Pioneer VSX-29TX manual

AUDIO/VIDEO MUL TI-CHANNEL RECEIVER VSX-29TX Operating Instructions[...]

2 IMPOR T ANT The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral tri[...]

3 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 oper[...]

4 Features Decoding of Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS (Digital Theater Systems) DTS is the latest and most widely used digital theater system for cinemas throughout the world. The decoder has been incorporated into this receiver and is able to achieve high sound quality as well as produce dynamic sur - round sound effects. Also, there'[...]

5 OPERA TION SET UP PREP ARA TION T able of Contents Before Y ou Start .......................................................................... 6 Checking the Supplied Accessories .......................................................... 6 How to Use This Manual ........................................................................... 6 Prepar[...]

6 Loading the batteries Load the batteries into the remote control as shown below . The remote control uses a lot of power due to the LCD display so please use alkaline batteries. Depending on individual use you may have to change the batteries fairly often but most users should be able to get an average of 1-3 months of battery life. When you noti[...]

7 OPERA TION SET UP PREP ARA TION Before Y ou Start Operating range of remote control unit The area in which you can use the remote control to operate the VSX-29TX is fairly large. T o use, point the remote control toward the remote sensor on the front panel of this unit while within the range shown below . Remote control may not function properly [...]

8 Audio Components T o begin set up connect your audio components to the jacks as shown below . These are all analog connections and your analog audio components (turntable, cassette deck) use these jacks. Remember that for components you want to record with you need to hook up four plugs (a set of stereo ins and a set of stereo outs), but for comp[...]

9 PREP ARA TION Connecting Y our Equipment V ideo Components Connect your video components to the jacks as shown below . Regarding digital video components (like a DVD), you must use the analog connections pictured on this page for the video signal but in order to use Dolby Digital/DTS you should hook up their audio to a digital input (see the next[...]

10 Connecting Y our Equipment Digital Connections In order to use Dolby Digital/DTS soundtracks you need to make digital audio connections. Y ou can do this by either coaxial or optical connections (you don’ t 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 digita[...]

11 PREP ARA TION Connecting Y our Equipment DVD/LD player or LD player Example Connection for a DVD/LD or LD player Make sure you connect your DVD/LD or LD players using both the AC-3 RF jack and a coaxial or optical connection. If your player has an AC-3 RF output this will ensure you can use all LDs (see p. 32). Be sure to make either a digital c[...]

12 Connecting Y our Equipment Using external antennas 7 T o improve FM reception Connect an external FM antenna. 7 T o improve AM reception Connect a 15 to 18 feet (5~6 meter) length of vinyl-coated wire to the AM antenna terminal in addition to the supplied AM loop antenna. For the best possible reception, suspend horizontally outdoors. 75 Ω coa[...]

13 PREP ARA TION Connecting Y our Equipment 3/8 in. (10 mm) The speaker terminals also accept single banana plugs. (Refer to speaker manual for details.) 7 Speaker terminals 1 T wist exposed wire strands together . 2 Loosen speaker terminal and insert exposed wire. 3 T ighten terminal. Speakers Be sure to complete all other connections before conne[...]

14 • Install the left and right front speakers at equal distances from the TV . • When installing speakers near the TV , we recommend using magnetically shielded speakers to prevent possible interference such as distortion in the color of the TV screen. If you do not have magnetically shielded speakers and notice discoloration of the TV screen,[...]

15 PREP ARA TION Connecting Y our Equipment Connecting Additional Amplifiers Although the VSX-29TX has more than sufficient power for any home use, it is possible to add additional amplifiers to your system. If you want to use separate amplifiers to power your speakers, make the connections shown below . When connecting your equipment always make s[...]

16 Displays & Controls Front Panel All the controls on the front panel are explained and/or referenced here. T o open the front panel push gently on the lower third of the panel. 1 ST ANDBY/ON button Press to switch the receiver ON or into ST ANDBY mode. 2 ST ANDBY indicator Lights when the receiver is in ST ANDBY mode. (Please note that this r[...]

17 PREP ARA TION Displays & Controls @ LOUDNESS button (See p.41) Switches the LOUDNESS mode on or off. # MIDNIGHT button (See p.40) Switches the MIDNIGHT LISTENING mode on or off. $ DIGIT AL NR button (See p.39) Switches the DIGIT AL NR on or off (STEREO mode only). % SIGNAL SELECT button (See p.38) Use to select the signal from the digital co[...]

