Pioneer VSX-815 manual

AUDIO/VIDEO MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER VSX-815 VSX-915 Register y our pr oduct at: www .pioneerelectr onics.com • Protect y our ne w in vestment The details of your purchase will be on file for reference in the event of an insurance claim such as loss or theft. • Impro ve pr oduct development Y our input helps us continue to design products that me[...]

W ARNING – TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. D1-4-2-1_En IMPORT ANT NOTICE – THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR THIS EQUIPMENT IS L OCA TED IN THE REAR. PLEASE WRITE THIS SERIAL NUMBER ON YOUR ENCL OSED W ARRANTY CARD AND KEEP IN A SECURE AREA. THIS IS FOR YOUR SECURITY . D1-4-2-6-1_En NOTE: This equipment ha[...]

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. The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "danger[...]

Contents 01 Before you start Introduction to home theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Checking what’s in the box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Loading the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Installing the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 02 5 mi[...]

English Italiano Français Nederlands Español Deutsch 10 Controlling the rest of your system Setting the remote to control other components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Selecting preset codes directly . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Programming signals from other remote controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

Before you start 01 6 En Chapter 1: Before you start 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 [...]

Before you start 01 7 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Loading the batteries Caution 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 m[...]

5 minute guide 02 8 En Chapter 2: 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[...]

5 minute guide 02 9 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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. 1 The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front spe[...]

5 minute guide 02 10 En Make sure that the speaker cable you’re using is properly prepared with about 3 / 8 in. (10 mm) of insulator stripped from each wire, with the exposed wire strands twisted together ( fig. A ). Unscrew the terminal a few turns until there is enough space to insert the exposed wire ( fig. B ). Once the wire is in position, t[...]

5 minute guide 02 11 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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. Use the front panel c[...]

Quick surround sound setup 03 12 En Chapter 3: Quick surround sound setup Automatically setting up for surround sound (MCACC) The Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) 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 chann[...]

Quick surround sound setup 03 13 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español If the noise level is too high, NOISY! blinks in the display for five seconds. To exit and check the noise levels again, press SYSTEM SETUP (see the notes about ambient noise below) or press ENTER when you’re prompted to RETRY? • Do not adjust the volume [...]

Quick surround sound setup 03 14 En Other problems when using the Auto MCACC Setup If the room environment is not optimal for the Auto MCACC 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[...]

Connecting up 04 15 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 4: Connecting up 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. Importan[...]

Connecting up 04 16 En S-video cables S-video cables give you clearer picture reproduction than standard RCA video cables by sending separate signals for the luminance and color. 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 luminanc[...]

Connecting up 04 17 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting a DVD player and TV This page shows you how to connect your DVD player and TV to the receiver. 1 Connect a coaxial digital audio output on your DVD player to the DIGITAL COAX 1 (DVD/LD) input on this receiver. Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connectio[...]

Connecting up 04 18 En Connecting the multichannel analog outputs For DVD Audio and SACD playback, your DVD player may have 5.1 channel analog outputs.In this case, you can connect the multichannel analog outputs to the multichannel inputs of this receiver as shown below. 1 * The illustration shows the VSX-915, but connections for the VSX-815 are t[...]

Connecting up 04 19 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting other audio components The number and kind of connections depends on the kind of component you’re connecting. 1 Follow the steps below to connect a CD-R, MD, DAT, tape recorder or other audio component. 1 If your component has a digital output, connect this t[...]

Connecting up 04 20 En compatible player. However, the connected PC, DVD player, set-top box, etc. must be able to output WMA9 Pro format audio signals through a coaxial or optical digital output. Microsoft, Windows Media ® , and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/ or other c[...]

Connecting up 04 21 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using the component video jacks Component video should deliver superior picture quality when compared to composite 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[...]

Connecting up 04 22 En 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 Using external antennas below). Always make sure that the receiver is switched off and unplugged from the wall outlet before making or changing any connections. FM wire[...]

Connecting up 04 23 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting the 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. 1 The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front spea[...]

Connecting up 04 24 En Make sure that the speaker cable you’re using is properly prepared with about 3 / 8 in. (10 mm) of insulator stripped from each wire, with the exposed wire strands twisted together ( fig. A ). Unscrew the terminal a few turns until there is enough space to insert the exposed wire ( fig. B ). Once the wire is in position, ti[...]

