Pioneer VSX-919AH-K Receiver Thread

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Newmason

fors, I have a time warner cable box, and I dont think I have ever seen a Native setting to turn on or off, but I havent really been on the lookout for it either, and you are right, HDMI for everything, but I dont have my DVR/cable box even plugged into my receiver. I'm not sure whats going on with it if its not a DVR setting. Anything else on the receiver?

, missed that in your post. Anyway, it looks to me more like what trekdude linked for you as far as getting everything to work correctly. Give it a read......

[Newmason]

Yup just read it. If I were to write a review for this reciever, it would be very similar! I love it so far, except for this ps3 non-sense. I'd love to hook up my cable box to the avr but I think I would have to have the reciever on in order for it to work, and the g/f isnt to thrilled with the remote situation as it is! Harm. 1 time it sounds like!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Newmason

Yup just read it. If I were to write a review for this reciever, it would be world very similar! I love it so farm, except for this ps3 non-sense. I'd love to hook up my cable box to the avr but I think I would have to have the reciever on in order for it to work, and the g/f isnt to thrilled with the remote situation as it is! Harm. 1 time it sounds like!

Glad to see you like your 919. I think you would like the TV and cable box hooked up together, but that's my opinion, and it would be for convenience minimally.

By the way, I have 2 words for you.....Harmony Remote (they are very girlfriend/wife friendly!)

[camel]

I am thinking of getting the VSX-919AH-K, but the fact that it only has 3 HDMI inputs has me concerned. Does anybody have experience hooking up an HDMI switch to one of the inputs on this?

I was thinking of a configuration where I had the PS3 and XBOX on a monoprice switch going into HDMI port 3. HDMI port 1 would by my dish DVR, port 2 would be my HTPC. Do you think there would be any HDMI handshake problems inserting another switch in the middle?

PS3 -> monoprice HDMI switch -> VSX-919AH-K -> TV

Thoughts?

[Newmason]

I dont see where the problem would be, that is what HDMI switchers are suppose to do. Plug away! You might have some handshaking issues though. I have them with my set up PS3 HDMI into 919 HDMI out to DLP WD60737

[Cr00zng]

I've picked up the 919 for its capability of speaker "A" and "B" to replace my 15+ years old Kenwood that powered two rooms just fine. In the second room I've kept the speakers and man, this Pioneer sounds so much cleaner with the same speakers. My fingers are itching to put back my old speakers in the living room as well, but there's no room for the floor speakers. I hate to throw them out, but they have to go.

The manual and the remote for the receiver are definitely not the best I've seen. It took me awhile to setup the speaker "A" and "B" and yet to figure out how to switch between them on the remote and not on the receiver in itself. The AM/FM tuner missing the dial-knob, but that's just my preference for tuning to stations.

Having the HDMI connection between devices is definitely and advantage; for example switching on the receiver makes the TV switch the audio output to receiver and shuts off the TV speakers. This could be as much the TV as the 919, I don't know. The receiver switches to the active channel automatically, it uses the tuner if there's no other input; this is a nice feature. Overall, I like the 919 and fits in to my HT system just fine.

Cr00zng

[Theil24]

Newmason,
Question. When watching a bluray does the HD audio codec (TruHD, DTS Master) show on the receivers display? If so does it stay on the whole time or move back to the assigned input, 'BD.' And if it does display TruHD is it in big letters on the display or simply an indicator light that comes on. Sorry for all the questions but I sit about 10 - 12 feet from my setup so I want to be able to see the HD audio being decoded. I appreciate your feedback!!

[Kali157]

I have been doing research on a new receiver and I think I narrowed it down to the Pioneer VSX 919. I dont need the up scaling or the extra HDMI or extra optical port of the Pioneer 1019 so I thought I would save myself $100. Am I right to assume that both these receivers are nearly identical except for these three factors? Are there any other concerns I should consider about this receiver before I pull the trigger?

I have a Panasonic plasma, Polk RM20 speakers, Polk PSW110 sub, and PS3 as my blu ray player. I dont know if my equipment info will help.

Are there any other receivers I should be looking at for under $400?

Thanks for any help... I am excited to achieve loss less sound .

[jomari]

if i was going to start off fresh with a new receiver, id consider trying to find a pioneer vsx-1018 instead. this was my preferred choice in the pioneer non elite series, quite because its simply IS one.

the newer vsx-x19 series have changed their amplifiers, and gutted it towards newer specs, and personally prefer what they did with the 1018.

i guess i had to highlight this part...

