Pioneer VSX-D814, VSX-D914 User Manual

AUDIO/VIDEO MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER

VSX-D814 VSX-D914

Operating Instructions

Thank you for buying this Pioneer product. Please read through these operating instructions so you will know how to operate your model properly. After you have finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe place for future reference.

CAUTION – PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK DO

NOT USE THIS (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD.

RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET

UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

If the socket outlets on the associated equipment are not suitable for the plug supplied with the product, 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 perfomed only by qualified service personnel. The cut-off plug must be disposed of as an electrical shock hazard could exist if connected to a socket outlet.

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WARNING – TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK

HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

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ATTENTION –

WARNING: Handling the cord on this product or

cords associated with accessories sold with the product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California and other governmental entities to cause cancer and birth defects or other

POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES NE PAS UTILISER CETTE FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR UNE PRISE DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVVERT.

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reproductive harm.

Wash hands after handling

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IMPORTANT NOTICE – THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR THIS EQUIPMENT IS LOCATED IN THE REAR.

PLEASE WRITE THIS SERIAL NUMBER ON YOUR ENCLOSED WARRANTY CARD AND KEEP IN A SECURE AREA. THIS IS FOR YOUR SECURITY.

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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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This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la Classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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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.

Manufactured under license from Dolby

For U.S. and Australia Model

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Laboratories. "Dolby", "Pro Logic", "Surround EX", and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

"DTS" ,"DTS-ES Extended Surround" and "Neo:6" are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

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The lightning flash with arrowhead, 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

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

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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READ INSTRUCTIONS — All the safety and

operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.

RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS — The safety and

operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

HEED WARNINGS — All warnings on the product

and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS — All operating and use

instructions should be followed.

CLEANING — The product should be cleaned only

with a polishing cloth or a soft dry cloth. Never clean with furniture wax, benzine, insecticides or other volatile liquids since they may corrode the cabinet.

ATTA CHMENTS — Do not use attachments not

recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.

WATER AND MOISTURE — Do not use this

product near water — for example, near a bathtub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.

ACCESSORIES — Do not place this product on an

unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.

CART — A product and cart combination should be

moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and cart combination to overturn.

VENTILATION — Slots and openings in the cabinet

are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.

POWER SOURCES — This product should be

operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company.

LOCATION – The appliance should be installed in a

stable location.

NONUSE PERIODS – The power cord of the

appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left un-used for a long period of time.

GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION

• If this product is equipped with a polarized alternating current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other), it will fit into the outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

• If this product is equipped with a three-wire grounding type plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin, it will only fit into a grounding type power outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding type plug.

POWER-CORD PROTECTION — Power-supply

cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.

OUTDOOR ANTENNA GROUNDING — If an

outside antenna or cable system is connected to the product, be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides information with regard to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. See Figure A.

LIGHTNING — For added protection for this

product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power-line surges.

POWER LINES — An outside antenna system

should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal.

OVERLOADING — Do not overload wall outlets,

extension cords, or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

ELECTRIC SERVICE EQUIPMENT

Fig. A

OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY — Never push

objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

SERVICING — Do not attempt to service this

product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE — Unplug this

product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

• When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.

• If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product.

• If the product has been exposed to rain or water.

• If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation.

• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.

• When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance — this indicates a need for service.

REPLACEMENT PARTS — When replacement parts

are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

SAFETY CHECK — Upon completion of any service

or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

WALL OR CEILING MOUNTING — The product

should not be mounted to a wall or ceiling.

HEAT — The product should be situated away from

heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

ANTENNA LEAD IN

GROUND CLAMP

WIRE

ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT (NEC SECTION 810-20)

GROUNDING CONDUCTORS (NEC SECTION 810-21)

GROUND CLAMPS

POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (NEC ART 250, PART H)

NEC — NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE

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Contents

01 Before you start

Checking what’s in the box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Installing the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Making cable connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Loading the batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Operating range of remote control unit. . . . 7

02 5 minute guide

Introduction to home theater . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Listening to Surround Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Using the Quick Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

03 Quick surround sound setup

Automatically calibrating your listening

area (MCACC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

04 Connecting up

Audio/Video cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

S-video cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Component video cords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Digital audio coaxial cords/