Connecting up 04 25 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • Make sure no exposed speaker wire is touching the rear panel, this may cause the receiver to turn off automatically. Overhead view of speaker setup You can also refer to the 3-D speaker setup illustration on page 10. . The diagrams below show suggested surround and su[...]

Connecting up 04 26 En Operating other Pioneer components Many Pioneer components have SR CONTROL jacks 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. 1 Note that if you use this featu[...]

Controls and displays 05 27 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 5: Controls and displays Front panel 1 Input select buttons Press to select an input source. 2 Character display See Display on page 29. 3 MCACC indicator Lights when Acoustic Calibration EQ (page 37) is on (Acoustic Calibration EQ is automatically set to [...]

Controls and displays 05 28 En 7 PHONES jack Use to connect headphones. When the headphones are connected, there is no sound output from the speakers. 8 LISTENING MODE buttons STANDARD Press for Standard decoding and to switch between the various Pro Logic IIx and Neo:6 options (page 34). ADVANCED SURROUND Use to switch between the various surround[...]

Controls and displays 05 29 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Display 1 SIGNAL SELECT indicators Lights to indicate the type of input signal: AUTO Lights when AUTO signal select is on. SB Depending on the source, this lights when a signal with surround back channel encoding is detected. DIGITAL Lights when a digital audio si[...]

Controls and displays 05 30 En Lights when a broadcast is being received. 11 Speaker indicators Lights to indicate the current speaker system, A and/or B (page 62). 12 Character display 13 Neo:6 When the ( STANDARD ) Neo:6 mode of the receiver is on, this lights to indicate Neo:6 processing. 14 ADV.SURR. (Advanced Surround) Lights when one of the A[...]

Controls and displays 05 31 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 3 MULTI CONTROL buttons Press to select control of other components (see Controlling the rest of your system on page 55). 4 Number buttons and other receiver/ component controls Use the number buttons to directly select a radio frequency (page 51) or the tracks on[...]

Controls and displays 05 32 En 8 Component control buttons The main buttons (  ,  , etc.) are used to control a component after you have selected it using the MULTI CONTROL buttons. The controls above these buttons can be accessed after you have selected the corresponding MULTI CONTROL button (for example DVD/LD , DVR/VCR or TV/SAT (when conn[...]

Controls and displays 05 33 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español EFFECT/CH SEL Press repeatedly to select a channel, then use LEVEL +/– to adjust the level (see Tip on page 50). Also adjusts the level of the Advanced Surround effects (page 35) as well as Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music (page 36) and Neo:6 Music parameters (page 36)[...]

Listening to your system 06 34 En Chapter 6: Listening to your system Important • Certain features explained in this section will not be possible depending on the source (for example, PCM 88.2 / 96kHz, DTS 96kHz (24 bit) or WMA 9 Pro sources). Auto playback There are many ways to listen back to sources using this receiver, but for the simplest, m[...]

Listening to your system 06 35 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • 2 Pro Logic IIx MUSIC – Up to 7.1 channel sound, especially suited to music sources • 2 Pro Logic IIx GAME – Up to 7.1 channel sound, especially suited for video games • 2 PRO LOGIC – 4.1 channel surround sound (sound from the surround speakers is[...]

Listening to your system 06 36 En surround sound. Use with Dolby Pro Logic for a stereo surround effect. You can also use with Dolby Digital sources for a wider stereo field than the Standard modes. • 7-STEREO – This can be selected to give multichannel sound to a stereo source, using all of the speakers in your setup. • VIR. SURR – Creates[...]

Listening to your system 06 37 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 With Neo:6 MUSIC mode active, press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly to select C. IMAGE. 2 Use the +/– buttons to adjust the setting. Adjust the effect from 0 (all center channel sent to front right and left speakers) to 10 (center channel sent to the center speake[...]

Listening to your system 06 38 En Choosing the input signal You need to hook up a component to both analog and digital inputs on the rear of the receiver to select between input signals. 1 1 Press SIGNAL SELECT on the front panel to select the input signal corresponding to the source component. Press repeatedly to select between: • AUTO – This [...]

Listening to your system 06 39 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using the surround back channel (Extended mode) • Default setting: EXT. ON You can have the receiver automatically use 6.1 or 7.1 decoding for 6.1 encoded sources (for example, Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES), or you can choose to always use 6.1 or 7.1 decoding ([...]

