3 1 2 3 Table of Contents Features ................................................ 6 Before You Start ................................... 7 Checking the Supplied Accessories ................................. 7 Preparing the Remote Control .......................................... 7 Loading the batteries ..................................................... 7 Operating range of remote control unit ....................... 8 Installing the Receiver ....................................................... 8 Opening the Front Panel ................................................... 8 Setting Up for Surround Sound ........ 36 Surround Back System .................................................... 37 NORMAL Setup ................................................................ 38 Speaker Setting ............................................................ 39 Channel Level ............................................................... 41 Speaker Distance ......................................................... 42 Basic Operation .................................. 43 Stereo and Multichannel Playback ................................. 43 Selecting the Input Signal ........................................... 44 Listening Modes ............................................................... 45 Stereo modes ................................................................ 45 MOVIE modes (SURROUND mode) ........................... 46 MUSIC modes (SURROUND mode) ........................... 47 Adjusting the Effect of a Listening Mode ................... 48 Adding/Adjusting the Effect in Dolby Pro Logic II Music Mode ................................... 48 Listening with ACOUSTIC CAL EQ .................................. 49 Digital Noise Reduction (DIGITAL NR Function) ........... 49 Listening in MIDNIGHT Mode ......................................... 50 Listening in LOUDNESS Mode ........................................ 50 Adjusting Bass and Treble .............................................. 51 Listening with Sound Delay ............................................. 51 Listening in Audio Scaler mode ...................................... 52 Multi Channel In Playback ............................................... 53 Surround Back Channel Modes ...................................... 54 Surround Back Channel Mode ................................... 54 Virtual Surround Back Mode ....................................... 54 Dual Mono setting and playback .................................... 55 Using Headphones ........................................................... 55 Video Select ...................................................................... 56 Adjusting the Brightness of the Display (DIMMER) ...... 56 Easy Setup Guide Part 1 ....................... 9 Home Theater: The Basics ................................................ 9 1) Your Home System .................................................... 9 2) The Source Material .................................................. 9 3) The Listening Modes ................................................. 9 Conclusion ...................................................................... 9 1 Hooking Up Your DVD Player and TV .......................... 10 Digital Connections ..................................................... 10 2 Speaker Connections .................................................... 11 3 Setting up the Main Unit .............................................. 12 4 Assigning the Digital Inputs ........................................ 12 Easy Setup Guide Part 2 ..................... 13 1 Auto Surround Sound Setup ........................................ 13 2 Playing a DVD with Surround Sound .......................... 15 Connecting Your Equipment ............. 16 Connecting your TV .......................................................... 16 Component Video Input Default Settings .................. 16 Connecting Video Components ...................................... 17 Connecting a DVD player ............................................ 17 Connecting VCRs or DVRs .......................................... 18 Connecting a Video Component to the Front Panel ................................................................... 18 Connecting Satellite TV (SAT) Components .............. 19 Connecting Analog Audio Components ........................ 20 Connecting to the Multi Channel Analog Inputs (DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD (SACD) compatible player) .......................................... 21 Connecting Digital Audio Components ......................... 22 Digital Input Default Settings ..................................... 23 Connecting the Radio Antennas .................................... 24 Using outdoor antennas .............................................. 24 Connecting Speakers ....................................................... 25 Speaker impedance ..................................................... 26 Bi-wiring your speakers ............................................... 26 Placing Your Speakers ..................................................... 27 Speaker placement ...................................................... 27 Power Connections (AC OUTLETS) ................................ 27 Using the Tuner .................................. 57 Automatic and Manual Tuning ....................................... 57 MPX Mode .................................................................... 57 Direct Access Tuning ....................................................... 58 Memorizing Frequently Used Stations ........................... 59 Naming Memorized Stations ........................................... 60 Recalling Memorized Stations ........................................ 61 Remote Control of Other Components ............................. 62 Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components ..................................................................... 62 Recalling Settings Stored in the Remote Control ..... 62 Programming Signals from Other Remote Controls (LEARNING Mode) ....................................................... 63 Using Remote Control with Other Components ............ 64 CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/DVD/LD/DVD Recorder/ Cassette Deck operations ............................................ 64 Cable TV/Satellite TV/Digital TV/TV operations .......... 65 Setting up the Direct Function ........................................ 66 Displays and Controls ........................ 