DreamGEAR VSX-94TXH, VSX-92TXH operating instructions About Neural Surround

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13Additional information

Re-Equalization

The tonal balance of a film soundtrack will be excessively bright and harsh when played back over audio equipment in the home because film soundtracks were designed to be played back in large movie theaters using very different professional equipment. Re-Equalization restores the correct tonal balance for watching a movie soundtrack in a small home environment.

Timbre Matching

The human ear changes our perception of a sound depending on the direction from which the sound is coming. In a movie theatre, there is an array of surround speakers so that the surround information is all around you. In a home theatre, you use only two speakers located to the side of your head. The Timbre Matching feature filters the information going to the surround speakers so that they more closely match the tonal characteristics of the sound coming from the front speakers. This ensures seamless panning between the front and surround speakers.

Adaptive Decorrelation

In a movie theatre, a large number of surround speakers help create an enveloping surround sound experience, but in a home theatre there are usually only two speakers. This can make the surround speakers sound like headphones that lack spaciousness and envelopment. The surround sounds will also collapse into the closest speaker as you move away from the middle seating position. Adaptive Decorrelation slightly changes one surround channel’s time and phase relationship with respect to the other surround channel. This expands the listening position and creates—with only two speakers— the same spacious surround experience as in a movie theatre.

THX Select2

Before any home theatre component can be THX Select2 certified, it must incorporate all the features above and also pass a rigorous series of quality and performance tests. Only then can a product feature the THX Select2 logo, which is your guarantee that the Home Theatre products you purchase will give you superb performance for many years to come. THX Select2 requirements cover every aspect of the product including pre-amplifier and power amplifier performance and operation, and hundreds of other parameters in both the digital and analog domain.

THX Surround EX

THX Surround EX - Dolby Digital Surround EX is a joint development of Dolby Laboratories and the THX Ltd. In a movie theater, film soundtracks that have been encoded with Dolby Digital Surround EX technology are able to reproduce an extra channel which has been added during the mixing of the program. This channel, called Surround Back, places sounds behind the listener in addition to the currently available front left, front center, front right, surround right, surround left and subwoofer channels. This additional channel provides the opportunity for more detailed imaging behind the listener and brings more depth, spacious ambience and sound localization than ever before. Movies that were created using the Dolby Digital Surround EX technology, when released into the home consumer market may exhibit wording to that effect on the packaging. A list of movies created using this technology can be found on the Dolby web site at www.dolby.com.

Only receiver and controller products bearing the THX Surround EX logo, when in the THX Surround EX mode, faithfully reproduce this new technology in the home.

This product may also engage the “THX Surround EX” mode during the playback of 5.1 channel material that is not Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded. In such case the information delivered to the Surround Back channel will be program dependent and may or may not be very pleasing depending on the particular soundtrack and the tastes of the individual listener.

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Advanced Speaker Array (ASA)

ASA is a proprietary THX technology which processes the sound fed to 2 side and 2 back surround speakers to provide the optimal surround sound experience. When you set up your home theater system using all eight speaker outputs (Left, Center, Right, Surround Right, Surround Back Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Left and Subwoofer) placing the two Surround Back speakers close together facing the front of the room as shown in the diagram will provide the largest sweet spot. If for practical reasons you have to place the Surround Back speakers apart, you will need to go THX Audio Set-up screen and choose the setting that most closely corresponds to the speaker spacing, which will re-optimize the surround sound-field. ASA is used in three new modes; THX Select2 Cinema, THX MusicMode and THX Games Mode.

THX Select2 Cinema mode

THX Select2 Cinema mode plays 5.1 movies using all eight speakers giving you the best possible movie watching experience. In this mode, ASA processing blends the side surround speakers and back surround speakers providing the optimal mix of ambient and directional surround sounds.

DTS-ES (Matrix and 6.1 Discrete) and Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded soundtracks will be automatically detected in Select2 Cinema mode if the appropriate flag has been encoded.

Some Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks are missing the digital flag that allows automatic switching. If you know that the movie that you are watching is encoded in Surround EX, you can manually select the THX Surround EX playback mode, otherwise THX Select2 Cinema mode will apply ASA processing to provide optimum replay.

THX MusicMode

For the replay of multi-channel music the THX MusicMode should be selected. In this mode THX ASA processing is applied to the surround channels of all 5.1 encoded music sources such as DTS, Dolby Digital and DVD-Audio to provide a wide stable rear soundstage.

