Pioneer VSX-819H-K
Manufacturer: Pioneer North America Part number: VSX-819H
- CNET Editor rating: Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews
- More product information:
- Editors' blog post
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- As the VSX-819H was designed specifically as a high definition control center with HDMI connectivity for sources such as Blu-ray Disc players and HD-audio decoding capabilities, you're assured ultimate performance. Even with portable entertainment demands increasing every day and devices such as the iPhone becoming the de facto choice for many with respect to enjoying their photos, videos and ... Read more
Where to buy
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| Amazon.com Marketplace | | In stock | as of 12/08/2009 | |
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CNET editors' blog post
By Matthew Moskovciak, 01/08/09
AV receivers are always part of full product lines, so making your pick usually comes down to finding the model that offers all the features you want for the least amount of money. (And hopefully it sounds good, too.) All of Pioneer's new AV receivers at CES 2009 score pretty well on the price-to-feature metric, but the VSX-819H hits the sweet spot. Here's the full rundown:
Key features of the Pioneer VSX-819H:
- Three HDMI inputs
- Two component video inputs
- Three digital-audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial)
- Onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding
- Automatic speaker calibration
- Auto Level Control (keeps commercials from being louder than programs)
- Connect your iPod via USB and browse your songs with an onscreen interface
- Sirius-ready, with onscreen interface
- April release date, $300 list price
The connectivity and decoding options already make the $300 price tag look good, but when you throw in more unique features like Auto Level Control, and the ability to browse both Sirius and your iPod onscreen, it jumps out as a great deal. The biggest missing feature is the lack of analog video upconversion--which is available on the step-up VSX-919AH ($400)--but with almost all new home theater gadgets using HDMI (and everyone looking to save money), its absence doesn't bother us as much as it used to. It will be interesting to see how the VSX-819H stacks up when competitors release their new 2009 lines, but right now it looks like a top contender for those looking to maximize their home-theater dollar.
User reviews
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Awesome Receiver
by chito75 on May 18, 2009
Pros: Easy to install, the Automatic Speaker Calibration was outstanding and easy to do.
Cons: Having a bit of a problem programing the remote control to operate my Toshiba HD DVD , But that is an easy fix.
Summary: If you are looking for a esay and well price receiver to update your old set up this is the one you need to buy. I put Transformers and the ...
Summary: If you are looking for a esay and well price receiver to update your old set up this is the one you need to buy. I put Transformers and the sound was incredible, bullets,explosions and robots what more can you asked for. The video conversion is top notch, I'm using HDMI cables and the colors on my 40 inch Samsung look super sharp. I'm very happy with my choice.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best receiver for the money!
by Dean81299 on July 18, 2009
Pros: Price, works flawlessly with the iPod and the provided remote controls all iPod functions, charges iPod while in use as well via the USB port. Has 4 HDMI ports.
Cons: Initial set-up is a bit difficult. Definatlry not a plug and play unit. You need to perform several steps before use of the unit. A little hard to do.
Summary: Worth every penny. It is a receiver ahead of it's time. Has so many "NOW" technological features. It's hard to set up I will warn you. It gos ...
Summary: Worth every penny. It is a receiver ahead of it's time. Has so many "NOW" technological features. It's hard to set up I will warn you. It gos through an extensive set of tones that are received by a plug in sensor. It has the iPod cable it is provided. Which is rare. Most charge you up to $100 for a dock and those don't even let you use the receivers remote to completely control the iPod functions. All of them are able to be utilized with this unit. The iPod doesn't even need to be seen to be used.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Dolby Decoding Issues
by ooshellshock on September 6, 2009
Pros: Tons of features for the price. Fairly straightforward setup. Decent sound after tweaking the settings.
Cons: Slow Dolby processing causes audio lag. "Tinny" sound compared to Yamaha & Onkyo receivers of comparable price range. Flimsy materials used for component jack casings.
Summary: I really wanted to love this receiver. It had everything I was looking for at a better price than the competition. I set everything up and used it for almost ...
Summary: I really wanted to love this receiver. It had everything I was looking for at a better price than the competition. I set everything up and used it for almost 2 weeks. I was a little disappointed in the sound quality at first. Having mainly used Yamaha & Onkyo equipment for years, I was surprised at how thin the sound field was. It sounded at first like a higher-end HTIB system, but after some tweaking of the settings I was able to get the sound to a place I thought I could live with. After all, I had made the choice to save money & NOT get another Yamaha or Onkyo, so I had only myself to blame for the somewhat diminished sound quality. I was prepared to move forward and enjoy the unit when a much bigger problem became apparent. I didn't notice it at first, because it was so slight, but after a few days I realized that the audio on Dolby Digital material was always slightly behind the video. While the unit has a delay feature that enables the user to set the audio back, there isn't any way to "speed it up" to match video. This resulted in the maddening frustration of lips not being in sync with the dialogue track. I tried everything to isolate the problem to a particular source or hookup, but every source I tried (DVD, XBOX, & Cable DVR) presented the same problem with Dolby Digital soundtracks. After trying dozens of different configurations, I came to the conclusion it must be a problem with the Dolby Processor, as DTS soundtracks were perfectly fine.
