calibration

2. Skewed reverb frequency characteristics in your listening room can prevent you from enjoying an

accurate sound field. The graphs displayed by this application are a powerful tool because they allow you to check these reverb frequency characteristics at a glance. You can also check the effectiveness of steps that you take to improve the acoustics of your listening room, for example, installing sound absorbent material. For details, see Checking steps to improve your room’s reverb characteristics

3. The reverb characteristics after calibration can be displayed. This lets you to check the EQ effects of

the Advanced MCACC measurements you have made. For details, see About the display of the reverb characteristics graphs before and after calibration

(page 23).

4. The MCACC parameter display (Parameters) allows you to display on the computer all the

parameters (measurement values) stored in the receiver’s MCACC memories. For details, see Display of the MCACC parameters (page 25).

(page 19).

(page 21).

Installing the Application

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Install this application on your PC by using the downloaded installer. You will find the installer in the folder that you specified when you downloaded the application. If a previous version of the Advanced MCACC application (“Ver. 1.1”, “Ver. 1.4”, “Ver. 2.0” or “Ver. 2.1”) is installed on your computer, please update the application. For details, see Updating the application

1 Double click the “PioneerAdvancedMCACC_e_ver_*_*.exe” file .

The number after “ver” in the filename is the version number of the installer. Depending on the current configuration of your PC, the InstallShield Wizard can take some time to appear.

2 Click “Next”.

(page 26).

3 (If you agree to the contents of the License Agreement), select “I accept the

terms in the license agreement”, then select “Next”.

The destination selection screen of the installer appears.

Troubleshooting

If an error occurs when you double click and you are unable to proceed with the installation.

Installing the Application (Continued)

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4 Input the Customer Information, then select “Next”.

5 Click “Next”.

The application is installed in the folder indicated at “Destination Folder”. The destination folder can be changed by clicking “Change...”.

Installing the Application (Continued)

6 Choose “Install”.

A shortcut icon is created on the desktop.

7 Click “Finish”.

The installation is complete.

Operations on the Receiver and Cable Connections

RS-232C

VSX-23TXH/VSX-21TXH/

VSX-9140TXH/VSX-9040TXH

Female-female

cross cable

Dsub 9-pin female

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Connect the receiver and the computer in order to display on the computer the various data measured on the receiver itself.

1 Connect the receiver to your PC with an RS-232C cable.

Caution

Before making or changing connections, switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet. Plugging in components should be the last connection you make with your system.

Note

• When using a notebook computer or other computer without an RS-232C terminal, this application can be used by connecting the receiver via USB using a commercially available USB-RS-232C conversion cable (USB-Serial cable). When using USB connections, be sure to select the proper COM port number for data transmission (see page 9

• The type of cable to use is a female-female cross cable. Different manufacturers use different names to refer to this type of cable. Sometimes it is called an “interlink” cable, and sometimes it is called a “reverse” cable.

Pin-out diagram of RS-232C cable to connect receiver and PC

• The following cable has been proved to ensure system operation.

Brand Cable Part NO.

Belkin Pro Series Serial Direct Cable-10 feet F3B207-10

Operations on the Receiver and Cable Connections (Continued)

a. Speaker Setting b. Channel Level c. Speaker Distance

2.MCACC Data Check

d. Standing Wave e. Acoustic Cal EQ

f. Output PC

A/V RECEIVER

Exit Return

Start the MCACC application on your PC.

2f.Output PC

Exit Cancel

2 Perform the “Full Auto MCACC” operation on the receiver. (See page 41 of the

receiver’s Operating Instructions.)

The measurements here are not required if the “Full Auto MCACC” operation has already been performed before connecting the RS-232C cable. Proceed to step 3.

3 Select “Output PC” from “MCACC Data Check”. (See page 88 of the receiver’s

Operating Instructions.)

The message “Start the MCACC application on your PC” appears on the monitor screen and the receiver enters the transmission standby mode. It is ready to send data to your PC.

This completes the preparations for sending the measurement data to your PC. (To send the data, proceed to the next section Application Operations.)

Note

• The graphs for both before calibration (“Before”) and after calibration (“After”) can be displayed on the screen displaying the reverberation characteristics graphs after Full Auto MCACC measurements (“Reverb”), but note that the graph displayed for the characteristics after calibration is a prediction of the reverberation characteristics after Full Auto MCACC with the EQ Type : SYMMETRY. For details, see About the display of the reverb characteristics graphs before and after calibration

(page 23).

If you want to check the graph of the actually measured reverberation characteristics after MCACC calibration (not the prediction), measure the reverb characteristics again after calibration. For details, see Displaying the reverb characteristics after EQ calibration (actually measured values)

(page 24).

Applications Operations

COM port selection box

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This section explains operations that you do in the application, from receiving measurement data to displaying graphs and saving the data.

Receiving measurement data

1 Double click the application shortcut icon on the PC desktop.

You can also start the application by selecting “Program”  “Pioneer Corporation”  “Advanced MCACC” from the “Start” menu. The application starts.

2 Select “Receive” under “File” on the menu bar.

3 Select the number of the COM port to which the RS-232C cable is connected.

A COM port between “COM1” and “COM8” can be selected. If you do not know which COM port number to select, try selecting each port in turn, beginning with “COM1”.

Note

For more information about COM port settings, either refer to the operating instructions of your PC or contact your PC’s manufacturer.

Troubleshooting

If an error occurs when you select “Receive” and no data is sent.

Application Operations (Continued)

Type of data

4 Select the type of data to be received, then select “OK”.

Select “Reverb” to receive the data for the room’s reverb characteristics, and “MCACC Parameters” to receive the data for the various MCACC parameters (measurements results). The “Group Delay” function is not used on this receiver. Nothing is displayed if “Group Delay” is selected.

Data transmission starts.

When reception finishes the received data appear.

Note

• The data used to display the reverberation characteristics graph (Reverb) and the MCACC parameters are not deleted even when the receiver’s power is turned off. However, for the data used to display the reverberation characteristics graph (Reverb), the data stored in the receiver is overwritten when the reverberations are measured again. If you wish to display graphs of multiple sets of data, use the data transfer function to store the data on a computer each time you measure the reverberations.

• In order to avoid malfunction, after the completion of the data transmission, unplug the RS-232C cable connecting your PC and the receiver.

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Application Operations (Continued)

8 9

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Graph and parameter displays (names and functions of parts)

When measurement data is received, the graphs and parameters display window appears. The display window is divided into two items, “Reverb” and “Parameters”. Select the desired tab to switch to that window and display the respective details. The “Group Delay” function is not used on this receiver. Nothing is displayed if “Group Delay” tab is selected.

Reverb (graph of the room’s reverberation frequency characteristics)

The display can be switched between the reverb characteristics graphs before and after calibration. You can switch the display between individual displays for the different channels/frequencies or a list display of all the channels/frequencies (ALL). Below we explain the different parts of the individual displays and the ALL display, using the channel display as an example.

Individual display (Example: Front channel)

ALL display

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