Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH Review Thread

[rocky316]

I assume your using HDMI from the set-top box to receiver to tv?

Hmmm... I wonder if it's a setting then.

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

I don't have this problem with my Directv HD-DVR.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by rocky316

I assume your using HDMI from the set-top box to receiver to tv?

Hmmm... I wonder if it's a setting then.

My hd-dvr, dvd-a/sacd and bd are all connected via HDMI to the receiver.

[rocky316]

I can only assume the connection from the cogeco pvr (motorola DCT6412) has some issues when outputting to the elite receiver, or the receiver has some issues when outputting to the sony xbr5 via HDMI.

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

My hd-dvr, dvd-a/sacd and bd are all connected via HDMI to the receiver.

[lutefisk69]

Originally Posted by rocky316

Folks,

I have a Pioneer Elite 94TXH. Currently it's taking HDMI input from my hd cable box (a PVR box from cogeco). The HDMI output goes to my Sony Bravia XBR5.

So setup is

HDMI out from hd cable box -> HMDI in receiver -> HDMI out of receiver -> HDMI IN on TV.

What's somewhat annoying, is that when I switch from a HD to a non-HD channel (or vice versa), it looks like the HDMI is resyncing. Takes about a solid 3 seconds for it to change channels and display. Before I had the receiver, I plugged the cogeco cable box directly into the TV via component cables, and switching between HD/non-HD was never an issue.

Wonder if their is a setting to fix this? Or if this is simply a drawback of using HDMI.

Is the 94 trying to upconvert the non-hd channels? Try turning the upconvert off.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by lutefisk69

Is the 94 trying to upconvert the non-hd channels? Try turning the upconvert off.

The 94TXH does not upconvert HDMI inputs.

[lutefisk69]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

The 94TXH does not upconvert HDMI inputs.

Did not know that. All my inputs are at least 1080 so I have always had the upconversion off. wouldn't hurt to turn it off though.

[PhillyJim]

Originally Posted by rocky316

Folks,

I have a Pioneer Elite 94TXH. Currently it's taking HDMI input from my hd cable box (a PVR box from cogeco). The HDMI output goes to my Sony Bravia XBR5.

So setup is

HDMI out from hd cable box -> HMDI in receiver -> HDMI out of receiver -> HDMI IN on TV.

What's somewhat annoying, is that when I switch from a HD to a non-HD channel (or vice versa), it looks like the HDMI is resyncing. Takes about a solid 3 seconds for it to change channels and display. Before I had the receiver, I plugged the cogeco cable box directly into the TV via component cables, and switching between HD/non-HD was never an issue.

Wonder if their is a setting to fix this? Or if this is simply a drawback of using HDMI.

Check your cable box settings, make sure 4:3 override is set to off. This should correct the problem that you are having.

[LOTR07]

Originally Posted by Entertainment72

Any Pioneer 94 owners experiencing any of the DTS-MA "pop" issues?

No pop on my reciever. Quick question with reguards to the PS3 update. Which sound setting to pick to make the most of the update?

[LOTR07]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

The 94TXH does not upconvert HDMI inputs.

Correct. Is there anyway to open the video optios menu while connected to HDMI?

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by LOTR07

Correct. Is there anyway to open the video optios menu while connected to HDMI?

IIRC, you can change the audio and video parameters but the options won't be displayed on-screen. My video settings are still on factory defaults.

[LOTR07]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

II RC, you can change the audio and video parameters but the options won't be displayed on-screen. My video settings are still on factory defaults.

Audio settings i have no problems with but was curious about the video parameters if it would improve picture quality at all.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by LOTR07

Audio settings i have no problems with but was curious about the video parameters if it would improve picture quality at all.

IMO it is better to do changes at the TV and not at the receiver.

[LOTR07]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

IMO it is better to do changes at the TV and not at the receiver.

Opinion noted. Used the calibration settings on this forum to tweak the Tv so it should be at its optimal settings. BR Movies look and sound amazing.

[Ranger-R]

Question to 94 users and I know it will also depend on speakers and other variables, but what settings are you using? MCAA on/off? Phase control? and then which THX,Standard, or S.Direct?

Myself, MCAA on, Phase control-full band, and S.Direct-Direct.

[Cordre69]

Originally Posted by Ranger-R

Question to 94 users and I know it will also depend on speakers and other variables, but what settings are you using? MCAA on/off? Phase control? and then which THX,Standard, or S.Direct?

Myself, MCAA on, Phase control-full band, and S.Direct-Direct.

Almost a month old but I am interested in this as well. I got the 92 recently and am staring blankly at all the options. So far I just use Ext Stereo for music (assuming it only has 2 channels in the first place) and Advanced Game for my PSP. It was stuck on THX Cinema when I played Rock Band and did not let me change to any other THX option. Am I missing something?

[TheBlackshirt]

I am in the market for a new reciever, and the 94 is what has my attention the most so far. Am i better off waiting for the new generation of Pioneer Elites though?

[HD Man]

The SC-05 and SC-07 look pretty sweet, and the SC-09 will make you drool in public. The VSX-94 will still be a part of the 2008 line but I would check out the new receivers, especially if you plan on pairing it with one of the new Pioneer Blu-ray players.


New Pioneer Elite A/V Receivers Deliver Unprecedented Sound Experiences to the Home Theater

Designed Specifically to Complement 2008 KURO Displays and Blu-ray Disc Players, Pioneer Elite Receivers Boast Revolutionary Amplifier Technology

NEW YORK--May 07, 2008--Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today introduces four new A/V receivers delivering high-definition (HD) audio and video experiences for emerging home theaters – the Elite® SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH. Acting as the HD control center, Pioneer®’s full line of A/V receivers work seamlessly with Pioneer’s 2008 KURO displays and Blu-ray Disc® players to deliver the ultimate HD picture and sound performance for a truly emotional response in the living room.

