Help with firmware update on a Pioneer VSX-82txs

[__jabird__]

Hi All, Jay here. Do any of you out there have any experience with updating the HDMI module on an older Pioneer? I have a VSX-82txs and my picture and sound one day just stopped. After some digging I learned that my firmware was not up to date. This All took place after Onkyo’s acquisition of Pioneer’s A/V line. Onkyo claims Pioneer did not give them all the tools to Service models previous to the take over. So as it stands, there was an update but I can’t find it. And even if I had it according to the service manual I need some equipment I don’t currently have. I am savvy enough to attempt it, but I am a little foggy on how to get started. I’ll attach what I’ve found so far in the service manual. Thank you guys.

 

[TLS Guy]

I highly doubt that is a firmware issue. It would not suddenly stop working from that issue. It should still work with the units it previously worked with. If it was firmware it might not work with a newer unit you have just bought, or may be a disc you have not owned before. But not work altogether, that would not happen from firmware being out of date. In any event I would suspect that no one has written new firmware for your receiver. That is common for older units.

It is far more likely given the age of the receiver that the HDMI board is dead. They are notorious for failure, especially the older boards. That really is almost certainly the reason for sudden total failure. So you have a hardware and not a software problem.

Your last shot is to do a reset of the receiver back to factory defaults. That will be a reboot. If that does not work its new receiver time for you and off to the recycling center with your current one.

 

[__jabird__]

According to Pioneer, it’s a know issue.

 

[TLS Guy]

According to Pioneer, it’s a know issue.

That might have been an issue when it was new, but it would not show up now. In any event no one is going to be writing or updating software for a unit that old. Law only requires seven years. A firmware issue would not cause sudden failure unless it somehow got corrupted and really it would take a hardware issue to do that like failure of a memory chip.

All I can tell is that with a receiver that age, if a factory reset does not do the trick it's toast.

 

[__jabird__]

well there is at least one update out there, I just thought somebody might know how to try and find it that’s all. Right now I’m dead in the water.

 

[TLS Guy]

well there is at least one update out there, I just thought somebody might know how to try and find it that’s all. Right now I’m dead in the water.

As I said try a reset. If that does not work you will stay dead in the water until you replace your receiver.

I have never heard of failure to update software cause a total HDMI failure on a unit that old. However total hardware failure of those boards is very common.

I doubt there is an update out there. More likely than not wiped off the server it was on in the transition.

 

[__jabird__]

I certainly hope that isn’t the case. Theoretically shouldn’t I be able to get some Dolby Surround from my television via TOS link?

 

[everettT]

I certainly hope that isn’t the case. Theoretically shouldn’t I be able to get some Dolby Surround from my television via TOS link?

At the most, 2.0 Dolby Digital.

 

[__jabird__]

At the most, 2.0 Dolby Digital.

Yeah that’s what I was afraid of.

 

[TLS Guy]

Yeah that’s what I was afraid of.

Your best and only hope is to do the reset. More than likely it will not solve it. However we have seen some quite remarkable rejuvenations over the years after a reboot by reset. After all a receiver is among other things a specialized computer. The first thing you do when a computer goes haywire is a reboot.

 

[everettT]

Also as a note, that unit would have to go to a service center for any firmware update. Your only about 6 years in of OTA updates on pionner AVRs

 

[__jabird__]

Your best and only hope is to do the reset. More than likely it will not solve it. However we have seen some quite remarkable rejuvenations over the years after a reboot by reset. After all a receiver is among other things a specialized computer. The first thing you do when a computer goes haywire is a reboot.

Absolutely, I do appreciate the advice. I just got done watching a couple of YouTube videos of people repairing the HDMI board in their units. It doesn’t look to complicated. If I could find a used but working one, I’m positive I could at least change it out. Finding one however would be the challenge.

 

[TLS Guy]

Absolutely, I do appreciate the advice. I just got done watching a couple of YouTube videos of people repairing the HDMI board in their units. It doesn’t look to complicated. If I could find a used but working one, I’m positive I could at least change it out. Finding one however would be the challenge.

Well a DIY approach if a reset fails would be to do what you suggest. However in this case I would I would advise against it. That is a 12 year old receiver. That is old for a unit like that. They are really only designed for an 8 year lifespan or so, with quite a scatter around that. If you do fix it more than likely you will be chasing something else. So the receiver has cost you about $100 per year.

 

[slipperybidness]

FWIW, this is the model that is still in service in my living room. At some point, it will likely be replaced and moved to duty as a bedroom system.

Never a problem with it, though it does have a bit of a learning curve.

 

[__jabird__]

Well a DIY approach if a reset fails would be to do what you suggest. However in this case I would I would advise against it. That is a 12 year old receiver. That is old for a unit like that. They are really only designed for an 8 year lifespan or so, with quite a scatter around that. If you do fix it more than likely you will be chasing something else. So the receiver has cost you about $100 per year.

I appreciate that too. I saw an SC-25 on EBay for $33. Plus $25 for shipping. With the box and all acc. The guy says the mcacc light is flashing and he admits that once the unit ended up in this condition he’s given up on it. No reset or time spent with it. Would that unit warrant the $? My problem is that I’m working with very little funds here. I’ve got Polk Speakers and Paradigm surround speakers and no way to hear them currently. Also very little $ so I’m kinda stuck. I’ve been checking pawn shops and classifieds and I’m becoming frustrated. I can fix something that isn’t extremely complicated but moderately I can do.

 

[__jabird__]

Maybe I’m thinking about this wrong. What if I just bought a pre-pro? My receiver still has preamp rca’s

 

[PENG]

Maybe I’m thinking about this wrong. What if I just bought a pre-pro? My receiver still has preamp rca’s

Of course you can, but you would be working against the rule of economy of scale, among other things. Pio doesn't offer prepro, if you go with a popular lower Marantz model, you will be better off getting a comparable (in features and audio specs) 2017 Denon AVR for much less money right now.

 

[__jabird__]

Of course you can, but you would be working against the rule of economy of scale, among other things. Pio doesn't offer prepro, if you go with a popular lower Marantz model, you will be better off getting a comparable (in features and audio specs) 2017 Denon AVR for much less money right now.

It’s like you read my mind. First off, I’m not so impressed with Pioneer since Onkyo. So I was eyeing either the Marantz or Denon, I don’t have anything against Yahama, I just don’t know their products very well. I also have an older VSX39TX. This is why I was thinking pre-amp. I could make use of all the channels I can afford and solve my HDMI issue at the same time.

 

[TLS Guy]

Maybe I’m thinking about this wrong. What if I just bought a pre-pro? My receiver still has preamp rca’s

It does not have preamp ins, only preamp outs. It does have multi channel analog ins, which you could use, but you would have two preamps in like and two volume controls. Pre/pros usually cost more than receivers even on the used market.

 

[__jabird__]

It does not have preamp ins, only preamp outs. It does have multi channel analog ins, which you could use, but you would have two preamps in like and two volume controls. Pre/pros usually cost more than receivers even on the used market.

Would both of the volume controls go up and down in unison? They are both Pioneers. I also have a couple of Pioneer’s learn compatible remotes.