Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai-S, VSX-AX5Ai-G User Manual

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AUDIO/VIDEO MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER

VSX-AX5Ai-S VSX-AX5Ai-

Operating Instructions

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IMPORTANT

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

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.

CAUTION:

TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

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.

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NOTE: THE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS COMPARTMENT WARNING IS LOCATED ON THE APPLIANCE BONNET

Replacement and mounting of an AC plug on the power supply cord of this unit should be performed only by qualified service personnel.

The cut-off plug should be disposed of and must

IMPORTANT

FOR USE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code: Blue : Neutral Brown : Live

If the plug provided is unsuitable for your socket outlets, the plug must be cut off and a suitable plug fitted.

not be inserted into any 13 amp socket as this can result in electric shock. The plug or adaptor or the distribution panel should be provided with 10 A fuse. As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows ; The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black. The wire which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured red.

Thank you for buying this Pioneer product. Please read through these operatin instructions so you will know how to operate

our model properly. After you have finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe place for future reference

VENTILATION CAUTION

When installing this unit, make sure to leave space around the unit for ventilation to improve heat radiation (at least 60 cm at top, 10 cm at rear, and 30 cm at each side).

WARNING

Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for

Do not connect either wire to the earth terminal of a three pin plug.

NOTE After replacing or changing a fuse, the fuse cover in the plug must be replaced with a fuse cover which corresponds to the colour of the insert in the base of the plug or the word that is embossed on the base of the plug, and the appliance must not be used without a fuse cover. If lost replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your dealer. Only 10 A fuses approved by B.S.I or A.S.T.A to B.S.1362 should be used.

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ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the product, and to protect it from overheating. To

WARNING

Before plugging in for the first time, read the following

section carefully.

The voltage of the available power supply differs

prevent fire hazard, the openings should never be blocked or covered with items (such as newspapers, table-cloths, curtains) or by operating the equipment on thick carpet or a bed.

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according to country or region. Be sure that the power supply voltage of the area where this unit will be used meets the required voltage (e.g., 230V or 120V) written on the rear panel.

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WARNING

To prevent a fire hazard, do not place any naked flame sources (such as a lighted candle) on the equipment.

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Operating Environment

This product complies with the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC), EMC Directives (89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC).

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Operating environment temperature and humidity: +5 ºC – +35 ºC (+41 ºF – +95 ºF); less than 85 %RH (cooling vents not blocked) Do not install this unit in a poorly ventilated area, or in locations exposed to high humidity or direct sunlight (or strong artificial light)

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WARNING

This equipment is not waterproof. To prevent a fire or shock hazard, do not place any container filed with liquid near this equipment (such as a vase or flower pot) or expose it to dripping, splashing, rain or moisture.

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When disposing of used batteries, please comply with governmental regulations or environmental public instruction’s rules that apply in your country/area.

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NOTE: This equipment 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.

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Information to User

Alteration or modifications carried out without appropriate authorization may invalidate the user’s right to operate the equipment.

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CAUTION: This product satisfies FCC regulations when shielded cables and connectors are used to connect the

unit to other equipment. To prevent electromagnetic interference with electric appliances such as radios and televisions, use shielded cables and connectors for connections.

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If the AC plug of this unit does not match the AC outlet you want to use, the plug must be removed and appropriate one fitted. Replacement and mounting of an AC plug on the power supply cord of this unit should be performed only by qualified service personnel. If connected to an AC outlet, the cut-off plug can cause severe electrical shock. Make sure it is properly disposed of after removal. The equipment should be disconnected by removing the mains plug from the wall socket when left unused for a long period of time (for example, when on vacation).

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Voltage selector

You can find the voltage selector switch on the rear panel of multi-voltage models.

The factory setting for the voltage selector is 220V. Please set it to the correct voltage for your country or region.

• Saudi Arabia operates on 127V and 220V mains voltage. Please set to the correct voltage before using.

• For Taiwan, please set to 110V before using.

• For Mexico, please set to 120-127V before using.

Before changing the voltage, disconnect the AC power cord. Use a medium size screwdriver to change the voltage selector switch.

TWO VOLTAGE SELECTORS

120-127 V

230240 V

220V

110 V

CAUTION

The OFF ON

and  STANDBY/ON buttons

on this unit will not completely shut off all power from the AC outlet. Since the power cord serves as the main disconnect device for the unit, you will need to unplug it from the AC outlet to shut down all power. Therefore, make sure the unit has been installed so that the power cord can be easily unplugged from the AC outlet in case of an accident. To avoid fire hazard, the power cord should also be unplugged from the AC outlet when left unused for a long period of time (for example, when on vacation).

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This product is for general household purposes. Any failure due to use for other than household purposes (such as long-term use for business purposes in a restaurant or use in a car or ship) and which requires repair will be charged for even during the warranty period.

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Important information about this unit‘s AC outlet (switched total 100W MAX)

Power supplied through these outlets is turned on and off by this unit’s  STANDBY/ON buttons. Total electrical power consumption of connected equipment should not exceed 100W.

CAUTION

• Do not connect a TV set, monitor, heater or similar

appliance to this unit’s AC outlet.

• Do not connect appliances with high power

consumption to the AC outlet in order to avoid overheating and fire risk. This can cause this unit to malfunction.

OFF ON

and

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110 V 120-127V

220V 230-240V

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Page 4

Contents

01 Before you start

Features Checking the supplied accessories Installing the receiver Opening the front panel Using the remote control

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Loading the batteries Operating range of the remote control

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02 5 minute guide

Introduction to home theater Setting up for Surround Sound Automatically setting up for surround sound

Other problems when using the Auto Surround

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Setup

Checking the settings on your DVD (or other)

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player Playing a source

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03 Connecting your equipment

Rear panel About the video converter About cable types

Analog audio cables Digital audio cables Video cables

When making cable connections Connecting your TV Connecting a DVD player

Connecting the multichannel analog outputs Connecting a satellite/cable receiver or other set-top box Connecting a VCR or DVD recorder Connecting other video sources Using the component video jacks Connecting digital audio sources Connecting analog audio sources Connecting a component to the front panel inputs Installing your speaker system

Connecting the speakers

Placing the speakers Connecting antennas

AM loop antenna

FM wire antenna

Connecting external antennas Plugging in the receiver

About the AC outlet

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04 Controls and displays

Front panel Display Remote control

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05 Listening to your system

Auto playback Listening in surround sound

The MOVIE listening modes The MUSIC listening modes Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music settings

Adjusting the advanced effect level Listening in stereo Listening with headphones Using the multichannel analog inputs Listening with Acoustic Calibration EQ Selecting the input signal type Using the surround back channel Listening with virtual surround back speakers Using the audio scaler for Hi-bit and Hi-sampling

Using Midnight and Loudness listening . . . . . . . . . . 46

Using the tone control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Switching the tone control on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Adjusting the bass and treble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Reducing noise during playback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Listening to dual mono soundtracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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06 Using the tuner

Finding a station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Tuning directly to a station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

MPX mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Memorizing station presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Listening to memorized station presets . . . . . . . . . 50

Naming station presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

An introduction to RDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Displaying RDS information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Searching for RDS programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

An introduction to EON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Using EON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Clearing all stations from the RDS and EON

searches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

07 The Surround Setup menu

Making receiver settings from the Surround

Setup menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Surround back speaker setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Normal surround setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Speaker Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Channel Level. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Speaker Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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08 Controlling other equipment

Using the remote control with other components Recalling preset codes Programming signals from other remote controls Controls for TVs Controls for other components Direct function Multi Operation and System Off

Programming a multi-operation or a shutdown sequence Using multi operations

Using System off Switching components on and off using the 12 volt trigger Operating other Pioneer components with this unit’s sensor

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11 Advanced setup

The System Setup menu

THX CINEMA Setup The Input Assign menu Function Rename SACD Setup PHONO/LINE Setup Multi-Room and IR receiver setup 12 Volt Trigger

The Expert setup menu

Crossover Network Fine Channel Level Fine Channel Delay Acoustic Calibration EQ Professional Acoustic Calibration Using Professional Acoustic Calibration Bass Peak Level Dynamic Range Control

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09 Using other functions

Making an audio or a video recording Adjusting the delay of a soundtrack Watching video and audio sources independently Enhancing SACD playback Dimming the display Switching the speaker impedance Advanced remote control features

Editing remote control display names Adjusting the remote control backlight Clearing remote control settings

Resetting the system

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10 Other connections

Second Zone speaker B setup

Switching the speaker system Bi-amping your front speakers Bi-wiring your speakers Multi-room listening

Making multi-room connections

Using the multi-room controls Connecting an IR receiver Connecting additional amplifiers Using the i.LINK interface About i.LINK

About PQLS rate control

Creating an i.LINK network Using the USB interface Connecting a PC for Advanced MCACC output

Advanced MCACC output using your PC

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12 Additional information

Troubleshooting

Power

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No sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Other audio problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

i.LINK interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

i.LINK messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

USB interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Changing the frequency step. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Maintenance of external surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Surround sound formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Dolby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

DTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

About THX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Preset code brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Specifications (European model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Specifications (Multi-voltage model) . . . . . . . . . . . 107

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Page 6

Before you start

Chapter 1

Before you start

Features

• Easy setup using Advanced Multichannel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC)

Setting up for home theater sound is as easy as connecting your speakers, a DVD player or other source, and your TV. The Auto Surround Setup provides a quick but accurate surround sound setup, while for complete surround sound control you still have access to the full range of surround sound settings.

In addition, the Professional Acoustic Calibration setup measures the reverb characteristics of your listening area, allowing you to customize your system calibration with the help of a graphical output that can be displayed on-screen, or using a computer.

• i.LINK digital interface

The i.LINK interface makes it possible to connect this receiver to i.LINK-equipped components, allowing you to enjoy high sampling rate (up to 192kHz) PCM multichannel digital audio from DVD-Audio and SACD discs, as well as digital audio from DVD-Video, CD and Video CD discs, all with a single cable.

With SACD discs, you will also be able to bypass the signal processing of this receiver to hear 1-bit Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio directly.

• Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS 96/24 and DTS-ES

Dolby Digital and DTS decoding brings theater sound right into your home with up to six channels of surround sound, including a special LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel for deep, realistic sound effects.

The built-in Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS Neo:6 decoders not only provide full surround sound decoding for Dolby Surround sources, but will also generate convincing surround sound for any stereo source.

Also, with the addition of a surround back speaker, you can take advantage of the built-in Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES decoders for six-channel surround sound.

• Seamless video conversion

With the Pioneer video converter, you can use a wide range of cables interchangeably, giving you more flexibility when making video connections.

• USB digital interface

It is possible to listen to audio sources from your computer by connecting to the USB interface on the rear of this receiver.

• Fine-tuned to world-class standards

With the cooperation of the world-class studio engineers at AIR Studios, this receiver amplifier has been designated AIR Studios Monitor.

Checking the supplied accessories

Please check that you've received the following supplied accessories:

• Setup microphone and stand

• Remote control unit

• Alkaline batteries (AA IEC LR6) x 4

• AM loop antenna

• FM wire antenna

Page 7

Before you start

• Power cord x 1 (Multi-voltage NTSC model x 2)

All models

• Flat-bladed adapter (Multi-voltage model only)

• Antenna converter (Multi-voltage model only)

• These operating instructions

Note

• The accessories will be different depending on the country of purchase. Where two power cords are included, make sure to use the cord appropriate for your country or region.

Installing the

• When installing this unit, make sure to put it on a level and stable surface.

Don’t install it on the following places: – on a color TV (the screen may distort) – near a cassette deck (or close to a device that gives off a magnetic field). This may interfere with the sound. – in direct sunlight – in damp or wet areas – in extremely hot or cold areas – in places where there is vibration or other movement – in places that are very dusty – in places that have hot fumes or oils (such as a kitchen)

receiver

NTSC model only

Opening the front panel

To open the front panel, push gently on the lower third of the panel with your finger.

Using the remote control

Loading the batteries

Load the batteries into the remote control as shown below using alkaline batteries (AA IEC LR6) batteries. When you notice a decrease in the operating range, replace all batteries with new ones.

Caution

Incorrect use of batteries can result in hazards such as leakage and bursting. Please observe the following:

• Don’t mix new and old batteries together.

• Don’t use different kinds of batteries together— although they may look similar, different batteries may have different voltages.

• Make sure that the plus and minus ends of each battery match the indications in the battery compartment.

• Remove batteries from equipment that isn’t going to be used for a month or more.

• When disposing of used batteries, please comply with governmental regulations or environmental public instruction’s rules that apply in your country or area.

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Page 8

Before you start

Remote control battery indicator

When the batteries get too weak to operate the remote control properly an indicator warning screen will appear on the remote. Change the batteries as shown above. This must be done within five minutes or all your remote control settings will be cleared.

Operating range of the remote control

The operating range is quite large, but please keep in mind the following when using the remote control:

• Make sure that there are no obstacles between the remote and the remote sensor on the unit.

• The remote has a range of about 7 meters.

• Remote operation may become unreliable if strong sunlight or fluorescent light is shining on the unit’s remote sensor.

• Remote controllers for different devices can interfere with each other. Avoid using remotes for other equipment located close to this unit.

Page 9

5 minute guide

Chapter 2:

5 minute guide

Introduction to home theater

You are probably used to using stereo equipment to listen to music, but may not be used to home theater systems that give you many more options (such as surround sound) when listening to soundtracks.

Home theater refers to the use of multiple audio tracks to create a surround sound effect, making you feel like you're in the middle of the action or concert. The surround sound you get from a home theater system depends not only on the speakers you have set up in your room, but also on the source and the sound settings of the receiver.

DVD-Video has become the basic source material for home theater due to its size, quality, and ease of use. Depending on the DVD, you can have up to seven different audio tracks coming from one disc, all of them being sent to different speakers in your system. This is what creates a surround sound effect and gives you the feeling of ‘being there’.

This receiver will automatically decode Dolby Digital, DTS, or Dolby Surround DVD-Video discs, according to your speaker setup. In most cases, you won’t have to make changes for realistic surround sound, but other possibilities (like listening to a CD with multichannel surround sound) are explained in

Setting up for Surround Sound

This receiver was designed with the easiest possible setup in mind, so with the following quick setup guide, you should have your system hooked up for surround sound in no time at all. In most cases, you can simply leave the receiver in the default settings.

Be sure to complete all connections before connecting this unit to the AC power source.

1 Hook up your DVD player.

For surround sound, you’ll want to hook up using a digital connection from the DVD player to the receiver. You can do this with either a coaxial, or an optical connection (you don’t need to connect both). If you hook up using an optical cable, you should refer to

Use a standard RCA video cable to connect your DVD player video output to the receiver using the jacks shown below.

2 Hook up your TV.

Use a standard RCA video cable to connect your receiver to the TV using the jacks as shown below.

The Input Assign menu

on page 81 to assign the optical input to

Listening to your system

DVD/LD

on page 38.

Optical cable

Coaxial digital

audio cable

DIGITAL OUT

DVD player

VIDEO OUT

S400

Standard RCA

video cable

CENTER

VIDEO IN

Standard RCA

video cable

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5 minute guide

3 Connect your speakers.

To take full advantage of the receiver’s surround sound capabilities connect front, center, surround and surround back speakers, as well as a subwoofer. Although this is ideal, other configurations with fewer speakers—no subwoofer or no center speaker, or even no surround speakers—will work. At the very least, front left and right speakers only are necessary. Note that your main surround speakers should always be connected as a pair, but you can connect just one surround back speaker if you like (it must be connected to the left surround back terminal).

You can use speakers with a nominal impedance between 6–16 page 68 if you plan to use speakers with an impedance of less than 8

Ω

(please see

Ω

Switching the speaker impedance

Subwoofer

LINE LEVEL

INPUT

S400

Front left

CENTER

Center

Front

right

Caution

These speaker terminals carry HAZARDOUS LIVE voltage. To prevent the risk of electric shock when connecting or disconnecting the speaker cables, disconnect the power cord before touching any uninsulated parts.

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

Surround left

Surround back left

Surround back right

Surround

right

Page 11

5 minute guide

Each speaker connection on the receiver comprises a positive (+) red, and negative (–) black terminal. For proper sound you should take care to match these up with the terminals on the speakers themselves.

• If you only have one surround back speaker, hook it up to the surround back left (

Single

) terminal.

• If you’re not using a subwoofer, change the front speaker setting (see

LARGE

Speaker Setting

on page 55) to

Caution

• Make sure that all the bare speaker wire is twisted together and inserted fully into the speaker terminal. If any of the bare speaker wire touches the back panel it may cause the power to cut off as a safety measure.

Make sure that the speaker cable you’re going to use is properly prepared with about 10 mm of insulator stripped from each wire, and the exposed wire strands twisted together (

fig. A

To connect a terminal, unscrew the terminal a few turns until there is enough space to insert the exposed wire (

fig. B

). Once the wire is in position, tighten the terminal

until the wire is firmly clamped (

fig. C

10mm

4 Plug in the receiver and switch it on, followed by your DVD player, your subwoofer and the TV.

Make sure you’ve set the video input on your TV to this receiver. Check the manual that came with the TV if you don’t know how to do this.

Also make sure that

DVD/LD

is showing in the receiver’s display, indicating that the DVD input is selected. If it isn’t, press

DVD/LD

on the remote control to set the

receiver to the DVD input.

5 Use the on-screen Auto Surround setup to set up your system.

See

Automatically setting up for surround sound

on the

next page for more on this.

6 Play a DVD, and adjust the volume to your liking.

In addition to the basic playback explained in

source

on page 14, there are several other sound options you can select. See for more on this. See also

the Surround Setup menu

Listening to your system

Making receiver settings from

on page 54 for more setup

Playing a

on page 38

options.

• If you’re not familiar with the proper DVD settings, refer to

Checking the settings on your DVD (or other)

player

on page 14.

fig. A fig. B fig. C

Where you place the speakers will have a big effect on the sound. Place your speakers as shown below for the best surround sound effect. For more tips on speaker placement, see

Surround

Placing the speakers

Front L

Subwoofer

Surround

back L

Center

Surround

back R

on page 29.

Front R

Surround

Page 12

5 minute guide

Automatically setting up for surround sound

The Auto Surround Setup measures the acoustic characteristics of your listening area, taking into account ambient noise, speaker size and distance, and tests for both channel delay and channel level. After you have set up the microphone provided with your system, the receiver uses the information from a series of test tones to optimize the speaker settings and equalization for your particular room.

Make sure you do this before moving on to

source

on page 14.

Important

• Make sure the microphone and speakers are not moved during the Auto Surround Setup.

• Using the Auto Surround Setup will overwrite any existing speaker settings in the receiver.

• The receiver will automatically exit the on-screen menu after three minutes of inactivity.

Caution

• The test tones used in the Auto Surround Setup are output at high volume.

Playing a

2 Connect the microphone to the MCACC SETUP MIC jack on the front panel.

Make sure there are no obstacles between the speakers and the microphone.

• Place the microphone on the supplied microphone stand (shown above) for the best results with the Auto Surround Setup.

Important

• If you have a tripod, use it to

that it’s about ear level

place the microphone so

at your normal listening position. Otherwise, place the microphone at ear level using a table or a chair.

3 Press RECEIVER on the remote control, then press the SYSTEM SETUP button.

An on-screen display (OSD) appears on your TV. Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and

ENTER

on the remote control to navigate through the screens and select menu items.

4 ‘Surround Setup’ should be highlighted. Press ENTER.

RECEIVER

SYSTEM SETUP

ENTER

1 Switch on the receiver and your TV.

Use the OFF ON press the



RECEIVER

button to turn on the power, then

button to switch on.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

5 ‘SurrBack System’ should be highlighted. Press ENTER.

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

Page 13

5 minute guide

6 Make sure ‘Normal System’ is selected, then select ‘Exit’.

SurrBack System

[ Normal System [ Second Zone [ Front Bi-Amp [ MR&S [ Exit

] ] ] ] ]

• If you are planning on bi-amping your front speakers, or setting up a separate speaker system in another room, read through

Surround back speaker setting

on page 55 and make sure to connect your speakers as necessary before continuing to step 7.

7 ‘Auto Setting’ should be highlighted. Press ENTER.

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

8 Follow the instructions on-screen.

Auto Surround Setup

Set microphone Turn on subwoofer

[ Start ] [ Cancel ]

• Make sure the microphone is connected.

• If you’re using a subwoofer, switch it on and turn up the volume.

• See below for notes regarding high background noise levels and other possible interference.

9 Make sure ‘Start’ is selected, then press ENTER.

A progress report is displayed on-screen while the receiver outputs test tones to determine the speakers present in your setup. Try to be as quiet as possible while it’s doing this.

10 Confirm the speaker configuration in the OSD.

The configuration shown on-screen should reflect the actual speakers you have.

Check!! Front [ YES ] Center [ YES ] Surround [ YES ] SurrBack [ YES

Subwoofer

[OK] [Retry] [ERR Fix SP.] [Return to Menu]

[ YES ]

2 ]

If the speaker configuration displayed isn’t correct, use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to select

Retry

. Follow

the instructions from step 8.

If the configuration is incorrect and you want to input the settings manually, select

ERRFix SP

. Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select the speaker and to specify the size (and number for surround back). When you’re finished, go to the next step.

