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Official Pioneer VSX-521k owners thread - Page 14

post #391 of 669
1/12/12 at 7:56pm
You need to to use thicker HDMI cables like 24AWG thru the receiver. Here the link to one I use http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
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post #392 of 669
1/12/12 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by venejo View Post

You have put me into more thinking. I've seen these dots (when playing DVDs) and i thought that it was from the BD-player or the tv which both have been bought recently and of course after the A/V.
I will check to see if by direct HDMI to TV these dots go away.

You need to to use thicker HDMI cables like 24AWG thru the receiver. Here the link to one I use http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2 If you use thinner cables you will see some noise on the 1080p videos.
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post #393 of 669
1/13/12 at 12:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gar86 View Post

That's exactly what I wound up doing, but, on Roger's remotes, you have to press which component you are controlling before you try to adjust, so what keeps happenning is that I will change the remote to control the receiver, so they can adjust the volume, but the ladies would forget to push the CBL button to control the channel, so they would try to switch channels and wind up changing all the setting on the receiver.

I believe it was analog, as I was only using RCA's to connect the sound.

Simplest solution is to get an universal remote. I use Logitech Harmony 600 (costs about 40$ here in Europe, propably less in there). With minimum programming effort you have only one remote on your table, one button to start watching TV only, TV with reciver, Bluray and so on and always same volume button to adjust volume, switch channels and so. And one button to close everything. Nice.
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post #394 of 669
1/13/12 at 4:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JChin View Post

HDMI Video input is fixed to HDMI audio, it cannot be changed. Used either BD, DVD or DVR/BDR.

That worked! Thanks! Turns out I bought the TSX-821 rather than the 521, which explains the binding posts. It was on sale at the same price as the 521 and I didn't even notice the difference until now.
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post #395 of 669
1/13/12 at 1:23pm
Got 3D to work - actually worked with older hdmi cables I had, but not the ones I bought at christmas time when upgraded everything (tv,BD, receiver). Go figure Same cables, same price, from same place just 2-3 years older. Also seems to take a couple of minutes for 3d to go thru receiver (yeah I know its just passing thru the HDMI so shouldn't make any difference especially if I have the picture) - i was getting ordinary 2D and tv kept asking if I want to convert 2D-3D, then after a couple of minutes it was 3D without me telling it to convert.
Probably won't use 3D much altho it was kinda cool (first time ever I've watched 3D except in the shop), I just wanted it to work thru the receiver instead of having to swap cables to tv whenever I want to use it.
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post #396 of 669
1/14/12 at 10:54am
Well i verified my suspicions (and @toofart's). The receiver creates a lot of artifacts (black dots) on DVDs and not on Blurays. The wonder is that the BD player outputs the DVD and Blurays so the resolution it outputs is always the same 1024p. When the player is directly hooked on the TV everything is great. Same scenes same DVD movie.
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post #397 of 669
1/14/12 at 8:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steelfrog View Post

That worked! Thanks! Turns out I bought the TSX-821 rather than the 521, which explains the binding posts. It was on sale at the same price as the 521 and I didn't even notice the difference until now.

your 821 also has a USB input on the front.
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post #398 of 669
1/15/12 at 1:38am
Hi everyone,

I'm an older newbie and after trying to read the manual and then some of the older and newer treads I'm still rather confused on how to set up my system. We just moved into a new home and it a first time setup and I really appreciate some hand-holding type of advice.

Here's what I have:
Pioneer vsx 521 k - new
4 in-ceiling Ephasys IC85 speakers - new
Toshiba 55UL610U LED 3D TV HDMI - new
Motorola Dual Tuner DVR/HDTV Capable HDMI Dolby Digital DCT646111 - used
Toshiba DVD Video Recorder D-R6 HDMI - not new
Toshiba DVD Video Player/Video Cassette Recorder SD-V395 (no HDMI) -not new
Plus a HP Pavillion Lap Top - a few years old

I thought it would be best to use HDMI cables through the Receiver but it sounds like many have had problems.

You may wonder why I still have a cassette recorder. Well I'd like to transfer some old VHS cassettes to DVD. So I also need to connect my Cassette Recorder to the DVD recorder. Please include this in potential set-up suggestions.