Listening to your system 06 40 En Using the Virtual Surround Back mode (VirtualSB) Selecting this mode allows you to hear a virtual back channel through your surround speakers. For example, you can choose to listen to sources with no surround back channel information (for example, 5.1 encoded material) with emulated 6.1 encoding ( VSB ON ). Sometim[...]

Listening to your system 06 41 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using Loudness and Midnight listening The Loudness listening feature can be used to get good bass and treble from music sources at low volume levels. The Midnight listening feature allows you to hear effective surround sound of movies at low volume levels. The [...]

Listening to your system 06 42 En Playing other sources 1 Turn on the power of the playback component. 2 Turn on the power of the receiver. 3 Select the source you want to playback. Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons (or INPUT SELECT ). 1 4 Start playback of the component you selected in step 1. Selecting the multichannel analog inputs If you have conne[...]

The System Setup menu 07 43 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 7: The System Setup menu Making receiver settings from the System Setup menu The following section shows you how to make detailed settings to specify how you’re using the receiver (for example, if you want to set up two speaker systems in separate rooms)[...]

The System Setup menu 07 44 En • SB 2ND Z – Select to use the (surround back) B speaker terminals to listen to stereo playback in another room (see Second Zone speaker B setup on page 62). • SB BIAMP – Select this setting if you’re bi- amping your front speakers (see Bi-amping your front speakers on page 63). 3 When you’re finished, pre[...]

The System Setup menu 07 45 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Select ‘ CH LEVEL’ from the Manual MCACC setup menu. You’ll hear test tones from each speaker in turn. Since the left speaker is the main reference speaker, the level is fixed and cannot be changed. Caution • The test tones used in the System Setup are o[...]

The System Setup menu 07 46 En 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. This provides a ‘flat’ equaliz[...]

The System Setup menu 07 47 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español curve, this will give you a reference point from which to start (see Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings above for how to do this). 1 Select ‘ C1 ADJ ’ or ‘ C2 ADJ ’ from the Manual MCACC setup menu. 2 Use / (cursor left/right) and ENTER to[...]

The System Setup menu 07 48 En Manual speaker setup 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 sati[...]

The System Setup menu 07 49 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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 NO (the bass frequencies are output from other spea[...]

The System Setup menu 07 50 En Adjust the level of each speaker as the test tone is emitted. 1 5 When you’re finished, press RETURN. Tip • You can change the channel levels at any time by using EFFECT/CH SEL and +/– on the remote control. You can set two channel levels: one for DVD 5.1 CH and one for the listening modes. Speaker Distance For [...]

Using the tuner 08 51 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 8: Using the tuner Listening to the radio The following steps show you how to tune in to FM and AM radio broadcasts using the automatic (search) and manual (step) tuning functions. If you already know the frequency of the station you want, see Tuning directly to[...]

Using the tuner 08 52 En Saving station presets If you often listen to a particular radio station, it's convenient to have the receiver store the frequency for easy recall whenever you want to listen to that station. This saves the effort of manually tuning in each time. This unit can memorize up to 30 stations, stored in three banks, or class[...]

Using the tuner 08 53 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Tip • To erase a station name, simply repeat steps 1-3 and input four spaces instead of a name. • Once you have named a station preset, you can press TUNER DISPLAY when listening to a station to switch the display between name and frequency. Listening to station pre[...]

Making recordings 09 54 En Chapter 9: Making recordings Making an audio or a video recording You can make an audio or a video recording from the 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 t[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 55 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 10: Controlling the rest of your system Setting the remote to control other components Most components can be assigned to one of the MULTI CONTROL buttons using the component’s manufacturer preset code stored in the remote. However, please [...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 56 En 5 Use / (cursor up/down) to select the manufacturer’s name from the list then press ENTER. 6 Use / (cursor up/down) to select the proper code from the list, then try using this remote control with your component. The code should start with the component type (for example, DVD 009 ). If ther[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 57 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Certain buttons represent operations that cannot be learned from other remote controls. The buttons available are shown below: 6 To program additional signals for the current component repeat steps 4 and 5. To program signals for another component, e[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 58 En When direct function is on, any component you select (using the MULTI CONTROL buttons) will be selected by both the receiver and the remote control. When you turn direct function off, you can operate the remote control without affecting the receiver. 1 1 While pressing the RECEIVER button, press and hold[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 59 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Controls for TVs This remote control can control components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Setting the remote to control other components on page 55 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to selec[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 60 En Controls for other components This remote control can control these components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Setting the remote to control other components on page 55 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to select the component. +10 button Use to a[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 10 61 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español REC STOP ( SHIFT+  ) Stops recording. DVR player Number buttons Directly access tracks on a program source. CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/LD player Use the number buttons to navigate the on-screen display . DVD/DVR player +10 button Selects tracks higher than 10[...]

