Official Pioneer VSX-1015TX Thread - Page 72

I have to honestly say i have never had anything like that happen in almost three years. One question i would have is whether or not you are getting adequate ventillation since it is such a big reciever. I know many people sort of shove these things onto shelves and such and this receiver gets hot. I even have a little fan running behind it.

When it gives this message do you notice whether or not it seems to be running excessively hot? I know this isn't much help but that would be one thing i would consider, but all in all i think you need to weigh the costs of repari vs a new receiver on this one.

This problem is a first for me as well in the 3 years I've had the receiver. It isn't in an enclosed space (about 6" of space above and on either side, the back is open, and about 12" from a wall). I don't have a fan. I guess it could be heat related, but it doesn't seem to be hot at the time (and it has done this a couple times after sitting for an hour or two) that I get the error.

One other thing i would check to just be on the safe side and sure about is the outlet or powerstrip you have it plugged into. If either of those is overwhelmed or faulty in any way it could be a sort of safety mechanism on the amp to shut down.

my old yamaha did that on occassion and i finally realized it was the actual power center i had it plugged into that was shorting or something. Anyways, after trying a whole bunch of other things, and finally just trying that, no more problems. I say you try the easy things first such as that. I don't know how you feel about opening up the unit so i won't suggest that, but making sure the unit isn't overheating or blocked up with say dog hair or anything not letting it vent correctly, and the actual connection electrically would be quick things to check. I mean you could go plug it into a power strip by itself and see what happens. It's a cheap troubleshooting thing to do because if your outlet or strip is damaged then it would feel awful going and getting a new amp/receiver and plugging that in and having it get fried or something.

Another thing ,but i doubt it's this because you said even without speakers, would be if you had settings wrong for the speaker ohms. But that shouldn't be the issue here. If it's doing this when not plugged into anything, well unless it was damaged by a surge or something, it seems the amp is maybe getting overwhelmed by something like a surge or electrical passage that causes the amp to freeze up or shut itself off. i don't know if this receiver has that, but like i said my yamaha did that and it was after a while and once i looked over the powerstrip and it looked a bit shabby and worn, and switched it to one on its own, no more problems.
I wish i could help more, but yeah at a certain point repairs might not weigh in your favor when Pioneer has new receivers out that cost about what you paid for this one intially.

My 1015 is doing exactly the same thing. It started flashing the MCAC light occasionally, and the reset worked. Progressed to more frequent occurrences and reset would not work - amp err. Unplugging overnight seemed to work for awhile, but eventually even this trick failed.

I replaced the 1015 with an old Kenwood unit I had on hand. The 1015 went into my basement where I eventually tried hooking it up for a music only system - as a pre amp.

I currently have the 1015 connected to a CD player and the pre-amp outs feeding an external amp. With this connection (couple of months) it has worked flawlessly. I redid the auto setup but have the eq turned off.

The 1015 sounds really bad for 2 channel music, when used as a pre-amp. I use the direct mode and the sound improves 100% over straight stereo.

I'm guessing that the amp section in the 1015 was slowly going bad. Not having any load on the amps seems to have fixed my problem.

Ok, please excuse my basic understanding of some of these very complex audio/video issues.

I have a vsx-1015tx and a Magnavox 30MW5405/17 HDTV which I believe has the capability to output to 1080i (I could be wrong). I just made arrangements for Comcast Cable to come out and install an HD package, which I'm assuming will come with some kind of digital box.

To start with audio, I would like to hook 2 larger box type speakers to the B to play music out of solid speakers in stereo and then hook a 5 speaker surround system (sub, center, 2 front, 2 rear) up to the A for movies / TV (I don't game). For some reason the last time I tried to do this I couldn't get the B to play those 2 speakers so I gave up on it for the time being. Anyway, that's an issue for another post. I have a record player hooked up through the cd port, a red/white stereo to 2.5mm cable hooked up through the Video 1 port (for ipod), a cassette player hooked up through the tape in port. I currently have a non-upconverting dvd player hooked up to the receiver through standard red/white/yellow audio/video cables. The receiver is connected to my tv through the tri-component cables as well as red/white audio cables, and possibly monitor out (can't remember exactly).

My main question is this: once comcast is set to deliver a bunch of HD channels to my tv, I'd like to play my dvds as "HD" like as possible. Problem is my tv doesn't have HDMI or DVI. It just has component and S-video jacks. And, as you know, the 1015tx doesn't have an HDMI in. So, since the vast majority of upconverting dvd players use HDMI, what am I to do? I've read there are a couple that can handle upconverting over component, such as the Helios H4000. If I went that route, and plugged something like the Helios H4000 into my receiver through component, would the receiver then send that upconverted signal out to my tv through component so my tv displays dvds in something like 720p or 1080i?

