7.1-channel a/v receiver featuring airplay, dlna certified (1.5), internet radio with vtuner, made for ipad certification and 2-zone audio and video (2 pages)
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IMPORTANT The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Voltage selector You can find the voltage selector switch on the rear panel of multi-voltage models. The factory setting for the voltage selector is 220 V. Please set it to the correct voltage for your country or region. • Saudi Arabia operates on 127 V and 220 V mains voltage.
Contents 01 Before you start Checking what’s in the box ....6 Loading the batteries ....6 Operating range of remote control unit .
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10 Other connections Second Zone speaker B setup ... . 56 Switching the speaker system ..56 Bi-amping your front speakers ... 57 Bi-wiring your speakers .
Before you start Chapter 1: Before you start Checking what’s in the box Please check that you’ve received the following supplied accessories: • AM loop antenna • FM wire antenna • AA size IEC R6 dry cell batteries (to confirm system operation) x2 •...
Before you start WARNING • Do not use or store batteries in direct sunlight or other excessively hot place, such as inside a car or near a heater. This can cause batteries to leak, overheat, explode or catch fire. It can also reduce the life or performance of batteries.
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.
5 minute guide There are several other sound options you can select. See Listening to your system on page 31 for more on this. See also The System Setup menu on page 39 for more setup options. Using the Quick Setup VSX-517 model only You can use the Quick Setup to get your system up and running with just a few button...
5 minute guide Automatically setting up for surround sound (MCACC) VSX-817 model only The Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) setup measures the acoustic characteristics of your listening area, taking into account ambient noise, speaker size and distance, and tests for both channel delay and channel level.
5 minute guide If you see an ERR message in the display, there may be a problem with your mic or the speaker connections. Turn off the power, and check the problem indicated by the ERR message (see below), then try the auto surround setup again. •...
Connecting up Chapter 3: Connecting up Making cable connections Make sure not to bend the cables over the top of this unit. If this happens, the magnetic field produced by the transformers in this unit may cause a humming noise from the speakers. Important •...
Connecting up Connecting a TV and DVD player This page shows you how to connect your DVD player and TV to the receiver. Connect a coaxial digital audio output on your DVD player to the DIGITAL COAX 1 (DVD/LD) input on this receiver. Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection.
Connecting up Connecting the multichannel analog outputs For DVD Audio and SACD playback, your DVD player may have 5.1 channel analog outputs. In this case, you can connect them to the multi- channel inputs of the receiver as shown below. VSX-817 FM UNBAL Ω...
Connecting up The illustration shows the VSX-817, but connections for the VSX-517 are the same. Connecting other audio components The number and kind of connections depends on the kind of component you’re connecting. Follow the steps below to connect a CD-R, MD, DAT, tape recorder or other audio component.
Connecting up ® Windows Media , and the Windows logo are trademarks, or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Connecting other video components This receiver has audio/video inputs and outputs suitable for connecting analog or digital video recorders, including VCRs, DVD- recorders and HDD recorders.
Connecting up Important • If you connect any source component to the receiver using a component video input, you must also have your TV connected to this receiver’s COMPONENT VIDEO MONITOR OUT jacks. Connect the component video outputs of your source to a set of component video inputs on this receiver.
Connecting up Connecting antennas Connect the AM loop antenna and the FM wire antenna as shown below. To improve reception and sound quality, connect external antennas (see Using external antennas below). fig. a fig. b FM UNBAL LOOP Pull off the protective shields of both AM antenna wires.
Connecting up Connecting the speakers A complete speaker setup is shown below, but everyone’s home setup will vary. Simply connect the speakers you have in the manner shown below. The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front speakers in the diagram) but using at least three (VSX-517 model) / five (VSX-817 model) speakers is recommended, and a complete setup is best for surround sound.
Connecting up VSX-517 model Twist exposed wire strands together. Push open the tabs and insert exposed wire. Release the tabs. VSX-817 model Twist exposed wire strands together. Loosen terminal and insert exposed wire. Tighten terminal. Speaker terminals Make sure that all the bare speaker wire is twisted together and inserted fully into the speaker terminal.
Connecting up Speaker placement diagrams The following illustrations show 7.1 channel speaker setups. 3-D view of 7 .1 channel speaker setup Overhead view of speaker setup Front Center left Subwoofer Surround left Listening position Surround back left Surround back Single surround back speaker Note 1 VSX-517 model only –...
Controls and displays Chapter 4: Controls and displays Front panel Illustration shows the VSX-817 model PHASE CONTROL PHASE ACOUSTIC AUTO SURR/ DVD/LD TV /SAT DVR / VCR CONTROL DIRECT SOUND MIDNIGHT/ SB ch RETRIEVER LOUDNESS PROCESSING TONE STANDBY / ON PHONES SIGNAL TUNING/...