Other connections 11 62 En Chapter 11: Other connections 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. • Be careful not to allow any contact between speaker wires from different termin[...]

Other connections 11 63 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • SP  AB – Sound is output from speaker system A (up to 5 channels, depending on the source), the two speakers in speaker system B, and the subwoofer. Multichannel sources (heard through speaker system A) are downmixed for stereo output from speaker system B. B[...]

Other connections 11 64 En 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. Connecting additional amplifiers This receiver has more than enough power for any home use, but it’s possible to add addi[...]

Other connections 11 65 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • Use a 3-ringed miniplug SR+ cable 1 to connect the CONTROL IN jack of this receiver with the CONTROL OUT of your plasma display. Before you can use the extra SR+ features, you need to make a few settings in the receiver. See The Input Assign menu on page 66 for de[...]

Other Settings 12 66 En Chapter 12: Other Settings 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 cables. 1 Select ‘IN ASSIG.’ from the System Setup menu[...]

Other Settings 12 67 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 2 Select the number of the component video input to which you’ve connected your video component. Use / (cursor left/right) to do this. • The numbers correspond with the numbers beside the inputs on the back of the receiver. 3 Select the component that correspon[...]

Other Settings 12 68 En 1 Select DUAL MONO from the OTHER setup menu. 2 Use / (cursor up/down) to choose the setting that you want. • CH1 – Only channel 1 is played • CH2 – Only channel 2 is played • CH1 CH2 – Both channels are played through the front speakers 3 When you're finished, press RETURN . LFE Attenuator Setup • D[...]

Additional information 13 69 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 13: 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. In[...]

Additional information 13 70 En Considerable noise in radio broadcasts. • T une in the correct frequency. • Connect the antenna (refer to page 22). • Route any loose cables away from the antenna terminals and wires. • F ully extend the FM wire antenna, position for best reception, and secure to a wall. • Connect an outdoor FM antenna (ref[...]

Additional information 13 71 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español No sound is output or a noise is output when software with DTS is played back. • Set the digital volume level of the player to full, or to the neutral position. • Make sure the player's settings are correct and/or the DTS signal out is on. R efer to the [...]

Additional information 13 72 En Resetting the main unit Use this procedure to reset all the receiver’s settings to the factory default. Use the front panel controls to do this. 1 Switch the receiver into standby. 2 While holding down the TONE button, press and hold the  STANDBY/ON button for about three seconds. 3 When you see RESET? appear in[...]

Additional information 13 73 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Specifications Amplifier section • Continuous power output (stereo) 1 Front: VSX-815 . . . 100 W (20–20,000 Hz, THD 0.7%, 8 Ω ) VSX-915 . . . 120 W (20–20,000 Hz, THD 0.7%, 8 Ω ) • Continuous power output (surround) VSX-815 model: Front . . . . . 100 [...]

Additional information 13 74 En • FM Tuner Section Frequency Range . . . . . . . . 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz Usable Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . Mono:13.2 dBf, IHF (1.3 µV/ 75 Ω ) 50 dB Quieting Sensitivity . . . . . . . Mono: 20.2 dB Stereo: 38.6 dBf Signal-to-Noise Ratio . . . Mono: 73 dB (at 85 dBf) Stereo: 70 dB (at 85 dBf) Distortion . . . .[...]

Additional information 13 75 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español S001_En Selecting fine audio equipment such as the unit you’ve just purchased is only the start of your musical enjoyment. Now it’s time to consider how you can maximize the fun and excitement your equipment offers. This manufacturer and the Electronic Indust[...]

Published by Pioneer Corporation Copyright©2004 Pioneer Corporation All rights reserved <04L00001> Printed in <XRB3047-A> Should this product require service in the U.S.A. and you wish to locate the nearest Pioneer Authorized Independent Service Company, or if you wish to purchase replacement parts, operating instructions, service manu[...]