If you see an

ERR

message in the right side column, there may be a problem with the speaker connection. If selecting

Retry

(above) doesn’t fix the problem, turn off

the power and check the speaker connections.

11 Make sure ‘OK’ is selected, then press ENTER.

A progress report is displayed on-screen while the receiver outputs more test tones to determine the optimum receiver settings for channel level, speaker distance, and acoustic calibration EQ.

Auto Surround Setup

Please Wait

Caution!! Test tone is output loudly.

[ Cancel ]

Auto Surround Setup

Now Analyzing

Surround Analysis Speaker Systems [OK] Speaker Distance [OK] Channel Level [OK] Acoustic Cal EQ [OK]

[Cancel]

•••

Again, try to be as quiet as possible while this is happening.

12 The Auto Surround Setup has finished! Select ‘Exit’ to go back to the Surround Setup menu.

The MCACC indicator continues to light to show the surround settings are complete.

Auto Surround Setup

Please Wait

Caution!! Test tone is output loudly.

[ Cancel ]

Auto Surround Setup

Now Analyzing

Environment Check Ambient Noise [OK] Microphone [OK] Speaker YES/NO [OK]

[Cancel]

•••

• Do not turn down the volume during the test tones. This may result in incorrect speaker settings.

The settings made in the Auto Surround Setup should give you excellent surround sound from your system, but it is also possible to adjust these settings manually using the Surround Setup menu (starting on page 54).

Page 14

5 minute guide

• If you are using THX Certified speakers, confirm that all speakers are set to page 55, and that the is set to

You can also choose to view all the settings by selecting

each screen. When you’re finished, select to the Surround Setup menu.

• If you leave a check screen for over three minutes, or if you select Surround Setup, the receiver automatically exits and no settings will be made.

• Remember to disconnect the microphone after you’ve finished the Auto Surround Setup.

. Press

Note

80Hz

ENTER

Cancel

SMALL

Speaker Setting

Crossover Network

after you have finished checking

at any time during the Auto

on page 87

Exit

to go back

Other problems when using the Auto Surround Setup

If the room environment is not optimal for the Auto Surround Setup (too much background noise, echo off the walls, obstacles blocking the speakers from the microphone) the final settings may be incorrect. Check for household appliances (air conditioner, fridge, fan, etc.), that may be affecting the environment and switch them off if necessary.

Some older TVs may interfere with the operation of the microphone. If this seems to be happening, switch off the TV when doing the Auto Surround Setup.

Checking the settings on your DVD (or other) player

Before continuing, you may want to check the digital audio output settings on your DVD player and digital satellite receiver.

• Check that your DVD player/satellite receiver is set to output Dolby Digital, DTS and 88.2/96kHz PCM (2 channel) audio.

If there is an option for MPEG audio, set this to convert the MPEG audio to PCM.

If you connected the multichannel analog outputs of the player to this receiver, make sure that the player is set to output multichannel analog audio.

Playing a source

Here are the basic instructions for playing a source (such as a DVD disc) with your home theater system.

1 Turn on the power of the playback component (for example a DVD player), your TV and subwoofer (if you have one).

• If your source is the TV’s built-in tuner, then switch to the channel you want to watch, otherwise make sure that the TV’s video input is set to this receiver. (For example, if you connected this receiver to the

jacks on your TV, make sure that

now selected.)

2 If the receiver isn’t already on, switch on the power.

Use the OFF ON press the

3 Change the receiver input to the source you want to play.

You can use the front panel dedicated control.

4 Start playback of the DVD (or other component).

If you’re playing a Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound DVD disc, you should hear surround sound. If you are playing a stereo source, you will only hear sound from the front left/right speakers in the default listening mode.

• See also

5 Use the MASTER VOLUME control (front panel or remote) to adjust the volume level.

• Turn down the volume of your TV so that all the sound

• For more detailed surround sound setup, see



RECEIVER

MULTI CONTROL

more information on different ways of listening to sources.

is coming from the speakers connected to this receiver.

Note

Surround Setup menu

button to turn on the power, then

button to switch on.

MULTI JOG

buttons on the remote

Listening to your system

on page 54.

VIDEO 1

dial or the

on page 38 for

VIDEO

input is

The

Note

• Depending on your DVD player or source discs, you may only get digital 2 channel stereo and analog sound. In this case, select one of the surround listening modes (see page 38 if you need to do this) if you want multichannel surround sound.

Listening in surround sound

Page 15

Connecting your equipment

Chapter 3

Connecting your equipment

This receiver provides you with almost limitless possibilities for connecting your audio/video system, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Depending on your needs, you could be up and running in no time after a few simple connections. This section has been designed so that you can read through this short introduction, then jump to the specific connections that you need to make. For a basic home theater setup, you may only need to look through the TV, DVD and speaker connections.

Rear panel

AC I

Caution

• Before making or changing the 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.

1 i.LINK connectors

Two S400-type i.LINK connectors allow you to connect this receiver to other compatible i.LINK audio devices for high-resolution, multichannel digital audio input/output. See

Using the i.LINK interface

details.

2 Digital audio coaxial inputs

Two coaxial digital audio inputs for connecting digital audio sources to this receiver. All the inputs are freely assignable to input functions for maximum flexibility.

• If a connected component does not correspond to the input function (

digital inputs

3 USB audio input

The USB audio input allows you to use your PC as a playback source for audio. See on page 78 for connection details.

on page 81 to assign it properly.

on page 76 for connection

DVD/LD

, etc.), see

Using the USB interface

Assigning the

4 IR input/output

An IR connection allows you to connect an external remote control sensor, when your component system is in a closed cabinet or shelving unit, for example. See

Connecting an IR receiver

details.

5 Control input/output

Mini-plug terminals for connection to other Pioneer components to enable you to control all your equipment from a single remote sensor. See

components with this unit’s sensor

connection details.

6 Stereo analog audio source inputs/outputs

Four sets of analog audio jacks for connection to audio sources such as CD players, tape decks and turntables. The

CD-R/TAPE1

outputs for recording. See

sources

on page 26 for connection details.

• The grounding ( that require it. See on page 26 for connection details.

7 Antenna terminals

Connections for AM and FM radio antennas. See

Connecting antennas

on page 75 for connection

Operating other Pioneer

on page 65 for

and

MD/TAPE2



) terminal is for use with turntables

Connecting analog audio sources

on page 30 for connection details.

functions also feature

Connecting analog audio

Page 16

Connecting your equipment

8 Digital audio optical inputs

Two optical digital audio inputs for connecting digital audio sources to this receiver. All the inputs are freely assignable to input functions for maximum flexibility.

• If a connected component does not correspond to the input function (

digital inputs

9 Digital audio outputs

Two optical digital audio outputs for connecting to a CDR, MD or other digital recorder. See

audio sources

10 Multi-room and source outputs

The analog audio outputs are for connection to a second amplifier in a separate room. The

SOURCE

second monitor or TV in a separate room. See

listening

11 Audio/video source inputs

Each of the six source input functions has stereo analog audio jacks, a composite video jack and an S-video jack for basic connections. On top of these, you can assign digital audio and component video jacks to input functions as necessary. As well as audio/video inputs, the two input functions audio/video outputs for recording. See

or DVD recorder

12 Monitor video outputs

Two video outputs consisting of a standard composite video output and an S-video output, for connection to monitors and TVs. See connection details.

13 Multichannel pre-amplifier outputs

Multichannel pre-amp outputs that you can use to connect separate amplifiers for center, surround, surround back and subwoofer channels. See

additional amplifiers

14 Multichannel analog audio inputs

7.1 channel analog inputs for connection to a component with multichannel analog outputs. See

multichannel analog outputs

details.

15 Component video inputs/output

The two component video inputs are freely assignable to any of the audio/video input functions. The component video output is for connection to a monitor or TV. See

Using the component video jacks

connection details.

16 12V trigger jack

This terminal outputs DC 12V according to the input functions (100 mA max.). See

and off using the 12 volt trigger

details.

on page 25 for connection details.

composite video output is for connection to a

on page 73.

DVD/LD

on page 81 to assign it properly.

VCR 1/DVR

on page 22 for connection details.

Connecting your TV

on page 75 for connection details.

, etc.), see

MULTI-ROOM &

on page 20 for connection

on page 24 for

Switching components on

on page 65 for connection

Assigning the

Connecting digital

Multi-room

and

VCR 2

also have

Connecting a VCR

on page 18 for

Connecting

Connecting the

17 RS-232C connector

This port is provided for connecting a personal computer for graphical output when using Advanced MCACC.

18 Speaker terminals

These are the main speaker terminals for front, center, surround and surround back speakers. See

your speaker system

19 Voltage selector switches

only)

Use these to match the voltage coming into the receiver with the voltage in your country or region (see page 3 for more on this).

20 AC power inlet

Connect the supplied power cord here.

21 AC power outlet

(Continental European model only – Excluding UK)

This 230V AC power outlet can be used to power another component in your setup (up to 100 W). Power to this outlet is switched off when the receiver is in standby.

on page 28 for connection details.

(Multi-voltage model

Switched 100W max.

Installing

About the video converter

The video converter allows you to connect various video sources using composite, S-video or component video connections and the signal will be output through all of the

MONITOR VIDEO OUT

component video input, which is only output from the component video output. Therefore, if you want to connect any source using component video, you must also connect your TV using component video. If several video components are connected to the same input function, the converter gives priority to component, Svideo, then composite (in that order).

The following chart shows when the video signal will be converted fro output to the

Video terminal

VIDEO IN (Composite)

S-VIDEO IN

COMPONENT VIDEO IN

• The video input must be assigned before it will be output (see page 82 for more on this).

m the vari

MONITOR VIDEO OUT

VIDEO

(Composite)



mark above indicates that the component

Assigning the component video inputs

jacks. The only exception is

ous video inputs (left column) for

jacks (top row):

MONITOR OUT

S-VIDEO





COMPONENT

VIDEO

Page 17

Connecting your equipment

• When recording video sources however, you won’t be able to record sources connected to the component video inputs. With composite and S-video sources, they must be connected using the same type of video cable as you used to connect the recorder to the receiver.

About cable types

Analog audio cables

Use stereo RCA phono cables to connect analog audio components. These cables are typically red and white, and you should connect the red plugs to R (right) terminals and white plugs to L (left) terminals.

Digital audio cables

Commercially available coaxial digital audio cables or optical cables should be used to connect digital components to this receiver.

S-video cables

S-video cables give you clearer picture reproduction than regular video cables by sending separate signals for the luminance and color.

S Video

Component video cables

Use component video cables to get the best possible color reproduction of your video source. The color signal of the TV is divided into the luminance ( color (

PB and

interference between the signals is avoided.

PR) signals and then output. In this way,

Green

Blue

Red

) signal and the

When making cable connections

Be careful not to arrange cables in a manner that bends the cables over the top or around this unit. If the cables are laid on top of the unit, the magnetic field produced by the transformers in this unit may cause a humming noise to come from the speakers.

Coaxial digital audio cable Optical cable

• When connecting optical cables, be careful when inserting the plug not to damage the shutter protecting the optical socket.

• When storing optical cable, coil loosely. The cable may be damaged if bent around sharp corners.

• You can also use a standard RCA video cable for coaxial digital connections.

Video cables

Standard RCA video cables

These cables are the most common type of video connection and should be used to connect to the composite video terminals. They have yellow plugs to distinguish them from cables for audio.

VIDEO

Page 18

Connecting your equipment

Connecting your TV

This page shows you how to connect your TV to the receiver. To be able to play the sound from the TV’s builtin tuner, connect the analog audio outputs from your TV to this receiver.

If your TV has a built-in digital decoder, you can connect the digital audio output to this receiver to enjoy Dolby Digital and DTS sound from digital TV broadcasts.

1 Connect the MONITOR OUT video jack on this receiver to a video input on your TV.

Make sure you don’t connect to the connection for

MULTI ROOM & SOURCE

• You can use a standard RCA video cable to connect to the composite video jack, or for higher quality video, you can use an S-video cable to connect to the S-video jack (

• See

Using the component video jacks

S-VIDEO

you want to use the component video outputs to connect this receiver to your TV.

MONITOR OUT

on page 24 if

• See

About the video converter

on page 16 if you plan on connecting your other video components using different types of video cables than for your TV.

2 Connect the analog audio outputs from your TV to the TV/SAT inputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the connection.

3 Connect an optical digital audio output from your TV to the DIGITAL 1 (TV/SAT) input on this receiver.

• Use an optical cable for the connection.

• If your TV only has a coaxial digital output, you can connect it to one of the coaxial inputs on this receiver using a coaxial digital audio cable. When you set up the receiver you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the TV to (see

digital inputs

on page 81).

Assigning the

Note

• If your TV doesn’t have a digital audio output, omit step

above.

S400

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

ANALOG AUDIO OUT

COAXIAL

OPTICAL

DIGITAL AUDIO OUT

VIDEOINS-VIDEO

Page 19

Connecting your equipment

Connecting a DVD player

S400

COAXIAL

DIGITAL OUT ANALOG OUT VIDEO OUT

CENTER

1 2 3

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

AUDIORL S-VIDEOOPTICAL

DVD player

Different DVD players offer a different selection of connections, but all should give you at least a digital audio output, stereo analog audio outputs and a video output. Additionally, you may have a player with multichannel analog audio outputs and different kinds of video outputs to choose from.

1 Connect a coaxial digital audio output on your DVD player to the DIGITAL 3 (DVD/LD) input on this receiver.

• Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection.

• If your DVD player only has an optical digital output, you can connect it to one of the optical inputs on this receiver using an optical cable. When you set up the receiver you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the player to (see

inputs

on page 81).

Assigning the digital

2 If your DVD player only has stereo analog audio outputs, connect these to the DVD/LD AUDIO inputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the connection.

• If your DVD player has multichannel analog outputs, see

Connecting the multichannel analog outputs

below for how to connect it.

3 Connect a composite or S-video output on your DVD player to the DVD/LD VIDEO or DVD/LD SVIDEO input on this receiver.

• Use a standard RCA video cable or an S-video cable for the connection.

• See

About the video converter

on page 16 if you plan to use a different type of video cable than you used to connect your TV.

• If your player also has a component video output, you can connect this too. See

jacks

on page 24 for more on this.

Using the component video

Page 20

Connecting your equipment

Connecting the multichannel analog outputs

S400

FRONT SUB W. CENTER

SURR.

MULTI CH

OUTPUT

1 2

CENTER

MULTI CH. OUT

SURR.

BACK

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DVD player

For DVD Audio and SACD playback, your DVD player may have 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 channel analog outputs (depending on whether your player supports surround back channels).

1 Connect the front, surround, center and subwoofer outputs on your DVD player to the corresponding MULTI CH IN jack on this receiver.

• Use standard RCA phono cables for the connections.

• Take care to connect each output to its corresponding input on the receiver.

2 If your DVD player also has outputs for surround back channels, connect these to the corresponding MULTI CH IN jacks on this receiver.

• Use standard RCA phono cables for the connections.

• If there is only a single surround back output, be sure to connect it to the

SURROUND BACK L

jack on this

receiver.

Note

• To listen to multichannel analog audio you’ll need to press

MULTI CH INPUT

multichannel analog inputs

on the remote (see

on page 42 for more on

Using the

this).

Page 21

Connecting your equipment

Connecting a satellite/cable

receiver

Satellite and cable receivers, and terrestrial digital TV tuners are all examples of so-called ‘set-top boxes’.

1 Connect a set of audio/video outputs on the settop box component to the TV/SAT AUDIO and VIDEO inputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the audio connection and a standard RCA video or S-video cable for the video connection.

• See

About the video converter

on page 16 if you plan to use a different type of video cable than you used to connect your TV.

2 Connect an optical digital audio output from your set-top box component to the DIGITAL 1 (TV/ SAT) input on this receiver.

• Use an optical cable for the connection.

S400

CENTER

or other set-top box

• If your set-top box only has a coaxial digital output, you can connect it to one of the coaxial inputs on this receiver using a coaxial digital audio cable. When you set up the receiver you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the set-top box to (see

Assigning the digital inputs

Note

• If your satellite/cable receiver doesn’t have a digital audio output, omit step

• If you’ve already connected your TV to the inputs above, simply choose another input. However, you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the set-top box to (see

digital inputs

on page 81).

above.

Assigning the

SELECTABLE

TV/SAT

2 1

DIGITAL OUT

OPTICAL COAXIAL

VIDEO S-VIDEOAUDIOR

AV OUT

STB

VSX-AX5Ai

Page 22

Connecting your equipment

Connecting a VCR or DVD recorder

This receiver has two sets of audio/video inputs and outputs suitable for connecting analog or digital video recorders, including VCRs, DVD-recorders and HDD recorders.

• See

About the video converter

to use a different type of video cable than you used to connect your TV.

1 Connect a set of audio/video outputs on the recorder to the VCR1/DVR AUDIO and VIDEO inputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the audio connection and a standard RCA video or S-video cable for the video connection.

• For a second recorder, use the

2 Connect a set of audio/video inputs on the recorder to the VCR1/DVR AUDIO and VIDEO outputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the audio connection and a standard RCA video or S-video cable for the video connection.

on page 16 if you plan

VCR2

inputs.

• For a second recorder, use the

VCR2

outputs.

3 Connect an optical digital audio output from the recorder to a digital input on this receiver.

The example illustration below shows a recorder connected to the optical

DIGITAL 2 (CD-R/TAPE1)

input. When you set up the receiver you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the recorder to (see

Assigning the digital inputs

on page 81).

• Use a coaxial digital audio cable or an optical cable for the connection depending on the type of input you used.

• The digital outputs from another recorder can be connected to any spare digital audio input on this receiver. You can assign it when setting up the receiver (see

Assigning the digital inputs

on page 81).

Note

• If your video component doesn’t have a digital audio output, omit step

above.

S400

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

OPTICAL COAXIAL

DIGITAL OUT

VIDEOAUDIORL

S-VIDEO AUDIORL

AV OUT

VIDEO S-VIDEO

AV IN

1 23

DVR, VCR, etc.

Page 23

Connecting your equipment

Connecting other video sources

You can basically use any of the audio/video inputs on this receiver for any kind of video source. The example illustration below shows a component connected to the

VCR2

inputs.

1 Connect the analog audio outputs and a video output of the source component to a set of spare audio/video inputs on this receiver.

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the audio connection and a standard RCA video or S-video cable for the video connection.

• See

About the video converter

on page 16 if you plan to use a different type of video cable than you used to connect your TV.

2 If the source component has a digital audio output, connect it to a spare digital audio input on this receiver.

• Use a coaxial digital audio cable or an optical cable for the connection depending on the type of input you used.

• You may need to assign the digital input you used when setting up the receiver (see

digital inputs

on page 81).

Assigning the

S400

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

DIGITAL OUT

OPTICAL COAXIAL

VIDEO S-VIDEOAUDIO

AV OUT

LD player, video player, TV game, etc.

Page 24

Connecting your equipment

Using the component video jacks

Component video should deliver superior picture quality when compared to composite or S-video. A further advantage (if your source and TV are both compatible) is progressive-scan video, which delivers a very stable, flicker-free picture. See the manuals that came with your TV and source component to check whether they are compatible with progressive-scan video.

Important

• If you connect any source component to the receiver using a component video input, you should also have your TV connected to this receiver's component video

MONITOR

output.

1 Connect the component video outputs of your source to a set of component video inputs on this receiver.

Use a three-way component video cable for the connection.

2 Assign the component video inputs to the input source you’ve connected.

This must be done so that they can be used in conjunction with the audio/video input(s) to which you have connected the component above (see

component video inputs

on page 82 for more on this).

Assigning the

3 Connect the COMPONENT VIDEO MONITOR OUT jacks on this receiver to the component video inputs on your TV or monitor.

• Use a three-way component video cable.

S400

DVD player

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

COMPONENT

VIDEO OUT

COMPONENT

VIDEO IN

Page 25

Connecting your equipment

Connecting digital audio sources

This receiver has both digital inputs and outputs, allowing you to connect digital components for playback and for making digital recordings. Many digital components also have analog connections for recording analog sources (such as a turntable or tape deck). See

Connecting analog audio sources

1 Connect a coaxial digital output on your digital component to the DIGITAL 4 (CD) input on this receiver.

• Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection.

• If your digital component only has an optical digital output, you can connect it to one of the optical inputs on this receiver using an optical cable. When you set up the receiver you’ll need to tell the receiver which input you connected the player to (see

digital inputs

on page 81).

below for more on this.

Assigning the

• The digital outputs from other components can be connected to any spare digital audio inputs on this receiver. You can assign them when setting up the receiver (see

Assigning the digital inputs

on page 81).

2 Connect one of the DIGITAL outputs on this receiver to a digital input on the component.

• Use an optical cable to connect to the

OUT1

OUT2 (OUT2

is shown in the illustration

DIGITAL

below).

Note

• In order to record some digital sources, you must make analog connections as explained in

analog audio sources

below.

Connecting

S400

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

1 2

OPTICAL CO AXIAL

DIGITAL OUT

OPTICAL

DIGITAL IN

CD-R, MD, DAT, etc.

Page 26

Connecting your equipment

Connecting analog audio sources

This receiver features four stereo audio-only inputs. Two of these inputs have corresponding outputs for use with audio recorders.