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Controls and displays STANDARD Press for Standard decoding and to switch between the various 2 Pro Logic II options /VSX-817 model only – 2 Pro Logic IIx and Neo:6 options (page 31). ADVANCED SURROUND Switches between the various surround modes (page 32). AUTO SURR/DIRECT Switches between Auto surround mode (Auto playback on page 31) and Stream...
Controls and displays Display Illustration shows the VSX-817 model SIGNAL SELECT indicators Lights to indicate the type of input signal assigned for the current component: AUTO Lights when AUTO signal select is on. SB (VSX-817 model only) Depending on the source, this lights when a signal with surround back channel encoding is detected.
Controls and displays / STEREO Lights when a stereo FM broadcast is being received in auto stereo mode. / TUNED Lights when a broadcast is being received. 11 Speaker indicator VSX-817 model – Lights to indicate the current speaker system A and/or B (page 56). VSX-517 model –...
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Controls and displays MULTI CONTROL buttons Press to select control of other components (see Controlling the rest of your system on page 50). RECEIVER CONTROL buttons AUTO SURR Switches between Auto surround mode (Auto playback on page 31) and Stream Direct playback.
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Controls and displays RETURN Press to confirm and exit the current menu (also use to return to the previous menu with DVDs or to select closed captioning with DTV). (TUNE/ST +/–) /ENTER Use the arrow buttons when setting up your surround sound system (see page 39).
Controls and displays SIGNAL Selects an input signal (page 34). SB ch Selects the surround back channel mode (page 35) or virtual surround back mode (page 35). INFO Use to bring up information screens on a digital TV. 10 SHIFT Press to access the ‘boxed’...
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Controls and displays STANDARD Press for Standard decoding and to switch between 2 Pro Logic II options. STEREO/F.S.SURR Switches between stereo playback (page 33) and Front Stage Surround Advance modes (page 33). ADV.SURR Switches between the various surround modes (page 32). TOP MENU Displays the disc ‘top’...
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Copies the currently playing title from DVD to HDD or vice-versa. 12 DVD/DVR control buttons Use these buttons to control a Pioneer DVD player or recorder connected to your system (press SHIFT to access the commands bordered by a rectangle).
Listening to your system Chapter 5: Listening to your system Important • Certain features explained in this section will not be possible depending on the source (for example, PCM 88.2 kHz / 96 kHz, DTS 96 kHz (24 bit) or WMA9 Pro sources). Auto playback The simplest, most direct listening option is the Auto Surround feature.
Listening to your system • Neo:6 CINEMA – 6.1 channel sound, especially suited to movie sources • Neo:6 MUSIC – 6.1 channel sound, especially suited to music sources VSX-817 model only – With multichannel sources, if you have connected surround back speaker(s) and have selected SB ON, you can select (according to format): •...
Listening to your system Setting What it does Panorama Extends the front stereo image to include surround speakers for a ‘wraparound’ effect. Center Adjusts the center image to Image create a wider stereo effect with (Applicable vocals. Adjust the effect from 0 only when (all center channel sent to front using a cen-...
Listening to your system Using Stream Direct Use the Stream Direct modes when you want to hear the truest possible reproduction of a source. All unnecessary signal processing is bypassed. CD-R STEREO/ ADV.SURR AUTO SURR F.S.SURR STANDARD TOP MENU MENU S.RETRIEVER Above: VSX-517 (left) and VSX-817 (right) •...
Listening to your system U sing surround back channel processing VSX-817 model only • Default setting: SB ON You can have the receiver automatically use 6.1 decoding for 6.1 encoded sources (for example, Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES), or you can choose to always use 6.1 decoding (for example, with 5.1 encoded material).
Listening to your system Processing / Type of source Dolby Digital EX/DTS-ES/ WMA9 Pro encoded multichannel sources with 6.1ch surround Dolby Digital/DTS/WMA9 Pro encoded multichannel sources Dolby Digital/DTS/WMA9 Pro encoded stereo source; other digital stereo source Analog 2-channel (stereo) sources a Excluding WMA9 Pro format b Only applicable when using the Virtual Surround Back mode.
Listening to your system Using Midnight and Loudness The Midnight listening feature allows you to hear effective surround sound of movies at low volume levels. The effect automatically adjusts according to the volume at which you’re listening. The Loudness listening feature can be used to get good bass and treble from music sources at low volume levels.
Listening to your system Selecting the multichannel analog inputs If you have connected a decoder or a DVD player with multichannel analog outputs to this receiver (page 14), you must select the analog multichannel inputs for surround sound. VSX-517 model – •...
The System Setup menu Chapter 6: The System Setup menu Using the System Setup menu The following section shows you how to make detailed settings to specify how you’re using the receiver. It also explains how to fine-tune individual speaker system settings. DVD 5.1 DVD/LD RECEIVER...
