New pioneer av receiver line-up takes digital entertainment to new heights

**Phil Hinton** · 15-04-2009, 12:48 PM

Just announced by Pioneer is their new 2009 AV Receiver range. Here are the details;

Quote:

Pioneer is pleased to announce the introduction of a new range of AV receivers that are designed to lift home entertainment to the highest level: the VSX-1019AH, VSX-919AH, VSX-819H and VSX-519V. The top three receiver models are some of the industry’s first to feature iPhone and iPod certification for enhanced compatibility to Apple’s mobile digital devices. Built upon the best-in-class audio standards that Pioneer has set over the years, the new receiver line enhances the sound quality of compressed music files to ensure a dynamic surround listening experience.

High Resolution Entertainment

Pioneer’s new AV receivers make sure that all pictures and sounds are reproduced purely and precisely. Internal decoding of advanced audio formats – DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD – in the top three models will enable enthusiasts to enjoy a high definition listening experience with sounds that are near perfection. The VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH allow the conversion of conventional analogue inputs to HDMI, which simplifies AV connections by carrying digital audio and video signals in one cable. Additionally, the VSX-1019AH provides 1080p up-scaling of all video signals for outstanding image quality.

All new receivers come equipped with the HDMI repeater function that makes a single HDMI cable sufficient to transfer both HD video and audio digitally to the receiver. Full video format capabilities such as Deep Colour and x.v.Colour deliver vibrant, lifelike colours with smooth gradation transitions, whereas a Lip Sync function ensures synchronised audio and video playback, matching lip movements with voices.

First-class Digital Connectivity

Pioneer’s top three new models are designed as the most dynamic solution to connect and improve playback performance for iPod and iPhone devices. With a multi-format front panel USB port that can handle an array of MP3 music files, consumers can seamlessly navigate and choose their personalised playlists, without needing a docking station. The direct digital signal transfer from the iPod to the receiver guarantees the purest sound possible.

In addition to simple ‘plug and play’ connectivity, the VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH allow all your album covers and tracks names to be displayed in full colour when connected to a HDTV. Their new, intuitive and fresh looking Graphical User Interface ensures straightforward navigation.

Compressed Audio Restored

Pioneer has integrated its Advanced Sound Retriever and Auto Level Control audio improvement technologies across all four new models to enhance the sound quality of compressed media. The VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH models feature updated versions to deliver an even fuller and more natural surround sound.

The Advanced Sound Retriever greatly improves sound reproduction of iPhone, iPod and other portable media players by restoring the critical audio data that is often removed from a compressed audio file.

Volume levels can fluctuate across digital audio tracks (i.e. MP3 and iPod), input sources and even television channels and commercials, causing disruptive entertainment. Pioneer’s Auto Level Control equalises the volume of all sources and formats for consistent listening from all entertainment.

Home Integration

Dedicated to providing a customised audio entertainment experience, Pioneer’s new AV receivers offer a wealth of home integration features.

Multi-source capabilities allow the new models to serve as the entertainment centrepiece of up to two zones in the house.

Connected to a Pioneer PQLS-compatible Blu-ray Disc player via HDMI, the VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH perfect CD playback with the proprietary Precision Quartz Lock System (PQLS). This technology eliminates distortion caused by timing errors, giving the best possible digital-to-analogue conversion from audio CD sources when using the HDMI interface. This results in jitter-free playback and dynamic sound quality for music CDs.

The top three receiver models boast Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) that gives users a finely tuned sound performance for their movies and music. This feature takes inventory of a room’s speakers then digitally optimises each one to balance out any room-induced acoustic inaccuracies.

The VSX-519V and VSX-819H AV receivers will be available as from May 2009. The VSX-919AH and VSX-1019AH will be released in June 2009.