IMPORTANT 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 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS READ INSTRUCTIONS —...
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POWER-CORD PROTECTION — Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.
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NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,...
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WARNING: Slot and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, to prevent fire hazard, the openings should never be blocked and covered with items, such as newspapers, table-cloths, curtains, etc. Also do not put the apparatus on the thick carpet, bed, sofa, or fabric having a thick pile.
Contents Thank you for buying this Pioneer product. Please read through these operating instructions so you will know how to operate your model properly. After you have finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe place for future reference.
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Setting/changing the CountryCode ... 59 Bonus Group ...60 Auto Disc Menu ...60 Group Playback ... 61 DVD Playback Mode ... 61 SACD Playback (DV-655A only) ... 61 CD Playback ... 62 Speakers ... 62 Audio Output Mode ...62 Speaker Installation ...62 Channel Level ...63...
Energy saving design This unit is designed to use 0.3 W of power when in standby mode. *1 Model DV-655A only *2 Manufactured under license from Dolby Laborato- ries. “Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Before You Start What’s in the box Please confirm that the following accesso- ries are in the box when you open it. • Remote control • AA/R6P dry cell batteries x2 • Stereo audio cable (red/white plugs) • Video cable (yellow plugs) •...
DVD-Audio DVD-Video Audio CD Video CD Super VCD *1 DV-655A only • Other formats, including but not limited to the following, are not playable in this player: Photo CD / DVD-RAM / DVD-ROM / CD-ROM (except those that contain MP3 files formatted as specified in the “Com-...
All DVD-Video discs carry a region mark on the case somewhere that indicates which region(s) of the world the disc is compatible with. Your DVD player also has a region mark, which you can find on the rear panel. Discs from incompatible regions will not play in this player.
AV receiver with multichannel inputs (page 15). S (S-Video output) S-Video output(s) that you can use instead of the video output described in 6 below (page 14). (DV-655A has two S-Video outputs) CENTER AUDIO OUT (5.1ch) WOOFER FRONT...
Connecting Up Easy connections OPTICAL COAXIAL DIGITAL AUDIO AUDIO FRONT SURROUND CONTROL (2ch) DV-656A The setup described here is a basic setup that allows you to play discs using just the cables supplied with the player. In this setup, stereo audio is played through your TV. •...
Using other types of video output This player has standard (composite), S-Video and component video outputs (the DV-655A (Taiwan model) has a D video connector for component video). The main difference between them is the quality of the picture. S-Video delivers a better picture than standard composite video, while component video gives better picture quality still.
Dolby Digital and DTS DVD-Video discs, as well as high sampling rate and multichannel DVD- Audio and (for DV-655A) SACD discs. Connect the MULTICHANNEL AUDIO outputs on this player to the multi- channel audio inputs on your AV receiver.
Connecting Up Connect the AV receiver’s video output to a video input on your TV. • You usually have to connect the same kind of video cable between your DVD player and AV receiver, and between your AV receiver and TV. Connecting using a digital output You can also connect this player to your AV receiver using one of the digital outputs.
Controlling this player from another Pioneer component This player has SR jacks which allow you to use the remote sensor on one Pioneer component to control another. Use a mini-jack plug to connect the CONTROL OUT of one component to the CONTROL IN of another.
Controls and Displays Front panel STANDBY/ON DV-656A STANDBY/ON Press to switch the player on or into standby PROGRESSIVE button/indicator Press to switch the progressive video output mode between progressive and interlace. The indicator lights in progressive scan mode. See page 19 for more information. VIDEO OFF button/indicator Press to switch the video output on/off.
• DV-656A: This player is compatible with the following Pioneer displays and monitors: PDP-5030HD, PRO-1000HD, PRO-800HD, PDP-4330HD, PRO-720HD, PRO-620HD, PRO-520HD, SD-643HDS, SD-533HDS. • DV-655A: This player is compatible with the following Pioneer displays and monitors: PDP-503HDG, PDP-433HDG progressive scan-compatible TVs.
