Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi User manual

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About the Advanced MCACC Application
The Advanced MCACC application software allows you to view graphs of the reverb characteristics of your
listening environment on a PC. It works in the same way as “Reverb View” in the receiver’s “Acoustic Cal
EQ Professional” function (see page 88 in the receiver’s Operating Instructions), but the graphs are more
attractive and easier to understand by using a PC.
Requirements for using the application on your PC
•Operating system must be Microsoft® Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows® Millennium
Edition, Windows® 98 Second Edition, or Windows NT® 4.0 (Service pack 6).
•CPU must be at least Pentium 3 / 300MHz or AMD K6 / 300MHz (or equivalent) with at least 128MB
of memory, and your monitor must be able to display a minimum resolution of 800x600.
•An RS-232C port connector is necessary for graphical output. Refer to the PC’s operating
instructions and/or the PC manufacturer for more information on making the proper port settings.
Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98 and Windows NT are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Main features of the application
1. Displays 3D graphs of the reverb frequency characteristics of your room.
Acoustic calibration by MCACC made on the receiver itself is not reflected in these graphs.
2. Allows you to view graphs in a number of different formats.
3. Allows you to save the measured reverb characteristics data on your PC.
4. Allows you to make memos about the conditions in your room when you made the measurements.
5. Allows you to print graphs.
Things you can accomplish with this application
1. Advanced EQ Setup, which you can do with the receiver (see page 88 in the receiver’s Operating
Instructions), allows you to choose the optimum time period for auto EQ setup. You can use the
graphs displayed by the application as a guide in choosing the best time period for your room.
For details, see
How to Interpret the Graphs (page 14).
2. Skewed reverb frequency characteristics in your listening room can prevent you from enjoying an
accurate sound field. The graphs displayed by this application are a powerful tool because they
allow you to check these reverb frequency characteristics at a glance. You can also check the
effectiveness of steps that you take to improve the acoustics of your listening room, for example
installing sound absorbent material.
For details, see
How to Interpret the Graphs (page 14).

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Install this application on your PC by using the downloaded installer.
You will find the installer in the folder that you specified when you downloaded the application.
1Double click the “PioneerAdvancedMCACC_e_ver_*_*.exe” file .
The number after “ver” in the filename is the version number of the installer.
2Click “Next.”
3Click “Yes” (if you agree to the terms of the License Agreement).
The destination selection screen of the installer appears.
Installing the Application
Troubleshooting
If an error occurs when you double click and you are unable to proceed with the installation.

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Installing the Application (Continued)
4Click “Next.”
The application is installed in the indicated folder, and a shortcut icon is created on the desktop. To
select a different folder to install the application, click “Browse.”
5Click “Finish.”
The installation is complete.

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Operations on the Receiver and Cable Connections
To display reverberation characteristics measured with the receiver on your PC, you need to connect the
receiver to the PC.
1Connect the receiver to your PC with a RS-232C cable.
Caution
Before making or changing connections, switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from
the power outlet. Plugging in components should be the last connection you make with your system.
Notes
•The type of cable to use is a female-female cross cable. Different manufacturers use different names
to refer to this type of cable. Sometimes it is called an “interlink” cable, and sometimes it is called a
“reverse” cable.
Pin-out diagram of RS-232C cable to connect receiver and PC
•The following cable has been proved to ensure system operation.
Dsub 9-pin female Dsub 9-pin female Dsub 9-pin female Dsub 9-pin female
Brand Cable Part NO.
Belkin Pro Series Serial Direct Cable-10 feet F3B207-10

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Operations on the Receiver and Cable Connections (Continued)
2On the receiver, select “Acoustic Cal EQ Professional” then “Reverb
Measurement” and measure the reverberation characteristics of your room.
(For details, see pages 88 and 75 of the receiver’s Operating Instructions.)
Reverberation characteristics can also be measured with “Auto Pro.,” but it takes longer than with
“Reverb Measurement” because all steps up to EQ Setup are done automatically.
Note
When you receive the data you have already measured with "Reverb Measurement" or "Auto Pro.," you
do not need to measure the data again in this step.
3In the on-screen display, select “PC Output”.
The message “Operate a PC” appears and the receiver enters transmission standby mode. It is ready
to send data to your PC.
This completes the preparations for sending the measurement data to your PC.
(To send the data, proceed to the next section
Application Operations .)

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Application Operations
This section explains operations that you do in the application, from receiving measurement data to
displaying graphs and saving the data.
Receiving measurement data
1Double click the application shortcut icon on the PC desktop.
You can also start the application by selecting “Program” =“Pioneer Corporation” =“Advanced
MCACC” from the “Start” menu.
The application starts.
2Select “Receive” under “File” on the menu bar.
3Select the number of the COM port to which the RS-232 cable is connected and
click “OK.”
If you do not know which COM port number to select, try selecting each port in turn, beginning with
“COM1.”
Data transmission starts. (It should finish in about 10 seconds.)
When reception finishes, graphs of the received data appear.
Notes
•Refer the operating instructions of your PC for more information about COM port settings.
•In order to avoid malfunction, after the completion of the data transmission, unplug the RS-232C cable
connecting your PC and the receiver.
COM port selection box
Troubleshooting
If an error occurs when you select “Receive” and no data is sent.

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Application Operations (Continued)
Graph displays (names and functions of parts)
When data is received, the first display to appear shows graphs for all channels (ALL display).
This section explains the parts shown in ALL display and individual display.
ALL display
Individual display (Example: Front L channel)

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1Menu bar and menu icons
You can choose the following commands from the application menus.
File
Open Opens a file that has been saved on the PC (see page 13).
Close Closes a file.
Save Save measurement data in a file (see page 12).
Save As
Receive Receives measurement data (see page 7).
Print Prints the current individual graph.
Preview Displays a preview screen to show how the printed page will appear.
Other Amp
Parameters
Exit Exits the application.
Display
Graph Switch between 2D (two-dimensional graphs) and 3D (three-dimensional graphs).
Demo Displays 3D graphs with rotating.*
*To finish, reselect and uncheck the box.
Window
Cascade Cascades files.*
Tile Tiles files.*
Arrange Arranges minimized icons.*
*Available when two or more files are open.
Help
Version Info Displays the version of the application.
Application Operations (Continued)
Receives various data (see page 19).

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Application Operations (Continued)
2Date and time
Display the date and time when the measurement data was transferred to the PC.
3Channel and frequency switch buttons
Ch: Selects channel display mode (frequencies are displayed along graph depth axes).
Freq: Selects frequency display mode (channels are displayed along graph depth axes).
4All/individual display switch menu
Allows you to select All display or individual display (Front L, etc.).
5Level [dB]
The level axis.
6Time [msec]
The time axis.
7Channel memo (available only when individual channels are shown)
Allows you to record a short memo about each channel.
8Graph adjustment bar
Z: Increases or reduces the display unit of the Level [dB] scale.
M: Moves the Level [dB] scale.
E: Moves the viewpoint of 3D graphs vertically. (Cannot be changed for 2D graphs.)
R: Moves the viewpoint of 3D graphs horizontally. (Cannot be changed for 2D graphs.)