Pioneer VSX-C100-S operating instructions Recording Formats, Playback Formats

Techno Know How

Recording Formats

These are the recording formats. Determining what kind of playback format is being employed with any particular recording format depends on three things: 1) how the signal is encoded and transmitted; 2) how the signal is decoded; and 3) how the sound is actually heard through the speakers (where your speaker configuration and the sound mode you choose have a big effect).

All the possibilities are listed below.

2 Channel Stereo

In this format the signal is recorded on two channels (i.e. stereo), left and right. Most music CDs use this format.

2 Channel Surround (Dolby Surround)

Used mainly for videotape, this is one of the original home theater formats and can be decoded by this receiver. Because it developed over a time it is the most complicated system explained here. The developers had to solve the problem of how to offer surround sound to the people who had the proper decoder but at the same time deliver 2 channel sound to those without the proper decoder. Thus the Dolby Surround format encodes four channels (left, right, center, surround) into two channels for storage and transmission.

5.1 Channel Surround

This is a format with five channels (front left & right, center, surround left & right) and a channel for bass. (This is called the LFE channel and is usually output from a subwoofer. Since it is only for bass sounds it is thus expressed as .1 of a channel.) With this format you can get movie theater-like, powerful surround sound.

Playback Formats

This receiver is equipped with many different playback formats and this flexibility should allow you to get stereo or surround sound playback (depending on the kind of source you're using) with all speaker configurations.

2 Channel Stereo Playback

This is conventional stereo playback from the left and right speakers (called "front" speakers on this receiver).

Virtual Surround Playback (PHONES/VIRTUAL indicator lights)

With this playback method you can get multichannel-like surround sound even when using just two speakers. This is achieved by the Virtual surround listening mode which uses SRS Tru Surround technology.

Headphone Surround Playback (PHONES/VIRTUAL indicator lights)

With this playback method you can get multichannel-like surround sound like effects even when listening on headphones. This new technology is useful for getting a surround sound feeling even when listening with the privacy of headphones.

Dolby Pro Logic II Playback (2PRO LOGIC II indicator lights)

Dolby Pro Logic II

Dolby Pro Logic II is an improved version of Dolby Pro Logic technology with extended matrix decoding technology that can create 5.1 channel sound playback from two channel sources. Dolby Pro Logic II creates basic 5 channel sound by using the innovative "steering logic" circuit. Therefore when listening to typical two-channel sources like CD, the listener can enjoy a richer spatial effect. When using software encoded with Dolby Surround, this decoding system affords the listener an improved surround experience with greater sound detail.

This unit has a three Dolby Pro Logic II functions. The first is "MOVIE" (suitable for film soundtracks); "MUSIC" (suitable for music); "Pro Logic Mode" (this mode is less sensitive to the quality of the source material, so may be useful when Movie Mode or Music Mode do not give good results). One can select one of them for playback depending on your soundtrack of choice.

Multichannel Surround Playback (ADVANCED indicator lights)

These are different multichannel playback methods which are each suited to various sources. These modes will give you realistic and powerful surround sound playback for five speakers.

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