AUDIO/VIDEO MULTI-CHANNEL
RECEIVER
VSX-41
Operating Instructions
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
H006AEn
The serial number for this equipment is located in the
rear panel. Please write this serial number on your
enclosed warranty card and keep it in a secure area.
This is for your security.
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.
Re-Equalization and the "Re-EQ" logo are
trademarks of LucasFilm Ltd.
Manufactured under license from
LucasFilm Ltd.
"DTS", "DTS-ES Extended Surround" and "Neo:6"
are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
"Dolby", "Pro Logic" and the double D symbol are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Contents
1 Before you start
Checking what's in the box ...............................6
Installing the receiver ........................................6
Making cable connections ................................ 6
Loading the batteries .........................................6
Operating range of remote control unit ........... 6
2 5 minute guide
Introduction to home theater ............................ 7
Listening to Surround Sound ............................ 8
Using the Quick Setup .................................... 12
3 Connecting up
Audio/Video cords ........................................... 13
S-video cables ...................................................13
Component video cords ................................. 13
Digital audio coaxial cords/
Optical cables ...................................................13
Connecting digital components .................... 14
Connecting audio components ...................... 15
Connecting DVD 5.1 channel components ... 16
Connecting video components ....................... 16
Connecting to the front panel
video terminal ............................................ 17
Connecting antennas ..................................... 18
FM wire antenna ......................................... 18
AM loop antenna ....................................... 18
Antenna snap connectors ........................ 18
Using external antennas ............................ 18
To improve FM reception ............................ 18
To improve AM reception ........................... 18
Connecting the speakers ................................ 19
Speaker terminals ..................................... 20
A and B speaker systems ......................... 20
Hints on speaker placement .................... 20
Connecting additional amplifiers .................. 22
AC outlet .......................................................... 23
Operating other Pioneer components .......... 23
4 Controls and displays
Front panel ........................................................24
Display ............................................................. 25
Remote control ................................................ 27
5 Playing sources
Introduction to Sound Modes ........................ 30
Stereo/Direct ............................................... 30
Standard mode .......................................... 30
Advanced Surround modes ....................... 31
Choosing the input signal .............................. 32
Listening to multichannel playback .............. 32
Using Stereo/Direct ......................................... 33
Using Advanced Surround ............................. 33
Using Loudness and Midnight listening ........ 33
Using the tone controls .................................. 34
Playing other sources ..................................... 34
Selecting the multichannel analog inputs .... 35
Using Re-Equalization ..................................... 35
6 Setting up your receiver
Choosing your receiver setup ........................ 36
Speaker setting .......................................... 37
Surround back speaker
setting ......................................................... 37
6.1 channel setting ..................................... 38
Subwoofer setting ..................................... 38
Crossover frequency setting ...................... 38
LFE attenuator setting ................................ 39
Front speaker distance setting .................. 39
Center speaker distance setting .............. 39
Surround speaker distance setting .......... 39
Surround back speaker distance
setting ......................................................... 39
Dynamic range control setting .................. 40
Dual mono setting ..................................... 40
Component video input settings .............. 40
Surround back channel input
setting ......................................................... 40
Coaxial digital input settings .................... 41
Optical digital input settings .................... 41
Setting the relative volume level
of each channel ............................................... 42
7 Using the tuner
Listening to the radio ...................................... 43
Improving FM stereo sound ....................... 43
Tuning directly to a station ........................ 43
Saving station presets ..................................... 44
Naming station presets .................................. 45
Listening to station presets ............................ 45
8 Making a recording
Making an audio or a video recording .......... 46
Monitoring your recording ........................ 46
9 Controlling the rest of your system
Setting the remote to control
other components ........................................... 47
Selecting preset codes directly ....................... 47
Setting Up Using Full Library Search ............. 48
Searching for preset codes using
brand names ................................................... 49
Programming signals from other
remote controls ............................................... 49
Erasing one of the remote control
button settings ................................................ 50
Clearing all the remote control settings ........ 50
Direct function ................................................ 51
Confirming preset codes ................................. 51
Controls for TVs ............................................... 52
Controls for other components ....................... 53
Preset Code List ...............................................55
10 Additional information
Troubleshooting ............................................... 67
Specifications ................................................... 69
Cleaning the unit .............................................. 70