One of the audio inputs ( turntable input which can also be used for line level components (see more on this). This input also has a grounding terminal that most turntables require.

1 Connect the analog audio outputs of the source component to a set of spare audio inputs on this receiver.

• If you’re connecting a tape deck, MD recorder, etc., connect the analog audio outputs ( audio inputs on the recorder.

PHONO

) is a switchable

PHONO/LINE Setup

on page 84 for

REC

) to the analog

• Use a stereo RCA phono cable for the connections.

2 Connect the stereo audio outputs of your turntable to the PHONO inputs on this receiver.

• If your turntable has a grounding wire, secure it to the ground terminal on this receiver.

• If your turntable has line-level outputs (no grounding wire), or if you want to connect a different line-level component, refer to to switch this input to the

PHONO/LINE Setup

LINE

setting.

on page 84

OUT

PLAY

REC

AUDIO IN/OUT

S400

Tape deck, etc.

CENTER

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

Turntable

Page 27

Connecting your equipment

Connecting a component to the front panel inputs

The front panel inputs include a composite video jack (

VIDEO

), an S-video jack (

inputs (

AUDIO L/R

(

DIGITAL

). You can use these connections for any kind of

S-VIDEO

), stereo analog audio

) and an optical digital audio input

audio/video component, but they are especially convenient for portable equipment such as camcorders, video games and portable audio/video equipment.

VSX-AX5Ai

• The input signals can be accessed by selecting

VIDEO

as the input source.

• Pull down the front cover where indicated to access the front panel inputs.

• The illustration below shows example connections to a portable DVD player. Note that you may need a specialized optical cable for this connection.

VIDEO IN/OUT

AUDIO IN/OUT

COLOR BRIGHT MONITOR

PHONES

DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)

Portable DVD player, etc.

HOLDON/OFF

Page 28

Connecting your equipment

Installing your speaker system

main surround speakers should always be connected as a pair, but you can connect just one surround back speaker if you like (it must be connected to the left surround back terminal). You can use speakers with a nominal impedance between 6–16

Switching the speaker impedance

to use speakers with an impedance of less than 8

Ω

(please see

on page 68 if you plan

Ω

Subwoofer

LINE LEVEL

INPUT

S400

Front left

CENTER

Center

Front

right

Caution

SELECTABLE

VSX-AX5Ai

Surround left

Surround back left

Surround back right

Surround

right

Page 29

Connecting your equipment

Connecting the speakers

• If you only have one surround back speaker, hook it up to the surround back left (

Caution

Bare wire connections

Before you start connecting the speakers, make sure that the speaker cable you’re going to use is properly prepared with about 10 mm of insulator stripped from each wire, and the exposed wire strands twisted together (

fig. A

To connect a terminal, unscrew the terminal a few turns until there is enough space to insert the exposed wire (

fig. B

). Once the wire is in position, tighten the terminal

until the wire is firmly clamped (

10mm

Single

fig. C

) terminal.

Placing the speakers

Where you put your speakers in the room has a big effect on the quality of the sound. The following guidelines should help you to get the best sound from your system.

• The subwoofer can be placed on the floor. Ideally, the other speakers should be at about ear-level when you’re listening to them. Putting the speakers on the floor (except the subwoofer), or mounting them very high on a wall is not recommended.

• For the best stereo effect, place the front speakers 2–3m apart, at equal distance from the TV.

• Install the center speaker above or below the TV so that the sound of the center channel is localized at the TV screen.

• When placing speakers near the TV, use magnetically shielded speakers to prevent possible interference, such as discoloration of the picture when the TV is switched on. If you do not have magnetically shielded speakers and notice discoloration of the TV picture, move the speakers farther away from the TV.

• If possible, install the surround speakers slightly above ear level.

• If you have two surround back speakers THX recommends placing them together and the same distance from your listening position.

Front L

Subwoofer

Front R

Center

fig. A fig. B fig. C

Note

• Please refer to the manual that came with your speakers for details on how to connect the other end of the speaker cables to your speakers.

• If you are using a THX certified subwoofer use the

THX INPUT

has one) or switch the filter position to

jack on the subwoofer (if your subwoofer

THX

on your

subwoofer.

• The surround speaker terminals on this receiver can be connected in a number of ways, depending on your setup. See

Surround back speaker setting

on page 55 for an overview of the possible configurations.

•

Other connections

on page 71 provides greater detail on alternate speaker setups such as using speaker system B (page 71) and bi-amping (page 72).

Surround

back L

Surround

back R

Surround

Caution

• Make sure that all speakers are securely installed. This not only improves sound quality, but also reduces the risk of damage or injury resulting from speakers being knocked over or falling in the event of external shocks such as earthquakes.

Page 30

Connecting your equipment

Connecting antennas

The supplied antennas provide a simple way to listen to AM and FM radio. If you find that reception quality is poor, an outdoor antenna should give you better sound quality—see

FM wire antenna

Connecting external antennas

below.

AM loo

S400

antenn

CENTER

VSX-AX5Ai

AM loop antenna

1 Assemble the stand as shown in the illustration.

fig. A fig. B fig. C

• Bend the stand in the direction indicated (fig. A).

• Clip the loop into the stand (fig. B).

• It’s possible to fix the AM antenna to a wall (fig. C). Before fixing, make sure that the reception is satisfactory.

2 Pull off the protective shields of both AM antenna wires.

3 Press the AM LOOP antenna terminal tabs to open and insert one wire into each terminal.

4 Release the tabs to secure the AM antenna wires.

5 Place the AM antenna on a flat surface and point in the direction giving the best reception.

Avoid placing near computers, television sets or other electrical appliances and do not let it come into contact with metal objects.

SELECTABLE

Note

• The signal ground () is designed to reduce noise that occurs when an antenna is connected. It is not an electrical safety ground.

FM wire antenna

• Connect the FM wire antenna to the FM UNBAL 75

Ω

terminal.

For best results, extend the FM antenna fully and fix to a wall or door frame. Don’t drape loosely or leave coiled up.

Connecting external antennas

To improve FM reception connect an external FM antenna to the

FM UNBAL 75Ω.

75Ω coaxial cable

ANTENNA

Page 31

Connecting your equipment

To improve AM reception, connect a 5–6m length of vinylcoated wire to the disconnecting the supplied AM loop antenna.

For the best possible reception, suspend horizontally outdoors.

AM LOOP

terminals without

Outdoor antenna

Indoor antenna

(vinyl-coated wire)

5–6 meters

Plugging in the

Only plug in after you have connected all your components to this receiver, including the speakers.

Caution

• Handle the power cord by the plug part. Do not pull out the plug by tugging the cord, and never touch the power cord when your hands are wet, as this could cause a short circuit or electric shock. Do not place the unit, a piece of furniture, or other object on the power cord or pinch the cord in any other way. Never make a knot in the cord or tie it with other cables. The power cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be stepped on. A damaged power cord can cause a fire or give you an electric shock. Check the power cord once in a while. If you find it damaged, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized independent service company for a replacement.

• Do not use any power cord other than the one supplied with this unit.

• Do not use the supplied power cord for any purpose other than that described below.

• The receiver should be disconnected by removing the mains plug from the wall socket when not in regular use (for example, when on vacation).

1 Plug the supplied power cord into the AC IN socket on the back of the receiver.

2 Plug the other end into a power outlet.

receiver

About the AC outlet

Continental European (excluding U.K.) model only (Switched 100W max.)

Power supplied through this outlet is turned on and off by the receiver's Total electrical power consumption of connected equipment

•

Do not connect a TV set

appliance to this unit's AC outlet.

• Do not connect appliances with high power consumption to the AC outlet in order to avoid overheating and fire risk. This can also cause the receiver to malfunction.

• Since a subwoofer can exceed the 100W maximum when playing sources at high volumes, it is best not to connect a subwoofer to the AC outlet.



OFF ON

should not exceed 100 W.

Caution

and  STANDBY/ON

, monitor, heater, or similar

buttons.

Page 32

Controls and displays

Chapter 4

Controls and displays

Front panel

Note that the illustration below shows the European model.

6958

European model

15 16 17 19 20

7101211 13 14

211822

Multi-voltage model

15 16 17 19 20

211822

23 24 25

Page 33

Controls and displays

1 MULTI JOG dial

Depending on the operation, you can use this to select an input source or listening mode, as well as for tuner and system settings. It can often be used instead of the remote control

2 Surround listening mode buttons

Use to select the modes.

3 STANDBY/ON

Press  STANDBY/ON standby.

4OFF ON

Switch the receiver on or into standby when this button is in the power to the receiver is switched off.

5 ENTER

Use to confirm your selection (with the

6 STANDBY indicator

Lights when the receiver is in standby.

7 Remote sensor

Receives the signals from the remote control.

8 Display

See

Display

9 Advanced MCACC indicator

Lights when Acoustic Calibration EQ is on (Acoustic Calibration EQ is automatically set to after the Auto Surround Setup has been completed).

10 i.LINK indicator

Lights when an i.LINK-audio-equipped component is selected.

11 STEREO/DIRECT

Switches the receiver into different listening mode or toggles between

STEREO

12 MULTI CH IN

Press to select the component connected to the

CH IN

terminals (for example, a DVD-Audio player).

13 ACOUSTIC EQ

Press to select an acoustic calibration EQ setting.

14 MASTER VOLUME dial

Adjusts the volume.

15 MULTI JOG CONTROL

Use the menu, and

16 STREAM DIRECT

Press to switch on/off Auto playback.

/

(cursor up/down) buttons.

MOVIE

and

MUSIC

surround listening

to switch the receiver on or into

ON position. When in the OFF

MULTI JOG

on page 35.

(page 42)

ALL CH ADJUST

(page 76)

(page 41)

STEREO

(page 42)

SET UP

button to access the System Setup

RETURN

to exit the current menu screen.

(page 38)

mode if it was in a

(page 38)

position, the

DIRECT

MULTI

dial).

and

European model:

CHARACTER/SEARCH

Use this button to search for RDS program types.

Multi-voltage model:

MIDNIGHT

Press to switch on/off Midnight listening.

European model:

EON MODE

Use to search for programs that are broadcasting traffic or news information.

Multi-voltage model:

LOUDNESS

Press to switch Loudness on/off.

19 TUNER controls

Use the front panel tuner controls for tuning into stations and recalling station presets.

BAND

Press to select the AM or FM band.

CLASS

Press repeatedly to switch the preset station classes.

SELECT

Switches between the station memory and frequency select mode when using the

– /+

Selects station memories or frequencies when using the tuner.

TUNER EDIT

Press to memorize and name a station for recall with the

20 MULTI ROOM & SOURCE controls

If you’ve made multi-room connections (see

listening

sub room from the main room (see

controls

CONTROL

Use together with the function or use with the the volume of the sub room.

ON/OFF

Use to switch the multi-room feature on or off.

21 PHONES jack (page 41) Use to connect headphones (no sound will be heard through the speakers).

22 SPEAKERS (page 71) Depending on the surround back speaker setting (page 55), press either to switch the speaker system or simply to switch it off (See Switching the speaker system on page 71 for more on this).

(page 46)

(page 52)

(page 46)

MULTI JOG

on page 73) use these controls to control the

on page 74).

(page 48)

dial.

(page 52)

– /+

buttons.

Using the multi-room

MULTI JOG

MASTER VOLUME

dial to select the

Multi-room

to select

Page 34

Controls and displays

23 TONE CONTROL

TONE

Press to switch the tone controls on or off (bypass).

BASS/TREBLE

Use to select whether the bass or treble will be adjusted.

+/–

Use to adjust the frequency setting.

24 MCACC SETUP MIC jack

Use to connect the supplied microphone.

25 VIDEO INPUT jacks

•

DIGITAL IN

player, video camera (etc.), that has an optical digital connection.

•

S-VIDEO

S-video out.

•

VIDEO / AUDIO (L/R)

that has standard RCA video/audio outputs.

– Connect a video camera (etc.), that has an

(page 46)

(page 27)

– Connect a game console, portable DVD

– Connect a video camera, etc.

Page 35

Controls and displays

Display

Note that the illustration below shows the European model display.

1235

1 SIGNAL indicators

Light to indicate the currently selected input signal.

AUTO

lights when the receiver is set to select the input

signal automatically.

2 Digital format indicators

•

PRO LOGIC II

Pro Logic IIx processing.

•

Neo:6

– Lights during Neo:6 processing with 2-

channel sources.

•

DIGITAL

detected.

•

DTS

– Lights when a DTS signal is detected.

•

– Lights when a DTS-ES signal is detected.

– Lights when a Dolby Digital EX signal is

• detected.

•

STEREO

3 LOUDNESS

Lights when Loudness listening is active.

4 MIDNIGHT

Lights when Midnight listening is active.

5 TONE

Lights when the tone control is switched on.

6 DNR

Lights when digital noise reduction is switched on.

7 Tuner indicators

European model only:

(page 46)

(page 47)

STEREO

Lights when listening to a stereo FM broadcast in auto/stereo mode.

MONO

Lights when the tuner MPX mode is set to mono.

TUNED

Lights when tuned to a broadcast.

RDS

(page 51)

Lights when an RDS broadcast is received.

91110 12 13 14

(page 43)

– Lights during Dolby Pro Logic II and

– Lights when a Dolby Digital signal is

– Lights during 2-channel playback.

(page 46)

(page 48)

(page 49)

476

EON EON

during reception of an EON broadcast. The indicator lights when the current station carries the EON service.

8 SB CH

Indicates the surround back channel (or Virtual Surround Back) setting (

9 Program format indicators

These change according to which channels are active in Dolby, DTS, DVD-A and SACD sources.

LS, S

channel sources.

•

C R

•

LS S

• channel

•

RS LFE

•

• – Lights when an LFE signal is detected

10 Speaker indicators

Lights to indicate the current speaker system,

11 Listening mode indicators

Shows mode is selected. one of the advanced (DSP) listening modes is selected.

12 Hi-BIT/SAMPLING

Lights when the audio scaler is switched on.

13 MULTI-ROOM

Lights when the multi room feature is active.

14 Volume level indicator

(page 52)

lights when the EON mode is set, and flashes

(page 44)

AUTO, ON

and RS will light at the same time to indicate 6.1

– Left front channel

– Center channel

– Right front channel

– Left surround channel

– Surround channel (mono) or surround back

– Right surround channel

– Low frequency effects channel

MOVIE

DSP

OFF

(page 71)

(page 38)

MUSIC

when a surround listening

will light with a box around it when

(page 45)

(page 73)

and/or B.

Page 36

4 5

8 9

Controls and displays

Remote control

SOURCE

DVD/LD

5 6

VCR2

CD-R/

TAPE1

DIMMER

SIGNAL SEL

VIDEO SEL

SYSTEM SETUP

TUNER EDIT

AUDIO

MPX

TUNING BAND

STATION

CHANNEL

TV VOL

MOVIE MUSIC MUTE

STEREO/

DIRECT

1 Remote Control Display Screen

2 SOURCE

Use this button to turn on/off other components. You must input the component preset code in order to do this (see

components

This is a dedicated TV button. Use it to turn on/ off your TV.

3 MULTI CONTROL buttons

These buttons are the basic controls that switch the mode of the receiver and the remote control, which allows you to control your other components.

TV CONT

Press so that the remote control can operate the TV control commands.



Using the remote control with other

on page 58).



SETUP

SYSTEM

OFF

VCR1 /

TV/SAT

DVR

MULTI CONTROL

VIDEO CD

MD/

TUNER

TAPE2

LOUDNESS TONE

342

DNR

BASS/TREBLE

678

HI-BIT

DIRECT ACCESS

ENTER

TEXT ON RF ATT DISP MODE

TEXT OFF CLASS

TV INPUT

INPUT

TV CONTROL

MIDNIGHT

TV CH

MULTI CH

INPUT

ACOUSTIC

ENTER

SURROUND

SB CH MODE

MODE

RECEIVERTV

EFFECT/CH SEL

SEARCH MODE

SUB TITLE

TUNING

STATION

CHANNEL

VOLUME

TV CONT

MULTI

OPERATION

RECEIVER

ENTER

GUIDE

TOP MENU

TRACK

EXIT

RETURN

REMOTE

SETUP

1 1

DISC

1 1

2 21 2 23

4 Number buttons

The operation of these buttons depends on whether the remote control has been set to the

CONTROL

setting (see

Controlling other equipment

page 58 for more on this). When

RECEIVER

MULTI

is selected,

you’ll be able to select the following:

DIMMER

(page 67) Use to adjust the brightness of the front panel display.

LOUDNESS

(page 46)

Press to switch Loudness on/off.

TONE

(page 46)

Press to switch the tone controls on or off (bypass).

BASS/TREBLE

(page 46) Use to select whether the bass or treble will be adjusted.

+/–

Use to adjust the sound delay, the tone, effect and channel levels, as well as to change Dolby Pro Logic II / Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music parameter settings.

EFFECT/CH SEL

Press repeatedly to select a channel, then use adjust the level (see

EFFECT

mode, Dolby Pro Logic II / Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Tip

on page 57). Also selects the

–/+

Music parameters (see page 40) and the sound delay setting (see page 66). You can then use the

and –

buttons to make these adjustments.

SIGNAL SEL

(page 43)

Press repeatedly to select one of the following:

• AUTO

If there are analog and digital signals input, the receiver automatically selects the digital signal.

• DIGITAL

Selects an optical or coaxial digital signal.

• ANALOG

Selects an analog signal.

DNR

Press to switch digital noise reduction on/off (see

Reducing noise during playback

VIDEO SEL

(page 67)

on page 47).

Press repeatedly to select the video source.

HI-BIT

(page 45)

Use this to switch the audio scaler on or off.

5 SYSTEM SETUP

Use to display the System Setup menu (page 80). Also used to display a menu when controlling other components (such as a DVD player or TV), or as the

TUNER EDIT

button when using the tuner.

Page 37

Controls and displays

6////ENTER buttons

Use to navigate menus and select options/execute commands.

7 AUDIO

Use to switch the audio tracks of a DVD when a DVD player is selected as the input source.

8 Command buttons for other components

Use these buttons to control the component you selected with the once you’ve programmed the remote to control the appropriate component (for example, your TV or DVD player). See more on this.

9 TV CONTROL buttons

These are dedicated buttons used to control your TV once you’ve programmed your TV preset code (see

other equipment

10 Listening mode buttons

11 SB CH MODE

Use to select the surround/virtual back channel mode.

12 SYSTEM OFF

Press to switch off all Pioneer components in your system, or any other component you have also programmed to switch off using the System Off function.

13 RECEIVER (STANDBY/ON)

Press to switch the receiver on or into standby.

14 MULTI OPERATION

Use this button to perform multi operations.

MULTI CONTROL

Controlling other equipment

on page 58 for more on this).

TV INPUT

Press to select the input source for the TV.

TV CH +/-

Use these buttons to change the channel of the TV.

TV VOL +/-

Press to control the volume of the TV.

MOVIE / MUSIC

Press to select the surround listening mode you want (see

Listening in surround sound



After selecting a above, use these to select the options available.

ENTER

Use to confirm your selection.

STEREO/DIRECT

Switches the receiver into a different listening mode or toggles between and

STEREO

(page 44)

(page 63)

buttons. They are available

on page 58 for

(page 38)

on page 38).

MOVIE

MUSIC

listening mode

(page 41)

STEREO

mode if it was in

(page 63)

Controlling

DIRECT

15 RECEIVER

Press this button to access receiver functions or when setting up the receiver.

16 TOP MENU/GUIDE

Use to display the disc ‘top menu’ when a DVD player is selected as the input source. Also use to find stations or menus on a digital TV tuner.

17 RETURN

When you are setting up the receiver, this button will take you back one step. When another component is selected (such as a DVD player, cable tuner, satellite tuner or digital TV tuner), use it the same way as the components ‘Return’ button (it may also exit from the menu screen, depending on the maker of the unit).

18 INPUT

Press to select an input source. The button will cycle through all the possible input sources (such as

PHONO

19 VOLUME (+/-)

Use to increase or decrease the volume of the receiver.

20 MIDNIGHT

Press to switch on/off Midnight listening.

21 MUTE

Press to mute or restore the volume.

22 MULTI CH INPUT

Press to select the component connected to the

CH IN

23 ACOUSTIC EQ

Press to select an acoustic calibration EQ setting.

24 REMOTE SETUP

Use to customize remote control functions and the remote control display (see on page 58 for more on this).

and any i.LINK components).

(page 46)

(page 42)

terminals (for example, a DVD-Audio player).

(page 42)

Controlling other equipment

USB

MULTI

Page 38

MOVIE MUSIC

ENTER

SURROUND

MODE

Listening to your system

Chapter 5

Listening to your system

Auto playback

• Default setting:

There are many ways to listen back to sources using this receiver, but for the simplest, most direct listening option is the Stream Direct feature. With this, the receiver automatically detects what kind of source you’re playing and selects multichannel or stereo playback as necessary.

• While listening to a source, press STREAM DIRECT on the front panel to switch it on or off.

The decoding or playback format shows briefly in the display before showing digital format indicators in the front panel display to see how the source is being processed.

Note

• Stereo surround (matrix) formats are decoded accordingly using

IIx MOVIE

categories

WEATHER

– Current affairs

– General information

– Sport

– Educational material

– Radio plays or serials

– National or regional culture, theatre, etc.

