Easy Setup Guide Part1

Home Theater: The Basics

Most consumers are used to using stereo equipment to listen to music but many people are not used to home theater systems that give you many more options when listening to soundtracks. In fact, home theater is not really complicated and this little guide should give you an understanding of the basics. Home theater refers to the use of multiple audio tracks combined with multiple speakers to create a surround sound effect.

There are three different factors involved in getting surround sound. Each contribute to what kind of sound you get. These factors are:

1)The equipment you are using for your home theater setup. Particularly important is the number of speakers you are using. We call this your speaker configuration.

2)The 'source' material you are using. This is the actual product (like a DVD) or broadcast (like cable TV) you are listening to/watching. We call this the source.

3)The last factor is the listening mode you choose on the VSX-43TX receiver. These are explained below and in subsequent chapters but most likely the PRO LOGIC II MOVIE for moves and the PRO LOGIC II MUSIC for music will be fine.

Let's start with the home theater setup you have in your home.

1)Your Home System

The heart of your system is the VSX-43TX receiver and it is very flexible in getting you theater-like surround sound. You can use this receiver with anywhere from two to seven speakers (front left, front right, center, surround left and right, and surround back left and right) and a subwoofer to get home theater surround sound. We recommend you use seven speakers and a subwoofer. If this is not possible follow the instructions in "QUICK Setup" in the "Easy Setup Guide Part 2" and you will still be able to get good surround sound. Also, a DVD player is essential for home theater and you can also hook up satellite or cable TV tuner to this receiver and get a more home theater-like sound from these sources.

2) The Source Material

DVDs have become the basic source material for home theater because they are convenient to use and offer excellent sound and picture quality as well as allow users to enjoy home theater soundtracks with more than two channels of audio. For example, Dolby Pro Logic plays back four channels (front left, front right, center and a single channel for both surround speakers), Dolby Digital and DTS sources usually have six discrete channels (front left, front right, center, surround left and right and a channel that powers the subwoofer) of sound. Since the subwoofer channel is only for bass sounds it is expressed as .1 of a channel and this multichannel setup has been named 5.1 channel sound.

It is important you consult the manual that came with your DVD player as well to make sure the player is outputting a surround soundtrack and all the other settings are appropriate for your home theater.

3) The Listening Modes

This receiver has many different listening modes and they are designed to cover all the speaker configurations and types of sources you might be using. In general, the PRO LOGIC II MOVIE listening mode is the easiest way to get realistic surround sound for movies. For music the basic listening mode for music is PRO LOGIC II MUSIC.

To listen to music in stereo simply choose the STEREO listening mode. Other possibilities (like listening to a stereo CD with all seven speakers or taking a stereo source and getting multichannel home theater-like sound) are explained in listening modes (pages 43–45).

Conclusion

These are the three basic factors that contribute to your home theater sound. The easiest thing is to hook up seven speakers and a subwoofer and simply play your DVDs with PRO LOGIC II MOVIE listening mode. This will give you realistic and enjoyable home theater sound. First hook up your equipment, like your DVD player, TV and speakers. Then follow the Easy Setup Guide instructions to set up your system for surround sound. It is very important you do one of the surround sound setups to get optimal sound from your receiver.

For more details on any of the information presented here check the main section of the manual.

EASY SETUP GUIDE

PREPARATION

9

Page 9
Image 9
Pioneer VSX-43TX operating instructions Easy Setup Guide Part1, Home Theater The Basics

VSX-43TX specifications

The Pioneer VSX-43TX is a high-performance receiver that has garnered attention for its impressive features and versatile functionality, making it a popular choice among home theater enthusiasts. This 7.1-channel receiver offers an engaging audio-visual experience, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in their favorite movies, music, and games.

One of the standout features of the VSX-43TX is its power amplification. With 100 watts per channel, it delivers a robust audio output, ensuring that every sound is reproduced with clarity and depth. This model also incorporates Pioneer's Advanced Direct Energy HD technology, which enhances the receiver's efficiency and minimizes distortion, allowing for a more accurate sound.

In terms of audio processing, the VSX-43TX is equipped with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, providing high-definition audio that complements the stunning visuals often seen in modern media formats. The receiver also supports multi-channel surround sound formats, enhancing the experience of cinematic audio.

Connectivity is another significant aspect of the VSX-43TX, featuring multiple HDMI inputs to connect various devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. This receiver conforms to the latest HDMI specifications, supporting 4K passthrough and maintaining the integrity of high-resolution video signals. Additionally, it offers component and composite video inputs, making it versatile enough to accommodate older video sources.

The Pioneer VSX-43TX also features built-in network capabilities, allowing users to stream music from a range of online services and local networks. With support for AirPlay and DLNA, it integrates seamlessly with devices for an enhanced listening experience. Furthermore, the receiver is equipped with a powerful equalizer, enabling users to customize their audio output to suit their preferences.

Overall, the Pioneer VSX-43TX stands out with its combination of high-quality audio performance, advanced connectivity options, and user-friendly features. Whether you're setting up a dedicated home theater or enhancing your music-listening experience, this receiver offers a well-rounded solution that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles. With robust performance and user-friendly interfaces, it remains a notable choice for home entertainment systems.