Controls and Displays Display 5.1CH Lights when analog 5.1 channel output is selected (page 62) V-PART Lights when playing a video part of a DVD disc PRGSVE Lights when the video output is progressive scan (pages 18, 19) Lights during multi-angle scenes on a DVD disc (page 44) GUI (Graphical User Interface) Lights when a menu is displayed on-screen...
Controls and Displays Remote control OPEN/CLOSE STANDBY/ON AUDIO SUBTITLE ANGLE CLEAR ENTER TOP MENU MENU ENTER SETUP RETURN ¡ ¢ PLAY MODE SURROUND ZOOM DISPLAY STANDBY/ON Press to switch the player on or into standby AUDIO Press to select the audio channel or language (pages 42–44) SUBTITLE Press to select a subtitle display (page 42)
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Controls and Displays 10 4 Press to jump to the beginning of the current chapter or track, then to previous chapters/ tracks 11 8 Press to pause playback; press again to restart 12 PLAY MODE Press to display the Play Mode menu (pages 36–42) (You can also get to the Play Mode menu by pressing SETUP and select- ing Play Mode)
STANDBY/ON PROGRESSIVE VIDEO OFF Î • My DVD player switches on but there is nothing displayed on my TV. Make sure that the TV is set to the correct video input (not a TV channel). For example, if you connected this player to the VIDEO 1 inputs on your TV, switch your TV to VIDEO 1.
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Press ENTER to move on to the next screen. Welcome to Pioneer DVD! Thank you for purchasing this Pioneer DVD player. Before using, please take a little time to setup your DVD player Put the batteries into the remote control...
Getting Started Using the on-screen displays For ease of use, this player makes extensive use of graphical on-screen displays (OSDs). You should get used to the way these work as you’ll need to use them when setting up the player, using some of the playback features, such as program play, and when making more advanced settings for audio and video.
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Getting Started Select a DVD language. Some DVD discs feature on-screen menus, soundtracks and subtitles in several lan- guages. Set your preferred language here. Setup Navigator Language Settings DVD Language Audio Out Settings Speaker Settings AV Receiver Func. (DV-656A screen) •...
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Getting Started 10 Do you have a sub-woofer connected to your AV receiver? Select Connected or Not Connected. Setup Navigator Language Settings Center Speaker Connected Audio Out Settings Surround Speakers Not Connected Speaker Settings Sub-woofer AV Receiver Func. • If you selected Not Connected in step 7, that completes the setup.
Getting Started Playing discs The basic playback controls for playing DVD, CD, SACD, Video CD/Super VCD and MP3 discs are covered here. Further functions are detailed in the next chapter. Throughout this manual, the term ‘DVD’ means DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and DVD-R/RW.
Getting Started Button What it does Starts playback. DVD and Video CD: if the display shows RESUME, playback starts from the resume point. Pauses a disc that’s playing, or restarts a paused disc. Stops playback. DVD and Video CD: Display shows RESUME.
Getting Started • Some DVD-Audio discs feature a ‘bonus group’. To access this group you have to input a password, which you can find on the disc’s packaging. See page 60 for more information. TOP MENU ENTER Button What it does TOP MENU Displays the ‘top menu’...
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Getting Started • After I load a DVD disc, it ejects automati- cally after a few seconds! Most likely, the disc is the wrong region for your player. The region number should be printed on the disc; check it against the region number of the player (which you can find on the rear panel).
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Getting Started • Is it better to listen to DVD-Audio discs through the analog outputs? Some DVD-Audio discs do not output anything through the digital outputs, and multichannel discs are downmixed to stereo for the digital output. In addition, high sampling rate DVD-Audio discs (higher than 96kHz) automatically downsample audio output from the digital outputs.
Playing Discs Introduction Most of the features described in this chapter make use of on-screen displays. For an explanation of how to navigate these, see Using the on-screen displays on page 25. Many of the functions covered in this chapter apply to DVD and SACD discs, Video CDs/ Super VCDs, CDs and MP3 discs, although the exact operation of some varies slightly...