Optical cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Connecting digital components . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting audio components . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting DVD 5.1 channel

components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting video components. . . . . . . . . . 19

Connecting to the front panel

video terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Connecting antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

FM wire antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

AM loop antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Using external antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Connecting the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Speaker terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

A and B speaker systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Hints on speaker placement . . . . . . . . . . 22

Connecting additional amplifiers . . . . . . . . 24

AC outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Operating other Pioneer components . . . . 25

Using this receiver with a Pioneer

plasma display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

05 Controls and displays

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Remote control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

06 Listening to your system

Listening in surround sound. . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Using the Advanced surround effects. . . 35

Listening in stereo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Choosing the input signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Using the Surround Back Channel

(SB CH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Using the Virtual Surround Back

mode (VSB). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Using Loudness and Midnight listening . . 40

Using the tone controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Playing other sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Selecting the multi-channel analog

inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Using the sleep timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

07 Setting up the receiver

Choosing your receiver setup . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Speaker setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Surround back speaker setting . . . . . . . . 44

Subwoofer setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Crossover frequency setting. . . . . . . . . . . 44

LFE attenuator setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Front left speaker distance setting . . . . . 45

Center speaker distance setting . . . . . . . 45

Front right speaker distance setting . . . . 46

Surround right speaker distance

setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Surround back speaker distance

setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Surround left speaker distance setting . . 46

Subwoofer distance setting . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Dynamic range control setting. . . . . . . . . 47

Dual mono setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Component video input settings . . . . . . . 47

Digital input settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

SR+ control for Pioneer plasma

displays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Manually calibrating your listening

area (MCACC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Setting separate channel levels for

listening modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Using the SR+ mode with a Pioneer

plasma display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

08 Using the tuner

Listening to the radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Improving FM stereo sound . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Tuning directly to a station . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Saving station presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Naming station presets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Listening to station presets. . . . . . . . . . . . 55

09 Making recordings

Making an audio or a video recording . . . . 56

10 Controlling the rest of your system

Setting the remote to control other

components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Selecting preset codes directly . . . . . . . . . . 57

Programming signals from other

remote controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Erasing one of the remote control

button settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Erasing all of the remote control

presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Direct function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Confirming preset codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Controls for TVs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Controls for other components . . . . . . . . . . 62

11 Additional information

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Resetting the main unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Switching the speaker impedance . . . . . . . 67

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Cleaning the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Before you start

Chapter 1:

Before you start

Checking what’s in the box

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

• AM loop antenna

• FM wire antenna

• AA/LR6 dry cell batteries x2

• Remote control

• These operating instructions

•

Warranty Card

VSX-D914 model only:

• Microphone

• Microphone stand

Installing the receiver

Please note the following points:

• Do not place objects directly on top of this unit. This prevents proper heat dispersal.

• When installing on a rack, shelf, etc., be sure to leave more than 8 inches (20 cm.) of space above the receiver.

Making cable connections

Make sure not to bend the cables over the top of this unit (as shown in the illustration). If this happens, the magnetic field produced by the transformers in this unit may cause a humming noise from the speakers.

Loading the batteries

Incorrect use of batteries may result in such hazards as leakage and bursting. Observe the following precautions:

• Never use new and old batteries together.

• Insert the plus and minus sides of the batteries properly according to the marks in the battery case.

• Batteries with the same shape may have different voltages. Do not use different batteries together.

Before you start

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

Operating range of remote control unit

The remote control may not work properly if:

• There are obstacles between the remote control and the receiver's remote sensor.

• Direct sunlight or fluorescent light is shining onto the remote sensor.

• The receiver is located near a device that is emitting infrared rays.

• The receiver is operated simultaneously with another infrared remote control unit.

23ft (7m)

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 multi-channel surround sound) are explained in

Listening to your system

on page 35.

5 minute guide

Listening to 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 on page 47 to assign the optical input to

DVD

Use a video cord to connect the video output on your DVD player to the receiver using the jacks shown below.

2 Hook up your TV.

Use a video cord to connect your receiver to the TV using the jacks as shown below.