THX Games Mode

For the replay of stereo and multi-channel game audio the THX Games Mode should be selected. In this mode THX ASA processing is applied to the surround channels of all 5.1 and 2.0 encoded game sources such as analog, PCM, DTS and Dolby Digital. This accurately places all game audio surround information, providing a full 360 degree playback environment. THX Games Mode is unique as it gives you a smooth transition of audio in all points of the surround field.

THX and the THX logo are trademarks of THX Ltd. which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.

About Neural Surround

Neural Surround represents the latest advancement in surround technology and has been adopted by XM Satellite Radio, FM Radio and (VSX-94TXH only) Neural Music Direct for broadcasts of surround recordings and live events.

Neural Surround employs psychoacoustic frequency domain processing which allows delivery of a more detailed sound stage with superior localization of surround elements. System playback is scalable from stereo up to state-of-the-art multichannel surround. Neural Surround is a trademark owned by Neural Audio Corporation, THX is a trademark of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.

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Contents Operating Instructions Federal Communications Commission Declaration of Conformity Model NumberResponsible Party Name Keep in a Secure AREA. this is for Your SecurityImportant Safety Instructions Contents Other Settings Using other functionsHdmi Control Controlling the rest of your systemBefore you start Minute guide Minute guide ChapterIntroduction to home theater Listening to Surround SoundSpeaker configuration in the OSD Switch on the receiver and your TVProgress report is displayed on-screen while Receiver outputs test tones to determine the speakersProblems when using the Auto Mcacc Setup Minute guidePlaying a source Select the input source you want to playUsing Phase Control Press Phase Phase Control to select Phase ControlPhase Control indicator on the front panel lights 02 5 minute guideUsing Full Band Phase Control Press Phase Phase Control to selectFullband PHASE.3 Tweeter Midrange WooferRear panel Connecting your equipmentConnecting your equipment Chapter About the video converter Connecting your equipmentWhen making cable connections Connecting your equipment Connecting your TV and DVD player Connect using a standard video cable or an S-video cableConnecting a satellite/cable receiver or other set-top box VSX-94TXHConnecting a DVD/HDD recorder, VCR For a second recorder, use the DVR/VCR2 in inputsUse an optical cable for the connection Connecting digital audio sourcesUse a three-way component video cable Connecting analog audio sources Connecting a component to the front panel inputsAbout the WMA9 Pro decoder This unit has an on-board Windows Media AudioConnecting your equipment Installing your speaker system Connecting the speakersFront Left Right Surround Left Right Back left Back rightBare wire connections Placing the speakersBanana plug connections 10 mm 3/8Connecting antennas THX speaker system setupAM loop antenna Assemble the stand as shown in the illustration.1FM wire antenna Connecting external antennasPlugging in the receiver AC outletControls and displays Controls and displays ChapterFront panel Input Selector dial Use to select an input sourceOperating range of remote control unit Controls and displaysControls and displays Display Controls and displays Remote control RECEIVERInput Select SelectStatus Multi OPEShift SOURCEListening to your system Listening to your system ChapterListening in surround sound Auto playbackUsing the Home THX modes Using the Advanced surround effectsTHX Games Mode Listening to your systemUsing Front Stage Surround Advance Using Stream DirectListening in stereo TipChoosing the input signal Selecting Mcacc presetsWhile listening to a source, press Mcacc Mcacc Position Hdmi Digital AnalogUsing the Virtual Surround Back mode Using the genre synchronizing function Listening to the radio Using the tunerUsing the tuner Chapter Using the tuner Saving station presets Naming station presetsListening to station presets AbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzSystem Setup menu System Setup menu ChapterMaking receiver settings from the System Setup menu Select the setting you want to adjustSystem Setup menu Front AlignIf necessary, confirm the speaker configuration in the OSD.1 Surround back speaker setting Manual Mcacc setupSelect ‘Surr Back System’ from the System Setup menu Select the surround back speaker settingSelect ‘Manual MCACC’ from the System Setup menu Select ‘Fine Ch Level’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menuAdjust the level of the left channel When youre finished, press ReturnSelect ‘Fine SP Distance’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menu Select ‘Standing Wave’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menuFine Speaker Distance Standing WaveAcoustic Calibration EQ Adjust How to use Acoustic Calibration EQ ProfessionalHow to interpret the graphical output Acoustic