Playing Discs For SACD discs select a track within the current playback area. Disc Navigator Track(1-009) 2ch Area Track 001 Track 002 Track 003 Track 004 Track 005 Track 006 Track 007 Track 008 For a VR mode DVD-RW disc select beween the Playlist and Original areas of the disc, or a title.
Playing Discs • Sound can be heard while scanning audio CDs, and MP3 discs. • There is no sound while scanning DVD- Videos and Video CDs/Super VCDs, and no subtitles while scanning DVD-Video. • Depending on the disc, normal playback may automatically resume when a new chapter is reached on a DVD-Video disc.
Playing Discs Looping a section of a disc The A-B Repeat function allows you to specify two points (A and B) within a track (DVD-Audio, CD and Video CD) or title (DVD- Video and DVD-RW) that form a loop which is played over and over.
Playing Discs Select a repeat play option. The repeat play options available depend on the type of disc loaded. The screen below appears when a DVD-Video disc is loaded. Play Mode A-B Repeat Title Repeat Repeat Chapter Repeat Random Repeat Off Program Search Mode DVD-Video and DVD-RW discs...
Playing Discs Select a random play option. The random play options available depend on the type of disc loaded. The screen below appears when a DVD-Video disc is loaded. Play Mode A-B Repeat Random Title Repeat Random Chapter Random Random Off Program Search Mode DVD-Video discs...
Playing Discs Select ‘Create/Edit’ from the list of program options. Play Mode A-B Repeat Create/Edit Repeat Playback Start Random Playback Stop Program Program Delete ‰ Search Mode Program Memory The Program edit screen that appears depends on the kind of disc loaded. On the left side is the program list, then to the right is a list of titles (if a DVD-Video disc is loaded), groups (for DVD-Audio), tracks...
Playing Discs For SACD, CD or Video CD/Super VCD, select a track to add to the program list. (The screen below shows a CD loaded.) Program Program Step Track(1-12) 01. 04 Track 01 Track 02 Track 03 Track 04 Track 05 Track 06 Track 07 Track 08...
Playing Discs • To exit the program edit screen without starting playback, press PLAY MODE or SETUP. • If you want to exit the program edit screen without saving the changes you made, press RETURN. Other functions available from the program menu As well as creating and editing a program list, you can start and stop program play, erase the program list, and memorize a DVD...
Playing Discs Use the number buttons to enter a title, group, chapter, page, folder or track number, or a time. Play Mode A-B Repeat Title Search Repeat Chapter Search Random Time Search Program Search Mode • For a time search, enter the number of minutes and seconds into the currently playing title (DVD-Video/DVD-RW) or track (Video CD) you want playback to...
Playing Discs Switching DVD-Video audio language When playing a DVD-Video disc recorded with dialog in two or more languages, you can switch audio language during playback. Press AUDIO repeatedly to select an audio language option. Audio 2 French Dolby Digital 3/2.1CH •...
Playing Discs Zooming the screen Using the zoom feature you can magnify a part of the screen by a factor of 2 or 4, while a DVD-Video, DVD-Audio or Video CD/Super VCD disc is paused. • The zoom function only works when the player is outputting interlace video.
Playing Discs Displaying disc information Various track, chapter and title information, as well as the video transmission rate for DVD discs, can be displayed on-screen. During playback, press DISPLAY to show/switch the information displayed. Keep pressing DISPLAY to change the displayed information.
The Audio Settings Menu Audio DRC • Default setting: Off When watching Dolby Digital DVDs at low volume, it’s easy to lose the quieter sounds completely—including some of the dialog. Switching Audio DRC (Dynamic Range Control) to On can help by bringing up the quieter sounds, while controlling loud peaks.
The Audio Settings Menu Virtual Surround • Default setting: Off Switch on Virtual surround to enjoy surround sound effects from just two speakers. When you play a Dolby Digital soundtrack, Virtual Dolby Digital, which uses TruSurround technology from SRS, produces a deep, realistic 3D soundspace from a pair of stereo speakers.
