User manual PIONEER VSX-1018AH-K QUICK GUIDE

[. . . ] Operating Instructions ­ Advanced MCACC PC Display Application Software ­ audio/video multi-channel receiver About this manual These are the Operating Instructions for an application which displays on your computer screen the listening room reverberation frequency characteristics and the MCACC parameters measured by the Advanced MCACC function of your VSX-LX51 or VSX-1018AH. It explains everything you need to know to use the application, from installation to troubleshooting. You will need to operate the receiver to use this application, so please refer also to the Operating Instructions supplied with the receiver. About the Advanced MCACC Application The functions of the Advanced MCACC application are used with the same purpose as the "Reverb View" functions of the receiver itself (see pages 45 and 47 of the Operating Instructions of the VSX-LX51 or VSX1018AH), namely to display the reverberation characteristics of the listening environment. The application can also be used to display the measurement values stored in the receiver's MCACC memory. Requirements for using the application on your PC · Operating system must be Microsoft® Windows® XP (Service Pack 2) or Windows® 2000. [. . . ] · Since channel level and speaker distance settings are displayed in the graphical output, it is best to make sure these settings (made in the Auto MCACC "ALL" or "Channel Level" setup) are adjusted properly before reverb measurement. · Even in cases where there is a great difference in the output levels of different frequencies (the frequency characteristics of the room are poor), the frequency characteristics of individual channels can be set closer to flat using the "SYMMETRY" or "ALL CH ADJUST" calibration settings in the receiver's "Auto MCACC" function. (For details, see page 38 of the receiver's Operating Instructions. ) · It is usually not possible to calculate the equalization values employed by the receiver's Acoustic Cal EQ function simply by viewing the graphs displayed on your PC. (This is because the automatic adjustments made by Acoustic Cal EQ function take account of factors such as equalization band interference and analytical filter characteristics, to achieve the optimum characteristic profile. ) · There may be differences on the reverb characteristics graphs after measurements with the Auto MCACC function ("CUSTOM" "ALL", "Keep SP System" or "EQ Pro. & S-Wave") as compared to after measurements with the Reverb Measurement function (Manual MCACC "EQ Professional") due to the standing wave control setting. With Auto MCACC, the reverberations are measured with standing wave controlled, so the reverb characteristics graph does not reflect the influence of the standing waves. By contrast, with Reverb Measurement, the reverberations are measured without standing wave control, so you can check the reverb characteristics including the influence of the standing waves. If you want to check the acoustics of the room (with the standing waves), we recommend using Reverb Measurement. Continue 18 How to Interpret the Graphs (Continued) Deciding the time period for Advanced EQ Setup calibration With conventional MCACC EQ calibration, the microphone input's data acquisition time was fixed at between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 1). By contrast, with the receiver's Advanced EQ Setup function allowing more professional equalization, the customer can select individual points between 0 and 80 [ms] (with a 20 ms width) (blue part of Figure 1). Note You can specify the time period setting using the "Advanced EQ Setup" in the "EQ Professional" sub-menu (in the "Manual MCACC" menu). This setting is not required if you're satisfied with the results of the "Auto MCACC" setup (For details, see page 45 of the receiver's Operating Instructions). Figure 1 Comparison of microphone data acquisition time periods Level (dB) Acoustic Cal EQ Professional calibration range (selectable points) Conventional MCACC EQ calibration time range (fixed) Time (in ms) To decide the time period for Advanced EQ Setup calibration, view the graphs of the measured reverb characteristics, and refer to the following three patterns. Pattern 1: Different reverb characteristics for high and low frequencies In rooms with reverb characteristics like those shown in Figure 2, lower frequencies often seem overly reverberant compared to higher frequencies (i. e. With conventional MCACC EQ calibration, data between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 2) was acquired, so the low frequency volume was deemed high and the high frequency volume deemed low, and the equalization curve was calibrated with the high frequencies somewhat boosted. However, for the characteristics of the sound reaching the ear directly within about 40 ms, there is enough volume that there is no real need to boost the high frequencies, so with equalization using the conventional MCACC EQ calibration the high frequencies sometimes sounded too strong. Therefore, the Acoustic Cal EQ may result in a room where high frequencies sound shrill. In cases like this, setting the time period for Advanced EQ Setup to 30 to 50 msec (the blue area in Figure 2) to adjust for sounds coming directly from the speakers can flatten the frequency response for direct sounds (including initial reflections) and give a better-balanced sound field. Figure 2 Level (dB) Time period point to be selected Time (in ms) Low frequencies High frequencies Continue 19 How to Interpret the Graphs (Continued) Pattern 2: Different reverb characteristics for different channels If the reverb characteristics differ for the different channels as shown in Figure 3, equalization using the conventional Acoustic Cal EQ acquired data between 80 and 160 [ms] (red part of Figure 3), so equalization was performed to gradually equalize the tone of the different channels for 80 ms from the time the sound was emitted from the speakers and after (it was not possible to equalize the response of the direct sound). However, the sense of placement and movement of the acoustic image and the unity of the sound from the different speakers is influenced not by the reverberations but by the direct sound from the speakers (including the early reflected sound). In cases like this, you should use Advanced EQ Setup and set the time period to 30 to 50 msec (the blue area in Figure 3). This allows the characteristics of direct sounds to be balanced for each channel, giving an ideal sound field with good acoustic positioning and movement. Figure 3 Level (dB) Time period point to be selected Time (in ms) Front left channel Front right channel Pattern 3: Similar reverb characteristics for high and low frequencies and all channels As shown in Figure 4, when the reverb characteristics for all channels are similar across all frequencies, your sound experience will probably not be adversely affected by reverberation. We recommend calibrating with a time of about 60 to 80 [ms] (green part of Figure 4) specified at Advanced EQ Setup. This produces a total calibration for both direct sounds and reverberations, resulting in an ideal sound field. Figure 4 Level (dB) Time period point to be selected Front left low frequencies Front right low frequencies Front left high frequencies Front right high frequencies Time (in ms) Note · If you are not sure which time period to specify in Advanced EQ Setup, start by trying 30 to 50 msec. If the graphs show an unusual reverb curve for a specific frequency, the cause may be some accidental variation. · Another good method is to try various time periods in Advanced EQ Setup and select the one which sounds the best. [. . . ] Note The application cannot be repaired by launching the installer file of a version different from the installed version. To do so, launch the installer file for the same version. 1 2 3 Double-click the installer file The InstallShield Wizard appears. for the currently installed version. Select "Next". Select "Repair", then select "Next". Continue 30 Updating, Deleting and Repairing the Application (Continued) 4 Select "Install". 5 Click "Finish". This completes the repairing of the application. Modifying the application With the application for the VSX-LX51 or VSX-1018AH, "Modify" cannot be used. 31 Troubleshooting As you use the Advanced MCACC application, errors can occur for a variety of reasons, such as incompatibilities with other applications and the current configuration of your PC. If the trouble cannot be rectified even after checking the points listed below, ask the Pioneer Service Center specified on your warranty card. The application is unstable, or does not work normally Cause 1: If your PC does not meet the requirements for using this application, the application can be unstable, very slow, or freeze up. Check to be sure that your PC meets the requirements for using this application. [. . . ]