Thanks
Victor
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post #399 of 669
1/15/12 at 3:14pm
Torb -
first need to answer a few questions.
do you only want to copy videos - dvd; or also to watch videos with sound thru receiver?
Not knowing your specific models, what OUTputs does video player have; and what INputs does dvd recorder have?
Do you always want the sound from the DVR/HD recorder thru your receiver, or do you mostly just want to use tv for sound with occasional sound thru receiver (eg movies thru receiver, but mostly just use tv for sound on general viewing)?
I maybe can't help with ceiling speakers as i've never had anything to do with them, but for reference - where are they positioned - front / mid / back etc; and how does the wiring come out from the wall - I assume there's some sort of mount / jack not bare wires?
Does the laptop have HDMI? and again do you want the receiver for full surround sound; or mostly just tv connection for picture viewing or what?
If you could give more info on how you want to intergrate different components (like video / laptop /HD recorder) it'll help us help you connect it all in the best configeration for your use.
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post #400 of 669
1/15/12 at 3:25pm
I'm in the market for a new reciever and was considering this or the Yamaha RX-V371. Does anyone use this Pioneer with an Xbox, and if so, do the play well together? The Yamaha looks appealing to me, but I've owned a lot of Pioneer recievers and had pretty good luck with them. TIA.
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post #401 of 669
1/16/12 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikiv View Post

Torb -
first need to answer a few questions.
do you only want to copy videos - dvd; or also to watch videos with sound thru receiver? 1
Not knowing your specific models, what Outputs does video player have; and what INputs does dvd recorder have? 2
Do you always want the sound from the DVR/HD recorder thru your receiver, or do you mostly just want to use tv for sound with occasional sound thru receiver (eg movies thru receiver, but mostly just use TV for sound on general viewing)? 3
I maybe can't help with ceiling speakers as I've never had anything to do with them, but for reference - where are they positioned - front / mid / back etc; and how does the wiring come out from the wall - I assume there's some sort of mount / jack not bare wires? 4
Does the laptop have HDMI? 5 and again do you want the receiver for full surround sound 6; or mostly just tv connection for picture viewing or what?
If you could give more info on how you want to integrate different components (like video / laptop /HD recorder) it'll help us help you connect it all in the best configuration for your use. 7

Hi Mikiv,

Thanks for your interest in helping me. I numbered your questions.
1.The VHS recorder is mostly to copy VHS cassettes to DVD not to watch the cassettes. Once I copy the cassettes I can dispose of them and the VHS recorder.
2. The VCR portion of the VCR/DVD player has out(and in) of yellow, white, red. The DVD recorder has yellow, white, red input too. So I suppose this would be the way to connect these two. The DVD recorder also has yellow, white, red output, and the following out puts: HDMI, component video out green, blue, red, S Video, and Coaxial digital audio output.
3. I think I prefer having all sound through receiver rather then switching. We'll also play the radio through the receiver and if we need the TV to be quieter then we can use headphones.
4. I'll have to see with the electrician about about the connections of the speakers. The installation is not complete. They are wires, bare at the tips.
5. The Laptop doesn't have HDMI but the TV and Laptop both have USB ports.
6. Yes, surround sound sounds good.
7. I'd like the receiver to control the surround sound of the ceiling speakers so that we can watch and hear DVDs, recordings on PVR, TV, and hear CDs played on DVD player and radio from receiver too. The Laptop was to be able to get the internet on the TV. The TV also has 3D which I'd like to be able to access.
I'm wondering if I should do sound through the receiver and video direct to TV because of all the problems I've read about on the forum. But I think that HDMI is supposed to be better.
I do have some extra cable that I purchased some time ago.
Here's a list: 4 red and white; 4 yellow, white, red; 2 coaxial plus one from wall; 1 orange, 1 HDMI (these can now be purchased inexpensively on eBay); 1 Ultralink Challenger-2 6N OFHC Copper 2X shielded composite Video Cable.;
1 Ultralink Coaxial Digital Audio Cable dts & THX Compatible; 2 red, blue, green video cables.

I hope I answered what you need to know to help. Sorry if I provided too much info.

Thanks again and all the best,
Victor
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post #402 of 669
1/17/12 at 10:15pm
I am also having problems with it detecting surround sources, but only over hdmi. I was about to post on here asking for help (new user, 1st post!) but I just read about another person having a problem. Can any one help, let me know if there's somethign I can change?

