Pioneer VSX-818V-K Receiver

The best place to start to prove the hardware works is always with the built-in test tones. The Center Channel must be defined.

The VXS-818V shouldn't be much different....

Register and download the manual for free at retrevo.com

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Pioneer-VSX-818V-Receivers-manual/id/14715ci276/t/2/

Since the receiver itself has no sources 7.1 onboard, the question obviously involves unnamed external equipment.

Set it and any other equipment in accordance with their manual(s).

Hello,
To get sound out of your surround speakers, first off go through the receiver setup and make sure that is correct. Also, usually the best soundfields to use for sourround sound is PLII Movie or dolby digital. Next , make sure the source you are viewing is capable of outputting 5.1 sourround sound. Lastly, it is a good thing to remember that sourround speakers are only intended to reproduce sound effects. You certainly can override it so that all speakers play full range audio, but that is not the intention.
Good Luck

you have to make sure you are on the theater mode on your amp. that's the only time that the center speaker works

First thing to check is the Speaker Select Switch. It will say, "A" "AB" or "Both" it will be displayed on the LCD screen as well. Second if that's ok, Check the "Direct" switch. If it's on, turn it off. Generally if it's on, you will see a blue light if it's on (most receiver's)

If you still have No audio, hook up your DVD to the "Direct" input and turn "Direct" on. If you have audio then. The DSP chip is probably bad and you should take it to a shop and have them bench it first to confirm. Hope this helps

Test with an surround sound media ie. Blu-ray or DVD)_. Disconnect the front and all other speakers that are working to see if sound from the missing speakers are heard. If this doesn't work then start by tracing and checking all the wires from the receiver to the speakers for bad/shorted/open connections.

PLEASE VOTE IF THIS WAS HELPFUL. THANKS & GOOD LUCK.

Make sure surround speakers enabled in menu, select surround mode on receiver from a media source that is recorded in surround sound or the receiver can produce surround from.

I had this problem too. Finally, after using the MCACC setup and making sure all the speakers worked, I found I had to set the source to FM, TV or whatever from the remote control and set the mode to advanced surround sound using the front panal button on the upper right. Had to fool with them a lot. Good luck.

go through your mode channels to put it on surround sound