Pioneer VSX-818V manual

AUDIO/VIDEO MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER VSX-918V VSX-818V • Protect your new investment The details of your purchase will be on file for reference in the event of an insurance claim such as loss or theft. • Improve product development Y our input helps us continue to design products that meet your needs. • Receive a free Pioneer newsletter Registe[...]

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 ser vice personnel. If connected to an AC outlet, the cut-off plug can cause severe electrical shock. Make s[...]

Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water . Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer ’s instructions. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other[...]

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

English Italiano Français Nederlands Español Deutsch 09 Controlling the rest of your system Operating other Pioneer components . . . . . . 49 Setting the remote to control other components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Selecting preset codes directly . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Direct function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

Before you start 01 6 En Chapter 1: Before you start Checking what’s in the box Please check that you’ve received the following supplied accessories: • Setup microphone • Remote control unit • Dry cell batteries (AA size IEC R6) x2 • AM loop antenna • FM wire antenna • These operating instructions Loading the batteries Caution Incor[...]

5 minute guide 02 7 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 2: 5 minute guide Introduction to home theater 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 de[...]

5 minute guide 02 8 En 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 channel level. After you have set up the microphone prov[...]

5 minute guide 02 9 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 5 Follow the instructions on-screen. • Make sure the microphone is connected. • If you’re using a subwoofer, it is automatically detected every time you switch on the system. Make sure it is on and the volume is turned up. • See below for notes regarding backgroun[...]

5 minute guide 02 10 En You can also choose to view the settings by selecting individual parameters from the Analyzed Data Check screen: • Speaker Setting – The size and number of speakers you’ve connected (see page 42 for more on this) • Speaker Distance – The distance of your speakers from the listening position (see page 45 for more on[...]

Connecting up 03 11 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 3: 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 03 12 En 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/BD) input on this receiver. Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection. 1 2 Connect the composite video output and the stere[...]

Connecting up 03 13 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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 them to the multi- channel analog outputs to the multichannel inputs of this receiver as shown below. 1 The illus[...]

Connecting up 03 14 En 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 to a digital input on the receiver as shown. The example[...]

Connecting up 03 15 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Windows Media and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Connecting an HDD/DVD recorder, VCR and other video sources This receiver has audio/video inputs and outputs suitable for conne[...]

Connecting up 03 16 En 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 manuals that came with your TV and source component to[...]

Connecting up 03 17 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI IN 1/2 interconnect on this receiver to an HDMI output on your HDMI component. 2 Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI OUT interconnect on this receiver to an HDMI interconnect on a HDMI-compatible monitor. • The arrow on the cabl[...]

Connecting up 03 18 En Connecting to the front panel audio mini jack Front audio connections are accessed via the front panel using the VIDEO/PORTABLE button. Press VIDEO/PORTABLE and select PORTABLE input. Use a stereo mini-jack cable to connect a digital audio player, etc. Connecting to the front panel video terminal Front video connections are a[...]

Connecting up 03 19 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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). 1 Pull off the protective shields of both AM antenna wires. 2 Push open the tabs,[...]

Connecting up 03 20 En Connecting the speakers A complete setup of six 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 r[...]

Connecting up 03 21 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Bare wire connections A-Speaker terminals: 1 Twist exposed wire strands together. 2 Loosen terminal and insert exposed wire. 3 Tighten terminal. B-Speaker terminals: 1 Twist exposed wire strands together. 2 Push open the tabs and insert exposed wire. 3 Release the tabs. C[...]

Connecting up 03 22 En Caution • If you choose to install the center speaker on top of the TV, be sure to secure it with putty, or by other suitable means, to reduce the risk of damage or injury resulting from the speaker falling from the TV in the event of external shocks such as earthquakes. • Make sure no exposed speaker wire is touching the[...]

Controls and displays 04 23 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 4: Controls and displays Front panel Illustration shows the VSX-918V model 1  STANDBY/ON 2 INPUT SELECTOR dial Selects an input source. 3 Input select buttons Selects an input source. 4 Digital Precision Processing indicator (VSX-918V model only) Lights[...]

