Operating Instructions
AUDIO/VIDEO
MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER
VSX-908RDS
VSX-908RDS-G
2
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION
IMPORTANT 1
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
NO USER-
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
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.
IMPORTANT 2
Do not connect either wire to the earth terminal of a
three - pin plug.
NOTE
After replacing or changing a fuse, the fuse cover in the
plug must be replaced with a fuse cover which corre-
sponds to the colour of the insert in the base of the plug
or the word that is embossed on the base of the plug, and
the appliance must not be used without a fuse cover. If
lost replacement fuse covers can be obtained from:
your dealer.
Only 5 A fuses approved by B.S.I. or A.S.T.A. to B.S.
1362 should be used.
The cut-off plug should be disposed of and must not be
inserted into any 13 amp socket as this can result in electric
shock. The plug or adaptor or the distribution panel should
be provided with 5 amp fuse. As the colours of the wires in
the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with
coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug,
proceed as follows :
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured black.
The wire which is coloured brown must be connected
to the terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured
red.
FOR USE IN THE UNITED
KINGDOM
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in
accordance with the following code :
Blue
: Neutral
Brown
: Live
If the plug provided is unsuitable for your socket
outlets, the plug must be cut off and a suitable plug
fitted.
Thank you for buying this Pioneer product.
Please read through these operating instructions
so you will know how to operate your model prop-
erly. After you have finished reading the instruc-
tions, put them away in a safe place for future ref-
erence.
In some countries or regions, the shape of the
power plug and power outlet may sometimes dif-
fer from that shown in the explanatory drawings.
However, the method of connecting and operat-
ing the unit is the same.
Power cord CAUTION!
Handle the power cord by the plug. Do not pull
out the plug by tugging the cord and never
touch the power cord when your hands are
wet as this could cause a short circuit or
electric shock. Do not place the unit, a piece of
furniture, etc., on the power cord, or pinch the
cord. Never make a knot in the cord or tie it
with other cords. The power cords should be
routed such that they are not likely to be
stepped on. 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 autho-
rized service center or your dealer for a re-
placement.
WARNING: TOPREVENTFIREORSHOCKHAZARD,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE.
THE POWER SWITCH IS SECONDARY CONNECTED
AND THEREFORE DOES NOT SEPARATE THE UNIT
FROM MAINS POWER IN STANDBY POSITION.
This product complies with the Low Voltage Directive
(73/23/EEC), EMC Directives (89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC)
and CE Marking Directive (93/68/EEC).
[For European model]
If the socket outlets on the associated equipment
are not suitable for the plug supplied with the
product the plug must be removed and
appropriate one fitted.
The cut-off plug must be disposed of as an
electrical shock hazard could exist if connected to
a socket outlet.
Maintenance of External Surfaces
· Use a polishing cloth or dry cloth to wipe off dust and dirt.
· When the surfaces are dirty, wipe with a soft cloth dipped in some neutral cleanser diluted five or six times
with water, and wrung out well, and then wipe again with a dry cloth. Do not use furniture wax or cleansers.
· Never use thinners, benzine, insecticide sprays or other chemicals on or near this unit, since these will corrode
the surfaces.
3
Table of Contents
PREP
ARA
TION
OPERA
TION
SET
UP
Before You Start ............................................................................................................................ 5
Checking the Supplied Accessories ........................................................................................................ 5
How to Use This Manual .......................................................................................................................... 5
Preparing the Remote Control ................................................................................................................. 6
Installing the Receiver .............................................................................................................................. 7
Opening the front panel ........................................................................................................................... 7
Connecting Your Equipment ........................................................................................................ 8
Audio Components .................................................................................................................................. 8
Video Components ................................................................................................................................... 9
Digital Connections ................................................................................................................................ 10
External Decoder Input .......................................................................................................................... 12
Antennas ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Speakers .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Connecting Additional Amplifiers ......................................................................................................... 17
Power Connections (AC OUTLETS) (Except for the UK model.) ........................................................ 17
Displays and Controls ................................................................................................................. 18
Front Panel .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Display ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Remote Control ....................................................................................................................................... 22
Surround Sound Set Up ............................................................................................................. 24
On Screen Display .................................................................................................................................. 24
Setting Up for Surround Sound ............................................................................................................ 25
Basic Playback ............................................................................................................................. 35
Playing Sources with Stereo Sound ..................................................................................................... 35
Direct playback ................................................................................................................................... 35
Sound Modes .......................................................................................................................................... 36
Selecting a Sound Mode ........................................................................................................................ 38
Playing Sources with Dolby Digital, DTS Sound or MPEG Audio ...................................................... 39
Using MPEG audio discs ................................................................................................................... 40
Switching ANALOG/DIGITAL Signal Input ....................................................................................... 41
Reducing noise during playback (DIGITAL NR function) ................................................................ 42
Listening in MIDNIGHT Listening mode .......................................................................................... 43
External decoder playback (front panel only) ................................................................................. 43
96kHz 24bit performance .................................................................................................................. 44
Listening in LOUDNESS mode (front panel only) ........................................................................... 44
Adjusting bass and treble (tone control) (front panel only) ........................................................... 45
Adjusting the brightness of the display (front panel only) ............................................................. 45
Using the Tuner ........................................................................................................................... 46
Automatic and Manual Tuning .............................................................................................................. 46
Direct Access Tuning .............................................................................................................................. 47
Memorizing Frequently Used Stations ................................................................................................. 48
Recalling Memorized Stations ............................................................................................................... 49
RDS (Radio Data System) Broadcast Reception .................................................................................. 51
Remote Control of Other Component ...................................................................................... 54
Setting Up the Remote Control to Control Other Components .......................................................... 54
Remote Controlling Other Components ............................................................................................... 58
Using Other Functions ............................................................................................................... 65
Recording from Audio Components ..................................................................................................... 65
Recording from Digital Audio Components .........................................................................................66
Recording from Video Components ..................................................................................................... 66
Multi Operations ..................................................................................................................................... 67
System OFF ............................................................................................................................................. 69
Setting up the Direct Function ............................................................................................................... 70
Remote back light ................................................................................................................................... 70
Resetting the Remote Control ............................................................................................................... 71
Techno Tidbits and Problem-solving ......................................................................................... 72
Dolby Digital ........................................................................................................................................... 72
DTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 73
MPEG Audio ............................................................................................................................................ 74
THX .......................................................................................................................................................... 74
RDS (Radio Data System) ...................................................................................................................... 75
Preset Code List ...................................................................................................................................... 78
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................... 82
Specifications .......................................................................................................................................... 84
4
Features
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts
Group) decoder equipped
DVD and other media recorded in MPEG audio can
also be played back.