When I have my sony tv hooked into the AVR (optical) I get dolby digital for shows that offer that, and it works fine (displays the dolby digital mode too). I have it on the auto surround setting. So the AVR is not broken. And the sony TV passes the full audio stream to the AVR, it doesn't downconvert to 2 channel stereo like some tv's do.

But so far with HDMI I can't get anythign but 2 channel stereo. I have never seen the doby digital or DTS mode detected (or displayed on it's screen), nor can I switch into it manually. If I hit the surround modes, all I can get (besided the virtual effect ones) is NEO:6 and the DOlby Pro Logic ones. I have tried three different movies, a DTS, and a couple of Dolby digital ones. This is from my ps3, I went in and double checked to make sure I have all the audio-out codecc enabled on the ps3 (they were already on). SO I went into the AVR hdmi settings (control was OFF an ARC was "---"). I set control to on, and ARC to on, and I have the same thing (except now it automatically disables my tv speakers when I power on the AVR). So no matter what I do with hdmi, I always get pic and sound, but only 2 channel sound, even though I have a DTS movie in, with the DTS stream chosen, and the DTS codec enabled on the Ps3 = 2 channel stereo sound only. DO I need to return this thing or what???

Tomorrow I will try using the ps3's optical out and see what happens, but I would prefer to just use my hdmi cables. I have even tried hooking the ps3 up on different hdmi ports on the back, same result no matter what one I use. And I did run the speaker setup thing (forget the acronym rifght now). I have also set up lots of AVR's before, so I can't imagine what the _ _ _ _ I might be doing wrong... HELP!

I mainyl bought this thing for hdmi as my tv only had 2 ports, but maybe I have to return it. It does sound good, and it was a good deal so I'd liek to keep it if possible. Sorry for the long first post. What else could I change? I'll hook the xbox up tomorrow too (hdmi) and see if ti behaves the same way.
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post #403 of 669
1/18/12 at 2:16pm
Help please! Bought a vsk521 last summer, been working fine. Although now when watching DVR with receiver set to dvr/dbr, screen has started flashing on and off constantly! Kind of hard to watch tv like that. Tried resetting the unit, still no change. Also have bluray and xbox hooked up as well and they work fine. Any thoughts?
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post #404 of 669
1/19/12 at 8:22am
No replies at all... well when I plugged in my xbox, using the same movies, they all were played with the correct surround sound stream. And the AVR displayed the symbol (DTS etc) on it's screen to indicate it.

So I unplugged that cable (from xbox, not AVR)and ejected the movie, used that same cable in the ps3, inserted the same movie, but it's back to 2 channel audio. So the problem lies within my PS3.

Do I need to turn off some of the audio codecs/outpus in the ps3 audio setup? I have a bunch of them checked, and I assumed it would output the correct one as long as it's checked. But if I have a 2 channel option checked, will it always use that one even if DTS and others are also checked? In the movie menu I am selecting the DTS stream. So I would assume the PS3 would output that, as it's CHECKED as an available output stream for HDMI....argh.

I'll play tongith with the optical out on the ps3, and turn off all codecs except DTS and Dolby gigital and see what it does.

Quote:
Originally Posted by grunt-99 View Post

I am also having problems with it detecting surround sources, but only over hdmi. I was about to post on here asking for help (new user, 1st post!) but I just read about another person having a problem. Can any one help, let me know if there's somethign I can change?

When I have my sony tv hooked into the AVR (optical) I get dolby digital for shows that offer that, and it works fine (displays the dolby digital mode too). I have it on the auto surround setting. So the AVR is not broken. And the sony TV passes the full audio stream to the AVR, it doesn't downconvert to 2 channel stereo like some tv's do.

But so far with HDMI I can't get anythign but 2 channel stereo. I have never seen the doby digital or DTS mode detected (or displayed on it's screen), nor can I switch into it manually. If I hit the surround modes, all I can get (besided the virtual effect ones) is NEO:6 and the DOlby Pro Logic ones. I have tried three different movies, a DTS, and a couple of Dolby digital ones. This is from my ps3, I went in and double checked to make sure I have all the audio-out codecc enabled on the ps3 (they were already on). SO I went into the AVR hdmi settings (control was OFF an ARC was "---"). I set control to on, and ARC to on, and I have the same thing (except now it automatically disables my tv speakers when I power on the AVR). So no matter what I do with hdmi, I always get pic and sound, but only 2 channel sound, even though I have a DTS movie in, with the DTS stream chosen, and the DTS codec enabled on the Ps3 = 2 channel stereo sound only. DO I need to return this thing or what???