Digital input settings

Optical cable

DIGITAL OUT

STANDBY/ON

DVD player

VIDEO IN

DIGITAL OUT

OPT

ASSIGNABLE

DIGITAL IN

OPT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV / SA T)

COAX

(CD)

COAX

(DVD /LD)

DIGITAL OUT

ASSIGNABLE

DIGITAL IN

(DVR/VCR)

AUX

FM UNBAL

Ω

LOOP

ANTENNA

OPT

OUT

OPT

(TV/

SAT)

COAX

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

AUDIO

DVD / LD

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH INPUT

REC

CD-R

/TAPE

/ MD

MONITOR OUT

OUT

CONTROL

DVR/ VCR

VIDEO

TV/

OUT SAT

DVD

MONITOR /LD

OUT

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH

SUB

INPUT

REC

WOOFER

CD-R

PREOUT

/ TAPE

/ MD

S-VIDEO

PLAY

Coaxial

cable

DVD PLAYER

¡¢41

VIDEO OUT

Video cord

CEN-

SUB WOOFER

TER

COMPONENT VIDEO

MONITOR OUT

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

BPRYPBPR

OUT

DVR/

FRONT

RL R

VCR

VIDEO

P E

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

R S

ASSIGNABLE

(

)

DVD/ LD

(

)

TV / SAT

FRONT

SURROUND BACK

OUT

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

MONITOR OUT

SUB WOOFER

PREOUT

SURROUND

BACK

CENTER

PREOUT

SURROUND

LR L

FRONTCENTER SURROUND

Video cord

UNBAL

COMPONENT VIDEO

CEN-

SURROU

INPUT

subwoofer

surround

bac

5 minute guide

3 Connect your speakers.

A complete setup of eight speakers (including the subwoofer) is shown here but everyone’s home setup will vary. Simply connect the speakers you have in the manner shown below. The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front speakers in the diagram) but using at least three speakers is recommended, and a complete setup is best.

Make sure you connect the speaker on the right to the right terminal and the speaker on the left to the left terminal. Also make sure the positive and negative ( match those on the speakers. You can use speakers with a nominal impedance between 6–16 (please see impedance of less than 8

Switching the speaker impedance

Ω

on page 67 if you plan to use speakers with an

+/–

) terminals on the receiver

Ω

Front speakers

Center speaker

Surround speakers

LR C LSRS

DIGITAL OUT

OPT

OUT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV/

SAT)

ASSIGNABLE

COAX

DIGITAL IN

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

Powered

AUX

Ω

DVR/ VCR

VIDEO

IN TV/ SAT

IN DVD /LD

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH INPUT

REC

CD-R

/ TAPE

/ MD

PLAY

AUDIO

OUT

CONTROL

OUT

MONITOR OUT

SUB WOOFER

PREOUT

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

S-VIDEO

Passive

MONITOR OUT

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

BPR

FRONT

RL R

S P E A

K E R S

ASSIGNABL

YPBP

(

)

TV / SAT

FRONT

SURROUND

SURROUND BACK

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

CENTER

PREOUT

LR L

Surround back speakers

SBL SBR

FRONTCENTER SURROUND

AC OUTLET

subwoofer

or single

speake

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

UDIO I

Speaker setting

page 43) to large.

• To use the speaker on your TV as the center speaker (

), connect the

CENTER PREOUT

on this unit to the audio input jack on your TV. In this case the center speaker shown is unnecessary.

• If you are using only one surround back speaker, connect the positive wire to the right channel (

) terminal, and the negative wire to the left channel (–) terminal (shown below).

jack

5 minute guide

• If you select subwoofer (

SB SW

) in the

Surround back speaker setting

on page 44 you can hook up a subwoofer instead of speakers to the surround back speaker terminals. Connect the wires just as above (and as shown below), connecting the positive wire to the right channel (

) terminal, and the negative wire to the left channel (–) terminal.

Surround back speaker (or subwoofer)

SURROUND BACK

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 is selected. If it isn’t, press

DVD/LD

is showing in the receiver’s display, indicating that the DVD input

DVD

on the remote control to set the receiver to the DVD input.