The MPEG logo is a registered trademark of
Royal Philips Electronics.
Automatic Decoding of DTS
(Digital Theater Systems)
R
This is the latest and most widely used digital theater
system for cinemas throughout the world. The
decoder has been incorporated into this receiver and
is able to achieve high sound quality as well as
produce dynamic surround sound effects.
"DTS" and "DTS Digital Surround" are
trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Manufactured under licence from Digital Theater
Systems, Inc.
Automatic Decoding of Dolby
Digital and Dolby Pro Logic
No need to worry about program formats. When
playing Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround software in
the 2(Dolby) Surround mode, decoding switches
automatically according to the input signal.
Manufactured under license from Dolby
Laboratories. "Dolby", "AC-3", "Pro Logic",
and double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby
Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works.
© 1992 - 1997 Dolby Laboratories. All rights
reserved.
Direct Energy MOS Amplifier
This receiver incorporates 5 independent 110 watt
power amplifiers, built with high-performance Hex
power MOS FET output transistors. This
construction provides improved linearity and accurate
reproduction of each channel for true high fidelity
reproduction from even the most demanding Dolby
Digital and DTS program sources.
RDS (Radio-Data System)
With the RDS system, FM station can send
additional signals with their regular program signals.
For example, the stations send their station names,
and information about the type of programs they
broadcast, such as news, sports or music. This unit
receives three types of RDS signals: RT, PS, and
PTY.
True Home Cinema with THX®
Certification
The HOME THX CINEMA surround mode employs
special processing to allow you to enjoy movie
soundtracks with the same level of power and
realism you experience in well designed movie
theaters. You can enjoy this effect with both Dolby
Digital, Dolby Surround and DTS sources.
Manufactured under license from Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm and THX are trademarks of Lucasfilm
Ltd.
Advanced Theater Modes
This mode enhances the sound of either film or
music so a more dramatic effect can be achieved.
The four modes are each designed to accentuate
specific sound qualities, giving the listener a wide
range of possibilities.
DSP Surround Modes
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) surround mode gives
you the capability of transforming your living room
into six different sonic environments when listening
to music or movies.
Midnight Listening Mode
Midnight Listening mode allows you to obtain
excellent surround sound effects even when
listening at low volumes, something that was
previously impossible.
Digital Noise Reduction
Digital Noise Reduction is the latest technology for
filtering out unwanted noise. It produces clear,
resonant tones.
Remote Control of Other
Components
The supplied remote control can be used to operate a
variety of other components simply by recalling the
appropriate preset codes or by using the learning
function to teach the remote control new commands.
In addition, the multi-operation functions allow you to
perform more than one operation at a time.
The Energy-saving Design
This unit is designed to use minimal electricity when
power is switched OFF (in the Standby mode).
Regarding the value of the power consumption in the
standby mode, refer to "Specifications" on 84.
5
PREP
ARA
TION
Checking the Supplied Accessories
Please check that you have received all of the following supplied accessories.
FM wire antenna
How to Use This Manual
This manual is for the VSX-908RDS/VSX-908RDS-G Audio/Video Multi-Channel Receiver.
This manual is divided into two main sections which will tell you how to set up and use the receiver :
PREPARATION
First carry out the tasks below in this "Before You Start" section to prepare the remote control, then connect
the receiver to other components as described in "Connecting Your Equipment" (p.8). Take special care to
connect your digital components like DVD and LD players properly to be able to take advantage of the receiver's
surround sound systems (p.10-11). To learn about a specific button, control, or indicator, see "Display and
Controls" on p.18.
SETUP
Performing the tasks in "Surround Sound Setup" (p.24) is essential to obtain proper surround sound.
OPERATION
To play some music or soundtracks, refer to "Basic Playback" (p.35). "Using the Tuner "(p.46) explains how to
use the radio of this unit. Doing the operations in "Remote Control of Other Components"(p.54) is highly
recommended so you can use this unit's remote control for all your components. "Using Other
Functions"(p.65) explains the other possibilities of the receiver.
"Techno Tidbits and Problem-solving"(p.72) provides details technical information and a troubleshooting guide.
The following marks and symbols are used throughout the manual:
Provides additional information, precautions, and advice.
Indicates a blinking button, indicator, or display.
Indicates a steadily lit button, indicator, or display.
AM loop antenna
"AA" IEC LR6 batteries
× 2
Remote control unit
Before You Start