Pioneer VSX-822-K 400W 5-Channel A/V Receiver, Network Ready, Pandora, iPod/iPhone, Black

Pioneer VSX-822-K 400W 5-Channel A/V Receiver, Network Ready, Pandora, iPod/iPhone, Black


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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

90 of 96 people found the following review helpful.
Great Network-Ready AV Receiver
By Scott R. Sideleau
I've owned this AV receiver for a couple weeks now and am quite happy with its performance. I opted to network it by connecting it via Cat6 cable to an 8-port Gigabit network switch, which is then connected to a universal WiFi adapter that is connected to the 5-GHz band on my dual-band WiFi router. I have been able to stream Pandora, Internet radio (vTuner), and audio/video via AirPlay from my MacBook Pro with iTunes without issue.

I can confirm that the user interface experience is a bit dull (e.g. grey, no on-screen keyboard, etc), but it functions well enough, so I can't complain. I have other devices (e.g. Roku 2) with better interfaces that I'll likely continue to do most of my streaming from. The HDMI overlay setup menu is an independent mode, but I'm not sure why others are finding that to be a fault as I would not want a video stream to be playing in the background while I was trying to read the white text of the setup menu and make changes.

I was a bit disappointed to learn, after getting the AV receiver networked, that it is unable to update its firmware automatically. Instead, it detects that a new firmware version is available (after checking over the Internet) and then provides you with instructions for downloading the update from a computer and applying it with a USB thumbdrive. As a result, the primary purpose for networking the AV receiver is to enable AirPlay support.

The ControlApp works great on my Android smartphone running the "Gingerbread" (v2.3.4) version of the OS. After detecting the AV receiver, it downloads a small update to the app, which permits you to control the volume (using an on-screen dial) and toggle between the input sources. I find that I can use either the included remote control or the Android app interchangeably, without having to toggle anything on the AV receiver itself.

I use "Direct" stereo mode with some fantastic Pioneer floor standing loudspeakers with MCACC enabled. The audio output to the speakers has been incredible. I am hearing things in HDTV streams that I've never heard before.

I have a Wii connected to the Composite input and can confirm that 1080p up-sampling works without a hitch. Sometimes there is some very subtle flicker along the bottom/top of the image, but it seems to go away after a minute or two. This is an up-sampled image, so its graphical quality is not improved, but simply made compatible with the HDMI output provided to my TV.

I also have my non-HDMI Xbox 360 (in HD mode) connected to the Component input and can confirm that 720p/1080i passthrough is supported. Unfortunately, 1080p passthrough is not supported over the Component input (aside: I've verified that my Xbox 360 can support 1080p resolution by connecting it directly to my HDTV). When attempting this feat, sound was successfully played, but no image was displayed on my 1080p HDTV. After my initial disappointment, I have resolved to use my Xbox 360 in 1080i mode.

My remaining devices (Cable Box, Roku 2, and PS3) are connected via HDMI and work flawlessly. I have noticed that switching input sources is not instantaneous. The delay (usually less than 5-sec) is compounded by my HDTV going into "Searching for Signal" mode whenever a switch is made. I have an older HDTV from 2007, so newer TVs that "find" signals faster will likely have reduced delays between switched feeds. From everything that I've read, my observed delay is pretty typical of AV receivers switching between concurrently executing audio/video sources and has much to do with the amount of processing enabled. This performance is not a deal breaker for me, as I'm usually using a particularly input source exclusively for some period of time before switching to another. I have no need to rapidly bounce back-and-forth between input sources.

I am very pleased with this product and look forward to being able to test its 3D passthrough capability when affordable consumer devices begin to appear on the market in the coming years.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent Receiver
By P. Bradford
Okay so I received mine and have been using now for about 3 weeks. This unit is fantastic. Every feature it claims to support, it does in fact support. Sound from the unit is more crisp than other receivers I have used in the past (mainly Onkyo). I bundled it with a Polk audio RM510 5.1 speaker system for $450 on Newegg.com (a total steal considering the receiver itself is $400). It shows how to use the Pandora directly in the users manual, no internet searching necessary. I would hardly consider this an "incomplete product" because it has more features than I even bargained for, like midnight mode. Midnight mode is great if you live in a dorm/apartment and want all the dialogue loud in the movie but don't want the action scenes waking up your neighbors. If you are like me I used to watch movies late with the volume remote in my hand and constantly adjusted throughout the entire movie. Bottom line, this S. R. Lingala guy has no idea what he is talking about.

58 of 70 people found the following review helpful.
Very Satisfied Customer
By Geomatt024
I have had my Pioneer VSX-1122-K for about a week now, and I love it. My previous receiver was a Pioneer VSX - 1021-K, and I had allot of HDMI handshaking issue's as well as a few other bugs that were very frustrating. Given all the issues I encountered with my previous receiver, I was hesitant to get another Pioneer. I am happy to say that I have NO issues with the VSX-1122-K at all! The handshaking issues are gone, and I have NOT encountred any bugs. The overall quality of the VSX-1122-K seems to be far superior to that of the previous model year. The Airplay feature is awesome and makes listening to my favorite music easy and convenient. The 2012 Icontrol application for the Ipad is very cool and allows you to turn up the bass or dilague during movies and TV shows without having to change any settings on the actual receiver. This model has a front HDMI port that allows me to hook up my HD video Camera without having to climb behind the TV stand with a flashlight. Pioneer also did away with the cheap looking, finger print collecting, high gloss plastic it has been using for the last few years, and upgraded to a nice black brushed aluminum face plate. I have not tried playing FLAC audio files on it yet, but am looking forward to giving it a try. This receiver is packed with cool features, sounds great, looks great, and you can't beat the price.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Manufacturer

Exceptional Audio and Video Quality and Advanced Networking Capability

The Pioneer VSX-822-K AV receiver is a perfect entertainment hub. View larger

The new Pioneer VSX-822-K delivers amazing home theater performance at an unrivaled value, with the capability to bring you entertainment from new sources through smartphones, tablets, PCs, and thumb drives. Compatible with a wide range of Apple devices and Made for iPad, its front USB port makes the connection easy to stream music from iTunes over your network to your home theater system, or make a Bluetooth connection with any compatible device. Apple-compatibility enhances your home theater experience while expanding the possibilities of where that experience comes from. Ready to hear the future of sound? Hit play.

