AV Receiver Connection with DVD- no audio signal

[mr10key]

Recently purchased a Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K. Once I had all the cables connected found that no audio signal was being received from DVD (Sony DVP-S550D) while output from other sources seem to be performing as expected. Could I have a bad connection?

My equipment:

As mentioned above +

Toshiba 34HF83 HDTV
Pioneer CD Player
Dish Network Satellite Box/DVR -VIP722

First off, I am not an expert in this subject by any means and owner's manual that came with receiver fails to make sense in many places (most importantly the connection diagrams).

So, I need to clarify one question about cable connection options before going on; do RCA Analog/Optical Digital/HDMI cables represent different connection options or do they work in conjunction with one another?

In my first attempt the connection between my DVD and AV Receiver consisted of an RCA analog cable going between the DVD line in/out ports to the AV Receiver's audio DVD ports and a single RCA analog going between the TV's video out to the AV Receiver's DVD -Video input.

After this didn't work- going back to the owner's manual I determined that perhaps I needed a digital connection. I purchased an optical digital cable- connecting DVD to AV Receiver in this manner while disconnecting the RCA Analog cable and moving the TV connection from the AV Receiver's DVD input ot its Video input (the input under Monitor). No success this time either.

I'm at a loss. Too many connections? Not enough connections? Is the video connection with TV in error?

 

[Adam]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Analog audio and digital audio connections are two different kind of connections that don't need to both be connected - you do one or the other. A possible exception is when you use the Zone 2 analog outputs because those are analog and will only output sound from inputs that have analog inputs. If you aren't using Zone 2, I'd recommend using the digital audio connections only.

On the 1019 (like a lot of receivers), you need to assign the digital connections on the back (e.g. "Optical IN 1") to the source that you want to use for that component (e.g. "DVD"). It might sound like an inconvenience, but being able to assign those inputs is actually a nice flexibility. The 1019 has default settings for those, but I'd say go into the menu system on the 1019 and make sure that whichever optical input you used on the back corresponds to "DVD" (or whatever source selection you are using for your DVD player). Page 27 of the manual gives a summary table of which inputs can be assigned to which sources, and how to assign the inputs starts on page 39 of the manual.

As for the video connections, a couple of remarks. First, you'll be connecting a video output from the receiver to a video input on the TV. Second, I recommend that you use the component video connections for your DVD player (component video uses three connectors). Your DVD player has those outputs, your receiver can handle them, and your TV has the inputs for it. It's a better video connection than composite video (which is a single connector). The component video inputs on the receiver are also assignable like the digital audio inputs, so you'll go through a similar procedure to assign one of those to the DVD player.

On the DVD player, you'll want to set it up to output the audio in raw bitstream so that the receiver will decode it. You also may need to set up the DVD player to output a signal through the digital audio outputs (which might be causing your current issue). This is covered in the owner's manual starting on page 56. Set the "DIGITAL OUT" menu pick to "ON", set "DOLBY DIGITAL" to "DOLBY DIGITAL", and set "DTS" to "ON".

Please let us know if you have any other questions about getting this all set up the way that you want it.

 

[adk highlander]

Hello mr10key and welcome to the forum.

That is a nice receiver so once you get everything set up I think you will be very happy with it.

What you want to do is use the highest quality connection that you can so with the setup you have that will be:

Component to Receiver

DVD - component video/digital audio pg25
CD - digital/audio pg29
DVR - HDMI pg23

The output to the TV from the Pioneer will be HDMI

Your receiver will upconvert the DVD component connection to HDMI so you can use that single connection to the TV. This will also mean you will not have to switch sources on the TV just the receiver.

The next step is to "assign" each of the components to the set of inputs you are using. Your reciver has an on screen setup. You will need to hook the HDMI monitor out from the receiver to your TV. This is on Pg 40 of your manual. Then go to Chapter 5 pg 41 for basic playback.

Once you get this working you should run the MCACC room correction to set up your speakers.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Adam]

Craig - nice catch on the HDMI from the DVR! I didn't even look that one up.

 

[adk highlander]

Ha ha. I just saw you posted a minute before me. Nice on the DVD setup explanation. I did not think to go there. Well I think between the two of us we've covered almost everything.

 

[mr10key]

Thanks for your insight!

Thanks to both of you for such insight.

In terms of time and content you both win the prize over what I received from Pioneer's customer service.

I'll give it another go. Wish the TV had an HDMI port but apparently Toshiba wasn't up to speed the year this one was put on the market.

The one connection where I was able to use an HDMI was the DVR/SAT BOX. Just need to remove some "surplus" cables and set the signal selection to wrap up the project.

Will post on this thread later on how it all turns out.

 

[adk highlander]

Hmm when I did the search for that TV it listed an HDMI port. Link

The bad news is you cannot use the HDMI connection on the DVR if you don't have HDMI on the TV. Your receiver will not downconver an HDMI signal to component which is what you will need to use now.

So you should use component and optical just like you are using with the DVD player and then run a component cable to the TV.

 

[Sam013]

Denon AVR 1911 powerful audio receiver

Hi all
I want to replace my Receiver that has excessive noise or distortion at loud volume levels can be unlistenable. I prefer audio recievers with a low distortion level than a more powerful amplifier with high distortion levels.My personal choice is Denon AVR 1911,to buy this product An additional factor is the ability of a receiver to output its full power continuously. Recomend me any online store which describe all technical specifications about the Denon AVR 1911.I am looking to get this one at best prices.