28 Front Panel ....................................................................... 28 Remote Control ................................................................ 30 Display ............................................................................... 33 Back Panel ........................................................................ 34 4 Table of Contents Using Other Functions ....................... 67 Recording from Audio/Video Components .................... 67 SECOND ZONE (Speaker System B) Setup ................... 68 Stereo playback in another room ............................... 68 SPEAKERS Button ....................................................... 68 Connecting Additional Amplifiers .................................. 69 MULTI ROOM function .................................................... 70 MULTI ROOM connections ......................................... 70 MULTI ROOM setup .................................................... 71 Controlling the MULTI ROOM system from the main room ..................................................... 72 Controlling the MULTI ROOM system from the sub room ....................................................... 73 The PIONEER SR System: Operating other PIONEER components ..................................................................... 74 Multi Operations .............................................................. 75 Performing Multi Operations ...................................... 76 System Off ........................................................................ 77 Using SYSTEM OFF ...................................................... 77 Resetting the Remote Control ........................................ 78 Erasing Multi Operations ............................................ 78 Erasing Learning Remote Control Commands ......... 78 Erasing All Remote Control Settings ......................... 78 Resetting the Main Unit .................................................. 79 EASY SETUP GUIDE PREPARATION Fine Tuning Your System .................. 80 SURROUND SETUP THX CINEMA Setup ......................................................... 80 Assigning the Digital Inputs ........................................... 81 Assigning the Component Video Inputs ........................ 82 Function Rename ............................................................ 83 12V TRIGGER function ..................................................... 84 Expert System Settings ...................... 85 EXPERT Setup .................................................................. 85 Crossover Network ....................................................... 86 Fine Channel Level ....................................................... 87 Fine Channel Delay ...................................................... 88 Acoustic Calibration EQ .............................................. 89 Bass Peak Level ........................................................... 94 Dynamic Range Control .............................................. 95 Techno Tidbits and Problem-solving ................................. 96 Dolby ................................................................................. 96 Dolby Digital ................................................................. 96 Dolby Pro Logic II ......................................................... 96 Dolby Digital Surround EX .......................................... 96 DTS .................................................................................... 96 DTS ................................................................................ 96 DTS-ES .......................................................................... 97 DTS Neo:6 ..................................................................... 97 DTS 96/24 ..................................................................... 97 THX .................................................................................... 97 Troubleshooting ............................................................... 98 Preset Code Brands ....................................................... 104 Specifications ................................................................. 106 5 BASIC EXPERT Features Before You Start Multichannel Acoustic Calibration EQ System (MCACC) In order to make setting up as easy as possible for users we have created the MCACC system. This unique and convenient way of getting good surround sound from the receiver makes trouble-free setup a snap. With the included microphone plugged into the front panel the MCACC system creates a monitoring environment to establish the parameters of the sound for the specific room you are using. The MCACC system adjusts the parameters to establish excellent surround sound effects and offers you studio quality home theater sound with minimum effort. Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and the Latest Audio and Video Formats The VSX-53TX is equipped with Dolby Digital EX decoding, the very latest Dolby Digital contribution to home theater with surround back speakers in addition to surround speakers. These additional speakers make home theater even more realistic and powerful. Naturally, you can also play all existing audio formats, including the recently developed Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS-ES Extended Surround formats on the VSX-53TX as well. On the video side, the component video output is fully compatible with high definition, progressive-scan digital video (720p). *Lucasfilm and THX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lucasfilm, Ltd. and TM. Surround EX is a jointly developed technology of THX and Dolby Laboratories, and is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. *Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby", "Pro Logic", "Surround EX" and double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. *"DTS", "DTS-ES Extended Surround" and "Neo:6" are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc. Universal Player Compatibility (DVD Audio/Super Audio CD [SACD]) The receiver incorporates the latest technology and is able to handle cutting edge audio formats, like DVD Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD) which are just hitting the market. Its high compatibility offers a variety of inputs to decode all types of sources at the highest possible quality. The receiver's multichannel input connections lets you hook up eight discrete channels of audio. 12V Trigger For extra convenience the 12V Trigger is a connection ...