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Operating Instructions
AUDIO/VIDEO
MULTI-CHANNEL RECEIVER
VSX-709RDS
VSX-609RDS


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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).
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.


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Table of Contents
Set
up
Operation
Features ........................................................................................ 4
Introductory Information ............................................................ 5
Checking the Supplied Accessories .............................................................................. 5
Using this Manual .......................................................................................................... 5
Installing the Receiver ................................................................................................... 5
When Making Cable Connections ................................................................................. 5
Preparing the Remote Control ....................................................................................... 6
Connecting Your System ............................................................ 7
Audio Components ........................................................................................................ 7
Video Components ........................................................................................................ 8
Digital Components ....................................................................................................... 9
DVD 5.1 Channel Components .................................................................................... 11
Antennas ..................................................................................................................... 12
Speakers ...................................................................................................................... 13
Preparations ............................................................................... 15
Setting Up for Surround Sound ................................................................................... 15
Setting the Volume Level of Each Channel ................................................................. 21
Setting Up the Remote Control ................................................................................... 22
Clearing One of the Remote Control Settings (VSX-709RDS) ....................................... 25
Clearing All the Remote Control Settings .................................................................... 25
Direct Function ............................................................................................................ 26
Programming a Different Component into a MULTI CONTROL Button (VSX-709RDS) . 27
Checking Preset Code (VSX-709RDS) .......................................................................... 27
Displays & Controls ................................................................... 28
Front Panel .................................................................................................................. 28
Remote Control (VSX-709RDS) ................................................................................... 30
Remote Control (VSX-609RDS) ................................................................................... 32
Display .........................................................................................................................34
Sound Modes ............................................................................ 35
Learning About the Sound Modes ............................................................................... 35
Switching ANALOG/DIGITAL Signal Input ................................................................... 36
Playing a Source .......................................................................................................... 37
Playing Sources with Dolby Digital or DTS Sound ....................................................... 38
Selecting a Sound Mode ............................................................................................. 39
Using in MIDNIGHT Listening Mode ........................................................................... 41
Using the Tuner ......................................................................... 42
Finding a Station .......................................................................................................... 42
Tuning Directly to a Station .......................................................................................... 43
Memorizing Stations .................................................................................................... 44
Naming Memorized Stations ....................................................................................... 45
Recalling Memorized Stations ..................................................................................... 46
An Introduction to RDS & EON ................................................................................... 47
Searching for RDS Programmes .................................................................................. 49
Setting EON ................................................................................................................. 50
Making a Recording .................................................................. 51
Making an Audio or a Video Recording ........................................................................ 51
Controlling the Rest of Your System ....................................... 52
CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/LD Player Controls ......................................................................... 52
Cassette Deck Controls ............................................................................................... 53
DVD Player/DVR Controls ............................................................................................ 54
Cable TV/Satellite TV/TV Controls ................................................................................ 55
Additional Information .............................................................. 56
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................... 56
Preset Code List for VSX-709RDS ............................................................................... 58
Preset Code List for VSX-609RDS ............................................................................... 63
Specifications .............................................................................................................. 66


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Features
Decoding of DTS (Digital Theater Systems)
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.
Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US Pat. No. 5,451,942 and other
worldwide patents issues and pending. "DTS" and "DTS Digital Surround" are trademarks of
Digital Theater Systems, Inc. © 1996 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All right reserved.
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. When connecting a DVD/LD player or LD player using the
2 RF output, a
commercially available RF demodulator (RFD-1) is required.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby", "Pro Logic" and the double-D
symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential unpublished works.
© 1992 - 1997 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.
RDS (Radio-Data System)
With the RDS system, FM stations can send additional information with their regular
programs. For example, the stations send their station name, and information about the type
of programs they broadcast, such as news, sports or music. This unit receives three types of
RDS information: Radio Text (RT), Programme Service Name (PS), and Programme Type
(PTY). When EON is turned on and a function other than the tuner is set, the function will
switch to the FM station automatically when Traffic Information or News begins.
Advanced Theater Modes
Four sound modes that enhance DTS and Dolby Surround performance by simulating the
environment of a movie theater (DRAMA, ACTION), or the ambience of a concert hall
(MUSICAL). With EXPANDED THEATER, you can enjoy Dolby Surround encoded software in
simulated Dolby Digital.
DSP Surround Modes
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) surround modes give 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.
DVD 5.1 channel input
A special 5.1 Channel input makes the VSX-709RDS/609RDS fully compatible with Dolby
Digital decoders and DVD players with 5.1 channel outputs.
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. Only the VSX-709RDS has a learning function in the
remote control which can be used to teach it new commands.
The Energy-saving Design
This unit is designed to use less than 1 W of energy when this unit is in standby mode.


