Questions about Pioneer DV-45A SACD, On-Screen Menus and connecting to a Pioneer Elite Receiver

[mhjmhjones]

Expert-level questions to follow.

SACD/DVD: Pioneer DV-45A (ca. 2001-2005) (no HDMI out)
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-81TXV (ca. 2008)

I recently bought the DV-45A to use as an audio (SACD/DVD-A) device. The DV-45A uses on-screen menus (visible on your TV screen) extensively. As far as I can tell, in order to listen to an SACD in 5.1 surround sound, I have to switch the setting using the on-screen menus. My stereo setup is a distance from my TV and I'd have to run a long set of video cables down through the floor and up through a fireplace mantle - I'm trying to avoid that if possible. My goal in this post is to figure out the best way I can switch the DV-45A from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) as painlessly as possible.

DV-45A manual: https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/DV-45A_OperationInstructions_B.pdf
Receiver manual: https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/...21/315642720VSX81TXVOperatingInstructions.pdf

So my solutions and the questions I have regarding these solutions that I've come up in order of preference are as follows:

Option 1: Is there a way to change the listening mode from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) without using the on-screen menus? That solution would be best as I wouldn't have to run any kind of video connection.

Option 2: Run an s-video, RCA video or component video from the SACD to the receiver and then a long HDMI from the receiver to the TV. Is this possible? If I did it this way, would I be able to view both the receiver on-screen menus and the SACD on-screen menus if configured this way? That would be nice if possible.

Option 3: Run a component set of RCAs (~25' worth) from the SACD to the TV. I know this would work as long as there isn't a signal loss issue over the long cable run. The only drawback would be 1. that's a lot of cable to have to conceal and 2. I wouldn't be able to see the receiver menus.

I'm going to determine what inputs my TV even has and will update later. Please let me know if you have any other ideas or suggestions. Thank you in advance!

 

[jlindsey86]

Expert-level questions to follow.

SACD/DVD: Pioneer DV-45A (ca. 2001-2005) (no HDMI out)
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-81TXV (ca. 2008)

I recently bought the DV-45A to use as an audio (SACD/DVD-A) device. The DV-45A uses on-screen menus (visible on your TV screen) extensively. As far as I can tell, in order to listen to an SACD in 5.1 surround sound, I have to switch the setting using the on-screen menus. My stereo setup is a distance from my TV and I'd have to run a long set of video cables down through the floor and up through a fireplace mantle - I'm trying to avoid that if possible. My goal in this post is to figure out the best way I can switch the DV-45A from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) as painlessly as possible.

DV-45A manual: https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/DV-45A_OperationInstructions_B.pdf
Receiver manual: https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/...21/315642720VSX81TXVOperatingInstructions.pdf

So my solutions and the questions I have regarding these solutions that I've come up in order of preference are as follows:

Option 1: Is there a way to change the listening mode from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) without using the on-screen menus? That solution would be best as I wouldn't have to run any kind of video connection.

Option 2: Run an s-video, RCA video or component video from the SACD to the receiver and then a long HDMI from the receiver to the TV. Is this possible? If I did it this way, would I be able to view both the receiver on-screen menus and the SACD on-screen menus if configured this way? That would be nice if possible.

Option 3: Run a component set of RCAs (~25' worth) from the SACD to the TV. I know this would work as long as there isn't a signal loss issue over the long cable run. The only drawback would be 1. that's a lot of cable to have to conceal and 2. I wouldn't be able to see the receiver menus.

I'm going to determine what inputs my TV even has and will update later. Please let me know if you have any other ideas or suggestions. Thank you in advance!

I dont believe option 1 is going to be possible. You might be able to find a pioneer remote for a DV-79avi and use the "audio" button on the remote to switch between 2 channel and 5.1 but I can't guarantee this will work.

With the equipment you have option 2 is your best bet.

 

[mhjmhjones]

I dont believe option 1 is going to be possible. You might be able to find a pioneer remote for a DV-79avi and use the "audio" button on the remote to switch between 2 channel and 5.1 but I can't guarantee this will work.

With the equipment you have option 2 is your best bet.

Thanks!

Well, at lunch I was able to go hook up a spare TV (Option 4) to the SACD and I was able to set it up so it is playing 5.1 properly and I can easily switch back to 2-channel, so the main objective has been achieved. I still would like to be able to make Option 2 work - I'll fiddle with that some more this weekend. Another option I will investigate is Option 5 - using a bluetooth transmitter. I have one already - just need to see if it transmits video. Edit: The bluetooth transmitter is just audio - no video, so scratch Option 5.