– Science and technology

– Usually talk-based material, such as quiz

– Pop music

– Rock music

– “Middle of the road” music also called soft

– ‘Light’ classical music

– ‘Serious’ classical music

– Other music not fitting any of the above

– Weather reports

) is the name of the radio

JAZZ

. There

FINANCE

trading, etc.

CHILDREN SOCIAL RELIGION PHONE IN TRAVEL

announcements

LEISURE JAZZ COUNTRY NATION M

English

OLDIES FOLK M DOCUMENT

In addition, there is a program type called for emergency announcements. You can’t search for this, but the tuner will switch automatically to this RDS broadcast signal.

– Stock market reports, commerce,

– Programs for children

– Social affairs

– Programs concerning religion

– Public expressing their views by phone

– Holiday-type travel rather than traffic

– Leisure interests and hobbies

– Jazz

– Country music

– Popular music in a language other than

– Popular music from the’50s and’60s

– Folk music

– Documentaries

ALARM

, used

Displaying RDS information

When the tuner is selected, use the to display the different types of RDS information available (

RT, PS

and

PTY

• Press DISP MODE to select the RDS information display.

Each press changes the display as follows:

– Radio Text display

•

– Program Service display

PTY

– Program Type display

•

• Current tuner frequency

Note

• If any noise is picked up while displaying the RT scroll, some characters may be displayed incorrectly.

• If you see it means no RT data is transmitted from the broadcast station. If you have entered a name for the station, it is broadcast instead of RT data. If you haven’t, the display will automatically switch to the PS data display. If no PS data is transmitted from the station, the frequency will be displayed.

• In the PTY display, there are cases where is shown. If this happens, the PS display is shown after a few seconds.

NO RADIO TEXT DATA

DISP MODE

in the RT display,

button

NO DATA

Page 52

Using the tuner

Searching for RDS programs

One of the most useful features of RDS is the ability to search for a particular kind of radio program. You can search for any of the program types listed on the previous page.

1 Press the BAND button to select the FM band.

RDS is only possible in the FM band.

2 Press the CHARACTER/SEARCH button. SEARCH

3 Use the MULTI JOG dial to select the program type you want to hear.

4 Press ENTER to search for the program type.

The system starts searching through the station presets for a match. When it finds one, the search stops and the station plays for five seconds.

5 If you want to keep listening to the station, press ENTER within the 5 seconds.

If you don’t press

If that program type at the time of the search.

shows in the display.

• You can also use the +/– buttons on the front panel to select the program type.

ENTER

, searching resumes.

NO PTY

• RDS searches station presets only. If no stations

is displayed it means the tuner couldn’t find

Note

have been preset, or if the program type could not be found among the station presets displayed.

FINISH

means the search is complete.

NO PTY

An introduction to EON

European model only

When EON (Enhanced Other Network information) is turned on, the receiver jumps to an EON-linked broadcast when it begins, even if a receiver function other than the tuner is being used. It can’t be used in areas that EON information isn’t transmitted and when FM broadcast stations don’t transmit PTY data. When the broadcast ends, the tuner returns to the original frequency or function.

Using EON

1 Press the BAND button to select the FM band.

EON is only possible in the FM band.

2 Press EON MODE to select one of the possible modes.

Press repeatedly to switch between:

EON TA

•

When set to display lights (it flashes when receiving an EON broadcast). The indicator in the display lights when the current station carries the EON service.

• The EON function does not work when listening to

• You can’t search for traffic announcements and

• You cannot operate the

• If you want to change to a function other than the

(Traffic Announcement) – Sets the tuner to

pick up traffic information when it is broadcast.

EON NEWS

is broadcast.

OFF

Note

AM reception.

news at the same time.

CHARACTER/SEARCH

indicator in the display is lit.

tuner, press

– Sets the tuner to pick up news when it

– Switches off the EON feature.

NEWS

, the

EON

indicator in the

TUNER EDIT

buttons while the

EON MODE

to turn EON off.

and

EON

Page 53

Using the tuner

Clearing all stations from the RDS and EON searches

The receiver will automatically register an identifying marker (called a PI code) for any station you input into the memory classes which can receive RDS or EON data. If you want to remove the currently memorized stations from RDS and EON searches, you can do it by erasing the PI codes.

1 Press and hold EON MODE for about two seconds. ERASE PI

2 Press ENTER. ERASE PI

have been erased.

is displayed.

flashes for two seconds to indicate the PI codes

Page 54

SYSTEM SETUP

ENTER

RECEIVER

The Surround Setup menu

Chapter 7

The Surround Setup menu

Making

receiver

settings from the

Surround Setup menu

This receiver allows you to make detailed settings to optimize the surround sound performance. You only need to make these settings once (unless you change the placement of your current speaker system or add new speakers.).

These settings are designed to fine-tune your system, but if you’re satisfied with the settings made in

setting up for surround sound

on page 12, it isn’t

necessary to make all of these settings.

Important

• For some of the settings below, you’ll have to connect the setup microphone to the front panel and place it about ear level at your normal listening position. See

Automatically setting up for surround sound

page 12 if you’re unsure how to do this. Also see

Other problems when using the Auto Surround Setup

on page 14 for notes regarding high background noise levels and other possible interference.

• If you’re using a subwoofer, switch it on and turn up the volume to the middle position.

• After three minutes of inactivity during the setup options, the OSD will go to sleep until a button is pressed. With other screens, the receiver automatically exits and no settings will be made.

Caution

• The test tones used in the Surround Setup are output at high volume (the volume increases to 0dB automatically).

1 Switch on the receiver and your TV.

Use the OFF ON press the



RECEIVER

button to turn on the power, then

button to switch on.

• If headphones are connected to the receiver, disconnect them.

Automatically

Auto

2 Using the remote control, press RECEIVER, then press the SYSTEM SETUP button.

An on-screen display (OSD) appears on your TV. Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and

ENTER

on the remote control to navigate through the screens and select menu items.

Tip

• You can also use the front panel display to make settings. You can also use the

ENTER

on the front panel instead of the

up/down) buttons and

MULTI JOG

ENTER

on the remote control.

/

3 Select ‘Surround Setup’ then press ENTER.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

4 Select the setting you want to adjust.

dial and

(cursor

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

Page 55

The Surround Setup menu

•

SurrBack System

surround back speakers (see

setting

below).

Auto Setting

• surround setup (see

surround sound

•

Normal

– Specify the size, number, distance and

– Specify how you are using your

Surround back speaker

– This is a quick and easy automatic

Automatically setting up for

on page 12).

overall balance of the speakers you’ve connected (see

Normal surround setting

Expert

•

– Use this menu to fine tune your surround

setup (see

The Expert setup menu

below).

on page 86).

5 Make the adjustments necessary for each setting, pressing ENTER to confirm after each setting.

Surround back speaker setting

• Default setting:

There are several ways you can use the surround back speaker channels with this system. In addition to a normal home theater setup where they are used for the surround back speakers, they can be used for bi-amping the front speakers or as an independent speaker system in another room.

1 Select ‘SurrBack System’ from the Surround Setup menu.

See

Making receiver settings from the Surround Setup

above if you’re not already at this screen.

2 Select the surround back speaker setting.

Normal

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

•

Front Bi-Amp

amping your front speakers (see

speakers

MR&S

•

– Select this setting if you’re bi-

Bi-amping your front

on page 72).

– Select to use the (surround back) B speaker terminals for an independent system in another room (see

Multi-room listening

on page 73).

3 When you’re finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Surround Setup menu.

Normal surround setting

If you aren’t satisfied with the results the Auto Setup (

Automatically setting up for surround sound

you can use these settings to adjust speaker parameters manually. Note that these settings overwrite the settings made with the Auto Setup.

• Select ‘Normal’ from the Surround Setup menu.

See

Making receiver settings from the Surround Setup

above if you’re not already at this screen.

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

Speaker Setting

• Default setting:

Use this setting to specify your speaker configuration (size, number of speakers). You can make sure that the settings made in

sound

on page 12 are correct.

1 Choose ‘Speaker Setting’ from the Normal setup menu.

SMALL

(all speakers) /

Subwoofer

–

YES

Automatically setting up for surround

on page 12),

SurrBack System

•

Normal System

[ Normal System [ Second Zone [ Front Bi-Amp [ MR&S [ Exit

– Select for normal home theater

] ] ] ] ]

use with surround back speakers in your main (speaker system A) setup.

•

Second Zone

– Select to use the (surround back) B speaker terminals to listen to stereo playback in another room (see

Second Zone speaker B setup

page 71).

Normal

[ Speaker Setting ] [ Channel Level [ Speaker Distance [ Exit ]

] ]

2 Choose the set of speakers that you want to set then select a speaker size.

Speaker Setting

Front [ SMALL ] Center [ SMALL ] Surround [ SMALL ] SurrBack [ SMALL Subwoofer [ YES ] [Exit]

(THX Speaker:SMALL)

2 ]

Page 56

The Surround Setup menu

Use

/

number) of each of the following speakers:

(cursor up/down) to select the size (and

•

Front

– Select

LARGE

if your front speakers reproduce bass frequencies effectively, or if you didn’t connect a subwoofer. Select

SMALL

to send

the bass frequencies to the subwoofer.

•

Center

– Select

LARGE

if your center speaker

reproduces bass frequencies effectively, or select

SMALL

to send bass frequencies to the other speakers or subwoofer. If you didn’t connect a center speaker, choose

(the center channel is sent to

the front speakers).

•

Surround

– Select

LARGE

if your surround speakers

reproduce bass frequencies effectively. Select

SMALL

to send bass frequencies to the other speakers or subwoofer. If you didn’t connect surround speakers choose

(the sound of the surround channels is sent to the front speakers or a subwoofer).

•

SurrBack

speakers you have (one, two or none). Select

– Select the number of surround back

LARGE

if your surround back speakers reproduce bass frequencies effectively. Select

SMALL

to send bass frequencies to the other speakers or subwoofer. If you didn’t connect surround back speakers choose

Subwoofer

• channels set to subwoofer when Choose the

– LFE signals and bass frequencies of

SMALL

are output from the

YES

is selected (see notes below).

PLUS

setting if you want the subwoofer to output bass sound continuously or you want deeper bass (the bass frequencies that would normally come out the front and center speakers are also routed to the subwoofer). If you did not connect a subwoofer choose

(the bass frequencies are output from

other speakers).

Note

• If you selected

MR&S

Second Zone, Front Bi-Amp

Surround back speaker setting

, or

above you

can’t adjust the surround back settings.

• If you select subwoofer will automatically be fixed to

SMALL

for the front speakers the

YES

. Also,

the center and surround speakers can’t be set to

LARGE

if the front speakers are set to

SMALL

. In this

case, all bass frequencies are sent to the subwoofer.

• If the surround speakers are set to back speakers will automatically be set to

, the surround

• If you select one surround back speaker only, make sure that speaker is hooked up to the left surround back terminal.

• If you’re using a THX speaker setup, we recommend setting all speakers to

SMALL

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Normal setup menu.

Tip

• If you have a subwoofer and like lots of bass, it may seem logical to select and

PLUS

for the subwoofer. This may not, however,

LARGE

for your front speakers

yield the best bass results. Depending on the speaker placement of your room you may actually experience a decrease in the amount of bass due to low frequency cancellations. In this case, try changing the position or direction of speakers. If you can’t get good results, listen to the bass response with it set to

PLUS

and

YES

or the front speakers set to

SMALL

alternatively and let your ears judge which

LARGE

sounds best. If you’re having problems, the easiest option is to route all the bass sounds to the subwoofer by selecting

Channel Level

• Default setting:

SMALL

0dB

(all speakers)

for the front speakers.

Using the channel level setting, you can adjust the overall balance of your speaker system, an important factor when setting up a home theater system.

1 Select ‘Channel Level’ from the Normal setup menu.

Normal

[ Speaker Setting ] [ Channel Level [ Speaker Distance [ Exit ]

]

2 Select a setup option and press ENTER to start the test tones.

Channel Level

[ Manual ] [ Auto ]

Exit ]

[

•

Manual

Test Tone

Setting Start

Caution!! Test tone is output loudly.

– Move the test tone manually from speaker

to speaker and adjust individual channel levels.

•

Auto

– Adjust channel levels as the test tone moves

from speaker to speaker automatically.

and

Page 57

The Surround Setup menu

3 Adjust the level of each channel using the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons.

If you selected

ENTER

Manual

, use

/

to select speakers. The

(cursor up/down) and

Auto

setup will output

test tones in the order shown on-screen:

Channel Level

Left [ ] Center [ ] Right [ ]

Surround [ ]

SurrBack [ ]

Surround [ ] Subwoofer [ ]

Exit

]

[

Manual setup

0.0

Channel Level

Left [ ] Center [ ] Right [ ]

Surround [ ]

SurrBack [ ]

Surround [ ] Subwoofer [ ]

Exit=Push Enter

Auto setup

0.0

Adjust the level (+/– 10dB) of each speaker as the test tone is emitted.

Note

• If you are using a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter, take the readings from your main listening position and adjust the level of each speaker to 75 dB SPL (Cweighting/slow reading).

• The subwoofer test tone is output at low volumes. You may need to adjust the level after testing with an actual soundtrack.

4 If you selected ‘Manual’, select ‘Exit’ to finish. With ‘Auto’, simply press ENTER.

Channel Level

Test Tone

Please Wait

You will return to the Normal setup menu.

Speaker Distance

• Default setting:

2.0 m

(all speakers)

For good sound depth and separation from your system, you need to specify the distance of your speakers from the listening position. The receiver can then add the proper delay needed for effective surround sound.

1 Select ‘Speaker Distance’ from the Normal setup menu.

Normal

[ Speaker Setting ] [ Channel Level [ Speaker Distance [ Exit ]

] ]

2 Specify the distance of each speaker from the listening position.

Speaker Distance

Left [ ] Center [ ] Right [ ] Surround [ ] SurrBack [ ] SurrBack [ ] Surround [ ] Subwoofer [ ] [Exit ]

2.0 m

Adjust the distance of each speaker within the range of

0.1–9.0 meters.

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Normal setup menu.

Tip

• For best surround sound, make sure the surround back speakers are the same distance.

Tip

• You can change the channel levels at any time by pressing

RECEIVER

then

EFFECT/CH SEL

(to select the channel you want to adjust) on the remote. Use the

+/–

buttons to increase/decrease the level.

RECEIVER

EFFECT/CH SEL

Page 58

Controlling other equipment

Chapter 8

Controlling other equipment

Using the remote control with other components

The supplied remote control can operate not only this receiver, but also your TV, DVD player and other components. If the component is listed in the remote control's memory, you can simply follow the steps in

Recalling preset codes

listed, or if you want the remote to learn additional operations, see

controls

on page 59.

Preset code brands

See available for each component.

below. If the component is not

Programming signals from other remote

on page 105 for a list of brands

1 Make sure the component you want to control is switched on.

2 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The display.

3 Use the menu and press ENTER. Select Function

4 Press the MULTI CONTROL button that matches the connection for the component you want to control.

For example, press DVD player that you connected to the

Note

• You can cancel or exit any of the following steps by pressing

REMOTE SETUP

• After one minute of inactivity, the remote goes to sleep. Press any button to reactivate the remote display and continue.

• TV codes (for example, codes for TV, CATV, Satellite TV or DTV) can only be assigned to the

CONT

button.

TV/SAT

• The default preset setting for all functions is a corresponding Pioneer component. Note that where two buttons are listed, the first component is the default (for example,

MD/TAPE2

is an MD), and the

VIDEO

button is set to a Pioneer DVD player.

5 Use component you’ve connected and press ENTER.

Following our example above, you would select

you should choose from the component connected. For example, if you connected a DVD recorder instead of a VCR to the would select

6 Use turer’s name from the list.

If there is more than one component type for the manufacturer, then

Recalling preset codes

The following steps show you how to recall preset codes for each input source. Use the remote control to do this.

Start with the first one in the list.

7 Point the remote at the component you want to control and press ENTER. OK?

ENTER

If the component switches off

(cursor up/down) and shows in the display to confirm that the component preset has been recalled properly.

If the component doesn’t switch off



another preset for your manufacturer (step 6).

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

MD/

TAPE2

VCR1 /

TV CONT

DVR

REMOTE

SETUP

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

CD-R/ TAPE1

REMOTE SETUP

/

menu appears in the remote control

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Preset’ from

flashes in the display.

DVD/LD

if you want to control the

DVD/LD

terminals.

• Choosing a button that’s already assigned will overwrite the old preset (and any other operations you may have programmed).

• You can’t assign the

/

(cursor up/down) to choose the type of

DVR

/

(cursor up/down) to select the manufac-

here.

–1, –2

RECEIVER

TUNER

ITEM

list according to the

VCR2

buttons.

DVD

, but

inputs, you

, etc. will appear in the display.

shows in the remote control display.

(into standby), use

ENTER

to select

Yes. COMPLETE

/

(into standby), use

(cursor up/down) and

ENTER

to select No. Choose

• If the component you are trying to control doesn’t have a standby mode, simply select

Yes

above then confirm that it is the right code by testing it with another operation button.

• If you can’t find or properly enter a preset code, you can still teach the remote individual commands from another remote control (see

from other remote controls

Programming signals

below).

/

Page 59

Controlling other equipment

DIMMER

LOUDNESS TONE

SIGNAL SEL

DNR

DISC

678

342

BASS/TREBLE

VIDEO SEL

HI-BIT

DIRECT ACCESS

SEARCH MODE

ENTER

GUIDE

SYSTEM SETUP

TUNER EDIT

MPX

TUNING BAND

DISP MODE

TUNING

STATION

CHANNEL

SUB TITLE

ENTER

TOP MENU

AUDIO

RETURN

TRACK

EXIT

CHANNEL

EFFECT/CH SEL

TEXT ON RF ATT

TEXT OFF CLASS

8 Repeat steps 3 – 7 for any other components you want to control.

9 When you’re finished, use

/

(cursor up/down)

to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

Programming signals from other remote controls

If the preset code for your component is not available, or the available preset codes do not operate correctly, you can program signals from the remote control of another component. This can also be used to program additional operations (buttons not covered in the presets) after assigning a preset code in page 58.

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

MD/

TAPE2

VCR1 /

DVR

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

CD-R/ TAPE1

Recalling preset codes

TV CONT

ENTER

REMOTE

SETUP

5 Point the two remote controls towards each other then press the corresponding button on the other remote control that is sending (teaching) the signal to this receiver’s remote control.

For example, if you want to learn the playback control signal, press



• The remote controls should be 5–20cm apart, and the

LEARN

icon should be flashing to indicate the

remote is ready to accept a signal.

5 – 20cm

If the operation has been learned

, the display will show OK

If the operation hasn’t been learned

Continue?

shows in the display (if

DISC

MULTI

EXIT

GUIDE

TRACK

SETUP

RETURN

ENTER

OPERATION

RECEIVER

TV CONT

RECEIVERTV

EFFECT/CH SEL

DVR

SETUP

OFF

VCR1 /

TUNER

SYSTEM

MD/

TAPE2

TV/SAT

VIDEO CD

LOUDNESS TONE

MULTI CONTROL

CD-R/

TAPE1

VCR2

DIMMER

DVD/LD

SOURCE

342

BASS/TREBLE

678

DNR

1590

SIGNAL SEL

REMOTE

TOP MENU

SEARCH MODE

SUB TITLE

TUNING

VOLUME

STATION

CHANNEL

10 +

CAL

SB CH

MODE

INPUT

ACOUSTIC

INPUT

MULTI DH

MIDNIGHT

DIRECT ACCESS

SURROUND

ENTER

DTV ON/OFF DISP MODE

DTV MENU CLASS

HI-BIT

ENTER

TV INPUT

TV CH

TV CONTROL

MODE

MPX

AUDIO

DIRECT

TUNING BAND

MOVIE MUSIC MUTE

STEREO/

STATION

VIDEO SEL

CHANNEL

TV VOL

TUNER EDIT

SYSTEM SETUP

the display will show

Select Key

is flashing,

go back to step 4). Go to step 6.

• If the remote display shows memory is full. See

Clearing remote control settings

FULL

, it means the

on page 69 to erase a programmed button you’re not using to free up more memory.

• If

keeps showing in the display, or the remote

control keeps on returning to step 4 (

Select Key

flashes in the display), it may be possible that the command cannot be learned by this remote control.

Certain buttons represent operations that cannot be learned from other remote controls. The buttons available are shown below:

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

menu appears on the remote

control display.

2 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Learning’ from the menu and press ENTER. Select Function

flashes in the display.

3 Press the MULTI CONTROL button that matches the connection for the component you want to control.

For example, press

DVD/LD

if you want to program an

operation for the DVD player that you connected to the

DVD/LD Select Key

terminals.

flashes in the display.

• You can’t assign the

RECEIVER

TUNER

4 Select the button corresponding to the command you want to teach the remote control.

For example, press  if you want to program the play command from your DVD player remote control.

LEARN

flashes in the display.

• When programming

TV, or one of the

TV CONT

, you can only select

TV CONTROL

buttons.

SOURCE TV

6 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Yes’ to program additional signals for the current component.

Repeat steps 4 and 5.

• To program signals for another component, select

and repeat steps 2 through 5.