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Set
up
Introductory Information
Remote control
AM loop antenna
FM wire antenna
VSX-609RDS:
AA size IEC R6P batteries (x2)
VSX-709RDS:
AA size IEC LR6 batteries (x2)
Using this Manual
The following symbols are used throughout this
manual:
Provides detailed precautions and
advice on operations, etc.
Indicates that display is blinking.
This manual is for the VSX-709RDS/
VSX-609RDS audio/video multi-channel
receivers.
It is divided into two main sections:
Set up
This section covers installing your receiver and
connecting up all the other components in your
home theater system to it. It also describes how to
set up a multi-channel speaker system to take full
advantage of the great surround sound features of
your receiver.
Operation
This section shows you how to use every feature
of the receiver and its remote control. It also covers
using the supplied remote control to operate your
other home theater components. To find out more
about a specific button, control or indicator, see
Displays & Controls starting on page 28. This will
point you to the relevant chapter in the manual.
In the Additional Information section (p.56 ­ 66)
you'll find a troubleshooting section and
specifications.
Checking the Supplied Accessories
Please check that you've received the following supplied accessories:
VSX-609RDS
VSX-709RDS
When Making Cable
Connections
Be careful not to arrange cables in a manner
that bends the cables over the top of this unit
as shown in the illustration. If the cables are
brought over this unit, the magnetic field
produced by the transformers in this unit may
cause a humming noise to come from the
speakers.
SOURCE
MIDNIGHT
SIGNAL SELECT
TV CONTROL
TV VOL
TVFUNC
TV
MENU
ENTER
D.ACCESS
BAND
CLASS
CH SELECT
CH LEVEL
AV PRE-PROGRAMMED AND LEARNING
REMOTE CONTROL UNIT
DSP
TEST TONE
FL DIMMER
LOUDNESS FUNCTION
SETUP
MUTING
MPX
DISPLAY
RF ATT
FQ
FQ
ST
ST
CHANNEL
EFFECT
MASTERVOLUME
DISC
+10
5.1CH
MULTI CONTROL
ATT
DVD
TV
VCR
CD-R
RCV
CD
TUN
TVC
RECEIVER
12
3
45
6
78
9
7
4
¢
3
1
¡
0
8
2
Î
MULTI CONTROL
DVD/LD TV/SAT VCR/DVR
CD
SOUCE CLASS
MPX
BAND
LOUDNESS FUNCTION MUTING
RECEIVER
D.ACCESS
ATT
VOL
MENU
TOP
MENU
VOL
CH
2
DSPMODE MIDNIGHT 5.1CH
CD-R/
TAPE/MD
CHANNEL
SELECT
CHANNEL
LEVEL
EFFECT
ENTER
ENTER
FQ
FQ
ST
ST
FL
DIMMER
REMOTE
SETUP
MASTER
VOLUME
AUDIO/VIDEOPRE-PROGRAMMED
REMOTECONTROLUNIT
TV CONTROL
FUNC
10
DISC
SIGNAL
SELECT
TEST
TONE
RECEIVER TUNER
TVCONT
Î
12
3
4
1
¡
4
¢
7
8
3
56
7
8
90
CHANNEL
DISPLAY
RFATT
Installing the Receiver
Please note:
· Do not place objects directly on top of this
unit.
This would prevent proper heat dispersal.
· When installing in a rack, shelf, etc., be sure
to leave more than 20 cm of space above the
receiver.
20 cm
Receiver