5 Press QUICK SETUP on the front panel to specify your speaker setup, room size and listening position.

Use the

Setup VSX-D914 model only

automatic MCACC setup in the

MULTI JOG

dial to select and

ENTER

to confirm your selection. See

on page 12 if you’re unsure about the settings.

– For a more complete surround sound setup, we recommend using the

Quick surround sound setup

Using the Quick

on page 14.

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

There are several other sound options you can select. See for more on this. See also

Choosing your receiver setup

Listening to your system

on page 35

on page 42 for more setup options.

• Depending on your DVD player or source discs, you may only get digital 2 channel stereo and analog sound. In this case, the listening mode must be set to already be set—see

Listening in surround sound

on page 35 if you need to do this) if you

STANDARD

(it should

want multi-channel surround sound.

5 minute guide

Using the Quick Setup

You can use the Quick Setup to get your system up and running with just a few button presses. The receiver automatically makes the necessary settings after you have selected your speaker setup, room size and listening position.

If you want to make more specific settings, refer to

Choosing your receiver setup

page 42.

Use the front panel controls for the steps below.

VSX-D914 model only

– Note that you don’t have to make these settings if you use the automatic MCACC setup instead (in this case, go straight to the

setup

on page 14).

SB CH

TONE

MODE

SPEAKERS

VIDEO INPUT

S-VIDEO VIDEO

L AUDIO R

Quick surround sound

ENTER

MULTI JOG

QUICK SETUP

MASTER VOLUME

MULTI JOG

UPDOWN

3 Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your speaker setup.

When a subwoofer was detected in step 2, you can cycle between the following choices:

2.1ch 3.1ch

7.1ch

4.1ch

6.1ch 5.1ch

If a subwoofer wasn’t detected in step 2, you can cycle between the following choices:

2.0ch 3.0ch

7.0ch

4.0ch

6.0ch 5.0ch

• Check the table below to find the speaker setup that corresponds with your system.

1 If the receiver is off, press



STANDBY/ON to turn the power on.

2 Press QUICK SETUP. SW DET

flashes in the display while the

receiver checks your setup for a subwoofer.

SW YES

SW NO

confirms the subwoofer check, then the display prompts you to select your speaker setup.

4 Press ENTER.

5 Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your room size.

Depending on the distance of your speakers from the listening position, choose between small, medium, or large (

S, M

or L), M being

an average-sized room.

5 minute guide

6 Press ENTER.

7 Use the MULTI JOG dial to choose your listening position.

You can cycle between the following choices:

FWD

MID

BACK

FWD

– If you are nearer to the front

speakers than the surround speakers

MID

– If you are equal distance from the

front and surround speakers

BACK

– If you are nearer to the surround

speakers than the front speakers

8 Press ENTER to confirm your setup.

The display shows the speaker setup, room size and listening position that you have selected.

Quick surround sound setup

Chapter 3:

Quick surround sound setup

VSX-D914 model only

Automatically calibrating your listening area (MCACC)

The Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) system 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.

INPUT

RECEIVER

DVD/LD TV/SAT DVR/VCR TV CONT

INPUT ATT FL DIMMER SR

D.ACCESS TOP MENU

ST ST

DTV MENU

T.EDIT

GUIDE

TV VOL

• These test tones can be loud, so take care that there is no one in the room who will be startled by the noise.

SELECT

MULTI CONTROL

CD-R/TAPE

SETUP

TUNE

ENTER

TUNE

TV CONTROL

INPUT

SELECT

SOURCE

TUNER RECEIVER

ENTER

CLASS MENU

MCACC

BAND

RETURN

TV CH

VOL

DISC

SETUP

• Make sure the mic and speakers are not moved during the MCACC setup.

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

ADVANCED

STEREO/

TUNING

STATION

MPX

TUNER EDIT

BAND

CLASS

MULTI JOG

SIGNAL

SURROUND

DIRECT

SELECT

STANDARD SPEAKERS

LISTENING MODE

MCACC

FL DIMMER

INPUT ATT

MULTI JOG

MIDNIGHT/

SB CH

LOUDNESS

MODE

TONE

QUICK SETUP

VIDEO INPUT

S-VIDEODIGITAL INSETUP MIC VIDEO

L AUDIO R

2 Place the microphone at your normal listening position.

Place the mic about ear level at your normal listening position using the supplied microphone stand on a table or chair.