The Audio Settings Menu Channel Level • Default setting: Fix This setting allows you to set the level of each channel sent to the 5.1 channel analog outputs. Press SETUP and select ‘Audio Set- tings’ from the on-screen display. Audio Settings Play Mode Initial Settings Highlight Channel Level, then use the...
The Video Settings Menu Video Adjust • Default setting: Standard From the Video Adjust screen you can select the standard video presentation or define presets of your own. Press SETUP and select ‘Video Adjust’ from the on-screen display. Audio Settings Video Adjust Play Mode Disc Navigator...
The Video Settings Menu Press ENTER to save the preset and exit the Video Adjust screen. Creating your own progressive output presets These presets are available when the video output is set to progressive. (Use the front panel PROGRESSIVE button to switch between interlace and progressive video output.
The Initial Settings Menu Using the Initial Settings menu The Initial Settings menu is where you can set preferences for language, audio and video output, and so on. If a menu option is grayed out it means that it cannot be changed at the current time. This is usually because a disc is playing.
The Initial Settings Menu DTS Out • Default setting: DTS > PCM You only need to make this setting if you connected this system to an AV receiver (or other component) using one of the digital outputs. Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Digital Out Video Output Dolby Digital Out...
The Initial Settings Menu If your AV receiver (or other connected component) is compatible with MPEG audio, set this to MPEG, otherwise set it to MPEG > PCM (MPEG audio is converted to more compatible PCM audio). Check the manual that came with the other component if you’re unsure whether it is MPEG audio compat- ible.
The Initial Settings Menu Still Picture • Default setting: Auto Initial Settings Digital Audio Out TV Screen Video Output Auto Progressive Language S-Video Out Display Still Picture Options Speakers (DV-656A screen) This player uses one of two processes when displaying a still frame from a DVD disc. The default Auto setting automatically chooses the best setting each time.
The Initial Settings Menu Subtitle Language • Default setting: English (excpet Taiwan model: Traditional Chinese) Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Audio Language English Video Output Subtitle Language French Language Auto Language German Display DVD Menu Lang. Italian Options Subtitle Display Spanish Speakers Dutch...
The Initial Settings Menu DVD Menu Language • Default setting: w/Subtitle Lang. Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Audio Language Video Output Subtitle Language Language Auto Language Display DVD Menu Lang. Options Subtitle Display Speakers (DV-656A screen) Some multilingual discs have disc menus in several languages.
Speakers If you prefer not to see the camera icon on- screen during multi-angle scenes on DVD discs, change this setting to Off. Background • Default setting: Pioneer Logo Initial Settings Digital Audio Out OSD Language Pioneer Logo Video Output...
The Initial Settings Menu Registering a new password You must register a password before you can change the Parental Lock level or enter a Country Code. Select ‘Password’. Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Parental Lock Video Output Bonus Group Language Auto Disc Menu Display Group Playback...
The Initial Settings Menu Setting/changing the Parental Lock level Select ‘Level Change’. Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Parental Lock Password Change Video Output Bonus Group Level Change Language Auto Disc Menu Country Code Display Group Playback Options DVD Playback Mode Speakers CD Playback (DV-656A screen)
The Initial Settings Menu Initial Settings Parental Lock : Change Country Code Digital Audio Out Video Output Password Language Display Country Code List Options Speakers Press ENTER to set the new Country Code and return to the Options menu screen. •...
DVD-Video to play a DVD-Audio disc as if it were a DVD-Video disc. Note that in this case only the DVD-Video part of the disc will play. SACD Playback (DV-655A only) • Default setting: 2ch Area Initial Settings Digital Audio Out...
The Initial Settings Menu CD Playback • Default setting: PCM Playback Initial Settings Digital Audio Out Parental Lock Video Output Bonus Group Language Auto Disc Menu Display Group Playback Options DVD Playback Mode Speakers CD Playback (DV-656A screen) When set to PCM Playback, playback is optimized for standard audio CDs.