The System Setup menu • SB BIAMP – Select this setting if you’re bi- amping your front speakers (see Bi-amping your front speakers on page 57). When you’re finished, press RETURN. You return to the System Setup menu. Manual MCACC speaker setup VSX-817 model only You can use the settings in the Manual MCACC setup menu to make detailed adjustments...
The System Setup menu Caution • The test tones used in the System Setup are output at high volume (the volume increases to –18 dB automatically). to select each channel in turn and adjust the levels ( +/– 10 dB ) as necessary. to adjust the volume of the selected speaker to match the reference speaker.
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The System Setup menu Select ‘ EQ A. SET ’ from the Manual MCACC setup menu. • Make sure the microphone is connected. • If you’re using a subwoofer, it is automatically detected every time you switch on the system. Make sure it is on and the volume is at the middle position.
The System Setup menu to select the channel you want and adjust to your liking. Use the buttons to select the frequency to boost or cut the EQ. When you’re finished, use the buttons to select the channel display (for example R EQ for the right channel or SB EQ for the surround back channel) then to proceed to the next...
The System Setup menu to choose the speaker(s) that you want to set then select a speaker size. to select the size (and number) of each of the following speakers: • Front (F) – Select LARGE if your front speakers reproduce bass frequencies effectively, or if you didn’t connect a subwoofer.
The System Setup menu Adjust the level of each channel using If you selected T. TONE M., use speakers. The T. TONE A. setup outputs test tones in the following order (depends on speaker settings): SBR* SBL* *VSX-817 model only Adjust the level of each speaker as the test tone is emitted.
The System Setup menu If you didn’t make component video connections according to the defaults above, you must assign the numbered input to the component you’ve connected (or else you may see the video signal of a different component). For more on this, see Using the component video jacks on page 16.
Using the tuner Chapter 7: Using the tuner Listening to the radio The following steps show you how to tune in to FM and AM radio broadcasts and memorize the frequency for recall later. Press AM or FM to select the tuner band. Tune to a station.
Using the tuner Input the name you want then press ENTER. Names can be up to four characters long. • Use the MULTI JOG dial (front panel) or the ST +/– (VSX-817 model) / STATION +/– (VSX- 517 model) buttons (remote) to select characters, and ENTER to confirm.
Making recordings Chapter 8: Making recordings Making an audio or a video recording You can make an audio or a video recording from the built-in tuner, or from an audio or video source connected to the receiver (such as a CD player or TV). Keep in mind you can’t make a digital recording from an analog source or vice-versa, so make sure the components you are...
Controlling the rest of your system Chapter 9: Controlling the rest of your system VSX-817 model only Setting the remote to control other components Most components can be assigned to one of the MULTI CONTROL buttons using the component’s manufacturer preset code stored in the remote.
Controlling the rest of your system Direct function • Default setting: ON You can use the direct function feature to control one component using the remote control while at the same time, using your receiver to playback a different component. This could let you, for example, use the remote control to set up and listen to a CD on the receiver and then use the remote control to...
Controlling the rest of your system Controls for TVs This remote control can control components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Setting the remote to control other components on page 50 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to select the component. •...
Controlling the rest of your system Button(s) Function +10 button Use to add a decimal point when selecting a specific TV channel. INFO Press to get information on DTV programs. ENTER/ Use to enter a channel. DISC & Select or adjust and navigate items on the menu screen. ENTER ENTER brings up the DTV menus.
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Controlling the rest of your system Button (s) Function REC STOP Stops recording. (SHIFT+ ) Number Directly access tracks on a program source. buttons Use the number buttons to navigate the on-screen display. +10 button Selects tracks higher than 10. (For example, press +10 then 3 to select track 13.) ENTER/ Changes the search mode.
Other connections Chapter 10: Other connections VSX-817 model only Caution • Before making or changing the connections, switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet. Plugging in components should be the last connection you make with your system. •...
Other connections Bi-amping your front speakers Bi-amping is when you connect the high frequency driver and low frequency driver of your speakers to different amplifiers (in this case, to both front and surround back terminals) for better crossover performance. Your speakers must be bi-ampable to do this (having separate terminals for high and low) and the sound improvement will depend on the kind of speakers you’re using.
Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Investigate the other components and electrical appliances being used. If the trouble cannot be rectified even after exercising the checks listed below, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized service center or your dealer to carry out repair work.
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Additional information Problem No sound from surround or center speakers. VSX-817 model only – No sound from surround back speakers. No sound from subwoofer. The PHASE CONTROL feature doesn’t seem to have an audible effect. Noise during playback of a cassette deck.
A damaged power cord can cause a fire or give you an electrical shock. Check the power cord once in a while. When you find it damaged, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized service center or your dealer for a replacement.