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

3 If the receiver is off, press



STANDBY/ON to turn the power on.

4 If you have a subwoofer, turn it on.

5 Press RECEIVER.

6 Press MCACC SETUP.

Try to be as quiet as possible after pressing

MCACC SETUP

. The system outputs a series of test tones to establish the ambient noise level.

If the noise level is too high,

NOISY!

blinks in the display for five seconds. To exit and check the noise levels again, press

MCACC SETUP

(see the notes regarding ambient noise levels below) or press to

GO NEXT?

ENTER

when you’re prompted

The system now checks the microphone and your speaker setup.

Quick surround sound setup

If you see an there may be a problem with your mic or the speaker connections.

Turn off the power, and check the problem indicated by the then try the auto surround setup again.

•

ERR MIC

connection.

•

ERR Fch

connections.

•

ERR Sch

surround back speaker connections.

•

ERR SW

been switched on and volume on the subwoofer is turned up.

7 Use  and  to select the speaker system that corresponds to your setup.

Cycle between the following choices:

ERR

message in the display,

ERR

message (see below),

– Check the microphone

– Check the front speaker

– Check the surround or

– Make sure the subwoofer has

2.0ch 2.1ch* 3.1ch*3.0ch

7.1ch*

7.0ch

4.0ch

4.1ch*

6.1ch* 6.0ch 5.0ch5.1ch*

* Indicates a subwoofer is included in your

speaker setup

See the table on page 12 if you’re unsure which speaker system to select.

8 If you selected a speaker system that includes a subwoofer, press ENTER to check the subwoofer output level.

If the subwoofer output level is too high/low,

SW.VOL.DWN/SW.VOL.UP

display for five seconds. To exit and check your subwoofer output level, press

SETUP

(see the notes regarding noise levels below) or simply press prompted to

GO NEXT?

blinks in the

ENTER

MCACC

when you’re

9 Press ENTER to finish the auto surround setup.

The system checks for speaker size, channel delay and channel level. If you have connected a subwoofer, it will check for ambient noise once again.

When the auto surround setup is complete, the volume level returns to normal and

COMPLETE

display. The MCACC indicator then lights to show that MCACC setup is complete.

• If the room environment is not optimal for

• Some older TVs may interfere with the

• Using the MCACC system to set up your

• When the

• Depending on the characteristics of your

, then

RESUME

the auto surround setup (too much ambient 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.

operation of the mic. If this seems to be happening, switch off the TV when doing the auto surround setup.

speaker system overwrites any previous settings you had for the

ADVANCED SURROUND

SURROUND

check the settings made with MCACC by using levels) or by going through the steps in

Choosing your receiver setup

to check other settings.

room, sometimes identical speakers with cone sizes of around 5 inches (12cm) will end up with different size settings. You can correct the setting manually using the receiver setup on page 42.

STANDARD

mode is selected, you can

CH SELECT

shows in the

STANDARD

modes.

ADVANCED

(to check channel

on page 42

Connecting up

Chapter 4:

Connecting up

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

Audio/Video cords

Use audio/video cords (not supplied) to connect the audio/video components and a video cord to connect the monitor TV.

Connect red plugs to R (right), white plugs to L (left), and the yellow plugs to

Be sure to insert completely.

VIDEO

Component video cords

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

and PR) signals and then output. In this way, interference between the signals is avoided. Connect from the component video jacks on the rear of the receiver to the component video jacks on the video component you are hooking up.

Green

) signal and the color

Blue

Red

S-video cables

Use S-video cables (not supplied) to get clearer picture reproduction than regular video cords.

Connect from an S-video jack on the rear of the receiver to an S-video jack on the video component you are hooking up.

Be sure to insert completely.

S VIDEO

Digital audio coaxial cords/ Optical cables

Commercially available digital audio coaxial cords (standard video cords can also be used) or optical cables (not supplied) are used to connect digital components to this receiver.

Be sure to insert completely.