Do you all have any other suggestions as to how to optimize the connections to and from my receiver with the various components I described above?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Anyone? Please don't make me beg... ehehe

Since Magnavox 30MW5404/17 doesn't have DVI/HDMI interface,
you have to use Component Video Interface (CVI).

The AVR will pass (unaltered) whatever CVI resolution is input (up to 1080p).
And does NOT upconvert 480i/p.

Component Video and S-Video inputs can be converted to CVI MONITOR OUT,
for higher quality output and simplified HDTV operation.
(I'm pretty sure there isn't any upconversion...but I never watch S-Video.)

Connect CVI MONITOR OUT on VSX-1015 to CVI in on HDTV.
Connect COMCAST HD-DVR, DVD and any other CVI devices to CVI inputs on VSX.

Here's my spread sheet showing what can and CAN'T be configured.

Assigning COAX Digital Audio inputs wherever possible frees up OPTICAL to be
assigned for those components that only support Optical (cables are also cheaper).
Your system probably isn't running out of Optical inputs as I (and others) have.

I connected my SA8300HD cable HD-DVR (via separate CVI) direct to my HDTV
so I don't have to turn on the AVR when watching TV (you don't have that luxury).
[HDMI on SA8300HD is way too flaky to use....]

Your configuration would look similar to "SYS OTA STB" = "TV/SAT"
for your cable HD-DVR and your DVD connected same as mine.

=======================================
VSX-1015 manual says it will not support speakers with impedance
below 6-ohms...."nominal"...whatever that is.
Your "B" speakers may have too low an impedance (or a short???).
You can check DC resistance..."nominal" is slightly higher.

 

Pioneer VSX-1015TX-K Inputs- B.zip 3.5791015625k . file

givingtree,
I have a Zenith DVB-318 dvd player that I don't use anymore. This player was VERY widely used before HDMI became mainstream. With the proper firmware revision, it will upconvert dvds via component output. It is mint condition. If you're interested, shoot me a PM.

Also, for anyone interested, I have a VSX-1014TX that I'm getting ready to post for sale. PM if interested.

holl_ands, thanks a bunch for the info! i now have everything hooked up, and am really diggin my setup. the only problem is i still can't get my zone 2 speakers to come on. i checked the manual and it says they have an average impedance of 8 ohms, which obviously isn't less than 6... anyone have any idea what might be the problem?

I have a question, it maybe lame but here goes. I am planning on purchasing a Blu Ray player will my 1015tx decode tru Dolby & tru Dts ? What will it play them in ? I have a 7.1 set up.

No, the 1015 doesn't have the HD decoders. You can hook A Blu Ray player up to the 1015s multi channel inputs and as long as the player has the decoders built in (models I'm not sure about) it will send the decoded HD signal to the 1015. The PS3 will do this but it doesn't have the multi channel connections you need with the 1015

The new HD Lossless Audio formats require HDMI v.1.3 interface in AVR.

...OR, they can be decoded internally by a capable Blu-ray player and be output via PCM 5.1 and/or PCM 7.1 analog output.

Check your manual very carefully!!!!
Most will down convert to some other audio format (e.g. DD5.1 or standard DTS).

That's over optical or digital coax, not multichannel analog. When useing a capable Blu-ray player with multichannel 5.1 or 7.1 outputs and the proper decoders built in, that player can output all the lossless codecs as PCM over multichannel analog to a capable receiver/pre-amp with multichannel analog inputs (like the 1015).

Let's say I buy the PS3. How do I hook it up to get Tru DTS.

The PS3 does not have multichannel analog outputs. You would need a receiver with hdmi in order to listen the the new audio codecs on BR. However, just like all BR players, if you connect useing the optical or coax the player will downrez the audio in order for it to be able to be transmitted via spdif. So you could still watch BR discs, you just won't get the uncompressed audio codecs in full glory.

Are there any Blu Ray players that have the multi channel ? I really don't want to depart with my 1015.
All of this would be explained in the players manual in the set up section ?

You'll have to start doing some more research in the Blu-ray forums here, but yes, there a several BR players that offer multichannel analog output. Not all players are created equal though. In order to take advantage of the MCAO, the player will have to decode the codecs internally, then output the audio as PCM. Just because the player has the MCAO connections, doesn't mean that in can decode ALL codecs. The one that seems to be the most rare (codec), is DTS-HD/MA. Most players can't decode it internally. Also, there are different levels of players that offer different features (Profile 1.0, 1.1, and 2.0). The more features and more proven a player might be, the more it will cost. Lots of research in the Blu-ray forums will help you guys make a well informed decision.

