Thank you for buying this Pioneer product. Please read through these operating instructions so you will know how to operate your model properly. After you have finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe place for future reference.

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Listening to Surround Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Automatically setting up for surround

sound (MCACC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Other problems when using

the Auto MCACC Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Better sound using Phase Control . . . . . . . . 10

03 Connecting up

Making cable connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Analog audio cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Digital audio cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Video cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Connecting a DVD player and TV . . . . . . . . . 12

Connecting the multichannel analog

outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Connecting a satellite receiver or

other digital set-top box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Connecting other audio components . . . . . . 14 About the WMA9 Pro decoder . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connecting an HDD/DVD recorder,

VCR and other video sources . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Using the component video jacks . . . . . . . . . 16 Connecting using HDMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 About HDMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting to the front panel audio

mini jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Connecting to the front panel video

terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 AC outlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Connecting antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Using external antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Connecting the speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Hints on speaker placement. . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Speaker placement diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Switching the speaker system . . . . . . . . . . 22

04 Controls and displays

Front panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Operating range of remote control . . . . . . . 29

05 Listening to your system

Auto playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Listening in surround sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Using the Advanced surround effects . . . . . 31 Listening in stereo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Using Front Stage Surround Advance . . . . . . 32 Using Stream Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Using the Sound Retriever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Listening with Acoustic Calibration EQ . . . . . 33 Using Virtual Surround Back (VSB) . . . . . . . . 33 Setting the AV options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Playing other sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Choosing the input signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Selecting the multichannel analog inputs . . . 36 Selecting the front audio inputs . . . . . . . . . . 36

06 The System Setup menu

Using the System Setup menu . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Manual MCACC speaker setup . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Fine Channel Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Fine Speaker Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Acoustic Calibration EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Manual speaker setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Speaker Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Crossover Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Channel Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Speaker Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

07 Using the tuner

Listening to the radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Improving FM stereo sound . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tuning directly to a station . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Saving station presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Naming station presets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Listening to station presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

08 Making recordings

Making an audio or a video recording . . . . . . 48

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Pioneer VSX-918V, VSX-818V operating instructions Contents

VSX-818V, VSX-918V specifications

The Pioneer VSX-918V and VSX-818V are standout receivers in the contemporary home audio landscape, delivering exceptional sound quality, versatile connectivity, and advanced features aimed at enhancing the listening experience for audiophiles and casual users alike.

Both models support a wide array of audio formats, including Dolby Digital, DTS, and others, ensuring rich, immersive sound for movies, music, and gaming. The VSX-918V is particularly notable for its higher wattage output, offering 100 watts per channel, which provides ample power for larger rooms and demanding speakers. The VSX-818V, while slightly lower in wattage at 90 watts per channel, still delivers robust performance suitable for most home theater setups.

A defining characteristic of these receivers is their multi-zone capabilities. The VSX-918V allows users to enjoy different audio sources in separate rooms, making it ideal for individuals who wish to create a whole-house audio solution. The VSX-818V also offers multi-zone functionality but is better suited for simpler applications, maintaining a balance between performance and cost.

Both receivers feature Pioneer’s proprietary MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System), which automatically calibrates the audio output to match the listening environment. This technology analyzes speaker placement and room acoustics, delivering optimal sound performance tailored to specific room characteristics. Users benefit from a straightforward setup process with the included microphone, allowing for quick adjustments to achieve premium sound quality.

Connectivity options abound on both models, with multiple HDMI inputs supporting advanced video and audio formats, including 1080p pass-through. They also offer component and composite video inputs, optical and coaxial digital audio inputs, as well as analog audio connections. This extensive connectivity ensures compatibility with a variety of devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.

Another notable feature is the built-in PLL (Phase Locked Loop) technology for the FM tuner, which enhances radio reception quality, allowing for clearer and more stable signals. The VSX-918V and VSX-818V also provide users with customizable sound fields, including various surround sound modes, to cater to different media types and personal preferences.

For maximum usability, each receiver comes equipped with an intuitive remote control, allowing users to access functions quickly and manage their sound settings without hassle. In summary, whether choosing the power-packed VSX-918V or the versatile VSX-818V, both receivers exemplify Pioneer's commitment to delivering high-quality audio performance and user-friendly features for any home entertainment setup.