Digital audio coaxial cord (or standard video cord)

Optical cable

Connecting up

Connecting digital components

The easiest way to hook up this receiver for surround sound is to use a digital input. You can do this by either coaxial or optical connections (you do not need to do both). The quality of these two types of connections is the same but since some digital components only have one type of digital terminal, it is a matter of matching like with like (for example, the coaxial output from the component to coaxial input on the receiver). This receiver has four digital inputs (two coaxial inputs and two optical inputs) on the rear panel. Connect your digital components as shown below.

There is one digital output jack which is marked input on a digital recorder (for example an MD, DAT or CD-R) you can make direct digital recordings with this unit.

When connecting your equipment, always make sure the power is turned off and the power cord is disconnected from the AC outlet.

• The arrows indicate the direction of the signal.

DIGITAL

CD recorder

Satellite tuner

CD player

OUT

DIGITAL

OUT

DIGITAL OUT

COAX

DIGITAL

DIGITAL OUT

OPT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV/ SAT)

ASSIGNABLE

COAX

DIGITAL IN

(CD)

COAX

(DVD /LD)

. If you connect this to the optical

CEN-

SUB WOOFER

AUX

OUT

AUDIO

FM UNBAL

Ω

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

FRONT

REC

CD-R

/ TAPE

/ MD

PLAY

OUT

CONTROL

VIDEO

OUT

MONITOR OUT

D V D

5.1CH

SUB

INPUT

WOOFER

PREOUT

TER

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

S P E A

K E R S

FRONT

MONIT

DVD player

DIGITAL OUT

COAX

• If you have an LD player, you need to make special connections to ensure you can play RF format LDs on your system. If this is the case, hook up your DVD or LD player directly to an RF demodulator using both the

RF output and either a coaxial or optical digital connection. We also recommend hooking up your digital components to analog audio jacks as well. Make sure the RF demodulator digital in switch is set correctly (optical or coaxial depending on the connection). See the component's instruction manual if you are unsure about its input and output jacks.

PLAY

OUTPUT

Connecting up

Connecting audio components

To begin set up, connect your analog audio components (such as a cassette deck) to the jacks. For components you want to record with, you need to hook up four plugs to the receiver (a set of stereo inputs and a set of stereo outputs), but for components that only play, you only need to hook up one set of stereo plugs. You must also hook up your digital components to analog audio jacks if you want to record to/from digital components (like an MD) to/from analog components. See page 17 for more on digital connections.

When connecting your equipment, always make sure the power is turned off and the power cord is disconnected from the AC outlet.

• The arrows indicate the direction of the audio signal.

CEN-

SUB WOOFER

CD player

CD-R/Tape/MD deck

AUX

DIGITAL OUT

OPT

OUT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV/

SAT)

ASSIGNABLE DIGITAL IN

COAX

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

AUDIO

FM UNBAL

Ω

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

FRONT

REC

CD-R

/ TAPE

/ MD

PLAY

LOOP

OUT

CONTROL

VIDEO

OUT

MONITOR OUT

D V D

5.1CH

SUB

INPUT

WOOFER

PREOUT

TER

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

S-VIDEO

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

SURROUND

FRONT

S P E A

K E R S

MONITOR OUT

ASSIGNABLE

COMPONENT VIDEO

(

)

DVD/ LD

BPR

YPBP

(

)

TV / SAT

CENTER

SURROUND BACK

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

Connecting DVD 5.1 channel components

If you prefer to use a seperate component for decoding DVDs, you can connect a decoder or a DVD player with multi-channel analog outputs to the multi-channel inputs of this receiver. Note that the multi-channel input can only be used when

When connecting your equipment, always make sure the power is turned off and the power cord is disconnected from the AC outlet.

• The arrows indicate the direction of the signal.

CEN-

SUB WOOFER

TER

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

OUT

DVR/ VCR

P E

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

S-VIDEO

R S

COMPONENT VIDEO

MONITOR OUT

BPR

FRONT

RL R

DIGITAL OUT

(DVR/VCR)

ASSIGNABLE

DIGITAL IN

AUX

OPT

OUT

OPT

(TV/

SAT)

COAX

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

AUDIO

FM UNBAL

Ω

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

/ TAPE

PLAY

CONTROL

VIDEO

OUT

DVD

MONITOR

/LD

OUT

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH

SUB

INPUT

REC

WOOFER

CD-R

/ MD

PREOUT

DVD 5.1 ch

ASSIGNABLE

(

)

DVD/ LD

YPBP

(

)

TV / SAT

SURROUND BACK

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

FRONT

OUTPUT

SURROUND

BACK

CENTER

PREOUT

SURROUND

LR L

DVD/multi-channel decoder with multi-channel analog output jacks

is selected (see page 41).