18 Displays & Controls Display All the display information is explained and /or referenced here. 8 STEREO indicator (See p.35-36) Lights when a STEREO mode is selected. 9 Radio Frequency/Function indicator Displays the function or the frequency of the current radio station. 0 Surround/dts mode indicators DIGIT AL : When the Surround/dts mode on[...]

19 PREP ARA TION Remote Control These pages describe the buttons on the remote control used to operate the receiver . Since the screen on this LCD remote control changes when you select a different function, explanations of buttons for controlling other components/ functions can be found in the sections for those components/functions. Displays &[...]

20 Displays & Controls Basic Receiver LCD Screens Receiver MAIN Screen 1 Receiver MAIN button Press this button to select the main receiver screen (above) when the remote control is on the sub receiver screen. 2 EFFECT +/- button Use these buttons to increase or decrease the amount of effect applied in a DSP or Advanced Theater mode. When the a[...]

21 SET UP Setting Up the Remote Control Since this remote is based on LCD screens, you should try and get used to the touch-sensitive nature of the buttons as well as the way in which different screens control different operations. Y ou can move between the different screens with the function buttons on the left and right and/or certain buttons wit[...]

22 Y ou can press EXIT anytime to go back a screen or repeatedly to escape this set up mode. memo 4 Press each cross point in the middle to align the remote control touch panel with the LCD panel underneath. This adjustment will make sure your remote control is calibrated correctly . When you've touched all four cross points the screen will sh[...]

23 SET UP Initial Set Up Setting Up for Surround Sound T o ensure the best possible surround sound, complete the following set up operations. Y ou only need to make these settings once (unless you change the placement of your current speaker system or add new speakers, etc.). These set up operations use your TV to display the settings and choices s[...]

24 Initial Set Up SPEAKER SETTING The following steps show you how to select the correct set up for the type and number of speakers you connected. If continuing from the previous page go to step 1. If starting fresh, complete steps 1-3 on p.23 first. 1 Press SPEAKER SETTING. Select a speaker setting mode (THX or FREE). If you connected a complete s[...]

25 SET UP Initial Set Up dB SIGNAL SELECT ANALOG SP A VOLUME 3 Press SETUP OK to return to the SYSTEM SETUP MENU. Hold the remote control pointed towards the receiver until you see the “RECEIVED” display on the receiver . If "ERROR" flashes in the display , perform the setup operations from the first step again. Next, proceed to CHANN[...]

26 1 Press CHANNEL DELA Y . The CHANNEL DELA Y speaker settings will appear on your remote control screen. 2 Select each speaker by pressing its button and use the +/– (or % / fi ) buttons to add or subtract the distance in feet that the speaker is from your normal listening position. Adjust the speaker distance in 1 foot increments from 1 to 30[...]

27 SET UP Initial Set Up 1 Press the CHANNEL LEVEL button. The CHANNEL LEVEL settings will appear on your remote control screen. 2 Select a test tone mode by pressing one of the TEST TONE buttons. Output the TEST TONE. AUTO (automatic TEST TONE) This mode switches the test tone between each speaker automatically . The automatic test tone is output [...]

28 dB STEREO SIGNAL SELECT ANALOG SP A AUTO VOLUME 3 Using the remote control display , follow the instructions below to adjust the speaker levels so that you hear the test tone at the same volume from each speaker when seated in your normal listening position. NOTE : The volume of the sub woofer tends to sound lower than it actually is. Y ou may n[...]

29 SET UP Initial Set Up CROSSOVER NETWORK The following steps show you how to adjust the crossover network. The crossover network is the frequency at which the system divides the signal and sends the different parts (high ,mid, low) to different speakers. Speaking precisely , this setting sets the cutoff point for the bass frequencies rerouted fro[...]

30 Initial Set Up 1 Press BASS PEAK LEVEL MANAGER. 2 Press the TEST TONE button. The MASTER VOLUME rotates to MIN (----dB). A test tone will sound or not depending on which speakers you have selected. If sub woofer is YES (or on PLUS) the test tone will only sound from the sub woofer . If the sub woofer is off and the front and surround speakers ar[...]

31 SET UP DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROL This feature makes it possible to enjoy full surround sound effects on Dolby Digital sources even at low volumes. It does this by compressing the dynamic range. Dynamic range is the difference between the loudest and the softest sounds in any given signal. Compressing the range plays sounds so the quieter ones are au[...]

