Pioneer VSX Stereo Systems: Mastering the VSX-818V and VSX-918V Tuner Functions

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07Using the tuner

An introduction to RDS

Radio Data System (RDS) is a system used by most FM radio stations to provide listeners with various kinds of information—the name of the station and the kind of show they’re broadcasting, for example.

One feature of RDS is that you can search by type of program. For example, you can search for a station that’s broadcasting a show with the program type, Jazz.

CD R

 

 

 

CD

FM

AM

RECEIVER

AUTO/DIRECT

STEREO/

STANDARD

ADVSURR

A.L.C.

ACOUSTIC

DIALOG

SOUND

PHASE

EQ

RETRIEVER

 

CH SEL

LEVEL

MUTE

 

 

 

 

MASTER

 

 

VOLUME

 

 

RECEIVER CONTROL

CH+

ONE TOUCH

 

 

 

COPY

 

 

 

AV

TUNE

T.EDIT

PARAMETER

 

 

TOPMENU

 

 

MENU

ST

ST

 

ENTER

 

GUIDE

 

 

CH-

PTY SEARCH

TUNE

 

 

SETUP

RETURN

TUNERDISP

CLASS

MPX

D.ACCESS

 

 

 

ENTER

 

 

 

DISC

MIDNIGHT

ANALOGATT

DIMMER

SLEEP

 

SR+

EON

+10

SIGNAL SEL

iPod CTRL

INFO

TV CONTROL

SHIFT

INPUT

TV CH

TV VOL

SELECT

RECEIVER

You can search the following program types:1

Displaying RDS information

News – News

Affairs – Current Affairs Info – General Information Sport – Sport

Educate – Educational Drama – Radio plays, etc. Culture – National or regional culture, theater, etc.

Science – Science and technology

Varied – Usually talk- based material, such as quiz shows or interviews. Pop M – Pop music Rock M – Rock music Easy M – Easy listening Light M – ‘Light’ classical music

Classics – ‘Serious’ classical music

Other M – Music not fitting above categories Weather – Weather reports

Finance – Stock market reports, commerce, trading, etc.

Children – Programs for children

Social – Social affairs Religion – Programs concerning religion Phone In – Public expressing their views by phone

Travel Holiday-type travel rather than traffic announcements Leisure – Leisure interests and hobbies

Jazz – Jazz

Country – Country music Nation M – Popular music in a language other than English

Oldies – Popular music from the ’50s and ’60s Folk M – Folk music Document – Documentary

Use the TUNER DISP (SHIFT+1) button to display the different types of RDS information available.2

Press TUNER DISP for RDS information. Each press changes the display as follows:

Radio Text (RT) – Messages sent by the radio station. For example, a talk radio station may provide a phone number as RT.

Program Service Name (PS) – The name of the radio station.

Program Type (PTY) – This indicates the kind of program currently being broadcast.

Current tuner frequency (FREQ)

Searching for RDS programs

You can search for a program type listed above.

1Press FM to select the FM band.3

2Press PTY SEARCH.

SEARCH shows in the display.

Note

1In addition, there are three other program types, TEST, Alarm!, and None. Alarm! and TEST are used for emergency announcements. You can’t search for these, but the tuner will switch automatically to this RDS broadcast signal. None appears when a program type cannot be found.

2• If any noise is picked up while displaying the RT scroll, some characters may be displayed incorrectly.

If you see NO RADIO TEXT DATA in the RT display, it means no RT data is sent from the broadcast station. The display will automatically switch to the PS data display (if no PS data, the frequency is displayed).

In the PTY display, NO DATA may be shown. In this case, the PS display is shown after a few seconds.

3RDS is only possible in the FM band.