FRONTCENTER SURROUND

OUTPUT

SUB

CENTER

WOOFER

OUTPUT

AC OUTLET

OUTPUT

VIDEO

OUTPUT

Connecting up

Connecting video components

Connect your video components to the jacks as shown below. With digital video components (like a DVD player), you must use the connections shown on this page for the video signal, but in order to hear a digital source (like a DVD) you should hook up the audio to a digital input (see page 17). It is also a good idea to hook up your digital components with analog audio connections (see page 18).

For better quality video, you can hook up using the component video jacks or the S-video jacks (quality descends in this order) on the rear of the receiver instead of the regular video jacks. Make sure they are connected to the video component using the same kind of connection.

When connecting your equipment, always make sure the power is turned off and the power cord is disconnected from the AC outlet.

• The arrows indicate the direction of the signal

Video deck

INPUT

OUTPUT

VIDEO

ASSIGNABLE

(

)

DVD/ LD

YPBP

(

)

TV / SAT

FRONT

SURROUND

SURROUND BACK

CENTER SURROUND

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

TV (monitor)

SURR

TV tuner

(or Satellite tuner)

DVD or LD player

OUTPUT

VIDEO

OUTPUT

VIDEO

CEN-

SUB WOOFER

AUX

DIGITAL OUT

(DVR/VCR)

ASSIGNABLE

DIGITAL IN

OPT

OUT

OPT

(TV/

SAT )

COAX

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

FM UNBAL

Ω

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

FRONT

REC

CD-R / TAPE

PLAY

AUDIO

OUT

CONTROL

VIDEO

OUT

MONITOR OUT

D V D

5.1CH

SUB

INPUT

WOOFER

PREOUT

/ MD

TER

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

OUT

DVR/ VCR

P E

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

S-VIDEO

R S

COMPONENT VIDEO

MONITOR OUT

BPR

FRONT

RL R

INPUT

VIDEO

Connecting to the front panel video terminal

Front video connections are accessed via the front panel using the standard audio/video jacks as well as an S-video jack and an optical input. Hook them up the same way you made the rear panel connections.

VIDEO

button. There are

STEREO/

SIGNAL

DIRECT

SELECT

MCACC

VSX-D914

MIDNIGHT/ LOUDNESS

DIGITAL OUT

SPEAKERS

S-VIDEODIGITAL INSETUP MIC VIDEO

SB CH MODE

VIDEO INPUT

VIDEO OUTPUT

TONE

LAUDIOR

MULTI JOG

QUICK SETUP

Video

camera

(etc.)

Connecting up

Connecting antennas

Connect the AM loop antenna and the FM wire antenna as shown below. To improve reception and sound quality, connect external antennas (see below). Always make sure that the receiver is switched off and unplugged from the wall outlet before making or changing any connections.

FM wire antenna

Connect the FM wire antenna and fully extend vertically along a window frame or another suitable place that gives good reception.

AM loop antenna

Assemble the antenna and connect to the receiver. Attach (if necessary) and face in the direction that gives the best reception.

Using external antennas

FM wire antenna

AUX

DIGITAL OUT

ASSIGNABLE

DIGITAL IN

OPT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV/ SAT)

COAX

(CD)

COAX

(DVD /LD)

OUT

FM UNBAL

Ω

DVR/ VCR

VIDEO

IN TV/ SAT

IN DVD /LD

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH INPUT

REC

CD-R

/ TAPE

/ MD

PLAY

AUDIO

AM loop antenna

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

OUT

CONTROL

OUT

MONITOR OUT

SUB WOOFER

PREOUT

S-VIDEO

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

Antenna snap connectors

Twist the exposed wire strands together and insert into the hole, then snap the connector shut.

3/8 in. (10mm)

Using external antennas

To improve FM reception

Use an F connector to connect an external FM antenna.