 

[GerryOZZ]

Expert-level questions to follow.

SACD/DVD: Pioneer DV-45A (ca. 2001-2005) (no HDMI out)
Receiver: Pioneer VSX-81TXV (ca. 2008)

I recently bought the DV-45A to use as an audio (SACD/DVD-A) device. The DV-45A uses on-screen menus (visible on your TV screen) extensively. As far as I can tell, in order to listen to an SACD in 5.1 surround sound, I have to switch the setting using the on-screen menus. My stereo setup is a distance from my TV and I'd have to run a long set of video cables down through the floor and up through a fireplace mantle - I'm trying to avoid that if possible. My goal in this post is to figure out the best way I can switch the DV-45A from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) as painlessly as possible.

Option 1: Is there a way to change the listening mode from 2-channel to 5.1 channel (and back again) without using the on-screen menus? That solution would be best as I wouldn't have to run any kind of video connection.

Option 2: Run an s-video, RCA video or component video from the SACD to the receiver and then a long HDMI from the receiver to the TV. Is this possible? If I did it this way, would I be able to view both the receiver on-screen menus and the SACD on-screen menus if configured this way? That would be nice if possible.

Option 3: Run a component set of RCAs (~25' worth) from the SACD to the TV. I know this would work as long as there isn't a signal loss issue over the long cable run. The only drawback would be 1. that's a lot of cable to have to conceal and 2. I wouldn't be able to see the receiver menus.

I'm going to determine what inputs my TV even has and will update later. Please let me know if you have any other ideas or suggestions. Thank you in advance!

Pretty much in the same boat here and thank you for asking those questions. I'll pose a few more...

1) Once the DV-45A is switched to the SACD 5.1 surround sound mode does it "stay" there until it is switched back or does it revert to a "normal" setting the unit is turned OFF?

2) No matter what the setting, playback is always an option through the L/R (2ch) audio output jacks?

3) Currently I only have audio output from the L/R (2ch) audio output and L/R FRONT jacks (no SURROUND), even when playing a SACD and the red 5.1CH indicator on the front display is always lit (there seems to be no output from the CENTER and SUB WOOFER audio output jacks as well). I have yet to connect the unit to a TV.

Thank you.

 

[GerryOZZ]

Ordered a remote today and by late next week should know more about what my 45A audio setup is in terms of screen menu choices. CENTER, SUB WOOFER and SURROUND audio outputs may not even be selected...

 

[Bill Ferris]

If high quality video is not important, the player`s composite video output can be sent wirelessly via a inexpensive transmitter/receiver packaged device to the TV`s usually provided composite video input, as all my flat screen TV`s have. so you could see the players internal menu, or the SACD`s disc`s audio selection options menu.

I successfully used one several years back to feed a security camera`s composite output to my car garage`s 48" Sharp TV, and it worked fine for it`s purpose.
No hassle, in my case, with running coax 50 + ft. and no ground loop issues with interconnecting equipment powered by different power circuits..

Just a thought, FWIW.

 

[GerryOZZ]

App

If high quality video is not important, the player`s composite video output can be sent wirelessly via a inexpensive transmitter/receiver packaged device to the TV`s usually provided composite video input, as all my flat screen TV`s have. so you could see the players internal menu, or the SACD`s disc`s audio selection options menu.

I successfully used one several years back to feed a security camera`s composite output to my car garage`s 48" Sharp TV, and it worked fine for it`s purpose.
No hassle, in my case, with running coax 50 + ft. and no ground loop issues with interconnecting equipment powered by different power circuits..

Just a thought, FWIW.

Appreciate the suggestion, as it is audio that is the priority. Have the 45A connected to a pair of Sony stereo receivers, each one powering a pair of Rectilinear III Low Boys.

 

[GerryOZZ]

Use of the "new" remote did the trick!

Also, last Saturday I picked up a DV-46AV for $10. Now I'm using the DV-45A in two-channel mode (where it outputs a stereo mix to the 2CH speakers AND the front speakers) and the DV-46AV in discrete four-channel, plus unused center and subwoofer (it lacks the separate dedicated 2CH speaker outputs, but has an HDMI output).

A possible next step is checking and updating the DV-46AV firmware, as this unit was manufactured in 2006.