Pioneer has announced nine new AV receivers, engineered to perform as the central entertainment hub in the home.
Pioneer has announced nine new AV receivers, engineered to perform as the central entertainment hub in the home.
The new breed of Pioneer AV receivers add features previously not seen in the component audio category, including Apple’s AirPlay, Made for iPad, DLNA Certified (v1.5), as well as custom apps made for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, such as the exclusive iControlAV2 and Air Jam apps.
The 2011 Pioneer AV receiver line-up includes the VSX-521, VSX-826, VSX-921, VSX-1021, VSX-2021 (July release), VSX-LX55, SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 (October release), as well as the new slim VSX-S300 slim receiver.
“Pioneer has succeeded in releasing an AV receiver range that complements these emerging audio trends; our new models deliver the high-end audio experience that enthusiasts would expect from such a quality entertainment device,” says Pioneer Electronics Australia group product planning manager Tony Trent.
“Everything from the user interface, to the setup process, to the product functionality is designed to deliver an intuitive user experience that everyone in the home can easily enjoy.”
Starting with the VSX-521, the new Pioneer AV receivers offer HDMI 1.4 for 3D, wireless Bluetooth audio streaming via an optional adaptor, Blu-ray audio decoding and automatic calibration for easy set-up.
With the optional Bluetooth adapter, the whole range of receivers feature wireless Bluetooth transfer of audio content from any A2DP Bluetooth-enabled mobile device or computer. The AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter allows listeners to keep their phone close to them while they enjoy music through their home theatre system.
Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC)
A key feature in all Pioneer receivers is our proprietary MCACC system. This analyses the room’s speaker configuration and then optimises level and equalisation for each one to compensate for room-induced acoustic inaccuracies, providing an optimal, customised audio experience in any home cinema room.
The VSX-921 and higher models have advanced MCACC, adding 3D time alignment for the most precise tuning capability. When using the iControlAV2 app for room calibration on iPad, the control screen graphically displays the results of the acoustics of the room in fine detail.
Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod
From the VSX-826 model and above, the receivers come with a free USB/video cable for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that enables fast “plug and play” capability with no optional dock required. This allows playback of audio, video and photos stored on your device(s). The receiver has full support for iPad, including 2.1A battery charge facility via the USB port.
AirPlay
With AirPlay, you can easily listen to your music library through your home cinema systems using your home network. This works on both the VSX-921 model and above, requiring iTunes 10.1 or later running on a Mac or PC. For streaming from an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, a device running iOS 4.2 is required. Album art and song information can also be displayed on a connected monitor/TV. An optional wireless LAN converter (AS-WL300) is available to simplify the connection.
Air Jam
The free Air Jam App is available from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch from June 2011. Used in conjunction with the VSX-921 model and above (optional AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter required), up to four devices can be paired via Bluetooth.
Once connected, each user can cue songs from their music libraries to create a collective playlist to play back on their AV Receiver. Each connected device will display the list of songs added by all users and the device each song will play from. The Air Jam App will also keep the list of songs from each session on each device for possible future purchase through the iTunes Store.
iControlAV2
The next generation iControlAV2 app gives you even more control of your home theatre settings when used with the VSX-921 and higher featured receivers. The app enables control of volume, bass, balance and room settings and is further enhanced when used with an iPad, as all four app controls are integrated into an intuitive single screen.
Additional features include detailed graphic representations of before and after MCACC room calibration, and sound adjustments that enable you to create your own equaliser settings with a simple “touch and draw” on the screen. The iControlAV2 app also includes Blu-ray Disc player control when connected to a compatible Pioneer Blu-ray Disc player. The app will be available free of charge in the App Store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
Both the Air Jam App and the iControlAV2 App require iOS 4.2 with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, iPad and iPod touch (2nd, 3rd and 4th generation).
DLNA Certified (v1.5)
From the VSX-921 and upwards, Pioneer further expands on its wireless and networked capabilities, by offering DLNA v1.5 support, allowing connection to devices with the same feature.
Via Ethernet or optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN converter (sold separately), the receivers can access and play high-resolution music (up to 192kHz/24-Bit for the VSX-1021 and up to 96kHz/24-Bit for the VSX-921) from a compatible networked device. Audio can also be streamed and controlled through the receiver with a Smartphone that supports UPnP/DLNA media servers and renderers, giving users an entirely new way to share and play their music collection.
vTuner Internet Radio
Starting with the VSX-921, Pioneer has added vTuner internet radio for endless music entertainment. With vTuner, you have access to thousands of internet radio stations around the world. From the on-screen display, you can choose from different music formats, station locations or simply search for specific stations and receive the broadcasts with great reception every time.
Receivers that make set up easy
Released in July 2011, both the VSX-921 and VSX-1021 are the first AV receivers to feature the new AVNavigator setup software application. Designed to simplify the physical and software setup of the receiver, AVNavigator is a suite of PC applications, consisting of two key applications, Wiring Navi and the Interactive Manual.
Interactive Manual
Once the receiver is connected using the Wiring Navi set up, the Interactive Manual application provides a linked two-way interactive manual giving you a way to quickly learn about all of the new features of the AV receiver (i.e. a push of the ALC button on the front of the receiver will take you directly to the portion of the manual that explains the Automatic Level Control feature).
Alternately, you can click on a section of the owner’s manual and the feature of the receiver will automatically activate (i.e. when you clicks on the FL Dimmer section of the owner’s manual, the Front Panel Display of the receiver will dim).
Advanced Video Adjust
Smartly using the information accessible from displays connected via HDMI, video signals are optimised according to the connected display type, such as plasma display panel, LCD or projector. Further integrating also the distance data acquired through the MCACC measurements, it automatically adjusts the image in function of the users seating position, through automatic viewing-distance optimised adjustment of the picture enhancement and noise reduction parameters.
Stream Smoother
The presence of highly compressed (lower bit-rate) video content is increasing e.g. through the popularisation of on-line content sources. Starting with the VSX-2021 model, Pioneer offers you a better viewing experience via Stream Smoother, which reduces compression noise and realises more fine detailed images.
Stepping up to the top-line SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 receivers, Pioneer offers a number of unique features, including the integratation of the highly efficient Direct Energy HD amplifiers (step up from the 75/85) built on Class D technology.
Building on experience gained from more than 4 generations of audiophile Class D implementations, our new and latest platform delivers overwhelming power free from any distortion: an amazing true multi-channel continuous power output of 810 watts over 9 channels in the SC-LX85 and 720 watts over 9 channels in the SC-LX75.
The SC-LX85 can for example be used in up to 10 different channel assignment patterns, and in each case the Direct Energy HD Amplifiers drive all channels with equally high power output. The patterns include one with a 9 channel set-up in one single room while another, totally different, lets you listen to 5 channels in one room, and stereo sound in 2 other rooms – all at the same time.
The Direct Energy HD design has earned the coveted THX Ultra 2 Plus (SC-LX85) / THX select 2 Plus (SC-LX75, VSX-LX55 and VSX-2021) certification. Additional certification for the SC-LX85 and SC-LX75 also comes from the world renowned AIR Studios. Its engineers have been actively involved in the tuning of the AV receivers to assure the recreation of the studio experience in the home.
Hi-bit 32 and hi-sampling audio processing in the SC-LX85 and SC-LX75 revives the original sound, smoothing out distortion. A brand new DAC filter in both models, a world first for an AV receiver, lets you enjoy 3 types of sound characters through switching: slow, sharp and short. Connoisseurs will then be able to hear soft and warm, solid and tight and quick and forward music respectively. Adjust DAC filter to your listening mood.