I dont need the up scaling or the extra HDMI or extra optical port of the Pioneer 1019 so I thought I would save myself $100.

if i may give an opinion? whenever we end up 'saving ourselves' a couple of bucks, we sometimes end up 'upgrading' to a new component later down the road with a bigger, better, badder unit to hold up to what we want. in a nutshell, saving much further, and keeping that money to purchase that 'bigger, better, badder unit' would save you much more, and avoid the hassles of selling the older unit.

im more inclined to say i try not to end up 'settling' for something, and save more money to get 'what i want'.

as ive always said, you dont rush buying a new house or car, why do the same with this investment?

sorry, i just had to say something from experience. just an opinion, and hopefully something that can assist you down the road.

keep us posted!

[Kali157]

Well I guess thats why I am asking if there is something I am missing with going with the 919 vs the 1019. I really dont see myself needing any of those extra ports since I am goign to be only using 1 HDMI port and 1 optical port (for my HTPC). From what I have read the internals are pretty much the same. Is that right? As for the upscaling, I dont plan to buy a Wii or ad any other non HD components b/c, hey, thats not an "upgrade."

So the question is still iff the 919 and 1019 are the same except for the things I have said? I am all for spending $100 if I need it... but not just to have it.

Also, where can I find the 1018 (hopefully new)? What features does it have over the 1019 and vise vesa? Thanks

[GRIFMTL]

Originally Posted by Kali157

Well I guess thats why I am asking if there is something I am missing with going with the 919 vs the 1019. I really dont see myself needing any of those extra ports since I am goign to be only using 1 HDMI port and 1 optical port (for my HTPC). From what I have read the internals are pretty much the same. Is that right? As for the upscaling, I dont plan to buy a Wii or ad any other non HD components b/c, hey, thats not an "upgrade."

So the question is still iff the 919 and 1019 are the same except for the things I have said? I am all for spending $100 if I need it... but not just to have it.

Also, where can I find the 1018 (hopefully new)? What features does it have over the 1019 and vise vesa? Thanks

One thing to consider in any A/V you will eventually chose is "pre-outs". If you ever decide to go with an external amp, you will need this and I'm not sure that either one of your choices has this option.

[Kali157]

If I plan to upgrade my speakers to larger ones, then I may get an amp. If that happens, this receiver and speakers are going to the plasma upstairs. So as of now, I am not planning for an amp with this setup. I already considered the amp aspect. Thanks for the heads up though.

Any other thoughts or options? I am mainly trying to update my existing receiver which doesnt have HDMI and I am forced to connect via optical... so no lossless sound

Jomari, I still cant find the 1018 anywhere... I also want to know what the advantage of going with this older model.

Thanks

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Kali157

If I plan to upgrade my speakers to larger ones, then I may get an amp. If that happens, this receiver and speakers are going to the plasma upstairs. So as of now, I am not planning for an amp with this setup. I already considered the amp aspect. Thanks for the heads up though.

Any other thoughts or options? I am mainly trying to update my existing receiver which doesnt have HDMI and I am forced to connect via optical... so no lossless sound

Jomari, I still cant find the 1018 anywhere... I also want to know what the advantage of going with this older model.

Thanks

Its a good thing you researched about adding on an amp and using this as a pre/pro...

now in regards to the 1018 vs the x19 series, these two are two completely different beast. the guttings inside the 1018 (mainly the amps used and the DAC's) are different than the newer versions, plus the fact these are also significantly similar (i cant vouch if they are the same) than those found in the Elite series.

You can also search on the net about the benchmark test done in regards to their 'true' outputs in comparison to what is stated on their spreadsheets.

im not necessarily saying its not a great receiver, but if i had the option, id stick with finding a 1018.

theres a good reason why most places dont have em anymore. aside from being discontinued, its also scarce for a reason.

[Scottyren]

I searched all over for a 1018 and had no luck finding one, so I finally pulled the trigger on the 919. Just got it hooked up last night and it did a fine job with my Polk's. I use the PS3 as my BR player as well- sounds like you might be a little more into upgrading to a bigger system in the future than I am, but I think you would be very happy with the 919 for the near future.

[jomari]

hey, at least you tried right? for what its worth, that alone would put me to bed comfortably.

congrats on your new pioneer.

[haphilli]

Hey Guys sorry if this is seen as being a dumb question but I have been looking everywhere to try to output 5.1 with my iPod or 360. On the 360 I've gotten surround but no sub.

When I switch over to my Blu-Ray player I get 5.1 surround perfectly, but I have no idea how to switch the settings to get the same treatment for my iPod or 360. Any help is greatly appreciated.