7 When you’re finished, use

/

(cursor up/down)

to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

You will return to the

*Exit*

again to exit.

REMOTE SETUP

menu. Select

Page 60

Controlling other equipment

Controls for TVs

This remote control can control components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see

Using the remote control with other components

to select the component.

Button (s) Function Components



TV INPUT

TV CH (+/ -)

TV VOL (+/ -)

GUIDE

RETURN

















Number buttons

ENTER/ DISC

 &

ENTER

Switches the TV, Satellite TV or Cable TV between standby and on. Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

Switches the TV input. TV

Selects channels Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

Adjusts the TV volume. TV

Takes you to the TV menu of that system. Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

Takes you to the guide menu of that system. Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

Exits the current menu. Cable TV/Satellite TV

A/CYAN Satellite TV/TV

B/Use as the TEXT ON button. Satellite TV/TV

C/RED Satellite TV/TV

Use to go to the previous page in a menu. Cable TV

D/GREEN Satellite TV/TV

E/YELLOW Satellite TV/TV

Use to go to the next page in a menu. Cable TV

Use to move back channels. TV/Cable TV

Use to move back a page in a menu. Satellite TV

Use to move forward channels. TV/Cable TV

Use to go to the next page in a menu. Satellite TV

Use as the TEXT OFF button. TV

Use to select a speciﬁc TV channel. Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

Use this button to immediately enter a new channel. Cable TV/TV

Press to select or adjust and navigate items on the menu screen. Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV

on page 58 for more on this). Use the

MULTI CONTROL

buttons

Note

• The

TV CONTROL

Thus if you only have one TV to hook up to this system assign it to the have two TVs, assign the main TV to the

buttons on the remote control are dedicated to control the TV assigned to the

TV CONT MULTI CONTROL

TV CONT

button.

TV CONT

button. If you

button.

• Depending on the maker and individual model, there are some buttons that may not be able operate some equipment or may operate it in a different way.

Page 61

Controlling other equipment

Controls for other components

This remote control can control these components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see

CONTROL

Button(s) Function Components

SOURCE Press to switch the component between standby and on.

















SUBTITLE/ DISP MODE

Number buttons

+10 button

ENTER/ DISC

Using the remote control with other components

on page 58 for more on this). Use the

buttons to select the component.

CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/DVD/LD/DVD recorder/Cassette deck

Press to return to the start of the current track or chapter. Repeated presses skips to the start of previous tracks or chapters.

Use to move back channels (channel –). VCR/DVD recorder

Play the reverse side of the tape on a reversible deck. Cassette deck

Skips to the start of the next track or chapter. Repeated presses skips to the start of following tracks or chapters.

Use to go forward channels (channel +). VCR/DVD recorder

Pauses playback or recording.

Hold down for fast forward playback.

Hold down for fast reverse playback.

Start playback.

Stop playback (on some models, pressing this when the disc is already stopped will cause the disc tray to open).

Starts recording.

Displays/changes the subtitles on multilingual DVDs. DVD/DVD recorder

Change the display mode. CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/LD

Use to directly access tracks on a program source. CD/MD/CD-R/LD

Use to directly access chapters on a program source. DVD/DVD recorder

Use to directly select a channel. VCR/DVD recorder

Use to select tracks or chapters higher than 10. Press this button and the remaining number to get the track or chapter (

+10

button + 3 = track or chapter 13).

CD/MD/CD-R/DVD/LD

CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/DVD/LD/DVD recorder/Cassette deck

MD/CD-R/VCR/DVD recorder/Cassette deck

CD/MD/CD-R/DVD/LD/ DVD recorder

• Some components may operate differently.

Press to start the search mode. DVD

Takes you to the disc navigator. DVD recorder

Changes between sides A & B of the disc. LD

Press to enter the selected channel. VCR

Selects a disc in a multi-disc CD player. CD

Displays menus for the current DVD, DVR or VCR you are using. DVD/DVD recorder/VCR

MULTI

Page 62

Controlling other equipment

Button(s)

AUDIO

TOP MENU/ GUIDE

RETURN/ EXIT



ENTER

Function Components

Changes the audio track of discs with more than one audio track. DVD/LD/DVD recorder

Changes between the tuner in the TV and the tuner in the VCR. VCR

Play the reverse side of the tape on a reversible cassette deck. Double cassette 2nd deck

Displays the top menu of the current DVD, LD or DVR you are using. DVD/LD/DVD recorder

Takes you to the guide menu of the system. VCR

Press to select a track. CD

Takes you to the previous menu. VCR/DVD/LD/DVD recorder

Navigates menu/options. VCR/DVD/LD/DVD recorder

Basic playback options. Double cassette 2nd deck

Note

• Depending on the maker and individual model, there are some buttons that may not be able operate some equipment or may operate it in a different way.

• The default preset setting for all functions is a corresponding Pioneer component. Note that where two buttons are listed, the first component is the default (for example,

MD/TAPE2

is an MD), and the

VIDEO

button is set to a

Pioneer DVD player.

Page 63

Controlling other equipment

REMOTE

SETUP

ENTER

Direct function

• Default setting: On (all components)

You can use the direct function feature to control one component using the remote control while at the same time, using your receiver to playback a different component. This could let you, for example, use the remote control to set up and listen to a CD on the receiver and then use the remote control to rewind a tape in your VCR while you continue to listen to your CD player.

When direct function is on, any component you select (using the both the receiver and the remote control. When you turn direct function off, you can operate the remote control without affecting the receiver.

MULTI CONTROL

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

MD/

TAPE2

VCR1 /

DVR

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

CD-R/ TAPE1

buttons) will be selected by

ENTER

REMOTE

SETUP

Multi Operation and System Off

The Multi Operation feature allows you to program a series of commands for the components in your system. For example, you could turn on your TV, turn on your DVD player and start playing the loaded DVD using only two buttons on the remote control.

Similar to multi operations, System Off allows you to use one button to stop and switch off a series of components in your system at the same time.

Note

• Before Multi Operation and System Off will work correctly, you must setup the remote to work with your TV and other components (see

codes

on page 58 and

other remote controls

Programming signals from

on page 59 for more on this).

• Power on and off commands only work with components that have a standby mode.

Programming a multi-operation or a shutdown sequence

Recalling preset

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

menu appears on the remote

control display.

2 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select ‘DirctFnc’ from the menu and press ENTER. Select Function

flashes in the display.

3 Press the MULTI CONTROL button for the component you want to set.

The remote displays the component you want to set.

4 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to switch direct function on or off then press ENTER.

The display shows

COMPLETE

to confirm the setting.

5 Repeat steps 2–4 for as many components as you want.

Note

• You can’t use direct function with the

CONT

functions.

TUNER

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

MD/

TAPE2

VCR1 /

TUNER

TV CONT

DVR

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

CD-R/ TAPE1

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

menu appears on the remote

control display.

2 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select ‘MultiOpe’ or

‘SysOff’ from the menu and press ENTER.

If you selected Multi Operation (MultiOpe

Function

flashes in the display.

If you selected System Off (SysOff

System Off

Select

appears

in the display. Go to step 4.

3 Press the MULTI CONTROL button for the component you want to start the multi-operation. Multi Ope

appears in the display.

Page 64

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

TV/SAT

TV CONT

MULTI CONTROL

VCR1 /

DVR

CD-R/

TAPE1

MD/

TAPE2

MULTI

OPERATION

TUNER

Controlling other equipment

4 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select a command

in the sequence then press ENTER.

If this is the first command in the sequence, select

Cmmnd

. Otherwise, simply choose the next command in

1st

the sequence.

5 To add (or change) a command select ‘Change’ and press ENTER. Function

flashes in the display.

• To erase a command select

Clear

and press

ENTER

You will return to the last step.

• To go back a step, select

*Exit*

and press

ENTER

6 Press the MULTI CONTROL button for the component whose command you want to input. Key

flashes in the display.

7 Select the button for the command you want to input.

The following remote control commands can be selected:

SOURCE

8 Repeat steps 4–7 to program a sequence of up to five commands.

• You don't need to program the receiver to switch on or off. This is done automatically.

With Pioneer components

, you don’t need to:

• program the power to switch off in a shutdown sequence;

• program the power to switch on if it’s the source

component selected in step 3;

• program a Pioneer TV or monitor to switch on if the input function (selected in step 2) has video input terminals;

These take priority in multi operations (not shutdown).

9 When you’re finished, use

/

(cursor up/down)

to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

You will return to the

*Exit*

again to exit.

REMOTE SETUP

menu. Select

Using multi operations

You can start multi operations with the receiver switched on, or in standby.

DIMMER

SIGNAL SEL

VIDEO SEL

SYSTEM SETUP

TUNER EDIT

AUDIO

MPX

TUNING BAND

STATION

CHANNEL

TV CONTROL

TV VOL

STEREO/ DIRECT

• After selecting a command, the display.

LOUDNESS TONE

EFFECT/CH SEL

342

DNR

BASS/TREBLE

678

HI-BIT

ENTER

DIRECT ACCESS

SEARCH MODE

GUIDE

TOP MENU

TRACK

ENTER

EXIT

RETURN

DISP MODE

TEXT ON RF ATT

SUB TITLE

TUNING

STATION

TEXT OFF CLASS

CHANNEL

TV INPUT

MIDNIGHT

TV CH

MULTI DH

INPUT

SB CH MODE

COMPLETE

DISC

1 Press MULTI OPERATION.

Select Function

flashes in the display.

2 Press a function button that has been set up with a multi operation.

The receiver switches on (if it was in standby) and the programmed multi operation is performed automatically.

appears in

Page 65

Controlling other equipment

Using System off

SYSTEM

OFF

• Press SYSTEM OFF.

The command sequence you programmed will run, then all Pioneer components will switch off, followed by this receiver.

Switching components on and off using the 12 volt trigger

You can connect components in your system (such as a screen or projector) to this receiver so that they switch on or off using a 12 volt trigger when you select an input function. However, you must specify which input functions switch on the trigger using the System Setup menu (see this will only work with components that have a standby mode.

12 Volt Trigger

on page 85 to do this). Note that

12V

TRIGGER

VSX-AX5Ai

Operating other Pioneer components with this unit’s sensor

Many Pioneer components have SR which can be used to link components together so that you can use just the remote sensor of one component. When you use a remote control, the control signal is passed along the chain to the appropriate component.

Important

• Note that if you use this feature,

also have at least one set of analog audio or video jacks connected

to another component for grounding

purposes.

1 Decide which component you want to use the remote sensor of.

When you want to control any component in the chain, this is the remote sensor at which you’ll point the corresponding remote control.

2 Connect the CONTROL OUT jack of that component to the CONTROL IN jack of another Pioneer component.

Use a cable with a mono mini-plug on each end for the connection.

CONTROL

IN OUT

CONTROL

jacks

make sure that you

CONTROL

IN OUT

S400

CENTER

• Connect the 12V TRIGGER jack of this receiver to the 12V TRIGGER of another component.

Use a cable with a mono mini-plug on each end for the connection.

• The trigger maximum power is DC OUT 12V/100mA.

After you’ve specified the input functions that will switch on the trigger, you’ll be able to switch the component on or off just by pressing the input function(s) you’ve set on page 85.

VSX-AX5Ai

S400

3 Continue the chain in the same way for as many components as you have.

Note

• If you want to control all your components using this receiver’s remote control, refer to

control with other components

on page 58 and

Programming signals from other remote controls

page 59.

• If you have connected a remote control to the

CONTROL IN

jack (using a mini-plug cable), you won't be able to control this unit using the remote sensor.

CENTER

Using the remote

Page 66

EFFECT/CH SEL

RECEIVER

Using other functions

Chapter 9

Using other functions

Making an audio or a video recording

You can make an audio or a video recording from the

5 Start recording, then start playback of the source component.

built-in tuner, or from an audio or video source connected to the receiver (such as a CD player or TV).

Keep in mind you can't make a digital recording from an analog source or vice-versa, so make sure the components you are recording to/from are hooked up in the same way (see

Connecting your equipment

page 15 for more on connections).

Note that when recording video, you won’t be able to record sources connected to the component video inputs. With composite and S-video sources, make sure they are connected using the same type of video cable as you used to connect the recorder to the receiver.

For more information about video connections, see

Connecting a VCR or DVD recorder Connecting other video sources

on page 22 and

on page 23.

Adjusting the delay of a soundtrack

Some monitors have a slight delay when showing video, so the soundtrack will be slightly out of sync with the picture. By adding a bit of delay, you can adjust the sound to match the presentation of the video.

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

MD/

TAPE2

VCR1 /

DVR

TUNER

TV CONT

RECEIVER

DVD/LD

VCR2 VIDEO CD

CD-R/ TAPE1

Note

• The receiver's volume, tone (bass, treble, Midnight, Loudness), and surround effects have no effect on the recorded signal. (The exception to this is which is best recorded using stereo

DIRECT

PHONO

• Some digital sources are copy-protected, and can only be recorded in analog.

• Some video sources are copy-protected. These cannot be recorded.

• Default setting:

0.0 frame

SIGNAL SEL

1 Select the source you want to record.

Use the

MULTI CONTROL

buttons (or the

MULTI JOG

dial on the front panel).

2 Select the input signal (if necessary).

Press

SIGNAL SEL

corresponding to the source component (see

the input signal type

to select the input signal

Selecting

on page 43 for more on this).

3 Prepare the source you want to record.

Tune to the radio station, load the CD, video, DVD etc.

4 Prepare the recorder.

Insert a blank tape, MD, video etc. into the recording device and set the recording levels.

Refer to the instructions that came with the recorder if you are unsure how to do this. Most video recorders set the audio recording level automatically—check the component's instruction manual if you're unsure.

1 Press RECEIVER.

2 Press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly until DELAY shows in the display.

3 Use the +/– buttons to adjust the amount of delay.

The delay can be adjusted from 0.0–5.0 frames for PAL, and 0.0–6.0 frames for NTSC (in 0.1 frame steps).

Note

• One second is equal to 28 frames of PAL format and 30 frames of NTSC.

• This setting is applied to all video sources.

• You can’t use sound delay when

DIRECT

, or

DIRECT

is switched on.

MULTI CH IN, SACD

Page 67

Using other functions

EFFECT/CH SEL

RECEIVER

DIMMER

Watching video and audio sources independently

You can listen to a sound source and select a different video source on your TV.

• While listening to a source, press RECEIVER, then VIDEO SEL to select the video source you want to watch.

RECEIVER

VIDEO SEL

Press repeatedly to cycle through the possible video sources. You can select

VCR1/DVR, VCR2

• Selecting any input besides those listed above is the same as selecting

Note

• If you change the source using the buttons (or the switch the power off, the system returns to normal playback.

DVD/LD, TV/SAT, VIDEO

OFF

(no video signal).

OFF

MULTI JOG

dial on the front panel), or

MULTI CONTROL

Enhancing SACD playback

• Default setting:

You can get more detail from SACDs by maximizing the dynamic range (during digital processing) using the SACD gain feature.

1 Press RECEIVER.

2 Press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly until SACD GAIN shows in the display.

3 Use the +/– buttons to switch the SACD gain between 0dB and 6dB.

For most SACD sources, selecting sound quality and greater detail. The level will be adjusted automatically for playback at the same volume.

Note

• You shouldn’t have any problems using this feature with most SACD discs, but if the sound distorts, it is best to switch the gain setting back to

0dB

6dB

will result in high

0dB

Dimming the display

You can choose between four brightness for the front panel display. Note that when selecting sources, the display automatically brightens for a few seconds.

1 Press RECEIVER.

Page 68

REMOTE

SETUP

Using other functions

2 Press DIMMER repeatedly to change the brightness of the front panel display.

Tip

• Switching the dimmer to lowest setting will also switch off the MCACC and i.LINK indicators.

Switching the speaker impedance

• Default setting:

Speaker 8

You can use speakers with a nominal impedance between 6–16

Ω

but if you are using speakers with an impedance of less than 8 impedance setting below.

• With the receiver in standby, press  STANDBY/ ON while holding down the SPEAKERS button.

ΩΩ

Ω

, you must change the

Advanced remote control features

Note

• You can cancel or exit any of the following steps by pressing

• After one minute of inactivity, the remote goes to sleep. Press any button to reactivate the remote display and continue.

REMOTE SETUP

TV/SAT

MULTI CONTROL

VIDEO CD

MD/

TAPE2

ENTER

VCR1 /

TUNER

DVR

DVD/LD

VCR2

CD-R/ TAPE1

TV CONT

Each time you do this, you switch between the impedance settings:

•

Speaker 6

rated lower than 8

•

Speaker 8

rated 8

ΩΩΩΩ – Use this setting if your speakers are

Ω

(down to 6Ω).

ΩΩΩΩ – Use this setting if your speakers are

Ω

–16Ω.

Editing remote control display names

You can rename what appears in the display on the remote control for the as

DVD/LD

TV/SAT

input source. You may want to do this if the component connected to the inputs doesn’t correspond to the

MULTI CONTROL

don’t correspond to their respective buttons.

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

display.

2 Use

/

(cursor up/down) to select ‘FuncName’

or ‘Key Label’ from the menu and press ENTER.

Select Function Name (FuncName

MULTI CONTROL

Select Key Label (KeyLabel

command button (you can rename individual command buttons for each input source).

Select Function

3 Press the MULTI CONTROL button for the component.

If you selected Function Name (FuncName

step 5.

If you selected Key Label (KeyLabel

flashes in the display.

MULTI CONTROL

buttons (such

), or for individual buttons for each

button name, or individual commands

menu appears in the remote control

) if you want to rename

button.

) if you want to rename a

flashes in the display.

) above, go to

) above,

Select Key

Page 69

Using other functions

4 Press the button you want to rename.

5 Edit the button as necessary.

Use

/

numbers and use cursor forward/back a position. The name can be up to eight characters (the possible characters are listed below).

6 When you're finished press ENTER.

When you see

COMPLETE

name has been changed.

7 When you’re finished, use to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

(cursor up/down) to select letters and/or

/

(cursor left/right) to move the

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789 (space) !”#$%&’()*+,–./:;<=>?@[ \ ]^_`{|}~

 |

• Go back to step 2 to edit more names.



· (space)

END

flash, press

shows in the display to confirm that the

ENTER

again.

/

(cursor up/down)

Adjusting the remote control backlight

You can adjust the brightness of the backlight on the remote control display, or simply switch it off.

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

display.

2 Use the menu and press ENTER.

3 Use or ‘Off’ and press ENTER. COMPLETE

4 When you’re finished, use to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

/

appears in the display to confirm the setting.

menu appears in the remote control

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Light’ from

(cursor up/down) to select ‘High’, ‘Low’

/

(cursor up/down)

Learning Clear

•

Programming signals from other remote controls

page 59) you have assigned to a button (

Function KeyLabel Clear

•

control display names

button (

•

All Clear

with the remote ( step 6.

4 Press the MULTI CONTROL button of the component for which you want to clear a command or key label. Select Key

5 Press the button you want to clear.

The button you selected, then display.

6 Use press ENTER. COMPLETE

7 When you’re finished, use to select ‘*Exit*’ from the menu and press ENTER.

• Select

SETUP

/

menu.

– Clear a learned command (see

Select

flashes in the display).

– Clear a name (see

above) you have assigned to a

Select Function

– Clear all custom settings you have made

flashes in the display.

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Yes’ and

appears in the display.

*Exit*

flashes in the display).

CLEAR?

shows in the display). Go to

CLEAR?

to exit and return to the

/

Editing remote

appears in the

REMOTE

(cursor up/down)

Clearing remote control settings

This feature allows you to clear a learned command or key label for a particular button, or all of the settings from the remote.

1 Press and hold REMOTE SETUP for three seconds.

The

REMOTE SETUP

display.

2 Use the menu and press ENTER. CLEAR

3 Use want to clear, and press ENTER.

Choose between the following:

/

appears in the display.

/

menu appears in the remote control

(cursor up/down) to select ‘Clear’ from

(cursor up/down) to select what you

Page 70

Using other functions

Resetting the system

Use this feature to reset the system to its factory default settings.

1 Switch the receiver into standby.

2 While holding down the front panel TONE button, press and hold three seconds.

The display shows

3 Press the front panel TONE– button.

The display shows

4 Within 5 seconds, press the TONE+ button.

The display shows OK and the receiver should now be reset.

Note

• Make sure the multi-room feature is switched off when doing this.

• If the receiver is unplugged from the AC outlet for a month or more, it resets to the default settings.

RESET?

OK?



STANDBY/ON for about

Page 71

Other connections

Chapter 10

Other connections

Caution

•

Before making or changing the connections

the power and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet. Plugging in components should be the last connection you make with your system.

• Be careful not to allow any contact between speaker wires from different terminals.

• You can use speakers with a nominal impedance between 6–16

impedance

with an impedance of less than 8

Ω

(please see

on page 68 if you plan to use speakers

Switching the speaker

Ω

, switch off

Second Zone speaker B setup

After selecting

setting

on page 55, you can use the speakers connected to the (surround back) B speaker terminals on the rear panel to listen to stereo playback in another room. See

Switching the speaker system

options with this setup.

1 Connect a pair of speakers to the surround back speaker terminals on the rear panel.

Connect them the same way you connected your speakers in sure to review placing the speakers in another room.