Seamlessly bring your music and video library to your home theater. View larger

A rear panel Ethernet port allows full integration into your home network. View larger

Made for iPod, iPhone and iPad

From early on, Pioneer has embraced the Apple lifestyle. The VSX-822-K is a perfect example. Made for iPod, iPhone and iPad certification means it's easy to connect your Apple devices, with the included cable, to seamlessly bring your music and video library where you want it most: into your living room.

And new for 2012, the USB port has been upgraded to handle uncompressed 192Khz/24-bit FLAC and WAV music files from your PC or storage devices for true audiophile-level performance.

AirPlay

With AirPlay, stream music from iTunes to the VSX-822-K and play it through your home theater system without docks or cables. Simply connect the receiver to your home network via Ethernet, and it instantly becomes the hub for playback of your iTunes music from your connected Apple device or networked computer.

You can stream your music straight from your PC or Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to the VSX-822-K at the touch of a button. Listen to your favorite song in your car using your iPhone, leave your car mid-song and walk into your home. Using the AirPlay icon on your iPhone, select the VSX-822-K. When you do, it'll power up automatically and continue your favorite song right where you left off.

You can even use the receiver to view song information, including song title and artist as well as album art on an HDMI-connected TV.

Connect to Your PC Music Files or Internet Radio

The VSX-822-K's networking ability opens a world of possibilities. A rear panel Ethernet port allows full integration into your home network, with Windows 7 and DLNA 1.5 certification; a whole new level of entertainment options are at your fingertips. Stream MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, or even FLAC music files from your PC, laptop or smartphone to your home theater system.

The VSX-822-K also supports Internet Radio with vTuner, so you can enjoy thousands of internet radio stations from around the world You can also access your Pandora Radio music service, complete with on-screen album art and song information.

Unleash your Smartphone's Music with Bluetooth

The VSX-822-K is fully ready for wireless Bluetooth audio from virtually any A2DP profile Bluetooth device. With the Pioneer AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter (sold separately), you can untether yourself from cables and inputs. Plus you'll enjoy enriched quality with Sound Retriever AIR technology, created specifically to enhance Bluetooth audio.

Plus, download Pioneer's exclusive Air Jam application for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices, which allows up to four Apple devices to be paired via Bluetooth to create playlists. Choose songs from your device to add to a group playlist to play back on the VSX-822-K. Like a song your friend added? Select it and buy it from iTunes, or watch the music video on YouTube.

Ultimate Sound Control

With 400 watts of high power, direct energy amplification, the VSX-822-K supports formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio to give your Blu-ray Disc soundtracks unsurpassed audio quality. Pioneer also includes all of the Dolby and DTS surround formats, including the newest Dolby Pro Logic IIz height channel.

The VSX-822-K also features Pioneer's exclusive Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system (MCACC), providing an optimized multi-channel listening experience by measuring every speaker's connection, noting its size and distance from the listening point, sound levels and timbre in order to calibrate, customize and maximize performance specifically for your room.

Featuring 6 HDMI inputs for all of your high definition sources. View larger

With the unique Front Stage Surround Advance feature, you experience a virtual surround sound environment. If you don't want to worry about routing speaker cables around your room, your speakers can be placed up front and still sound great.

By filling in areas where minute details were left out during the compression process, even compressed audio like WMA, MP3 and AAC is enhanced with another Pioneer exclusive, Advanced Sound Retriever and Sound Retriever Air, specifically designed for Bluetooth.

And since the only thing that should shock you is how good it sounds, there's also an Auto Level Control, equalizing volume differences between portable audio tracks or television programming and eliminating jarring volume changes.

The Latest HDMI Technology

All of Pioneer's newest receivers support the latest HDMI specifications. So not only do you get the most out of your existing movies and music, with the VSX-822, you're prepared for the new generation of 3D video content. With 6 HDMI inputs, you have plenty of connectivity options. All Pioneer receivers also offer advanced HDMI conveniences like Audio Return Channel and HDMI Standby Through.

Pioneer ControlApp

Control your VSX-822-K with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or select Android smartphones from your home network with Pioneer's exclusive ControlApp. Amaze friends and family as you take full control of your home theater sound in a whole new way.

All This and Looks Too

First impressions are everything. That's why, as the heart of your home theater system, the VSX-822-K's modern, compelling lines and stunning new brushed finish reflect a solid, state-of-the-art receiver that's high quality and easy to use.

Which Pioneer AV Receiver is Right for You?

	VSX-522-K	VSX-822-K	VSX-1022-K	VSX-1122-K
	Starting Strong	Entertainment Hub	Powerful and Well-Connected	Sonic and Video Perfection
Surround Sound	5.1 Channels	5.1 Channels	7.2 Channels	7.2 Channels
HDMI Input/Output	4/1	6/1	6/1	6/1
Dolby True HD
DLNA 1.5
Windows 7
Sirius XM
Pandora
AV Navigator
AirPlay
Bluetooth Ready
Wi-Fi Ready
iControlAV2012
Control App
iPhone Certification
iPad Certification

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