Controls and displays 04 24 En 10 MCACC PORTABLE jack Use to connect a microphone when performing Auto MCACC setup, or connect an auxiliary component using a stereo mini-jack cable (page 18). 11 PHONES jack Use to connect headphones (when connected, there is no sound output from the speakers (except speaker system B connections)). 12 ST +/– Use t[...]

Controls and displays 04 25 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español ANALOG Lights when an analog signal is detected. DTS Lights when a source with DTS encoded audio signals is detected. 2 Lights to indicate decoding of a DTS multichannel signal. 3 2 DIGITAL Lights to indicate decoding of a Dolby Digital multichannel signal. 4 2 PR[...]

Controls and displays 04 26 En Remote control Illustration shows the VSX-918V model 1 INPUT SELECT Use to select the input source (use SHIFT for INPUT SELECT ). 2  RECEIVER Switches the receiver between standby and on. 3 MULTI CONTROL buttons Press to select control of other components (see Controlling the rest of your system on page 49). TV CTR[...]

Controls and displays 04 27 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español LEVEL +/– Use to adjust the channel levels. MASTER VOLUME +/– Use to set the listening volume. 5 System Setup and Component control buttons The following button controls can be accessed after you have selected the corresponding MULTI CONTROL button ( DVD , DVR[...]

Controls and displays 04 28 En TUNER DISP* Switches between named station presets and radio frequencies (page 47). CLASS* Switches between the three banks (classes) of radio station presets (page 47). MPX* Switches between stereo and mono reception of FM broadcasts. If the signal is weak then switching to mono will improve the sound quality (page 4[...]

Controls and displays 04 29 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Operating range of remote control 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 lo[...]

Listening to your system 05 30 En Chapter 5: Listening to your system Important • Certain features explained in this section will not be possible depending on the source (for example, PCM 88.2 kHz/96 kHz, DTS 96 kHz (24 bit) or WMA9 Pro sources). Auto playback The simplest, most direct listening option is the Auto Surround feature. With this, the[...]

Listening to your system 05 31 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using the Advanced surround effects The Advanced surround feature creates a variety of surround effects. Try different modes with various soundtracks to see which you like. 1 • Press ADV SURR repeatedly to select a listening mode. • ACTION – Designed for [...]

Listening to your system 05 32 En Using Front Stage Surround Advance The Front Stage Surround Advance function allows you to create natural surround sound effects using just the front speakers and the subwoofer. • While listening to a source, press STEREO/ A.L.C. to select Front Stage Surround Advance modes. • STEREO – See Listening in stereo[...]

Listening to your system 05 33 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Listening with Acoustic Calibration EQ • Default setting: OFF / ALL CH (after the Auto MCACC Setup or EQ Auto Setting) You can listen to sources using the Acoustic Calibration Equalization set in Automatically setting up for surround sound (MCACC) on page 8 o[...]

Listening to your system 05 34 En Setting the AV options There are a number of additional sound settings you can make using the AV Parameter menu. The defaults, if not stated, are listed in bold. Important • The AV Parameter menu is not available with DVD 5.1ch selected by SIGNAL SEL ( SIGNAL SELECT ) (see Choosing the input signal on page 36). ?[...]

Listening to your system 05 35 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español a. You can change the MIDNIGHT/LOUDNESS options at any time by using MIDNIGHT button. b. The tone controls are only available when Stereo, Auto level control stereo mode or Front Stage Surround Advance mode are selected (except when STEREO is selected using AUT[...]

Listening to your system 05 36 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 ( INPUT SELECTOR ). 4 Start playback of the component you selected in step 1. Choosing the input signal • Default setting: AUTO You need[...]

The System Setup menu 06 37 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 6: The System Setup menu Using the System Setup menu The following section shows you how to make detailed settings to specify how you’re using the receiver, and also explains how to fine-tune individual speaker system settings to your liking. 1 Switch on[...]

The System Setup menu 06 38 En 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 (MCACC) on page 8 if you’re unsure how to do this. Also see Other problems when using the Auto[...]

The System Setup menu 06 39 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español When it sounds like both tones are the same volume, press ENTER to confirm and continue to the next channel. • For comparison purposes, the reference speaker will change depending on which speaker you select. • If you want to go back and adjust a channel, simp[...]