F connector

To improve AM reception

Connect a 15–18 feet length of vinyl-coated wire to the AM antenna terminal without disconnecting the supplied AM loop antenna.

For the best possible reception, suspend horizontally outdoors.

Outdoor antenna

FM UNBAL

15–18 ft. (5–6m)

Indoor antenna (vinyl-coated wire)

Ω

LOOP

ANTENNA

FM UNBAL

Ω

LOOP

ANTENNA

Connecting up

UNBAL

COMPONENT VIDEO

CEN-

SURROU

INPUT

subwoofer

surround

bac

Connecting the speakers

A complete setup of eight speakers (including the subwoofer) is shown below, but everyone’s home setup will vary. Simply connect the speakers you have in the manner shown below. The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front speakers in the diagram) but using at least three speakers is recommended, and a complete setup is best for surround sound. If you’re not using a subwoofer, change the front speaker setting (see to large.

Switching the speaker impedance

Ω

on page 67 if you plan to use speakers with an

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

Speaker setting

+/–

) terminals on the receiver

on page 43)

Ω

Front speakers

Center speaker

Surround speakers

LR C LSRS

DIGITAL OUT

OPT

OUT

(DVR/VCR)

OPT

(TV/

SAT)

ASSIGNABLE

COAX

DIGITAL IN

(CD)

COAX

OUT

(DVD /LD)

Powered

AUX

Ω

DVR/ VCR

VIDEO

IN TV/ SAT

IN DVD /LD

FRONT

D V D

5.1CH INPUT

REC

CD-R / TAPE

/ MD

PLAY

AUDIO

OUT

CONTROL

OUT

MONITOR OUT

SUB WOOFER

PREOUT

LOOP

ANTENNA

MONITOR OUT

OUT

DVR/ VCR

TV/ SAT

DVD /LD

S-VIDEO

Passive

MONITOR OUT

SURROUND

DVD 5.1CH INPUT

BPR

FRONT

RL R

S P E A

K E R S

ASSIGNABL

FRONT

CENTER

PREOUT

SURROUND

LR L

YPBP

(

)

TV / SAT

SURROUND BACK

SINGLE

SEE INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

FRONTCENTER SURROUND

subwoofer

or single

eake

Surround back speakers

SBL SBR

AC OUTLET

UDIO I

Connecting up

• When using the speaker on your TV as the center speaker (

PREOUT

input jack on your TV. In this case the center speaker shown is unnecessary.

• If you are using only one surround back speaker, connect the positive wire to the right channel ( tive wire to the left channel ( (see illustration on page 10).

• If you select subwoofer (

Surround back speaker setting

you can hook up a subwoofer instead of speakers to the surround back speaker terminals. Connect the positive wire to the right channel ( tive wire to the left channel ( (see illustration on page 11).

), connect the

jack on this unit to the audio

) terminal, and the nega-

–

) terminal

SB SW

on page 44

–

) terminal

CENTER

) in the

Speaker terminals

12 3

3/8 in. (10mm)

1 Twist exposed wire strands together.

2 Loosen speaker terminal and insert exposed wire.

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 is touching the back panel when you switch the unit on, the power may cut off as a safety measure. Use good quality speaker wire to connect the speakers to the receiver.

3 Tighten terminal.

• The speaker terminals also accept single banana plugs. (Refer to speaker manual for details.)

A and B speaker systems

The receiver has two speaker systems: A and B. A is the main system supporting the full speaker setup. If you switch on both A and B speaker systems, only the front speakers and the (active) subwoofer will be audible. No sound will come from the center, surround, or surround back speakers, but multi-channel sources will be down-mixed to the active speakers so no sound will be lost. Similarly, if you choose just the B system you‘ll only hear the front speakers connected to the B system and multi channel sources will be downmixed to these two speakers.

• Press the SPEAKERS button on the front panel to switch between speaker systems (A, B or both).

Hints on speaker placement

Speakers are usually designed with a particular placement in mind. Some are designed to be floorstanding, while others should be placed on stands to sound their best. Some should be placed near a wall; others should be placed away from walls. We have provided a few tips on getting the best sound from your speakers (following), but you should also follow the guidelines on placement that the speaker manufacturer provided with your particular speakers to get the most out of them.

+ 49 hidden pages