Tomorrow I will try using the ps3's optical out and see what happens, but I would prefer to just use my hdmi cables. I have even tried hooking the ps3 up on different hdmi ports on the back, same result no matter what one I use. And I did run the speaker setup thing (forget the acronym rifght now). I have also set up lots of AVR's before, so I can't imagine what the _ _ _ _ I might be doing wrong... HELP!

I mainyl bought this thing for hdmi as my tv only had 2 ports, but maybe I have to return it. It does sound good, and it was a good deal so I'd liek to keep it if possible. Sorry for the long first post. What else could I change? I'll hook the xbox up tomorrow too (hdmi) and see if ti behaves the same way.
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post #405 of 669
1/19/12 at 8:29am
edit - this was supposed ot be a reply to RoP607:

I would swap the hdmi cable (I assume it's hdmi) with one of the knows working ones to see if the problems stays with the cable and presents on the other device. I have seen somethign like that happen before with a cable that was not quite pluggin in all the way, came loose or something. Not specifically with this AVR, just in general. Is the cable one that has ferrite cores (those roundish bumps near either end) , or just a straight cable?
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post #406 of 669
1/19/12 at 9:29am
I have a ps3 and tivo connected to my vsx 521. I can get audio out of both but no video. Screen flashes at first when changed to each particular input, then just goes blank. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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post #407 of 669
1/19/12 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaggy333 View Post

I have a ps3 and tivo connected to my vsx 521. I can get audio out of both but no video. Screen flashes at first when changed to each particular input, then just goes blank. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

If you bypass the AVR just to troubleshoot, and plug each of these directly into your TV, do you have the expected picture?

And, I'm sure you're not doing this but better check just in case, you're changing the input on the AVR only right? You're not also changing the TV's input - the AVR only has one HDMI out, so your TV would remain on that setting the whole time, and the inputs would be just changed on the AVR only.
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post #408 of 669
1/19/12 at 10:04pm
Yes to both questions. I have plugged directly to the tv and only have 1 hdmi input on the tv. I have actually only seen video output when using the vsx setup menu and that is just the plain text on the dark background.
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post #409 of 669
1/20/12 at 12:25pm
Anybody see issues with audio taking about 3/4th of a second to start playing? I've got a 821-k (great deal couldn't pass up) and I am using a Boxee box to play some movies, one thing that bugs me a little bit is how long it takes before audio starts to play.

Scrolling around for tv shows the notification sound (think clicking a link) doesn't even play because the receiver isn't ready or something. If I scroll a bunch it plays the audio, and the first second of any video I play doesn't seem to play sounds either.

Anybody seen this sort of thing happen to them?
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post #410 of 669
1/20/12 at 1:33pm
i been thinking about getting a receiver for my home theater. And i was thinking about picking up this one?
i am using 2 Polk A9's for my fronts Cs2 for center and the 2 Fxi A6 for my rears.
Will this guy be powerful enough for them?
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post #411 of 669
1/20/12 at 6:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shaggy333 View Post

Yes to both questions. I have plugged directly to the tv and only have 1 hdmi input on the tv. I have actually only seen video output when using the vsx setup menu and that is just the plain text on the dark background.

I'm stumped then. Must be defective. Maybe double check the settings to make sure they are not sending some sort of weird resolution like a laptop can - a bit of a stretch I know. Maybe check for newer firmwares for the devices, but since both don;t work with the AVR, but both do work with the TV alone, it sounds to me like a the hdmi part is gone bad. Call their support number.

I fixed my problem with the ps3 only sending 2 channel audio. All I did was do a system update on the ps3. After that it started working by itself. Go figure. It's not like I had an old one.
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post #412 of 669
1/20/12 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILikeVoltron View Post

Anybody see issues with audio taking about 3/4th of a second to start playing? I've got a 821-k (great deal couldn't pass up) and I am using a Boxee box to play some movies, one thing that bugs me a little bit is how long it takes before audio starts to play.

Scrolling around for tv shows the notification sound (think clicking a link) doesn't even play because the receiver isn't ready or something. If I scroll a bunch it plays the audio, and the first second of any video I play doesn't seem to play sounds either.

Anybody seen this sort of thing happen to them?

