Pioneer VSX-521, VSX-821, VSX-921 and VSX-1021 A/V Receivers

[hugh]

Pioneer has added the Pioneer VSX-521, VSX-821, VSX-921 and VSX-1021 receivers to its 2011 line-up.

Features of all four new receivers which come in a glossy black finish include: the ability to decode the latest HD audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby ProLogic IIz); Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) which analyzes the room’s speaker configuration and then optimizes the sound level and equalization; and Auto Level Control which compensates for fluctuating volume levels across digital audio tracks, television channels and commercials.

In addition, all four receivers have HDMI 1.4a inputs including support for the audio return channel (ARC) that send audio signals to the receiver from compatible TV tuners and online services built into televisions, such as Netflix. For the consumer who intends to periodically use the built-in speakers of their televisions, the Pioneer line-up also includes a new HDMI Standby Through feature to pass audio and video from a set top box through the receivers without the need to turn on the component.

The Pioneer VSX-521 and VSX-821 will be available in Canada later this month for $329 and $429 respectively. The VSX-921 and and VSX-1021 will be available in April for $499 and $699 respectively.

[PokerChip]

Now this sounds interesting as I was looking at the 1025.

Would these be the equivalent as far as quality (video processing, sound quality, etc.)?

Also, any mention of being able to control the receiver with the apps (from an iPad as an example)?

Prices seem quite reasonable....

[hugh]

I actually posted in the Smartphone forum about the apps announced today but here's the info

Air Jam – Used in conjunction with the VSX-1021 receiver and AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter (sold separately), Air Jam lets you pair up to four devices via Bluetooth. Once connected, each user can cue songs from their music libraries to create a collective playlist to play back on their A/V Receiver. Each connected device will display the list of songs added by all users and the device each song will play from.

iControlAV2 – The app enables control of volume, bass, balance and room settings and is further enhanced when used with an iPad, integrating all four app controls into a single screen. Additional features include a graphic representation of before and after MCACC room calibration, and sound adjustments that enable users to create their own equalizer settings with a simple “touch and draw” on the screen. The iControlAV2 App also includes Blu-ray player control when connected to a compatible Pioneer Blu-ray player.

[Civuck]

Originally Posted by PokerChip

Now this sounds interesting as I was looking at the 1025.

Would these be the equivalent as far as quality (video processing, sound quality, etc.)?

Also, any mention of being able to control the receiver with the apps (from an iPad as an example)?

Prices seem quite reasonable....

Looks like Anchor Bay for the video processing on the 1021 and 921.

If you can still find last year's Pioneer 1325 discounted, it's an excellent bargain with superior video processing to these new models and a number of other advantages. These new models seem more iTunes-cozy with not much else.

[wozman]

Do any of these receivers come with 2 HDMI-OUT? or am I still stuck with the ELITE brands for that.

Also do they support multi zone?

Thanks

[PokerChip]

Thats's exactly the answer I was looking for Civuck. That would explain the price difference.

I'll eventually get some time to look into it. Thanks!

[JohnnyCanuck]

The 1325, 1120, 1125, and Elite VSX-32 and 33 all feature Marvell video scaling. Civuck's right that in his comment about the 1325, but I would include the others as well.

[wilsoncfrhk]

Does anyone knows how to turn on the Standby Through feature mentioned below?


In addition, all four receivers have HDMI 1.4a inputs including support for the audio return channel (ARC) that send audio signals to the receiver from compatible TV tuners and online services built into televisions, such as Netflix. For the consumer who intends to periodically use the built-in speakers of their televisions, the Pioneer line-up also includes a new HDMI Standby Through feature to pass audio and video from a set top box through the receivers without the need to turn on the component.

[Nuje]

I worked on that, too, with my new VSX-1021, but came to the conclusion that my four-year-old TV (Samsung HL61A750) didn't have the ARC capability, so it was a no-go.

Too bad - I'd love to be able to make use of that feature.

The disappointing feature that doesn't work for me is the iControlAV2 iPhone app not being able to turn on the receiver - major fail there.

[57]

ARC should be separate from the HDMI Standby Passthrough discussed by wilsoncfrhk. In other words if the AVR has HDMI Standby Passthrough, ARC is not a TV requirement. I have read that the HDMI passthrough does use a bit more power in standby than if the AVR is in regular standby (off)

I always suggest you download the operating manual and then perform searches in the pdf for the item you're trying to enable...

[redzone]

Nuje i have a 1021 and the android app turns on the reciever im not sure why the ipad one wouldnt.

you need to go into settings and make sure under networking standby(or something to that effect) is turned on or it wont work.

[wilsoncfrhk]

57, thanks for your reply.

I connected my Rogers PVR box to the video 1 of the Pioneer VSX-921 receiver and the HDMI out to a Sony TV KDL55EX620.

The TV will display no input signal if I turn off the Pioneer VSX-921 receiver.
I read the receiver should have the Standby Pass-thru feature. It doesn't seem to work. Any idea?

[57]

I don't know where you got the quote in post 8, however, I looked through the (921) operating manual and didn't find such a function. I searched through the manual for "standby" and "through". What I did find was that if you used "HDMI control" functionality, the AVR would come on when you, say, turned on your BD player and then you'd automatically have audio (via Amp or TV) depending on if you selected Amp or Through, as discussed on page 35 of the OM. This would not work for the Rogers PVR either since, I believe, the PVR is always sending a signal, even when "off".

So, unless I missed something, this AVR doesn't have a true HDMI standby passthrough. Perhaps it's available on a higher end Pioneer, since the quote in post 8 is not specific about model... You can, of course, select "through" manually as per page 35, but that's probably not what you're looking for.

You could also connect the Rogers PVR directly to the TV via HDMI and optical or coaxial audio to the AVR, that way you could choose the audio device. Or simply listen to the AVR 100% of the time - it's audio is probably superior to the TV.

[stego]

i just bought the 1326 lasr week and tried getting my rogers pvr to work. it does work if i set the receiver hdmi input to the cable box first, then power it off. the receiver "remembers" your last input and uses it for the passthrough.

i ended up connecting the cable box direct to tv via hdmi. if i think i need surround sound for tv, l'll run digital coax audio to receiver.

seems to work ok for my panasonic bd and 50s30 tv... although i had to enable the viera link settings in the tv to get it working properly.

[joudbren]

Stego, just curious, why are you connecting the PVR to the TV instead of the 1326? If you go through the 1326 then you get the benefit of being able to use the onboard Marvell video scaling from the Pioneer (or not but at least you have the option)

You can also use the passthrough mode as you mentioned if you don't want the receiver on when watching TV. As mentioned, just curious...

I found the video scaling to be very good in some situations and is VERY easy to use from the iPad or iPhone app. Your Marvell Qdeo scaler is widely regarded as one of the best available currently. You can turn it on or off and make adjustments and it remembers the settings for every port/device. I have it set to "on" for my PVR but "off" for my Bluray player. I found the iPad app to be indispensable as I didn't even realize at first the receiver was scaling everything by default. The app made it easy to see this and to turn it on or off to suit my tastes.

James