Man why is this always so complicated. But I really want to hear & see what I'm supposed to. Don't want to go overboard. I don't think my ears are worth 10,000 $
so at one point it really comes down to Do I enjoy what I hear ?
I must admit ( in a very low voice ) you lose me when you start talking codecs and other stuff. All I'm interested in is if the source can produce it my system should be able to reproduce it.
Thanks

An audio codec would be like, Dolby Digital or DTS.
The new ones are like Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD/MA.

Yes it can seem very complicated at first. Gone are the days of "hey man, I just got a sweet new amp and a pair of kick-az speakers. I'm gonna take 'em home and plug 'em in."
There should be some FAQs in the Blu-ray forums here that you can browse through, as well as tons of threads about the different players and what they do and feature.

Now-a-days it takes a lot of time and effort to be "into" this hobby of home theater and hi-fi audio. The only way around it is to pay someone else a large chunk of change to put together and setup your system for you.

Happy reading .

I will get through this. So the Blu Ray discs that have Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD/MA will not play on my 1015 unless I get a BRP that has multichannel analog outputs. If I don't get one that does, will the Disc play in regular DTS ? I have a 7.1 set up and really want the full effect. No sense in having 7 speakers and a Sub if they are of no use.

They never existed!

You're right, though. There are a lot more things to consider now.

Correct. Those audio codecs have to be decoded by something. Either the receiver or the player. Since your receiver can not do it, it must be the players job. AND, since your receiver does not have hdmi, you would have to use the multichannel analog connections. Useing that method, you will get the new audio codecs in all their glory. If you would connect via spdif (optical/toslink and/or digital coax), then those auio codecs would then be downrezed to a method that can be handled by spdif, which will be standard Dolby Digital.

So...

multichannel analog = receive high def codecs unmolested

spdif (optical/coax) = downrexed to standard Dolby Digital


Your video connection will be component (red/green/blue) and it will be limited to 1080i, no 1080p via component. AND, with that connection your standard dvds will be limited to 480p due to the HDCP protection.
IF you want 1080p picture on Blu-ray, you need HDMI. If you want more than 480p picture on dvd, you need HDMI.

All Blu-Ray discs will play DD and/or DTD though the digital input of your 1015, just like regular SD DVD's. I use my 1015 based 7.1 set up that way with BD all the time. BTW, you will get only 5.1 sound out of a BD player that sends decoded output to the 1015 analog inputs, as the 1015 has only 5.1 analog inputs and does not process these signals to add the two missing channels. (Most BD players only output 5.1 anyway, but a few do 7.1.) The standard digital output is encoded into all BD discs, and not really "downrezed" from the "advanced" tracks, if you take that term to imply the it is manipulated or degraded by the player.

They tend to get shouted down on these forums, but there are dissenters who question whether the newer formats are worth all the the fuss and can cite independent research to back their position. Especially, they challenge the value of upgrading otherwise perfectly good existing equipment for no reason other than adding the new formats. You should research and decide this issue for yourself, but you don't need to rush.

In the meantime, rest assured your 1015 will sound as good as it ever has when playing Blu-ray. In fact, some say better, because BDs usually have a higher bit-rate for DD/DTS than employed on standard DVDs. More of them seem to employ DTS-ES or DD-EX, too, which improves their 7.1 performance.

Current lossless formats (SACD and DVD-Audio) can be compared to lossy DD5.1 and/or DTS.

If you can't hear a significant difference, consider yourself fortunate....
Look at all the money you can save....
You might even prefer mp3's to CDs in your car....

Now that we have these machines that can reproduce in 7.1 why doesn't the Dvd, Blu Ray industry put out the movies in 7.1 I see most of the movies in 5.1 max ! I will keep my precious 1015 and use the Digital output. I'll wait a while to go the Blu Ray way. I still have to convince the wife to let me go the HD TV ( thinking about the 42inch Aquos) then I'll start looking into blu ray. There'll be room on the shelves I'm putting my Beta to pasture !!!! From Beta to Vhs to Dvd To Blu Ray how many copies of the GodFather does a guy need lol .

I just wanna clarify something...

Are you guys saying that the PS3 will not do 5.1 or 7.1 channel output unless we use HDMI? Or did I get that wrong?

I just got a PS3 and I use digital optical cable for audio from the PS3 to the receiver, and component cables for video to the TV.