32 DIGIT AL INPUT SELECT In order to be able to use your digital equipment properly you need to assign digital inputs for each of the digital components you connected. Match the DIGIT AL IN buttons 1-4 with the digital jacks 1-4 in accordance with what component is hooked up to each digital jack. Check the digital terminal numbers on the back of th[...]

33 SET UP OPERA TION Basic Playback Playing Source with Stereo Sound The following instructions show you how to play audio or audio-visual sources with the VSX-29TX. If the T APE 2 indicator is visible in the display , it means the T APE 2 MONITOR is on. Press T APE 2 MONITOR on the front panel to turn it off unless you want to listen to T APE 2. 1[...]

34 Sound Modes The five sound modes on the VSX-29TX are explained here. These can be turned on from the front panel or from the RECEIVER MAIN SCREEN on the remote control. There are three cinema modes: ST ANDARD, HOME THX CINEMA, and ADV ANCED THEA TER. These are designed to be used with multi channel surround sound audio/visual sources (like DVDs [...]

35 SET UP OPERA TION Basic Playback Basic Playback DSP modes The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) modes allow you to transform your living room into a variety of different sonic environments when playing either two-channel or multi-channel sources. HALL 1 Simulates the acoustic effects of a large concert hall. Suitable for classical music. A long de[...]

36 1 Press RECEIVER. This sets the remote to select the sound mode. (Y ou can skip this step when using the controls on the receiver .) 2 Select the sound mode. • For HOME THX CINEMA Press THX • For ADV ANCED THEA TER Press ADV ANCED THEA TER Each press changes the ADV ANCED THEA TER mode as follows: • For ST ANDARD Press ST ANDARD • [...]

37 SET UP OPERA TION Basic Playback Playing Source with Dolby Digital or DTS Sound The following instructions show you how to play Dolby Digital or DTS sound sources with the VSX-29TX. 1 T urn on the receiver and press the RECEIVER button on the remote control. The RECEIVER MAIN SCREEN appears on the remote. 2 Press the FUNCTION button of the compo[...]

38 Switching ANALOG/DIGIT AL Signal Input This button selects the type of input, ANALOG, DIGIT AL or AC-3 RF , sent to the receiver . Y ou need to take special care to switch to the appropriate input, when necessary . For example, the switch would have to be on DIGIT AL to hear DOLBY DIGIT AL or DTS surround sound material but it would have to be o[...]

39 SET UP OPERA TION Reducing noise during playback (DIGIT AL NR function) T o reduce extraneous noise switch on DIGIT AL NR. This noise reduction can only be used in the STEREO mode. 1 Press STEREO on the remote control’ s Receiver MAIN screen or on the front panel. 2 Press DIGIT AL NR on the remote control’ s Receiver MAIN screen or on the fr[...]

40 External decoder playback This feature allows you to connect an external decoder to enjoy certain types of specialized discs. Press EXTERNAL 5.1 ch on the remote control’ s Receiver SUB screen. On the front panel press EXTERNAL DECODER IN. Each press switches the input between the previous mode and EXTERNAL DECODER. memo When EXTERNAL DECODER [...]

41 SET UP OPERA TION Adjusting bass and treble (tone control) Use BASS (+/–) or TREBLE (+/–) to adjust the low and high frequencies (the receiver must be in STEREO mode). Press BASS (+/–) on the remote control’ s Receiver SUB screen or on the front panel to adjust the low frequencies. Press TREBLE (+/–) on the remote control’ s Receiver[...]

42 Adjusting the brightness of the display (front panel only) Use the FL DIMMER button to adjust the brightness of the fluorescent display (FL=fluorescent display). Press FL DIMMER. Four levels of brightness ranging from very dim to very bright can be selected. Each press changes the brightness of the display . When rotating through the options, th[...]

43 SET UP OPERA TION Using the T uner Automatic and Manual T uning The following steps show you how to tune in FM and AM radio broadcasts using the automatic (search) and manual (step) tuning functions. If you already know the exact frequency of the station you want, see “Direct Access T uning“ on the following page. 1 Press the TUNER. On the r[...]

44 1 Press TUNER. This selects the TUNER function on the receiver and sets the remote to the TUNER operation mode. 2 Press BAND button on the remote to select the band (FM or AM). Each press switches the band : FM j AM 3 Press DIRECT ACCESS to activate the direct access tuning mode. The cursor blinks in the display on the front panel. 4 Use the num[...]