Mine does that too, the ps3 only makes the beep sound when moving in it's menu if I move it quickly a bunch of times. Then it will start, but stops again when I let up. I think it's pretty common, not sure if it's a power saving thing or what. I remember reading about it with a sony reciver recently too. Can't recall if there was a setting you could change or not... Do you have ARC on or off? Mine is off.
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post #413 of 669
1/20/12 at 7:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grunt-99 View Post

Mine does that too, the ps3 only makes the beep sound when moving in it's menu if I move it quickly a bunch of times. Then it will start, but stops again when I let up. I think it's pretty common, not sure if it's a power saving thing or what. I remember reading about it with a sony reciver recently too. Can't recall if there was a setting you could change or not... Do you have ARC on or off? Mine is off.

Thank heavens! I was hoping I wasn't alone here. I didn't have the problem on a Dannon-391.
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post #414 of 669
1/21/12 at 5:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mugenstylus1 View Post

i been thinking about getting a receiver for my home theater. And i was thinking about picking up this one?
i am using 2 Polk A9's for my fronts Cs2 for center and the 2 Fxi A6 for my rears.
Will this guy be powerful enough for them?

The 521 is rated 80W per channel... You're likely to be underwhelmed.
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post #415 of 669
1/21/12 at 6:11am
thanks
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post #416 of 669
1/22/12 at 5:03pm
I hooked up my receiver yesterday and everything WAS working great. Came home today and can not get the FM tuner to work at all.
After turning on the receiver I could not get any sound for 5 min. Finally it started working but for only 30 sec then no sound again.
I am getting sound from the tv just fine.
Any ideas as to why and how to remedy the problem?
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post #417 of 669
1/24/12 at 3:03pm
Hey guys, I really need some help. I'm a total newbie and have never owned a surround sound system before. I have just purchased the vsx-521 avr within the HTP-201 package.
So the kit I have is:
vsx-521 avr with shs-100 speakers and a sub
Sony bdps370 Blu-Ray player
PS3
Toshiba Regza sl738b television.
Having set everything up, I have a HDMI cable from TV to avr and then HDMI cables from both the PS3 and blu-ray player to the avr. I cannot seem to even set up; the manual seems to inform me I cannot set up using a HDMI connection to the TV - is this right? Please help!! :'(
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post #418 of 669
1/24/12 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katielizabeth View Post

Hey guys, I really need some help. I'm a total newbie and have never owned a surround sound system before. I have just purchased the vsx-521 avr within the HTP-201 package.
So the kit I have is:
vsx-521 avr with shs-100 speakers and a sub
Sony bdps370 Blu-Ray player
PS3
Toshiba Regza sl738b television.
Having set everything up, I have a HDMI cable from TV to avr and then HDMI cables from both the PS3 and blu-ray player to the avr. I cannot seem to even set up; the manual seems to inform me I cannot set up using a HDMI connection to the TV - is this right? Please help!! :'(

Are you referring to the on-screen set up of your new VSX-521? If so, you are correct. You need to run a composite video cable (RCA cable) from the receiver to the TV in order to get the receiver set up menu to show up on the TV. It will not do so with the HDMI.
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post #419 of 669
1/24/12 at 4:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Five28 View Post

Are you referring to the on-screen set up of your new VSX-521? If so, you are correct. You need to run a composite video cable (RCA cable) from the receiver to the TV in order to get the receiver set up menu to show up on the TV. It will not do so with the HDMI.

Thanks, yes I have done the setup now but I cannot get sound to play via the system from my TV? Looking at the manual it is saying something about an audio parameter menu where by HDMI audio routing can be specified - either amp or thru? I cannot get this part of the audio options to display on the receiver - I can get the others such as EQ, S.Delay, midnight/loudness etc but not HDMI?
Is this even the reason why it isn't working?
Tried blu-ray and PS3 both giving lovely sound so it something to do with the TV..this is my only problem that I can't seem to bypass? I am aware that my TV does not have ARC and that I need to use an optical cable (or something) but I have tried this and it works but only gives me 2ch sound? How do I use an optical cable but get 5ch surround?
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post #420 of 669
1/24/12 at 6:21pm
I would guess that since your TV doesn't support ARC, you would have to go into your TV menu under the audio section and select multichannel output. I don't know if you are using a cable box but if you are you might want to simply run the optical cable from the cable box optical out to the receiver optical input, bypassing the TV entirely. That's the way I have mine setup and I haven't had any problems.
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