The System Setup menu 06 40 En • If you want to go back and adjust a channel, simply use / to select it. 4 When you’re finished, press RETURN . You return to the Manual MCACC 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 System Setup menu 06 41 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 2 Select CUSTOM1 or CUSTOM2 then use / to select the setting you want to copy. • You can also copy from one custom setting to another. For more on the ALL CH ADJUST and FRONT ALIGN settings, see Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ automatically on page 40.[...]

The System Setup menu 06 42 En 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 , FRONT ALIGN and custom settings using the on- screen display. 1 Select ‘EQ Data Check’ from the Manual MCACC setup menu. 2 Select the setting you want[...]

The System Setup menu 06 43 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Select ‘Speaker Setting’ from the Manual SP Setup menu. 2 Choose the set of speakers that you want to set then select a speaker size. Use / to select the size (and number) of each of the following speakers: • Front – Select LARGE if your front spea[...]

The System Setup menu 06 44 En 1 Select ‘Crossover Network’ from the Manual SP Setup menu. 2 Choose the frequency cutoff point. Frequencies below the cutoff point will be sent to the subwoofer (or LARGE speakers). 3 When you’re finished, press RETURN . You return to the Manual SP Setup menu. Channel Level Using the channel level settings, you[...]

The System Setup menu 06 45 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Speaker Distance 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’ fr[...]

Using the tuner 07 46 En Chapter 7: 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 a station below. Once you are tuned to a station you c[...]

Using the tuner 07 47 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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 memoriz[...]

Making recordings 08 48 En Chapter 8: 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 09 49 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 9: Controlling the rest of your system Operating other Pioneer components VSX-918V model only 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 compon[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 09 50 En Selecting preset codes directly 1 While pressing the RECEIVER button, press and hold the ‘ 1 ’ button. The LED blinks. 2 Press the MULTI CONTROL button for the component you want to control. The LED lights on continuously. 3 Use the number buttons to enter the preset code. You can find the preset cod[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 09 51 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 Controlling the rest of your system on page 49 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to select the compo[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 09 52 En Controls for other components This remote control can control these components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Controlling the rest of your system on page 49 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to select the component. Button(s) Function Components [...]

Controlling the rest of your system 09 53 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español ENTER / DISC Chooses the disc. Multiple CD player Ejects the disc. MD player Use as the ENTER button. DVD player Displays the setup screen for DVR players. DVR player Changes sides of the LD. LD player TOP MENU Displays the disc ‘top’ menu of a D[...]

Controlling the rest of your system 09 54 En Preset Code List You should have no problem controlling a component if you find the manufacturer in this list, but please note that there are cases where codes for the manufacturer in the list will not work for the model that you are using. There are also cases where only certain functions may be control[...]

Other connections 10 55 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 10: 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. • Do not allow any contact[...]

Other connections 10 56 En iPod playback To navigate songs on your iPod, you can take advantage of the OSD of your TV connected to this receiver. 1 You can also control all operations for music in the front panel display of this receiver. Finding what you want to play When your iPod is connected to this receiver, you can browse songs stored on your[...]

Other connections 10 57 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Switching the iPod controls 1 You can switch over the iPod controls between the iPod and the receiver. 1 Press iPod CTRL to switch the iPod controls. 2 This enables operation and display on your iPod, and this receiver’s remote control and OSD become inactive. 2 Pre[...]

Other connections 10 58 En Listening to XM Radio After connecting, you will be able to use this receiver to select channels and navigate categories using the on-screen display. 1 The information displayed is as follows: Selecting channels and browsing by genre From the XM Channel Guide, you can browse XM Radio channels in the order that they appear[...]

Other connections 10 59 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Listening to channel presets You will need to have some presets stored to do this. 1 Press CLASS ( SHIFT +2) to select the class in which the channel is stored. Press repeatedly to cycle through classes A, B and C. 2 Press / to select the channel preset you want[...]

Other connections 10 60 En programming. There are three places to find your eight character XM Radio ID: On the XM Mini-Tuner, on the XM Mini-Tuner package, and on XM Channel 0. Record the Radio ID in the following eight squares for reference. Note: The XM Radio ID does not use the letters “I”, “O”, “S” or “F”. Activate your XM Sate[...]