45 SET UP OPERA TION Using the T uner Memorizing Frequently Used Stations The following steps show you how to memorize up to 30 radio stations in 3 classes (each holding 10 stations). When memorizing FM frequencies, the receiver also memorizes the MPX mode (STEREO or MONO). Using the front panel 1 T une in the station you want. See "Automatic [...]

46 Using the T uner Recalling Memorized Stations Using the remote control 1 Press TUNER. This selects the TUNER function on the receiver and sets the remote to the TUNER operation mode. 2 Press CLASS repeatedly to select a class number . Each press switches the display: 3 Use the number buttons to select the channel you desire. T o select channel 7[...]

47 OPERA TION 1 Press REMOTE SETUP . The REMOTE SETUP menu appears on the remote control's screen. 2 Press PRESET RECALL on the LCD screen. The step by step process will appear on the screen. 3 SELECT FUNCTION will appear on the screen. Choose the button (for example, DVD/LD) you want to assign to control the component you want to operate (the[...]

48 4 Choose the component you want to set up. In the example in the diagram on the left, DVD was selected in step 3. Thus, [DVD/LD] appears in the top bar after Preset Recall. 5 Select the name of the company that makes your component. If there are two pages of company names, use the page +/– buttons to go back and forth between the two sets of m[...]

49 OPERA TION Learning mode: Programming signals from other remote controls If preset codes are not available for your component(s), or the available preset codes do not operate correctly , you can use this procedure to program in signals from the remote control(s) of your other component(s). These steps can also be used to add further operations t[...]

50 Remote Control of Other Components 5 ~ 12 inches memo 5 Point the two remote controls toward each other . Press the button on the other remote control corresponding to the operation you want to program. LEARNING flashes in the display on the remote control. After the process is complete and the command has been learned, OK will appear at the top[...]

51 OPERA TION 1 Press to switch the LD player on or off. 2 4˜¢ 4 : Press to return to the beginning of the current chapter (track). Press repeatedly to return to the beginning of previous chapters (tracks). ¢ : Press to advance to the beginning of the next chapter (track). Press repeatedly to advance to the beginning of following chapters (track[...]

52 Remote Control of Other Components CD player operations • The following operations are available from the receiver's remote control after you program your CD player into it, but some operations may need to be learned separately by the receiver (see “Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components,“ p. 47-50). • T o perform[...]

53 OPERA TION Remote Control of Other Components MD operations • The following operations are available from the receiver's remote control after you program your MD recorder into it, but some operations may need to be learned separately by the receiver (see “Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components,“ p. 47-50). • T o p[...]

54 TV operations • The following operations are available from the receiver's remote control after you program your TV into it, but some operations may need to be learned separately by the receiver (see “Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components,“ p. 47-50). • T o perform these operations, press the TV/SA T or TV CONTRO[...]

55 OPERA TION STB (DTV) operations • The following operations are available from the receiver's remote control after you program your digital tuner into it, but some operations may need to be learned separately by the receiver (see “Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components,“ p. 47-50). • T o perform these operations, p[...]

56 1 Press to switch the satellite tuner on or off. 2 EXIT Press to exit the current setting of the SA T . 3 OFF/ON Press to switch the satellite tuner off. 4 CH –/+ Use to chnage channels on the satellite tuner . 5 GUIDE Use to turn the program information screen on or off. 6 MENU Use to turn the main menu on or off. 7 Number buttons Use to sele[...]

57 OPERA TION 1 Press to switch the cassette deck on or off (not possible with all models). 2 1 Press to rewind the tape. 3 7 Press to stop playback or recording. 4 2 Press to start reverse playback (for auto reverse decks). 5 3 Press to start playback of the side of the cassette which has been loaded as the front. 6 ¡ Press to fast forward the ta[...]

58 Other screen for preset operations In addition to the operations mentioned in this section up to this point, the VSX-29TX is equipped with remote control screens to deal with a variety of cutting edge technologies and components that may or may not have appeared on the market yet. These include: CD-R (CD write-once discs deck), CD-R W (CD rewrit[...]

59 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION Recording from Audio Components The following explanations show you how to record an analog or digital audio signal. Note that your analog components cannot record a player that is only connected digitally (and vice-versa). If you want to record from a digital component to an analog one (for example, a tape deck), or[...]

60 Multi Operations Multi operations allow you to tell the receiver and your other components to do a number of things with the push of only two buttons on the LCD commander . For example, you can program the unit to turn on your TV , turn on your DVD player and start playing the loaded DVD. This allows you to freely decide which operations you wan[...]