Some caveats: I was NOT using the HDMI hookups due to some non-HD components in my system. Everything was connected via optical cables & component video. Maybe if I had the ability to connect via HDMI the sync features of the 1.3 protocol would have fixed the problem. Regardless... buyer beware. -
This receiver is INCREDIBLE!
by jimbowne on July 29, 2009
Pros: Easy to set up: I had this set up in 5 minutes (unlike many who claim it takes an hour!). Great sound, I cannot even detect any distortion. Banana plugs make it easy to connect. Gloss black finish is sleek. This unit runs cold compared to others.
Cons: None so far.
Summary: This receiver is great on all fronts. Connectivity is a 10/10; ease of use is a 10/10; performance is a 10/10 (possibly an 11). I love the ...
Summary: This receiver is great on all fronts. Connectivity is a 10/10; ease of use is a 10/10; performance is a 10/10 (possibly an 11). I love the way it looks, the knobs are weighted and feel impressive. The remote has a plethora of features that I will be experimenting with in the near future. This unit doesn't run hot, it barely gets warm during extended use. I chose this over the onkyo 507 and the yamaha rx v465 because of the .05% THD rating. I got this for 269 shipped, and I can't see how I could be happier!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Pioneer North America
- Part number: VSX-819H
- Description: As the VSX-819H was designed specifically as a high definition control center with HDMI connectivity for sources such as Blu-ray Disc players and HD-audio decoding capabilities, you're assured ultimate performance. Even with portable entertainment demands increasing every day and devices such as the iPhone becoming the de facto choice for many with respect to enjoying their photos, videos and music, the VSX-819H still delivers. Connecting to your iPhone, iPod and iTouch devices, the VSX-819H has never been easier with a front USB port and included cable. And because it's works with iPhone certified, the VSX-819H delivers a multitude of features designed to bring the entertainment stored on your iPhone into your home theater. Music and movies are automatically muted with incoming calls; compressed music files are greatly enhanced with advanced sound retriever; consistent volume is maintained with auto level control - all while the control of your media remains in the palm of your hand through the iPhone itself or the VSX-819H's remote. And when you are ready to watch a Blu-ray Disc movie, get ready to experience only the highest quality audio in existence today with DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding, delivering up to 7.1 channels of surround sound at 96 kHz/24-bit high-resolution.
General
- Product Type AV receiver
- Width 16.5 in
- Depth 13.7 in
- Height 6.2 in
- Weight 19.8 lbs
Audio System
- Sound Output Mode Surround Sound
- Built-in Decoders DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS Express, DTS decoder, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-HD High Resolution
- Surround Sound Effects Front Stage Surround
- Digital Sound Processor (DSP) Yes
- Surround System Class 5.1 channel
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio 98 dB
- Input Impedance 47 KOhm
- Input Sensitivity 200 mV
- Amplifier Output Details 110 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD 0.05 % - 5 channel(s) ( Surround )
- Timer Sleep
- Display Dimmer Yes
- Additional Features iPod ready, Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration Circuit (MCACC)
Connections / Cables / Slots
- HD connectors HDMI connection(s) on this receiver make it a great choice for your High-Def home theater. One cable carries digital audio and video data directly to your display.
Signal Processing Features
- HDMI Repeater Yes
- HDMI Pass-Through Up to 1080p
Connectors
- Headphone Jack Yes
- Coaxial Digital Input Yes
- Optical Digital Input Yes
Radio
- Type Radio tuner - AM/FM - Digital
- Preset Station Qty 30
- Additional Features Sirius satellite radio ready
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type Digital player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards AAC, MP3, WMA
- Additional Features USB flash drive playback
Remote Control
- Remote Control Universal remote control - Infrared
Connections
- Connector Type 3 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, 1 x HDMI output ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, 1 x SPDIF input ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 2 x SPDIF input - Rear, 5 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 2 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 1 x FM antenna - Rear, 1 x AM antenna - Rear, 3 x Composite video input ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 2 x Composite video output ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x Subwoofer output ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x Rear channel output ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 1 x 5.1 channel audio line-in ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-out (multi zone) ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x Component video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x Headphones ( Phone stereo 6.25 mm ) - Front, 1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Front, 1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) - Front
Power
- Power Device Power supply - Internal
- Power Consumption Operational 250 Watt
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories AM antenna, FM antenna, iPod adapter cable, Auto calibration microphone
Manufacturer info
- Pioneer North America
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Pioneer North America products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/
- Address:
2265 E. 220th St.
Long Beach, CA 90810 - Phone: 310/952-2111