Calibration EQ ProfessionalSelect an option and press Enter Using Acoustic Calibration EQ ProfessionalSelect ‘EQ Professional’ then press Enter Full Band Phase Control Checking Mcacc preset data Select ‘FULL Band Phase CTRL’ from the System Setup menuSelect ‘Data Management’ from the System Setup menu Data ManagementClearing Mcacc presets Copying Mcacc preset dataRenaming Mcacc presets System Setup menu Manual speaker setup Speaker SettingSelect ‘Manual SP Setup’ then press Enter Select ‘Speaker Setting’ from the Manual SP Setup menuChannel Level Speaker DistanceTHX Audio Setting CurveConnecting an iPod Connecting your iPod to the receiverOther connections Other connections ChapterUsing XM Radio Watching photos and video contentConnecting your XM Radio receiver Other connectionsListening to XM Radio Using XM HD SurroundSaving channel presets Using Sirius Radio Using the XM MenuConnecting your Sirius Connect Tuner Listening to channel presetsSelecting channels and browsing by genre Press Sirius SHIFT+TUNER to switch to the Sirius inputListening to Sirius Radio Connecting using Hdmi Using the Sirius MenuSirius Menu provides additional Sirius Radio features.1 HDMI/DVI-compatible monitor or plasma displayConnecting the multichannel analog inputs About HdmiSelecting the multichannel analog inputs Use standard RCA/phono jack cables for the connectionsOther connections Speaker B setup Switching the speaker systemBi-amping your front speakers Select ‘Speaker B’ from the ‘Surr Back System’ menuConnecting additional amplifiers Bi-wiring your speakersNormal default or Speaker B in Surround back speaker To bi-wire a speaker, connect two speaker cords toMaking MULTI-ZONE connections Basic MULTI-ZONE setup ZoneSurround Back System MULTI-ZONE setup Zone Using the MULTI-ZONE controls Secondary MULTI-ZONE setup ZoneUse the Input Selector dial to select the source For the zone you have selectedConnecting an IR receiver Switching components on and off using the 12 volt triggerMULTI-ZONE remote controls InputUsing this receiver with a Pioneer plasma display DVD playerRear panel of the receiver Connecting a PC for Advanced Mcacc outputConnect your computer to the RS-232C jack on Personal computer Advanced Mcacc output using your PCSelect ‘Output PC’ and press Enter Making the Hdmi Control connections Hdmi ControlHdmi Control Chapter Hdmi Control Setting the Hdmi options Synchronized amp modeBefore using synchronization About Hdmi ControlInput Setup menu Other SettingsOther Settings Chapter Input function default and possible settings Other SettingsOther Setup menu SR+ Setup for Pioneer plasma displays Multi Channel Input SetupZone Audio Setup OSD Adjustment Select the ‘PDP Volume Control’ setting you wantSelect ‘OSD Adjustment’ from the Other Setup menu You will return to the Other Setup menuUsing other functions Using other functions ChapterSetting the Audio options Press Return to confirm and exit the menuUsing other functions Setting the Video optionsPlaying a different source when recording Making an audio or a video recordingSelect the source you want to record Prepare the source you want to recordReducing the level of an analog signal Switching the speaker impedanceUsing the sleep timer Dimming the displayUsing other functions Checking your system settings Resetting the systemDefault system settings Press Status to check the system settingsDSP Setting the remote to control other components Selecting preset codes directlyRemote controls Controlling the rest of your systemErasing one of the remote control button settings Resetting the remote control presetsConfirming preset codes Controlling the rest of your systemRenaming input source names Multi Operation and System OffDirect function Programming a multi-operation or a shutdown sequenceUsing multi operations Using System offSelect the button for the command you want to input Press Multi OPEControlling the rest of your system Controls for TVs Controls for other componentsOperating other Pioneer components with this unit’s sensor Decide which component you want to use the remote sensorTroubleshooting PowerAdditional information Additional information ChapterOther audio problems Additional informationPhase Control feature VideoDisplay SettingsProfessional Calibration EQ graphical output Remote control 96 kHzHdcp Error shows in the display ErrorIPod messages No Music TrackXM radio messages Sirius radio messagesAdditional information Surround sound formats DolbyAbout THX Windows Media Audio 9 ProfessionalAbout Neural Surround Stereo 2 channel signal formats ON/AUTOTHX Cinema PRO LogicMultichannel signal formats THX Games Mode aXM Radio Dolby Digital Plus Straight decodingDTS-ES b DTS-ES Matrix/Discrete DTS-ES+THX Matrix/Discrete Movie a MOVIE+THX aPro Logic llx Movie a AutoDirect Pure Direct Sacd Direct VSX-94TXH or Straight decoding VSX-92TXHAdditional information Specifications Cleaning the unitFeatures Additional information Our philosophyTo establish a safe level Once you have established a comfortable sound levelDecibel Level Example Information courtesy of the Deafness Research FoundationPioneer Corporation