2 Select ‘Second Zone‘ from the ‘SurrBack System’ menu.

See

Surround back speaker setting

Note

• You can also use the multi-room feature to listen to stereo playback in another room. See

listening

Switching the speaker system

If you selected

setting

on page 55, three speaker system settings are

possible using the

Normal Surround

main speaker system on or off. The options below are for the

Second Zone

Connecting the speakers

Placing the speakers

on page 73 for more on this.

Second Zone

SPEAKERS

, the button will simply switch your

setting only

Surround back speaker

below for the listening

on page 29. Make

on page 29 when

on page 55 to do this.

Surround back speaker

button. If you selected

Multi-room

• Use the SPEAKERS button on the front panel to select a speaker system setting.

As mentioned above, if you have selected

Surround

speaker system (A) on or off.

Press repeatedly to choose a speaker system option:

•

• The subwoofer output depends on the settings you

• Depending on the settings in

• Some sources (for example, SACD (with

• All speaker systems are switched off when

, the button will simply switch your main

SPA

– Sound is output from speaker system A and

the same signal is output from the pre-out terminals.

SPB

– Sound is output from the two speakers connected to speaker system B. Multichannel sources will not be heard.

SPAB

– Sound is output from speaker system A (up to 5 channels, depending on the source), the two speakers in speaker system B. The sound from speaker system B will be the same as the sound from speaker system A (multichannel sources will be downmixed to 2 channels).

SP (off) – No sound is output from the speakers. The

same sound is output from the pre-out terminals as when selecting speaker system A (above).

Note

made in However, if heard from the subwoofer (the LFE channel is not downmixed).

setting Calibration EQ

back pre-out terminals may change.

DIRECT

selected) will not be downmixed.

headphones are connected.

Normal surround setting

SPB

is selected above, no sound is

on page 55 and

on page 42, output from the surround

switched on) and when

Normal surround

Listening with Acoustic

Normal

on page 55.

SACD

MULTI CH IN

Page 72

Other connections

Bi-amping your front speakers

Bi-amping is when you connect the high frequency driver and low frequency driver of your speakers to different amplifiers (in this case, to both front and surround back terminals) for better crossover performance. Your speakers must be bi-ampable to do this (having separate terminals for high and low) and the sound improvement will depend on the kind of speakers you’re using.

1 Connect your speakers as shown below.

This illustration below shows the connections for biamping your front left speaker. Hook up your front right speaker in the same way.

SELECTABLE

Front left

speaker

Since both front and surround back speaker terminals output the same audio, it doesn’t matter which set (front or surround back) is powering which part ( the speaker.

• Make sure that the

/ – connections are properly

inserted.

2 Select the ‘Front Bi-Amp’ setting from the ‘SurrBack System’ menu.

See

Surround back speaker setting

on page 55 to specify

how you’re using the surround back speaker terminals.

Low

) of

Bi-wiring your speakers

The reasons for bi-wiring are basically the same as biamping, but additionally, interference effects within the wire could be reduced, producing better sound. Again, to do this your speakers must be bi-wireable (that is they must have separate terminals for the high and low frequencies). When bi-wiring, make sure you’ve selected

Normal Surround

page 55.

• To bi-wire a speaker, connect two speaker cords to the speaker terminal on the receiver.

Caution

• Make sure you use a parallel (not series, which are fairly uncommon) connection when bi-wiring your speakers.

• Don't connect different speakers from the same terminal in this way.

Surround back speaker setting

Caution

• Most speakers with both Hi and two metal plates that connect the

Low

terminals have

to the

Low

terminals. These must be removed when you are biamping the speakers or you could severely damage the amplifier. See your speaker manual for more information.

• Do not allow any speaker wire from any terminal to touch a wire from a different terminal.

• If your speakers have a removable crossover network, make sure you do not remove it for bi-amping. Doing so may damage your speakers.

Page 73

Other connections

CENTER

Multi-room listening

This receiver can power two independent systems in separate rooms after you have made the proper multiroom connections. Different sources can be playing in both rooms at the same time or, depending on your needs, the same source can also be used. The main and sub rooms have independent power (the main room power can be off while the sub room is on) and the sub room can be controlled by the front panel controls. However, you may need to specify the volume setting in

Multi-Room and IR receiver setup

Making multi-room connections

It is possible to make these connections if you have a separate TV and speakers for your sub room. You will also need a separate amplifier if you are not using the SurrBack System setup (see below). There are two multiroom setups possible with this system:

Basic multi-room setup

• Connect a separate amplifier to the MULTIROOM & SOURCE OUT jacks and a TV monitor to the MULTI-ROOM & SOURCE MONITOR OUT jacks, both on the rear of this receiver.

You should have a pair of speakers attached to the sub room amplifier as shown in the illustration below.

on page 85.

SurrBack System multi-room setup

You must select

MR&S

Surround back speaker setting

on page 55 to use this setup. Note that the sound in the sub room will be temporarily interrupted when controlling the main room (for example, changing the input source or starting playback).

• Connect a TV monitor to the MULTI-ROOM & SOURCE MONITOR OUT jacks on the rear of this receiver.

You should have a pair of speakers attached to the surround back speaker terminals as shown in the illustration below.

Sub room Main room

S400

CENTER

SELECTABLE

Sub room Main room

S400

Note

• It is not possible to hear the digital output of a component in the sub room. However, you can connect the analog outputs of your digital component into the receiver’s (analog) input terminals to hear the component in the sub room.

• You can't use sound controls (such as the tone controls or Midnight listening) or any surround modes in the sub room. You can, however, use the features available with your sub room amplifier.

Page 74

Other connections

Using the multi-room controls

You can use the front panel controls to adjust the sub room volume and select sources.

1 Press the MULTI ROOM & SOURCE ON/OFF button on the front panel.

The

MULTI ROOM

appears in the front panel display to indicate the multiroom control has been switched on.

2 Press CONTROL.

Make sure that any operations for the sub room are done while

MULTI-ROOM

ROOM

is not showing, the front panel controls affect the

main room only.

3 Use the MULTI JOG dial to select the source.

Select between

R/TAPE 1

• If you select

4 Use the MASTER VOLUME dial to adjust the volume.

This is only possible if you selected the volume control in page 85.

5 When you’re finished, press CONTROL again to return to the main room controls.

You can also press the

OFF

the sub room.

TUNER

Listening to memorized station presets

you’re unsure how to do this).

button on the front panel to switch off all output to

indicator lights and

shows in the display. If

DVD/LD, TV/SAT, VCR 1/DVR, CD, CD-

TUNER

(in that order).

TUNER

, you can use the front panel

controls to select a preset station (see

Multi-Room and IR receiver setup

MULTI ROOM & SOURCE ON/

MR&S ON

MULTI-

on page 50 if

VARIABLE

• You won’t be able to switch the main room off completely unless you’ve switched off the multi-room control first.

• The tuner cannot be tuned to more than one station at a time. Therefore, changing the station in one room also changes the station in the other room. Please be careful not to change stations when recording a radio broadcast.

• The volume levels of the main and sub rooms are independent.

• If you don’t plan to use the multi-room feature for awhile, turn off the power in both the sub and main rooms. Make sure the and the

MULTI-ROOM

STANDBY

indicator goes off.

indicator turns red

Note

• Multi-room can’t be used when you’re setting up the system (from the on-screen

System Setup

menu).

Page 75

Other connections

Connecting an IR receiver

If you keep your stereo components in a closed cabinet or shelving unit, you can use an optional IR receiver to control your system instead of the remote sensor on the front panel of this receiver. You may need to specify your IR receiver type in page 85.

1 Connect the IR receiver sensor to the MULTIROOM & SOURCE IR IN jack on the rear of this receiver.

2 Connect the IR IN jack of another component to the MULTI-ROOM & SOURCE IR OUT jack on the rear of this receiver to link it to the IR receiver.

Please see the manual supplied with your IR receiver for the type of cable necessary for the connection.

• If you want to link a Pioneer component to the IR receiver, see

with this unit’s sensor

CONTROL

Multi-Room and IR receiver setup

Closet or shelving unit

CONTROL

Non-Pioneer component

Pioneer component

CENTER

IN OUT

S400

IR receiver

Operating other Pioneer components

on page 65 to connect to the

jacks instead of the

IR OUT

jack.

Connecting additional amplifiers

This receiver has more than enough power for any home use, but it’s possible to add additional amplifiers to every channel of your system using the pre-outs. Make the connections shown below to add amplifiers to power your speakers.

Note

• Before making or changing the connections, switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet.

ANALOG

INPUT

Center channel amplifier (mono)

ANALOG

CENTER

• You can use the additional amplifier on the surround back channel pre-outs for a single speaker as well. In this case plug the amplifier into the left ( terminal only.

• The sound from the surround back terminals will depend on how you have configured the

back speaker setting

on page 55.

INPUT

ANALOG

INPUT

R L

ANALOG

INPUT

R L

ANALOG

INPUT

R L

Powered subwoofer

Front channel amplifier

Surround channel amplifier

Surround back channel amplifier

L (Single)

)

Surround

Note

• Remote operation may not be possible if direct light from a strong fluorescent lamp is shining on the IR receiver remote sensor window.

• Note that other manufacturers may not use the IR terminology. Refer to the manual that came with your component to check for IR compatibility.

• If using two remote controls (at the same time), the IR receiver’s remote sensor takes priority over the remote sensor on the front panel.

Page 76

Other connections

Using the i.LINK interface

If you have a component with an i.LINK connector, you can connect it to this receiver using an i.LINK cable.

Since the i.LINK interface does not transmit video signals, the video signal of i.LINK-connected components must be connected with other cables (see

Connecting your equipment

making video connections). If you’ve already hooked up the video signal from the component, assign the i.LINK input to the input function to which you’ve connected the video signals (see

Assigning the i.LINK inputs

page 82).

The two i.LINK connectors on the rear of your receiver are 4-pin connectors. Use a 4-pin, S400 i.LINK cable to connect i.LINK-equipped components.

Caution

• If your i.LINK connector comes into contact with metallic parts of the receiver other than the i.LINK terminal, an electrical short may occur. Some cables have metal parts that may touch the unit when connected. Please take care to use a suitable i.LINK cable only.

Important

• Please use 4-pin, S400 cables less than 3.5 meters long. Although longer ones are available, they may not work reliably.

• There may be cases where the PQLS/rate control function and/or the i.LINK audio does not work properly even when connected to i.LINK Audio-compatible equipment.

• Do not connect/disconnect i.LINK cables or switch on/off any components connected using i.LINK when the receiver is on.

• Copy-protected 96kHz DVD-Video discs can be heard through the i.LINK connection, but they will be downsampled to 48kHz.

on page 15 for more on

1 Use an i.LINK cable to connect one of the i.LINK connectors on this receiver to an i.LINK connector on your i.LINK component.

S400

i.LINK-equipped component

CENTER

• The arrow on the cable connector body should be face down and lined up with the arrow below the connector on the receiver for correct alignment. The i.LINK cable should be inserted straight into the connector so that it snaps easily into place. If not connected properly the receiver will not be able to recognize any connected components. Note that the i.LINK cable is fragile and can be broken easily if too much force is used when connecting.

2 Assign the i.LINK component to the input you want, then make any necessary output settings on the component.

See

Assigning the i.LINK inputs

on page 82 to assign the component to an input on this receiver. Follow the operating instructions that came with the component to make any necessary output settings.

• Unassigned i.LINK components can be selected with the remote control

INPUT

button or the

MULTI JOG

dial on the front panel.

Note

• You can connect several components together using i.LINK. See

Creating an i.LINK network

below.

Page 77

Other connections

About i.LINK

i.LINK is a trademark name for IEEE1394, a high-speed interface for digital audio, video and other data found on personal computers, digital camcorders, and other kinds of audio and audio/visual equipment. A single i.LINK connector can both send and receive data at the same time, so only one cable is required to connect components for two-way communication.

“i.LINK” and the “i.LINK” logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

About PQLS rate control

Pioneer's PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System) technology provides high-precision digital audio from DVD-A, SACD and audio CD sources when you use the i.LINK interface. A precision quartz controller in this receiver eliminates distortion caused by timing errors (jitter), giving you the best possible digital-to-analog conversion from the digital source.

To take advantage of PQLS, you must have a player compatible with rate-control, and it must be switched on and connected to this receiver through the i.LINK network.

Creating an i.LINK network

Using i.LINK it is possible to chain up to 17 components together so that the digital audio and control signals from each component is available to other components in the network. With the addition of an i.LINK repeater, it’s possible to connect up to 34 components.

i.LINK connectors come in 4-pin and 6-pin configurations. This player uses the 4-pin connection, but the two types can be mixed on a network.

This receiver is compatible with i.LINK Audio (A&M protocol) components, such as DVD players. Note that when connected to i.LINK MPEG-II TS equipment (such as a digital satellite tuner), i.LINK DV equipment (such as a DVD recorder or DV camcorder), or an i.LINK-equipped personal computer, audio and video signals are not transmitted, and connecting to these devices sometimes causes network interruptions. Check the operating instructions supplied with your other i.LINK components for compatibility information.

This receiver is DTCP (Digital Transmission Content Protection) compliant, so you can play DVD-A, DVDVideo, and SACD i.LINK audio.

When setting up an i.LINK network, it’s important that the components form an open ended chain (fig. 1), or a tree (fig. 2).

fig. 3

fig. 4

i.LINK cable

LOOP

i.LINK cable

fig. 1

fig. 2

The system will not work if the connected components form a loop. If a loop is detected, the message

CONNECT

connections that form a loop.

Another consideration when connecting i.LINK devices is the speed of the interface. At present there are three speeds; S100 (slowest), S200 and S400 (fastest). This receiver uses the S400 type. Although you can use components with different speeds together, we recommend connecting slower-speed components at the edge of the network if possible (shown by the shaded boxes in figs. 1 and 2). This will keep the network free of bottlenecks.

When used within an i.LINK network, this receiver must be on for the i.LINK connection to be maintained. Other components in the network may or may not maintain the connection in standby (none will when the power is completely off)—check the operating instructions supplied with individual components. Note that the audio may be momentarily interrupted if a component in the i.LINK network is switched on/off, or its i.LINK connection is switched on/off.

This product complies with the following i.LINK interface specifications:

1) IEEE Std. 1394a-2000, Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus

2) Audio and Music Data Transmission Protocol 2.0 Following the standard for AM824 sequence adaptation layers, the product is compatible with IEC60958 bitstream, DVD-A and SACD.

shows in the display. Figs. 3 and 4 show

Page 78

Other connections

Using the USB interface

It is possible to listen to two channels of audio from your computer by connecting to the USB interface on the rear of this receiver. Depending on your model of computer and the software installed, you can listen to the stereo audio source through the speaker setup you’ve connected to this receiver.

1 Connect your computer’s USB terminal to the USB terminal on the rear panel of this receiver.

S400

B-type USB connector

A-type USB connector

2 Switch on your computer and this receiver.

If the computer was previously running, quit all applications

3 If you’re connecting for the first time, wait for the USB driver installation to finish.

The installation may take a minute or two to complete. Make sure you leave the USB cable connected until the dialog box indicates that the USB setup is finished. Note that some older operating systems may require a disc for installation.

• If your PC doesn’t recognize the receiver, try disconnecting the USB cable and connecting it again. If it is still unrecognized, restart the computer.

4 Press INPUT on the remote control repeatedly to select USB.

You can also use the to select

USB

MULTI JOG

CENTER

Personal computer

dial on the front panel

5 Make any necessary settings required to select the USB interface as your computer audio output.

6 Turn up the volume control on your computer and this receiver.

We recommend turning the computer volume to the maximum level and using the volume control on this receiver.

• You may want to start with a fairly low volume on this receiver and turn it up as necessary after you’ve checked your levels.

7 Start playback of a source on your computer.

Note

• Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows® Millennium Edition and Windows

98 operating systems have been tested for compatibility with this interface, but depending on your computer setup, you may find that your system is not compatible.

• Make sure you use a USB cable that connects from an A-type connector (from your PC) to a 4-pin B-type connector (to the receiver).

• Any computer alert sounds will also be heard through the speakers unless you switch them off from the computer’s control panel.

• You won’t be able to hear the audio from the USB connection through the digital outputs of this receiver.

• Note that using hubs or extensions may cause connection problems.

• The sound may be interrupted, degraded, or played back incorrectly due to your software, PC settings or PC specifications. Consult your PC manual regarding USB devices.

Caution

• Make sure you don’t switch off the computer or unplug the USB cable during playback.

• To prevent noise being output, don’t use other software on your computer during playback.

• Pioneer is not responsible for computer system damage, software crashes or failures, or any other possible computer problems due to this configuration.

Microsoft Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows®

Millennium Edition, Windows

NT and Windows® 98 are

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, Inc.

Page 79

Other connections

Connecting a PC for Advanced MCACC output

If you use the Professional Acoustic Calibration (see page 91) to measure the reverb characteristics of your listening room, you can check the results graphically using a computer connected to this receiver. Use a commercially-available RS-232C cable to connect the RS232C jack on your computer to the 9-pin RS-232C jack on the back panel of this receiver (the cable must be cross type, female–female).

The software to output the results is available from the support area of the Pioneer website (www.pioneereur. com/files/support/MCACC/software.html). Instructions for using the software are also available here. If you have any questions about the software, please contact the Pioneer Service Center specified on your warranty card.

Please make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Operating system must be Windows 2000, Windows

Millennium Edition, Windows® 98

Second Edition, or Windows

• CPU must be at least Pentium 3 / 300MHz or AMD K6 / 300MHz (or equivalent) with at least 128MB of memory, and your monitor must be able to display a minimum resolution of 800x600.

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

• System must have internet access.

• Connect your computer to the RS-232C jack on the rear panel of the receiver.

Make sure that the receiver and all connected components are switched off and disconnected from the power outlet when you do this.

Use a commercially-available cable to connect the RS232C jack on your computer to the 9-pin RS-232C jack on this receiver. See the documentation provided with the Advanced MCACC application for more information.

XP, Windows®

NT 4.0 (Service pack 6).

Advanced MCACC output using your PC

Before continuing, make sure you have completed

Professional Acoustic Calibration

1 Select ‘PC Output’ and press ENTER.

When the receiver is ready for transmission,

shows on the OSD.

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

]

2 Start the MCACC application on your computer.

Follow the instructions provided with the application. It will take about ten seconds for the transmission to complete, then you will be able to analyze the output on your computer. Since the data will be cleared from the receiver when you restart reverb measurement, you might want to save the information on your PC after measurement.

3 When you’re finished, select ‘Exit’ on the onscreen display.

You’ll be taken to the Advanced EQ Setup. Depending on the results, you may want to continue with the Advanced EQ setup (see

Using Professional Acoustic Calibration

page 92 for more on this). You can also simply press again to exit the Professional Acoustic Calibration setup.

on page 91.

Operate a

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro. PC Output

Operate a PC.

[ Exit ]

Exit

RS-232C

Page 80

Advanced setup

Chapter 11

Advanced setup

The System Setup menu

The System Setup menu is where you can make customized settings to reflect how you are using the receiver.

1 Switch on the receiver and your TV.

2 Using the remote control, press RECEIVER, then press the SYSTEM SETUP button.

An on-screen display (OSD) appears on your TV. Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and control to navigate through the screens and select menu items.

SYSTEM SETUP

ENTER

RECEIVER

on the remote

•

Surround Setup

surround sound settings (see

settings from the Surround Setup menu

– Access the setup menu for basic

Making receiver

on page 54

for more on this).

•

THX CINEMA Setup

used with the

Setup

below).

•

Input Assign

– Select the decoding method

THX CINEMA

mode (see

THX CINEMA

– Specify what you’ve connected to the

digital, component video and i.LINK inputs (see

Input Assign menu

•

Function Rename

below).

– Change the names that appear

on the receiver display and on-screen display (see

Function Rename

SACD Setup

•

on page 83).

– Bypass the signal processing of this receiver to hear 1-bit Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio from an SACD directly (see

SACD Setup

page 84).

•

PHONO/LINE Setup PHONO

jack on the rear of the receiver (see

LINE Setup

Multi Room

•

on page 84).

– Specify your volume setting for a

– Specify how you’re using the

multi-room setup and your IR receiver type (see

Room and IR receiver setup

•

12V Trigger

– Specify which components are

on page 85).

switched on or off using the 12 volt trigger (see

Trigger

on page 85).

4 Make the adjustments necessary for each setting, pressing ENTER to confirm after each setting.

The

PHONO/

Multi-

12 Volt

Tip

• You can also use the front panel display to make settings. You can also use the

ENTER

on the front panel instead of the

up/down) buttons and

MULTI JOG

ENTER

on the remote control.

dial and

/

(cursor

3 Select the setting you want to adjust then press ENTER.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

Page 81

Advanced setup

THX CINEMA Setup

• Default setting:

If you want, you can choose which decoding method the receiver will use for 2-channel sources when you’ve selected the

surround sound

1 Select ‘THX CINEMA Setup’ from the System Setup menu.

The current setting is highlighted on-screen:

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

2 Select the THX CINEMA decoding format you want.

For more on decoding formats see

formats

on page 103.

•

Pro Logic II / 2Pro Logic IIx MOVIE

•2Pro Logic

•

Neo:6 CINEMA

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the System Setup menu.