The Initial Settings Menu Use the Speaker Installation screen to tell the player what kinds of speakers you have connected. Use the (cursor up/down) buttons to select a speaker • The L and R, and RS and LS speakers are paired; you can’t set them differ- ently.
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The Initial Settings Menu Initial Settings Auto Digital Audio Out Video Output 0.0dB Language 0.0dB 0.0dB Display 0.0dB Options 0.0dB Speaker 0.0dB You can set the individual channel levels between –6dB and +6dB using the test tone output as a guide to set the correct levels. Adjust the levels until the output level from all channels sounds the same from your usual listening position.
This unit is designed for use with conven- tional, fully circular discs only. Use of shaped discs is not recommended for this product. Pioneer disclaims all liability arising in connection with the use of shaped discs.
A damaged power cord can cause a fire or give you an electric shock. Check the power cord once in a while. If you find it damaged, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized service center or your dealer for a replacement.
Additional Information Screen sizes and disc formats DVD-Video discs come in several different screen aspect ratios, ranging from TV programs, which are generally 4:3, to CinemaScope widescreen movies, with an aspect ratio of up to about 7:3. Televisions, too, come in different aspect ratios;...
Additional Information About the audio output settings The table below shows how the audio settings you make in the Initial Settings menu (pages 51–52, 62) affect the output from the 2 channel and the 5.1 channel analog outputs, and from the digital outputs with various types of disc.
Additional Information Language code list Language (Language code letter), Language code Japanese (ja), 1001 Bhutani (dz), 0426 English (en), 0514 Esperanto (eo), 0515 French (fr), 0618 Estonian (et), 0520 German (de), 0405 Basque (eu), 0521 Italian (it), 0920 Persian (fa), 0601 Spanish (es), 0519 Finnish (fi), 0609 Chinese (zh), 2608...
Additional Information Selecting languages using the language code list Some of the language options (such as ‘DVD Language’ in the Setup Navigator) allow you to set your prefered language from any of the 136 languages listed in the language code list on the previous page.
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Additional Information MPEG audio An audio format used on Video CDs/Super VCDs and some DVD discs. This unit can convert MPEG audio to PCM format for wider compatibility with digital recorders and AV amplifiers. See also PCM. MPEG video The video format used for Video CDs/Super VCDs and DVDs.
Additional Information Taiwan model only: Changing the on-screen dis- play language to English Press SETUP. The on-screen display (OSD) appears. Use the left/right) buttons to select ‘ from the on-screen display, then press ENTER. Use the (cursor up/down) buttons to select ‘ on the left, then press ENTER.
Additional Information Setting the TV System (Except DV-656A and DV-655A Taiwan model) The default setting of this player is AUTO, and unless you notice that the picture is distorted when playing some discs, you should leave it set to AUTO. If you experi-...
Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Inspect the other components and electrical appliances being used. If the trouble cannot be rectified after checking the items below, ask your nearest Pioneer authorized service center or your dealer to carry out repair work.
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Additional Information Problem No picture/No color. Screen is stretched or aspect does not change. Picture disturbance during playback or the picture is dark. No audio, or audio is dis- torted. Cause / Remedy • Check that the VIDEO OFF indicator is not lit. If it is, press the VIDEO OFF button (page 18).
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Additional Information Problem The analog audio is OK, but there appears to be no digital audio signal. Noticeable difference in DVD and CD volume. Cannot play multi-channel audio Cannot listen to high-sampling rate audio through the digital output. Cannot output 192kHz or 176.4kHz digital audio.
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This will usually reset the unit for proper operation. If this does not correct the problem, please consult your nearest Pioneer service center. Cause / Remedy • This player is compatible with multi-session discs, but only plays sessions that are closed.
Specifications General System ... DVD Player Power requirements DV-656A ... AC 120 V, 60 Hz DV-655A Taiwan model ... 110 V, 60 Hz Other models ... 110–127/220–240 V, 50/60 Hz Power consumption DV-656A ... 12 W DV-655A ... 13 W Power consumption (standby) ...