61 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION Using Other Functions 6 Select a command from the screen of the component (for example 3 [play]). The command and component chosen will appear in the window of command 1. T o erase a command Press the command button you want to erase and press the CLEAR button T o go back one step Press the EXIT button. T o go back t[...]

62 System OFF The SYSTEM OFF feature allows you to tell the receiver and your other components to stop and turn off with the push of only one button on the LCD commander . For example, you can program the unit to stop your DVD, turn off your TV , turn off your DVD player and turn off the receiver itself. Y ou don't need to program in other the[...]

63 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION 6 Select a stop or a power ( ) command. The command and component chosen will appear in the window of command 1. T o erase a command Press the command button you want to erase and press the CLEAR button T o go back one step Press the EXIT button. T o go back to the REMOTE SETUP screen Press the EXIT button repeatedly[...]

64 Using Other Functions Setting up the direct function The direct function will not be necessary for most users. It is designed in case you have an external video source connected to your TV (a video source that is not going through the VSX-29TX). For this explanation we'll call this the "external video deck." Y ou'd like to co[...]

65 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION Using Other Functions Multi-Room When used together with an optional IR receiver , this receiver is capable of outputting two different sources at the same time. One to the (main) VIDEO OUT jack and SPEAKERS terminals and another to the MUL TI ROOM AUDIO and VIDEO OUT jacks. Thus the VSX-29TX can power two independen[...]

66 Using Other Functions 1 T urn on the receiver , your TV and press RECEIVER on the remote control. Make sure your TV is set to the receiver . 2 Press SUB on the receiver screen. 3 Press the SYSTEM SETUP button. The SYSTEM SETUP MENU appears on your remote control screen. Y ou can escape from this screen at any time by pressing EXIT . 4 Press the [...]

67 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION Using the front panel with the MUL TI-ROOM system 1 Press the MUL TI ROOM & SOURCE button. The display shown below will illuminate when the receiver is in ST ANDBY mode. Also, the MR&S button will light. 2 Press the CONTROL button. The light will start to blink. 3 Within ten seconds of step 2, select the FUNC[...]

68 Using the remote control with the MUL TI-ROOM system 1 From the sub room, point the remote control at the MUL TI ROOM sensor and press a MUL TI CONTROL button to select the sub function. For example, Press TUNER to listen to the tuner . The MUL TI ROOM & SOURCE button will light on the front panel in the main room. 2 Press MASUTER VOLUME +/?[...]

69 SET UP OPERA TION OPERA TION Using Other Functions • Y ou can also control PIONEER components (and those made by other manufacturers) by pointing the receiver's remote control directly at the respective component. This type of operation does not require control cords. All you have to do is recall the appropriate the stored settings (see p[...]

70 T echno T idbits & Problem-solving Dolby Digital Dolby Digital is a compression format which records the sound of 6 channels of the theater surround system (Dolby Digital) on the movie film digital track. Of the 6 channels, the sub woofer channel is intended for bass only , and because the frequency range is smaller than the main channel, it[...]

71 T echno T idbits & Problem-solving DTS DTS has been adopted as a sound recording format in the latest movie theaters since the release of “JURASSIC P ARK” in 1993, and has a good reputation for high quality sound and dynamic surround effects. In this system, 6 channels of digital sound are recorded on CD-ROM, rather than on the film. DTS[...]

72 T echno T idbits & Problem-solving T roubleshooting Incorrect operations are often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component, check the points below . Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Investigate the other components and electrical appliances being used. If the tr[...]

73 T echno T idbits & Problem-solving Cause • Speaker settings are incorrect. • The rear and/or center levels are turned down. • The surround and/or center speakers are disconnected. • SIGNAL SELECT is set incorrectly . • The digital inputs are assigned incorrectly , or not at all. • SIGNAL SELECT is set to “ANALOG”. • A DVD p[...]

74 T echno T idbits & Problem-solving Specifications Continuous average power output of 120 watts* per channel, min., at 6 ohms, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz with no more than 0.09 %** total harmonic distortion (front). Continuous Power Output Front ......................... 120 W + 120 W (20-20 kHz, 0.09 %, 6 Ω ) Center ..........................[...]

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 manuals, or accessories, please call the number shown below . 8 0 0 – 4 2 1 – 1 4 0 4 Please do not ship your product to Pioneer witho[...]

We Want You LISTENING For A Lifetime 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 Industries Association’s Consumer Electronics Group want you t[...]