PLII / PLIIx MOVIE

THX CINEMA

mode (see

on page 38 for details).

2. THX CINEMA Setup

[ PL I I / PL I Ix MOVIE ] [ PRO LOGIC ] [ NEO:6 CINEMA ] [ Exit ]

2. THX CINEMA Setup

[ PL I I / PL I Ix MOVIE ] [ PRO LOGIC ] [ NEO:6 CINEMA ] [ Exit ]

Listening in

Surround sound

The Input Assign menu

You only need to make settings in the Input Assign menu if you didn’t hook up your digital equipment according to the default settings for the digital inputs, or if you have connected equipment using component video or i.LINK cables.

• Select ‘Input Assign’ from the System Setup menu.

The Input Assign menu appears on screen:

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

Assigning the digital inputs

• Default settings:

Digital-1 Digital-2 Digital-3 Digital-4

(optical) –

(coaxial) –

You only need to do this if you didn’t hook up your digital equipment according to the default settings for the digital inputs (see above). This setting tells the receiver what digital equipment is hooked up to which terminal so the buttons on the remote correspond to what you have hooked up.

1 Select ‘Digital-In Select’ from the Input Assign menu.

3. Input Assign

[Digital-In Select ] [Component-In Select ] [i.LINK Input [Exit

]

3. Input Assign

[Digital-In Select ] [Component-In Select ] [i.LINK Input [Exit

TV/SAT CD-R

DVD/LD CD

Digital - In Select

Digital - 1 [ TV/SAT ] Digital - 2 [ CD-R ] Digital - 3 [ DVD/LD ] Digital - 4 [ CD ] [ Exit ]

]

2 Select the number of the digital input to which you’ve connected your digital component.

The numbers correspond with the numbers beside the inputs on the back of the receiver.

Digital - In Select

Digital - 1 [ DV D/LD ] Digital - 2 [ CD-R ] Digital - 3 [ OFF ] Digital - 4 [ CD ] [ Exit ]

Page 82

Advanced setup

3 Select the component that corresponds with the one you connected to that input

Select between

CD-R

or MD.

• Use the

DVD/LD, TV/SAT, VCR1, VCR 2, CD

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and

ENTER

do this.

• If you assign a digital input to a certain function (for example,

DVD/LD

) then any digital inputs previously assigned to that function will automatically be switched off.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Input Assign menu.

Assigning the component video inputs

• Default settings:

Component-1 Component-2

–

OFF OFF

If you used component video cables to connect your video equipment you must tell the receiver which device it is, or else you may see the S-video or composite video input instead of the component video signal.

1 Select ‘Component-In Select’ from the Input Assign menu.

3. Input Assign

[Digital-In Select ] [Component-In Select ] [i.LINK Input [Exit

]

Component - In Select

Component - 1 [ OFF ] Component - 2 [ OFF ] [ Exit ]

2 Select the number of the component video input to which you’ve connected your video component.

The numbers correspond with the numbers beside the inputs on the back of the receiver.

Component - In Select

Component - 1 [ DV D/LD ] Component - 2 [ OFF ] [ Exit ]

Assigning the i.LINK inputs

If you assign i.LINK-equipped components to an input (for example

DVD/LD

), you will be able to select both audio and video signals from i.LINK-equipped components using the corresponding button (or

MULTI JOG

dial on the front panel).

MULTI CONTROL

1 Select ‘i.LINK Input’ from the Input Assign menu.

If no i.LINK-equipped components are connected

Input

cannot be selected.

3. Input Assign

[Digital-In Select ] [Component-In Select ] [i.LINK Input [Exit

]

i.LINK

2 Select an i.LINK-equipped component.

When a number of i.LINK-equipped components are connected to your receiver, the i.LINK-equipped component you are looking for might be listed on additional display screens.

•

i.LINK

is displayed after unassigned device names

(e.g.

DV-868AVi [i.LINK]

• If a connected devices cannot output (playback) a source using the i.LINK connection, displayed after the input device name (e.g.

868AVi [- - - -]

). Non-compatible devices cannot be

[- - - -]

DV-

assigned to inputs.

• When the cables for an assigned input device become loose or the power is cut to the device, an asterisk (

*DV-868AVi [DVD/LD]

) appears before the device name (e.g.

3 Select the component that you want to assign.

Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and

i.LINK Input

1 DV - 868AVi [ i.LINK ]

ENTER

i.LINK Input

1 DV - 868AVi [ DVD/LD ]

3 Select the component that corresponds with the one you connected to that input.

• Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and

ENTER

do this.

• If you connect any source component to the receiver using a component video input, you should also have your TV connected to this receiver's component video

MONITOR

output.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Input Assign menu.

[ Exit ]

When you assign an i.LINK-equipped video component, select the input source to which you have connected the video signal from the component.

• If you assign an i.LINK input to a certain function (for example

DVD/LD

) then any digital inputs previously

assigned to that function will automatically be set to

i.LINK

(not assigned).

TUNER, PHONO

•

and

USB

inputs cannot be

assigned.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Input Assign menu.

Page 83

Advanced setup

Function Rename

You can customize the names that appears on the display when you select an input source (for example, you could change the name of

Tip

• It’s convenient to use the front panel controls when editing names. However, if you want to use the remote, you can press and hold characters quickly.

1 Select ‘Function Rename’ from the System Setup menu.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

VCR1/DVR

/

DVR-310

to change

Use the front panel remote) to change the character and

MULTI JOG

dial (or

ENTER

/

forward a position. If you want to change a character you input, you can press

RETURN

to go back one position.

The name can be up to ten characters (the possible characters are listed below).

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789 !”#$%&’()*+,–./:;<=>?@[ \ ]^_{|} (space)

4 Select another name to edit, or select ‘Exit’ from the bottom of the list if you’re done.

If you’ve selected another name, repeat step 3, otherwise you’ll return to the System Setup menu.

on the

to move

2 Select the name of the input you want to rename.

DVD/LD [ DVD/LD ] TV/SAT [ TV/SAT ] VCR1/DVR [ VCR1/DVR ] VCR2 [ VCR2 ] VIDEO [ VIDEO ] PHONO/LINE [ PHONO ] CD [ CD ] CD-R/TAPE1 [ CD-R/TAPE1 ] MD/TAPE2 [ MD/TAPE2 ] USB [ USB ] [ Exit ]

3 Edit the name as necessary, then press ENTER repeatedly to set the name and move to the following line.

DVD/LD [ DVD/LD ] TV/SAT [ TV/SAT ] VCR1/DVR [ VCR1/DVR ] VCR2 [ VCR2 ] VIDEO [ VIDEO ] PHONO/LINE [ PHONO ] CD [ CD ] CD-R/TAPE1 [ CD-R/TAPE1 ] MD/TAPE2 [ MD/TAPE2 ] USB [ USB ] [ Exit ]

Page 84

Advanced setup

SACD Setup

• Default setting:

This feature allows you to enjoy the high-quality 1-bit Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio from an SACD directly, bypassing all digital signal processing in the receiver.

1 Select ‘SACD Setup’ from the System Setup menu.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

2 Select ‘SACD DIRECT’ and set it ON or OFF.

•ON – Listen to SACD sources with no digital signal processing

•

OFF

– Digital signal processing will be applied to

SACD sources

OFF

5. SACD Setup

SACD DIRECT [ OFF ] [ Exit ]

5. SACD Setup

SACD DIRECT [ ON ] [ Exit ]

PHONO/LINE Setup

• Default setting:

You can choose whether you want to use the jack on the rear of the receiver to connect a turntable, or a line level component (such as a CD or DVD player).

1 Select ‘PHONO/LINE Setup’ from the System Setup menu.

The current setting is highlighted in the display.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　]

2 Select either PHONO or LINE.

•

PHONO

built-in equalizer or pre-amplifier)

•

LINE

– Line level setting for all audio components other than a turntable (except those with a built-in phono equalizer

3 When you’re finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the System Setup menu.

PHONO

6. PHONO / LINE Setup

[ PHONO ] [ LINE ] [ Exit ]

PHONO

– High level setting for turntables (without a

Tip

• To avoid an interruption in the audio you can use the remote to switch the SACD Direct feature on or off. After pressing select

DIRECT

RECEIVER

, press

and then use the

EFFECT/CH SEL

+/–

buttons to adjust

the setting.

• When the SACD Direct feature is switched on, the center and subwoofer channels of a multichannel SACD disc will be downmixed to the front left and right channels.

3 When you’re finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the System Setup menu.

Note

• When you’re playing an SACD over an i.LINK connection and

SACD DIRECT

has been switched on, the speaker setting (page 55) and speaker distance (page 57) settings will not be applied.

Page 85

Advanced setup

Multi-Room and IR receiver setup

• Default setting:

If you’ve made multi-room connections (see

listening

on page 73) you may need to specify your volume setting. Also use this menu to specify your IR receiver type (if necessary).

1 Select ‘Multi-Room’ from the System Setup menu.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

2 Select the volume level setting.

•

VARIABLE

power amplifier in the sub room (this receiver is simply being used as a pre-amp) and you will be using this receiver’s controls to adjust the volume.

•

FIXED

– Use this setting if you’ve connected a fully integrated amplifier (such as another Pioneer VSX receiver) in the sub room and want to use that receiver’s volume controls.

With the

FIXED

receiver at maximum volume, so make sure the volume is quite low in the sub room at first and then experiment to find the correct level.

3 Select the type of IR receiver you’re using.

•

Setting 1

receivers.

•

Setting 2

using doesn’t seem to work after selecting

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’ and press ENTER.

You will return to the System Setup menu.

VARIABLE

Setting 1

Multi-room

7. Multi Room

Volume Level [ VARIABLE ] IR Receiver [ Setting 1 ] [ Exit ]

CAUTION: If the "FIXED" position is chosen, the volume will be loud.

– Use this setting if you’ve connected a

7. Multi Room

Volume Level [ VARIABLE ] IR Receiver [ Setting 1 ] [ Exit ]

CAUTION: If the "FIXED" position is chosen, the volume will be loud.

setting, the source is sent from this

– Use this setting for all (other) IR

– Use this setting if the IR receiver you’re

Setting 1

12 Volt Trigger

• Default setting:

After connecting a component the 12 volt trigger (see

Switching components on and off using the 12 volt trigger

on page 65), it switches on automatically when you select an input function set to switch the trigger on. Specify which input functions switch on the trigger below.

1 Select ‘12V Trigger’ from the System Setup menu.

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

2 Select an input function and choose the setting that you want.

This should be the input function, that when selected, switches on the 12 volt trigger.

•

OFF

– 12 volt trigger is not activated for the selected

component.

•

– 12 volt trigger is activated for the selected

component.

3 Repeat for as many input functions as you would like to set.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the System Setup menu.

OFF

(all components)

DVD/LD [ OFF ] TV/SAT [ OFF ] VCR1/DVR [ OFF ] VCR2 [ OFF ] VIDEO [ OFF ] PHONO/LINE [ OFF ] CD [ OFF ] CD-R/TAPE1 [ OFF ] MD/TAPE2 [ OFF ] USB [ OFF ] TUNER [ OFF ] [ Exit ]

DVD/LD [ ON ] TV/SAT [ OFF ] VCR1/DVR [ OFF ] VCR2 [ OFF ] VIDEO [ OFF ] PHONO/LINE [ OFF ] CD [ OFF ] CD-R/TAPE1 [ OFF ] MD/TAPE2 [ OFF ] USB [ OFF ] TUNER [ OFF ] [ Exit ]

Note

• Some IR receivers may not work with this receiver. Check with your audio dealer for more information.

• If you selected

setting

MR&S

in the

Surround back speaker

on page 55, you won’t be able to change the

volume level.

Page 86

Advanced setup

The Expert setup menu

The settings in the Expert setup menu are more advanced features of this receiver that you can use to make detailed adjustments when you’re more familiar with the system. Before making these settings, you should have already completed

for surround sound

on page 12.

You only need to make these settings once (unless you change the placement of your current speaker system or add new speakers).

1 Make sure your receiver and TV are both switched on.

2 Using the remote control, press RECEIVER, then press the SYSTEM SETUP button.

An on-screen display (OSD) appears on your TV. Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons and control to navigate through the screens and select menu items.

SYSTEM SETUP

Tip

• You can also use the front panel display to make settings. You can also use the

ENTER

on the front panel instead of the

up/down) buttons and

3 Select ‘Surround Setup’ then press ENTER.

Automatically setting up

ENTER

on the remote

RECEIVER

ENTER

MULTI JOG

/

ENTER

on the remote control.

dial and

(cursor

4 Select ‘Expert’ then press ENTER.

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit

]

5 Select the setting you want to adjust.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

•

Crossover Network

be sent to the subwoofer (see

– Specify which frequencies will

Crossover Network

below).

•

Fine Channel Level

– Make fine adjustments to the

overall balance of your speaker system (see

Channel Level

Fine Channel Delay

• your speaker system (see

below).

– Make precise delay settings for

Fine Channel Delay

page 88).

•

Acoustic Cal EQ

– Measure the acoustic characteristics of your room and make detailed adjustments to the frequency balance of your speaker system (see page 88 and

Acoustic Calibration EQ

Professional Acoustic Calibration

page 91).

•

Bass Peak Level

the sound from your speakers (see

– Prevent bass tones from distorting

Bass Peak Level

page 93).

•

D-Range Control

– Specify the amount of dynamic range adjustment to Dolby Digital and DTS movie soundtracks (see

Dynamic Range Control

page 94).

6 Make the adjustments necessary for each setting, pressing ENTER to confirm after each setting.

When you’re finished, you can select

ENTER

to go back to the System Setup menu.

Exit

, then press

Fine

System Setup

[ 1. Surround Setup ] [ 2. THX CINEMA Setup ] [ 3. Input Assign ] [ 4. Function Rename ] [ 5. SACD Setup ] [ 6. PHONO/LINE Setup ] [ 7. Multi Room ] [ 8. 12V Trigger ] [ Exit　　　　 ]

1.Surround Setup

[ SurrBack System ] [ Auto Setting ] [ Normal ] [ Expert ] [ Exit ]

Page 87

Advanced setup

Crossover Network

• Default setting:

This setting decides the cutoff between bass sounds playing back from the speakers selected as the subwoofer, and bass sounds playing back from those selected as be for bass sounds in the LFE channel.

Note

• For more on selecting the speaker sizes, see

surround setting

• You don’t need to set the crossover frequency if all speakers are set to

1 Select ‘Crossover Network’ from the Expert setup menu.

2 Choose the frequency cutoff point.

Frequencies below the cutoff point will be sent to the subwoofer (or

Crossover Network

Frequency [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

(THX Speaker = 80Hz)

80Hz

SMALL

. It also decides where the cutoff will

on page 55.

LARGE

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

LARGE

speakers).

Crossover Network

50Hz

80Hz 100Hz 150Hz 200Hz Exit

Frequency [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

(THX Speaker = 80Hz)

LARGE

50Hz

80Hz 100Hz 150Hz 200Hz Exit

, or

Normal

Fine Channel Level

• Default setting:

You can achieve better surround sound by properly adjusting the overall balance of your speaker system. The following setting can help you make detailed adjustments that you may not achieve using the

surround setting

1 Select ‘Fine Channel Level’ from the Expert setup menu.

The volume increases to the

Caution

• After pressing

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Adjust the level of the left channel.

This will be the reference speaker level, so you may want to keep the level around room to adjust the other speaker levels.

0dB

(all channels)

on page 55.

ENTER

, loud test tones will be output.

0dB

so that you’ll have plenty of

Fine Channel Level

Left [ ]

0dB

reference level.

Fine Channel Level

Please Wait

Caution!! Test tone is output loudly.

+10. 0

Normal

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Expert setup menu.

3 Select each channel in turn and adjust the levels

(

+/– 10dB) as necessary.

Use

/

(cursor up/down) to adjust the volume of the speaker you selected to match the front left (reference) speaker. When it sounds like both tones are the same volume, press

ENTER

to confirm and continue to the next

channel.

Fine Channel Level STD:Left

Right [ ] Center [ ] Surround [ ] Surround [ ] SurrBack [ ] SurrBack [ ] Subwoofer [ ]

Exit

[

+10. 0

]

• If you want to go back and adjust a channel, simply use

/

(cursor up/down) to select it.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Expert setup menu.

Page 88

Advanced setup

Fine Channel Delay

For proper sound depth and separation with your system, it is necessary to add a slight bit of delay to some speakers so that all sounds will arrive at the listening position at the same time. The following setting can help you make detailed adjustments that you may not achieve using the

1 Select ‘Fine Channel Delay’ from the Expert setup menu.

2 Adjust the distance of the left channel from the listening position.

3 Select each channel in turn and adjust the distance as necessary.

Use speaker you selected to match the front left (reference) speaker. The delay is measured in terms of speaker distance from

Normal surround setting

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

Fine Channel Delay

Left [ ]

/

(cursor up/down) to adjust the delay of the

0.1

9.0

meters.

Fine Channel Delay STD:Left 4.0m

Right [ ] Center [ ] Surround [ ] Surround [ ] SurrBack [ ] SurrBack [ ] Subwoofer [ ]

Exit

]

[

2.0 m

on page 55.

When it sounds like the delay settings are matched up, press

ENTER

to confirm and continue to the next

channel.

• If you want to go back and adjust a channel, simply use

/

(cursor up/down) to select it.

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Expert setup menu.

Acoustic Calibration EQ

Acoustic Calibration Equalization is a kind of room equalizer for your speakers (excluding the subwoofer). It works by measuring the acoustic characteristics of your room and neutralizing the ambient characteristics that can color the original source material. You can also make these settings manually to get a frequency balance that suits your tastes. A more advanced setup is also available, where you can make detailed settings according to your room’s reverb characteristics (see

Professional Acoustic Calibration

have the mic connected when using any of the setup options.

Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ automatically

If you have already completed

surround sound

ALIGN

(below) should already be set. Therefore, if you

on page 12,

want to adjust your settings manually, you can skip to

Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manually

1 Select ‘Acoustic Cal EQ’ from the Expert setup menu.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Select ‘EQ AUTO SETTING’ then select ‘Start’.

on page 91). You should

Automatically setting up for

ALL CH ADJUST

and

FRONT

below.

Listen to the reference speaker and use it to measure the target channel. Face the two speakers with your arms outstretched pointing at each speaker. Try to make the two tones sound as if they are arriving simultaneously at a position slightly in front of you and between your arm span.

Acoustic Cal EQ

[ EQ AUTO SETTING ] [ CUSTOM1 ADJUST ] [ CUSTOM2 ADJUST ] [ DATA COPY ] [ DATA CHECK ] [ Professional ]

Exit

[

]

EQ AUTO SETTING

Set microphone Turn on subwoofer

[ Start ] [ Cancel ]

As the receiver outputs test tones, the frequency balance is adjusted automatically for the following settings:

•

ALL CH ADJUST

– All the speakers are set individually so no special weighting is given to any one channel.

•

FRONT ALIGN

– All speakers are set in accordance

with the front speaker settings.

Page 89

Advanced setup

!! Complete !!

is displayed on-screen after the Acoustic Calibration Equalization is set. If you want to check the settings, select

Check

. Select

after you have

finished checking each screen.

• If you want to copy these settings and adjust them manually, select

your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings

Data Copy

. Go to step 3 of

below.

Copying

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Acoustic Cal EQ setup menu.

Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manually

Before manually adjusting the Acoustic Calibration EQ, we recommend copying the

FRONT ALIGN

from

Automatically setting up for surround sound

settings from the auto setup above (or

ALL CH ADJUST

or the

on page 12) to one of the custom settings. Instead of just a flat EQ curve, this will give you a reference point from which to start (see

settings

below for how to do this).

Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ

1 Select ‘Acoustic Cal EQ’ from the Expert setup menu.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Select CUSTOM1 ADJUST or CUSTOM2 ADJUST.

Acoustic Cal EQ

[ EQ AUTO SETTING ] [ CUSTOM1 ADJUST ] [ CUSTOM2 ADJUST ] [ DATA COPY ] [ DATA CHECK ] [ Professional ]

Exit

[

]

3 Select which method you would like to use to adjust the overall frequency balance.

It is best to choose whichever one you copied to the custom setting in

settings

below.

Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ

•

FRONT ALIGN

– Speakers are set in accordance with the front speaker settings. The sound of the test tone will alternate between the left front (reference) speaker and the target speaker.

4 Select the channel(s) you want and adjust to your liking.

Use the channel (and

Use the frequency and

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to select the

ENTER

to select it).

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to select the

/

(cursor up/down) to boost or cut the EQ. When you’re finished, the cursor automatically moves to the next channel after you press

ENTER

• The front speakers can’t be adjusted if you selected

FRONT ALIGN

Tip

• Changing the frequency curve of one channel too drastically will affect the overall balance. If the speaker balance seems uneven, you can raise or lower channel levels using test tones with the feature. Use

/

(cursor up/down) to raise or lower

TRIM

the channel level for the current speaker.

5 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

Select

Exit

again to confirm your custom settings and

return to the Acoustic Cal EQ setup menu.

Note

• Note that five bands are available for adjustment here, however six bands are measured and displayed with the

Professional Acoustic Calibration

on page 91 (including the PC graphical output feature). The 1kHz band acts as a reference setting (to ensure optimal adjustment of the other frequency settings) for a total of six band adjustment.