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Contents VSX-918V-S/-KVSX-818V-S/-K Important the Moulded Plug Operating EnvironmentVentilation Caution Contents Other Settings Controlling the rest of your systemOther connections Additional informationBefore you start Before you start ChapterChecking what’s in the box Loading the batteriesMinute guide Minute guide ChapterIntroduction to home theater Listening to Surround SoundSwitch on the receiver and your TV 02 5 minute guideMinute guide English Deutsch Français Italiano Nederlands EspañolEnter Better sound using Phase Control Other problems when using the Auto Mcacc SetupPress Phase Phase Control to switch on phase correction Connecting up Connecting up ChapterMaking cable connections Connecting up Connecting a DVD player and TV Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection.1Receiver VSX-918VConnecting up Connecting the multichannel analog outputsItaliano FrançaisConnecting up Connecting other audio components About the WMA9 Pro decoderCD-R, MD, DAT, Tape recorder, etc Connecting an HDD/DVD recorder, VCR and other video sources DeutschConnecting up Using the component video jacks Connecting using HdmiUse a three-way component video cable for the connection Component 1 DVD Component 2 TV Component 3 DVRAbout Hdmi Connecting up Connecting to the front panel audio mini jack Connecting to the front panel video terminalConnecting up Connecting antennas Using external antennasTo improve FM reception To improve AM receptionConnecting up Connecting the speakers AntennaHints on speaker placement Bare wire connectionsTwist exposed wire strands together Tighten terminalSpeaker placement diagrams Switching the speaker systemFollowing illustrations show 5.1 channel speaker setups Controls and displays Controls and displays ChapterFront panel 14 15 16Controls and displays DisplayAnalog DTSPRO Logic VIR. SBControls and displays Remote control Master Volume + SetupLevel + AV ParameterAccess Signal SELTuner Disp ClassOperating range of remote control TV Control buttonsTV CH + TV VOL +Listening to your system Listening to your system ChapterAuto playback Listening in surround soundUsing the Advanced surround effects Press ADV Surr repeatedly to select a listening modeListening to your system Listening in stereoListening to your system Using Front Stage Surround Advance Using Stream DirectUsing the Sound Retriever Using Virtual Surround Back VSB Listening to your system Setting the AV options SettingWhat it does Options Setting What it does Options CH1Choosing the input signal Press Portable SHIFT+iPod USB on the remote controlListening to your system Playing other sources Selecting the front audio inputsSystem Setup menu System Setup menu ChapterUsing the System Setup menu Manual Mcacc speaker setupSystem Setup menu Select ‘Manual MCACC’ from the System Setup menuSelect ‘Fine Ch Level’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menu Fine Channel LevelSelect ‘Fine SP Distance’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menu Volume increases to the reference levelFine Speaker Distance After pressing ENTER, test tones will be outputSetting the Acoustic Calibration EQ automatically Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ settingsAcoustic Calibration EQ Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manually Select the channels you want and adjust to your likingSelect ‘OK’ to copy and confirm Might distort. If this happens, bringManual speaker setup Speaker SettingChecking your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings Select ‘Speaker Setting’ from the Manual SP Setup menu Crossover NetworkSelect ‘Crossover Network’ from the Manual SP Setup menu Adjust the level of each channel usingSelect ‘Channel Level’ from the Manual SP Setup menu Select a setup optionSelect ‘Speaker Distance’ from the Manual SP Setup menu Adjust the distance of each speaker UsingSpeaker Distance Using the tuner Using the tuner ChapterTuning directly to a station Listening to the radioUsing the tuner Saving station presets Naming station presetsListening to station presets English DeutschUsing the tuner An introduction to RDS Displaying RDS informationSearching for RDS programs Press FM to select the FM band.3 Press PTY SearchUsing the tuner Using EONMaking recordings Making recordings ChapterMaking an audio or a video recording Setting the remote to control other components Controlling the rest of your systemControlling the rest of your system Chapter Operating other Pioneer componentsClearing all the remote control settings Use the number buttons to enter the preset codeControlling the rest of your system Controls for TVs Buttons Function ComponentsSHIFT+ Controlling the rest of your system Controls for other componentsENTER/DISC Function ComponentsDisc Enter ReturnSHIFT+ Edit Return Shift +Controlling the rest of your system Preset Code List DVD RecorderConnecting an iPod Connecting your iPod to the receiverOther connections Other connections ChapterOther connections IPod playbackFinding what you want to play Basic playback controlsConnecting a USB device Switching the iPod controls1Symptom What it means Press iPod Ctrl to switch the iPod controls.2Connecting your USB device to the receiver Basic playback controlsSelecting a file from the folder/file list for playback Compressed audio compatibilityOther compatibility information USB ERR What it meansUsing this receiver with a Pioneer flat screen TV About MPEG-4 AACAbout WMA Using the SR+ mode with a Pioneer flat screen TV Front panel display shows SR+ on or OFFOther Settings Other Settings ChapterInput Assign menu Assigning the digital inputsOther Settings Assigning the component video inputsAssigning the Hdmi inputs Other Settings Other Setup menu SR+ Setup for Pioneer flat screen TVsSelect ‘Other Setup’ then press Enter Select the ‘PDP Volume Control’ setting you wantTroubleshooting Problem RemedyAdditional information Additional information ChapterAdditional information VSX-918V model only The SRSymptom Remedy HdmiResetting the main unit Switching the speaker impedanceConfiguration1 Important information regarding the Hdmi connectionAdditional information Changing the TV format setting Power cord cautionCleaning the unit Amplifier sectionComponent video section Hdmi SectionFM Tuner Section AM Tuner SectionPioneer Corporation Printed XRB3091-A

VSX-818V-K, VSX-918V-K specifications

The Pioneer VSX-918V-K and VSX-818V-K are both exemplary models in Pioneer’s range of home theater receivers, designed to deliver exceptional audio and video performance. These receivers highlight Pioneer's commitment to providing rich, immersive sound for a variety of entertainment formats.

One of the most significant features of the VSX-918V-K is its advanced 7.1 channel surround sound capability. This allows for a true multi-channel experience, making it an ideal choice for movie enthusiasts and gamers who seek depth and clarity in their audio. The VSX-818V-K, while being slightly less powerful with a 7.1 channel setup, still provides excellent audio performance with its clean and dynamic sound output, ensuring an engaging home cinema experience.

Both models are equipped with Pioneer’s latest Auto Room Tuning technology, which customizes the sound based on the room’s acoustics. This system utilizes a microphone and advanced algorithms to analyze the sound environment, adjusting settings to optimize performance. As a result, users can enjoy balanced audio whether they are in a small living room or a large theater space.

Another impressive feature is the incorporation of HDMI 1.3a support in both receivers, enabling high-definition audio and video passthrough. This capability ensures compatibility with the latest Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and other HD devices. The receivers support various audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, offering high-resolution sound that complements the latest film releases and video games.

In terms of connectivity, both the VSX-918V-K and VSX-818V-K feature multiple inputs, including composite and component video inputs, as well as optical and coaxial digital audio inputs. This extensive connectivity allows users to easily connect their devices and manage them through the intuitive on-screen GUI.

The models also boast a sleek design, with an appealing aesthetic that fits seamlessly into modern home theater setups. Their user-friendly interfaces and remote controls make navigation easy, ensuring that even non-technical users can enjoy a premium audio-visual experience.

Overall, the Pioneer VSX-918V-K and VSX-818V-K provide a robust set of features, ensuring outstanding audio fidelity and versatility, making them excellent choices for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment systems.