Other connections 10 61 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • If after pressing SIRIUS the display shows Antenna Error , try disconnecting the antenna and reconnecting. 1 If the display shows Check Sirius Tuner , check the connection of the AC adapter and this receiver to the Sirius Connect tuner. Listening to SIRIUS Radio A[...]

Other connections 10 62 En 1 Press CLASS (SHIFT+2) to select the class in which the channel is stored. Press repeatedly to cycle through classes A, B and C. 2 Press / to select the channel preset you want. • You can also use the number buttons on the remote control to recall the channel preset. Using the SIRIUS Menu The SIRIUS Menu provides[...]

Other connections 10 63 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 flat panel TV. Before you can use the extra SR+ features, you need to make a few settings in the receiver. See SR+ Setup for Pioneer flat panel TVs on [...]

Other Settings 11 64 En Chapter 11: 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 Press RECEIVER on the remote control, then press [...]

Other Settings 11 65 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Assigning the component video inputs • Default settings: Component 1 – DVD Component 2 – TV Component 3 – DVR If you used component video cords to connect your video equipment you must tell the receiver which device it is, or else you may see the composite video [...]

Other Settings 11 66 En The Other Setup menu (VSX-918V model only) SR+ Setup for Pioneer flat panel TVs Make the following settings if you have connected a Pioneer flat panel TV to this receiver using an SR+ cable. Note that the number of settings available will depend on the flat panel TV you’ve connected. See also Using this receiver with a Pio[...]

Additional information 12 67 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 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. Take a look at the other components and electrical app[...]

Additional information 12 68 En HDMI Considerable noise in radio broadcasts. • Connect the antenna (page 19) and adjust the position for best reception. • 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 (or connect an outdoor FM antenna). [...]

Additional information 12 69 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Important information regarding the HDMI connection VSX-918V model only There are cases where you may not be able to route HDMI signals through this receiver (this depends on the HDMI equipped component you are connecting-check with the manufacturer for HDMI comp[...]

Additional information 12 70 En iPod messages XM radio messages Symptom Cause Action Error I1 There is a problem with the signal path from the iPod to the amplifier. Switch off the amplifier and reconnect the iPod to the amplifier. If this doesn’t seem to work, try resetting your iPod. Error I2 The software version being used with the iPod needs [...]

Additional information 12 71 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español SIRIUS radio messages – – – – – – – – No artist name or song title is available for this selection. No action required. Upgrade XM Tuner The connected XM CNP-1000 is incompatible. This receiver features advanced technology that is designed for use[...]

Additional information 12 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 ADVANCED SURROUND button, press and hold the  STANDBY/ON button for about three seconds. 3 When you see RES[...]

Additional information 12 73 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Video Section • Input (Sensitivity/Impedance) DVR/VCR, DVD/BD, TV/SAT . . . . . . . 1 Vp-p/75 Ω • Output (Level/Impedance) DVR/VCR, MONITOR OUT . . . . . . . . 1 Vp-p/75 Ω • Frequency response DVR/VCR, DVD/BD, TV/SAT  MONITOR . . . . . 5 Hz to 7 MHz [...]

Additional information 12 74 En Power cord caution Handle the power cord by the plug. 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 an electric shock. Do not place the unit, a piece of furniture, etc., on the power cord, or pinch the cord. Never make a knot[...]

LIMITED WARRANTY WARRANTY VALID ONLY IN COUNTRY OF PRODUCT PURCHASE WARRANTY Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. (PUSA), and Pioneer Electronics Of Canada, Inc. (POC), warrant that products distributed by PUSA in the U.S.A., and by POC in Canada that fail to function properly under normal use due to a manufacturing defect when installed and operated acc[...]

Should this product require ser vice in the U.S.A. and you wish to locate the nearest P ioneer Authorized Independent Ser vice Company , or if you wish to purchase replacement parts, operating instructions, ser vice manuals, or accessories, please call the number shown below . 1 – 8 0 0 – 4 2 1 – 1 4 0 4 Please do not ship your product to P i[...]