•

ALL CH ADJUST

– All the speakers can be set independently so no special weighting is given to any one channel. When adjusting, test tones will sound for each individual channel.

Page 90

Advanced setup

Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings

If you want to manually adjust the Acoustic Calibration EQ (see above), we recommend copying the the (or from

Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manually

ALL CH ADJUST

FRONT ALIGN

settings from the

Auto

Automatically setting up for surround sound

setup above

on page 12) to one of the custom settings. Instead of just a flat EQ curve, this will give you a reference point from which to start.

1 Select ‘Acoustic Cal EQ’ from the Expert setup menu.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Select ‘DATA COPY’ then press ENTER.

Acoustic Cal EQ

[ EQ AUTO SETTING ] [ CUSTOM1 ADJUST ] [ CUSTOM2 ADJUST ] [ DATA COPY ] [ DATA CHECK ] [ Professional ]

Exit

[

]

Checking your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings

After you have completed an automatic or manual Acoustic Calibration EQ adjustment, you can check the

ALL CH ADJUST

and the

FRONT ALIGN

settings using

the on-screen display.

1 Select ‘Acoustic Cal EQ’ from the Expert setup menu.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Select ‘DATA CHECK’ then press ENTER.

Acoustic Cal EQ

[ EQ AUTO SETTING ] [ CUSTOM1 ADJUST ] [ CUSTOM2 ADJUST ] [ DATA COPY ] [ DATA CHECK ] [ Professional ]

Exit

[

]

3 Select the setting you want to check.

3 Select CUSTOM1 or CUSTOM2 then use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to select the setting you want to copy.

EQ DATA COPY

CUSTOM1

[ ]

ALL CH ADJUST

CUSTOM2

[ ]

NOT DATA COPY

[

Exit

]

• You can also copy from one custom setting to another. For more on the

FRONT ALIGN

settings, see

Calibration EQ automatically

ALL CH ADJUST

Setting the Acoustic

above.

and

4 Select ‘Exit’ to copy and confirm.

You will return to the Acoustic Cal EQ setup menu.

4 Select the channels you want, selecting ‘Exit’ when you’re finished checking each one.

5 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Acoustic Cal EQ setup menu.

Page 91

Advanced setup

Professional Acoustic Calibration

This setup minimizes the unwanted effects of room reverberation by calibrating your system based on the direct sound coming from the speakers. It can also provide you with a graphical output of the frequency response of your room.

Note

• Before setting up with Professional Acoustic Calibration, you should finish calibrating using the Auto Surround Setup on page 12.

How to use Professional Acoustic Calibration

If you find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant in your listening room (i.e. it sounds ‘boomy’), or that different channels seem to exhibit different reverb characteristics, use the Auto Pro setup to calibrate the room automatically. This should provide a more balanced calibration than simply using the standard Acoustic Calibration EQ.

If you still aren’t satisfied with the results, the manual Advanced EQ Setup allows you to customize your system calibration with the help of a graphical output that can be displayed on-screen, or using a computer (with software available from Pioneer—see

Advanced MCACC output

How to interpret the graphical output

The graph shows decibels on the vertical axis and time (in milliseconds) on the horizontal axis. A straight line indicates a flat-response room (no reverb), whereas a sloping line indicates the presence of reverberation when outputting test tones. The sloping line will eventually flatten out when the reverberant sound stabilizes (this usually takes about 100ms or so).

By analyzing the graph, you should be able to see how your room is responding to certain frequencies. Differences in channel level and speaker distance are taken into account automatically (compensation is provided for comparison purposes), but the frequency measurements are always shown without the equalization performed by this receiver.

Note that due to an effect known as ‘group delay’, lower frequencies will take longer to be generated than higher frequencies (this is most obvious when comparing the frequencies at 0ms). This initial slope is not a problem (i.e. excessive reverb) with your listening room.

Setting Professional Acoustic Calibration according to your room characteristics

Using the manual setup, you can set the time period at which the frequency response is analyzed for calibration. You can pinpoint the time that is best for calibration of the system for your particular room characteristics.

Connecting a PC for

on page 79 for more on this).

The graph below shows the difference between standard acoustic calibration and professional calibration (the gray circles represent the point at which the microphone captures the sound for frequency analysis).

Level

Test tone

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro calibration range

0 16080

Standard Acoustic Cal. EQ calibration range

Time (in msec.)

As soon as audio is output from your speaker system, it is influenced by room characteristics, such as walls, furniture, and the dimensions of the room. The sooner the frequency analysis, the less it is influenced by the room. We recommend an earlier time setting of 20–40ms to compensate for two major factors that will influence the sound of most rooms:

•

Reverberance of high vs. low frequencies

– Depending on your room, you may find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant compared to higher frequencies (i.e. your room sounds ‘boomy’). This may result in a skewed frequency analysis if the measurement is done too late.

Level

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro calibration range

0 16080

•

Reverb characteristics for different channels

Standard Acoustic Cal. EQ calibration range

Low frequencies

High frequencies

Time (in msec.)

– Reverb characteristics can be somewhat different for each channel. Since this difference increases as the sound is influenced by the various room characteristics, it is often better to capture a frequency analysis early on for smoother mixing of channel frequencies/sounds.

Level

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro calibration range

0 16080

Standard Acoustic Cal. EQ calibration range

Left surround

Right Surround

Time (in msec.)

If your room isn’t affected by the factors above, it is often not necessary to make a 20–40ms setting. Later time settings may provide a more detailed sound experience with your speaker system. It is best to try and see what works best for your particular room.

Page 92

Advanced setup

Note that changing the room (for example, moving furniture or paintings) will affect the calibration results. In such cases, you should recalibrate your system.

Using Professional Acoustic Calibration

1 Select ‘Acoustic Cal EQ’ from the Expert setup menu.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ ] [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

2 Select ‘Professional’.

Acoustic Cal EQ

[ EQ AUTO SETTING ] [ CUSTOM1 ADJUST ] [ CUSTOM2 ADJUST ] [ DATA COPY ] [ DATA CHECK ]

[ Professional ]

Exit

[

3 Select a setup option.

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

•

Auto Pro.

– This is the recommended setup when using the Professional Acoustic Calibration. If you feel confident with a setup that’s more involved, you can use an advanced setup below. With this setup, the receiver automatically sets an early time period (20–40 ms or 60–80 ms) for reverb measurement, giving you a system calibration based on the direct sound coming from the speakers. The frequency balance for each channel is then adjusted to minimize the effect of the room characteristics on the overall sound.

•

Reverb Measurement

reverb characteristics of your room for each channel in select frequency ranges. Since this measurement is also made in

Auto Pro

do this again if you were satisfied with the results.

•

Reverb View

– You can check the reverb measurements made for specified frequency ranges in each channel.

•

PC Output

MCACC output

– See

Connecting a PC for Advanced

on page 79 for more on this option.

]

– Use this to measure the

(above), there is no need to

•

Advanced EQ Setup

– Use this to select the time period that will be used for frequency adjustment and calibration, based on the reverb measurement of your listening area. Note that this advanced setup is not necessary if you’re satisfied with the results of

Automatically setting up for surround sound

page 12 or

Auto Pro

above (your previous settings

will be altered with this setup).

4 If you selected ‘Auto Pro.’, select ‘Start’ and press ENTER.

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

!! Complete !!

is displayed on-screen after the Acoustic

Calibration Equalization is set. Select

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro. Auto Pro.

]

• Set microphone

• Tur n on subwoofer

[ Start ] [ Cancel ]

Exit

to return to the

Professional Acoustic Calibration menu.

5 If you selected ‘Reverb Measurement’, select ‘Start’ and press ENTER.

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

!! Complete !!

is displayed on screen when the reverb

]

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro. Reverb

• Set microphone

• Tur n on subwoofer

[ Start ] [ Cancel ]

measurement is finished (this may take 2–6 minutes). After selecting the results on-screen. See

MCACC output

Exit

, you can select

Reverb View

to see

Connecting a PC for Advanced

on page 79 for more on setting up your

computer for the graphical output.

6 If you selected ‘Reverb View’, you can use the cursor buttons (buttons) to check the reverb characteristics for each channel. Select ‘Exit’ when you’re done.

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons (and

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro. Reverb Vew [ L ] [ 63Hz ] dB

[ Exit ]

]

0 80 160ms

ENTER

) to select the channel and the frequency you want to check. Note that the markers on the vertical axis indicate decibels in 2dB steps.

Page 93

Advanced setup

• If

No Data

reverb measurement using the Auto Pro or Reverb Measurement setup option.

7 If you selected ‘Advanced EQ Setup’, input the time setting you want to use for calibration, then select ‘Start’.

After checking on the reverb measurement above, you may want to manually choose the time period that will be used for the final frequency adjustment and calibration. Even though you can make this setting without reverb measurement, it is best to use the measurement results as a reference for your time setting. For an optimal system calibration based on the direct sound coming from the speakers, we recommend using the setting.

is displayed, you will need to make a

20–40ms

Bass Peak Level

Some audio sources (for example, Dolby Digital and DTS) include ultra-low bass tones. Set the bass limiter as needed to prevent the bass from distorting the sound from the subwoofer.

1 Select ‘Bass Peak Level’ from the Expert setup menu.

The current setting is displayed.

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

]

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro.

[ Auto Pro. ] [ Reverb Measurement ] [ Reverb View ] [ PC Output ] [ Advanced EQ Setup ]

Exit

[

• If

No Data

is displayed, you will need to make a

Acoustic Cal EQ Pro. [ L ] [ 63Hz ] [ 20–40ms ] [ Start ]

[ Exit ]

]

0 80 160ms

reverb measurement using the Auto Pro or Reverb Measurement setup option.

Use the channel, frequency, and time setting. Use the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to select the

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to switch between them.

You can switch between your connected speakers (excluding the subwoofer), and display the measurements for the following frequencies: 63Hz, 125 Hz, 250Hz, 1kHz, 4kHz and 11.3kHz.

• Note that six bands are available for measurement and analysis here, but you will only be able to set five bands when using

Acoustic Calibration EQ

on page 88. The 1kHz band acts as a reference setting (to ensure optimal adjustment of the other frequency settings) for a total of six band adjustment.

Select the setting from the following time periods (in milliseconds): 0–20ms, 10–30ms, 20–40ms, 30–50ms, 40–60ms, 50–70ms and 60–80ms. This setting will be applied to all channels during calibration.

When you’re finished, select

Start

. It will take about 2–11

minutes for the calibration to finish.

!! Complete !!

is displayed on-screen after the Acoustic Calibration Equalization is set. If you want to check the settings, select finish, select

Check

and press

Exit

to exit each screen.

ENTER

. If you want to

• When

[OFF]

is displayed the attenuator is off (bass

output is not affected).

Important

• When

[-80]

is displayed, no bass is output.

2 Select a setup option.

Bass Peak Level

[ Setting Start ] [ Setting Cancel ] [ Exit ]

Present Level [OFF]

•

Setting Start

– The volume is set to -80dB, a test tone

Bass Peak Level

[ Setting Start ] [ Setting Cancel ] [ Exit ]

Please Wait

plays back and you make the setting.

•

Setting Cancel

3 If you selected ‘Setting Start’, use the

– Switches limiting off.

/

(cursor up/down) buttons to adjust the test tone and specify the bass peak level then press ENTER.

Bass Peak Level

[Setting OK ] Bass Peak Level [–80]

Bring up the Bass Peak Level To a comfortable Volume (–80=no sound)

Set the bass peak level gradually, then press

Bass Peak Level

[ Setting Start ] [ Setting Cancel ] [ Exit ]

Present Level [-30]

ENTER

at the point just before the tone starts to distort. When you’re finished, the display on the receiver will show

RESUME

and the volume will return to its original

position.

• Press

RETURN

at any time to exit without setting the

bass peak level.

• If your subwoofer has an Auto Sleep feature, make sure the subwoofer is active (not in standby).

Page 94

Advanced setup

• If the

YES

selected (in

PLUS

setting on the subwoofer is

Speaker Setting

on page 55), the test tone will only play back from the subwoofer. If not, the test tone will play back from the front and surround speakers set to

LARGE

4 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

You will return to the Expert setup menu.

Dynamic Range Control

• Default setting:

This setting specifies the amount of dynamic range adjustment to Dolby Digital and DTS movie soundtracks. You may want to use this when listening to surround sound at low volumes.

1 Select ‘D-Range Control’ from the Expert setup menu.

2 Choose the setting that you want.

•

OFF

– No dynamic range adjustment (use when

listening at higher volume).

•

MID

– Mid setting.

•

MAX

– Dynamic range is reduced (loud sounds are reduced in volume while quieter sounds are increased)

3 When you're finished, select ‘Exit’.

OFF

Expert

[ Crossover Network ] [ Fine Channel Level ] [ Fine Channel Delay ] [ Acoustic Cal EQ [ Bass Peak Level ] [ D-Range Control ] [ Exit ]

Dynamic Range Control

Select Mode [ OFF ] dts [ [ [

MID MAX Exit

]

Dynamic Range Control

Select Mode [ OFF ] dts [ [ [

MID MAX Exit

] ]

]

You will return to the Expert setup menu.

Tip

• For general dynamic range control, you can use the Midnight listening mode (see

Loudness listening

on page 46) on a variety of

Using Midnight and

sources that are not Dolby Digital or DTS encoded.

Page 95

Additional information

Chapter 12

Additional information

Troubleshooting

Incorrect operations are often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component, check the points below. Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Investigate the other components and electrical appliances being used. If the trouble cannot be rectified even after exercising the checks listed below, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized independent service company to carry out repair work.

Power

Symptom

The power does not turn on. • The power plug is disconnected. • Connect the power plug to the wall outlet.

The receiver suddenly switches off.

During loud playback the power suddenly switches off.

The unit does not respond when the buttons are pressed.

AMP ERR

blinks in the display, then the power automatically switches off.

FAN STOP

then the power automatically switches off.

OVERHEAT

and no sound is output.

THDCT NG

and the unit turns off.

blinks in the display,

blinks in the display

Cause Remedy

• The protection circuit may have been activated.

• Something is obstructing the rear panel ventilation device.

• The speaker wires are frayed or sticking out of the jack, and are touching the back of the receiver or another set of wires.

• The receiver has a serious problem. • Unplug the receiver from the wall and call a Pioneer

• The protection circuit has been activated because the lowest actual impedance of the speakers (as opposed to the speakers rated impedance) is dangerously low.

• Static electricity caused by dry air. • Switch the unit off, then on again.

• The receiver has a serious problem. • After about a minute (you won’t be able to switch the

• Something is obstructing the fan. • Remove the obstruction and try switching the receiver

• The fan is malfunctioning. • Unplug the receiver from the wall and call a Pioneer

• The internal temperature of the unit has become too high.

• The thermistor (temperature sensor) is broken.

• Disconnect the power plug from the outlet, and insert again.

• Unplug the receiver from the wall and call a Pioneer authorized independent service company.

• Reinsert the speaker wires, making sure there are no stray strands of wire and that they are inserted fully.

authorized independent service company.

• Turn down the volume.

• When it’s convenient, go to page 88 and lower the 63 Hz and 125 Hz equalizer levels using the manual setting.

• Turning the digital safety feature on may allow you to turn up the volume a little more. To switch between

SAFETY ON

standby, then press the  STANDBY/ON holding down the on the front panel.

• Disconnect the power plug from the outlet, and insert again.

unit on during this time), switch the receiver back on. If the message persists, call a Pioneer authorized independent service company.

back on. If the fan is still not working, or you can’t remove the object, unplug the receiver from the wall and call a Pioneer authorized independent service company.

authorized independent service company.

• After allowing the unit to cool down in a well-ventilated place, try switching the receiver back on. Make sure you follow the guidelines for improving heat dispersal in the safety precautions on pages 2–3.

• Turn the receiver off, unplug from wall and call a Pioneer authorized independent service company to look at the problem.

and

SAFETY OFF

MULTI JOG CONTROL SET UP

Acoustic Calibration EQ

, put the receiver into

button while

button

Page 96

Additional information

No sound

Symptom Cause Remedy

No sound is output when an input source is selected.

No sound output from the front speakers.

No sound from the surround or center speakers.

No sound from surround back speakers.

No sound from subwoofer. • The bass attenuator is set too low (for

• Improper connections. • Make sure you have properly connected the component

• Sound is muted or the volume is turned down.

• Speakers are turned off or selected improperly with the

• The input signal type is incorrect. • Press

• The multichannel analog inputs are selected.

• The front speakers aren’t connected properly.

• Speaker settings are incorrect. (for example, they have been set to NO).

• The surround and/or center levels are turned down.

• The surround and/or center speakers aren’t connected properly.

• The

STEREO

selected.

• Surround back speakers are set to NO.• Set the surround back speakers to

• The

SB CH

• The source is not a 6.1 channel playback source.

• The surround back speakers aren’t connected properly.

• The surround back channel is on the 1 speaker setting, and your speaker is connected to the right channel output.

• The

SB CH MODE

the Dolby Surround EX / DTS ES software you’re playing has no ﬂag to indicate it is 6.1 compatible.

example, the

• The subwoofer isn’t connected properly, or it is switched off.

• The subwoofer's settings are incorrect. • Set the subwoofer (see

• The crossover frequency is set too low. • Set the crossover frequency to a (higher) frequency that

• There is very little low frequency information in your source.

• The subwoofer's levels are too low. • See

SPEAKERS

listening mode has been

mode is switched off

is switched to

-80

setting).

switch.

AUTO

to the corresponding input on the back of the receiver (see

Connecting your equipment

• Press

Switching the speaker system

(see

Selecting the input signal type

• Press

multichannel analog inputs

• See connect them properly.

• Check you speaker settings in page 55.

• Check the levels in

• Check make sure the speakers are connected correctly.

• Choose a surround listening mode (see

surround sound

(see

Speaker Setting

• Set the surround back channel to page 44).

• Choose an advanced effect listening mode (see

Listening in surround sound

• Check make sure the speakers are connected correctly.

• Connect the speaker to the surround back left channel output (

and

• You can still listen with surround back sound by setting the surround back channel to

• See

• Connect or switch on the subwoofer (see

speaker system

• Make sure the sleep function on your subwoofer isn’t activated.

YES

matches your speaker characteristics (see

Network

• Change your subwoofer setting to one of the following in the

Speaker Setting

Front: Front:

levels.

• Check the volume control on the subwoofer to make sure it is turned up.

on page 15).

MUTE

or adjust the volume accordingly.

SPEAKERS

SIGNAL SELECT

MULTI CH INPUT

Installing your speaker system

Bass Peak Level

PLUS

on page 87)

SMALL LARGE

Channel Level

to select the proper speaker set (see

on page 38).

on page 28).

on page 55:

/ Subwoofer:

on page 71).

to select the proper input signal

again (see

on page 42).

Speaker Setting

Channel Level

on page 55).

on page 38).

SB CH ON

on page 93 to adjust the setting.

Speaker Setting

YES

PLUS

on page 56 to check the speaker

on page 43).

Using the

on page 28 to

on page 56.

on page 28 to

Listening in

LARGE

SB CH ON

on page 28 to

on page 28).

(page 44).

Installing your

on page 55) to

Crossover

SMALL

(see

Page 97

Additional information

Symptom

No sound from one speaker. • The speaker setting has been set to NO.• Change the setting in

Sound is produced from analog components, but not from digital ones (DVD, LD, CD-ROM etc.).

No sound is output or a noise is output when Dolby Digital/DTS software is played back.

Cause Remedy

• The speaker level is too low. • Check the level in

• The speaker isn’t connected properly. • Check

• The source has no sound output for that channel.

• The digital input assignment is wrong. • Assign the digital inputs correctly (see

• The digital components aren't connected properly.

• The player is not compatible with the source you're using, or the player settings are incorrect.

• The digital output level has been turned down on a CD player or other component equipped with digital output level adjustment capability.

• The multichannel analog inputs are selected.

• The input signal type is set to

• A DVD player not compatible with Dolby Digital/DTS is being used.

• The settings on the DVD player are incorrect and/or the DTS signal output is turned off.

• The digital output level is turned down on a CD player or other component equipped with digital output level adjustment capability. (The DTS signal has been altered by the player, and cannot be read.)

ANALOG

.• Set the input signal type to

Installing your speaker system

make sure the speaker is connected correctly.

• By choosing an advanced effect listening mode (see

Listening in surround sound

to create an extra channel for the speaker.

digital inputs

• Make sure you have properly connected the digital component to the corresponding input on the back of the receiver (see

• Choose a compatible source, or check the component’s manual for the correct settings.

• Set the digital volume level of the player to full, or to the neutral position.

• Press

MULTI CH INPUT

multichannel analog inputs

input signal type

• Make sure your DVD player is compatible with Dolby Digital/DTS.

• Make sure the player's settings are correct and/or the DTS signal out is on. Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the DVD player.

• Set the digital volume level of the player to full, or to the neutral position.

Channel Level

on page 81).

Connecting your equipment

on page 43).

Speaker Setting

on page 38), you may be able

again (see

on page 42).

on page 56.

DIGITAL

on page 55.

on page 28 to

Assigning the

on page 15).

Using the

(see

Selecting the

Pioneer VSX-AX5Ai-S, VSX-AX5Ai-G User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual