5 minute guide

Chapter 2:

5 minute guide

Introduction to home theater

Home theater refers to the use of multiple audio tracks to create a surround sound effect, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action or concert. The surround sound you get from a home theater system depends not only on your speaker setup, but also on the source and the sound settings of the receiver.

This receiver will automatically decode multichannel Dolby Digital, DTS, or Dolby Surround sources according to your speaker setup. In most cases, you won’t have to make changes for realistic surround sound, but other possibilities (like listening to a CD with multichannel surround sound) are explained in Listening to your system on page 30.

Listening to Surround Sound

With the following quick setup guide, you should have your system hooked up for surround sound in no time at all. In most cases, you can simply leave the receiver in the default settings.

•Be sure to complete all connections before connecting to an AC power source.

1 Connect your DVD player and TV.

See Connecting a DVD player and TV on page 12 to do this. For surround sound, you’ll want to hook up using a digital connection from the DVD player to the receiver.

2Connect your speakers and place them for optimal surround sound.

See Connecting the speakers on page 20.

02

 

 

English

Where you place the speakers will have a big

 

effect on the sound. Place your speakers as

Deutsch

shown below for the best surround sound

 

effect. Also see Hints on speaker placement on

 

page 21 for more on this.

 

 

Subwoofer (SW)

 

 

Front

 

 

Right (R)

 

Français

Front

Surround

Right (RS)

 

Left (L)

 

 

Center (C)

 

 

 

Listening

 

Surround

position

Italiano

 

Left (LS)

 

 

 

3 Plug in and switch on the receiver,

 

followed by your DVD player, subwoofer and

 

TV.

 

 

Make sure you’ve set the video input on your

Nederlands

TV to this receiver. Check the manual that

 

came with the TV if you don’t know how to do

 

this.

 

 

4 Use the on-screen automatic MCACC

 

setup to set up your system.

 

Español

5 Play a DVD, and adjust the volume.

See Automatically setting up for surround

 

sound (MCACC) on page 8 for more on this.

Make sure that DVD/BD is showing in the receiver’s display. If it isn’t, press DVD on the remote to set the receiver to the DVD input.1

There are several other sound options you can select. See Listening to your system on page 30 for more on this.2

Note

1You may need to set your DVD player to output Dolby Digital, DTS and 88.2 kHz/96 kHz PCM (2 channel) audio (see your DVD player’s manual for more on this).

2Depending on your DVD player or source disc, you may only get 2 channel sound. In this case, the listening mode must be set to STANDARD (see Listening in surround sound on page 30 if you need to do this) if you want multichannel surround sound.

7

En

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Pioneer VSX-818V, VSX-918V Minute guide Chapter, Introduction to home theater, Listening to Surround Sound
Page 6 Page 8

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.
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