Pioneer's flagship A/V receiver, code named "Susano," has set the industry standard for home theater performance and its 2008 top-of-the-line receivers, the SC-07 and SC-05, continue to incorporate the Direct Energy HD Amplifier with ICEpower™ analog class D amplification technology to produce a level of multi-channel power output, fidelity, and efficiency never before seen or heard in a home A/V receiver. Supported by the Company's legacy sound-tuning technology, the SC-07 and SC-05 were designed from the ground up to produce a 3-dimensional aural experience that will take listeners to the next level of high resolution multichannel surround sound in the entertainment room.

The Elite VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH join Pioneer's leading receiver from 2007 - the VSX-94TXH - to round out the entire 2008 offering. All three models flawlessly pass a 1080p picture with full reproduction capabilities of all new high resolution audio formats.

“Our flagship A/V receiver, the Susano, represents the pinnacle of high-end design and engineering in home theater equipment. We are now delivering that premium experience into our core line of Elite A/V receivers,” said David Bales, audio marketing manager for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “The new Direct Energy HD amplifier with ICEpower technology was integral for us to provide the full impact of new uncompressed audio soundtracks now available on Blu-ray Discs. Just as HDTV and Blu-ray have brought new levels of high definition video performance to consumers, the new high resolution surround sound formats coupled with our expertise in multi-channel amplifier design truly deliver a high-definition, multi-channel A/V experience far beyond anything we have produced before.”

Built for High Definition Surround Sound

The SC-07 and SC-05 in Pioneer’s line of Elite receivers deliver robust, realistic sound quality as a result of the exclusive Direct Energy HD Amplifier. Pioneer combines its industry-leading amplifier design and sound tuning technologies with the most advanced digital signal processing (DSP) to produce high resolution surround sound at unprecedented efficiency levels. Now the receiver can operate at extraordinary output levels with extremely low distortion and virtually no wasted energy; all in an effort to develop the most advanced home theater amplifier to date.

Entertainment enthusiasts can take advantage of internal decoding of new advanced lossless surround sound formats – DTS-HD™ Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby® TrueHD and Dolby® Digital Plus – to finally experience the full impact these high resolution audio codecs deliver to the viewing experience with ultra-rich surround sound that complements, and completes, on-screen imagery.

For accurate, natural surround sound reproduction of all connected HD and SD devices, Pioneer employs its exclusive room tuning feature in all four new Elite receivers. Advanced MCACC ensures studio quality surround sound regardless of the room configuration. This feature makes subtle adjustments to optimize the audio experience for even the most discerning ear. In addition, Pioneer’s Elite SC-07, SC-05 and VSX-94TXH incorporate the exclusive Full Band Phase Control, which eliminates “phase lag” or group delay between all speakers in a home theater system. This innovative DSP maintains soundtrack synchronization, ensuring the most accurate multi-channel sound reproduction is achieved and heard. All models include new symmetric equalization (EQ) for the most precise speaker calibration.

Pioneer’s new Elite receivers (SC-07, SC-05 and VSX-94TXH) include Neural-THX™ allowing for encoded content to be delivered in a two-channel stereo format and decoded for dispersion among up to 7.1 channel surround sound. In addition, the full line of Elite receivers includes dialogue enhancements, a wide range of listening modes, Mid-night Listening and Lip-Sync A/V synchronization. For the ultimate digital signal processing, all Elite receivers utilize anti-jitter technologies. The SC-07 is equipped with a professional level Burr Brown Sampling Rate Converter (SRC) to scale all digital audio signals up to 192 kHz 24-bit resolution.

HD Digital Connectivity

Pioneer brings HDMI 1.3a with full support of 12-Bit Deep Color to deliver a stellar picture from connected sources with a range of hues and shades not previously possible. In addition, for analog video sources, Pioneer’s Elite receivers are engineered for 1080p video processing with a Pioneer digital video converter and Faroudja video scaler chip that ensures up to full 1080p resolutions to best match the incoming video signal to the native resolution of a connected display.

Pioneer Audio Synergy

Pioneer’s engineers developed unique settings in its A/V receivers to harmonize audio performance like never before. Pioneer created jitter-free playback and dynamic sound quality for music CDs. When connected to a new Blu-ray Disc player via HDMI, Pioneer’s SC-07 and SC-05 receivers utilize a proprietary Precision Quartz Locking System (PQLS) that synchronizes data between the Blu-ray Disc player and the receiver, providing listeners with the ultimate precision in CD playback.

Networking and Consumer Convenience Features

Home Media Gallery

The SC-07 and SC-05 enhance the home theater experience with the exclusive Home Media Gallery. Pioneer’s home networking feature enables users to select and playback personal digital music and JPEG photo files direct from a PC hard drive or USB for playback in the living room through the main HD home theater system.

Through the receiver, users can easily access and stream digital media files directly from a connected home PC or laptop computer with IP networking capability. Home Media Gallery is compliant with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), Windows Vista or Windows Media Connect as well as Microsoft playsforsure™ DRM technology.

Additional Connectivity Options

Pioneer continues to provide full-feature entertainment connectivity with Advanced Digital iPod® USB for pure digital audio fidelity. It allows users to navigate and select personalized music playlists from their iPods. Users can control these digital components player with the receiver’s remote control and on-screen display.

The proliferation of portable music devices has resulted in reduced audio file sizes that have negatively affected the reproduction quality of audio entertainment. Recognizing this, Pioneer employs its proprietary Sound Retriever DSP technology, which works by “filling in” and compensating for the audio data removed from the compressed files (WMA, MP3, MPEG-4 AAC) for music playback that is near CD quality.

Full Custom-Installation Ready

Pioneer’s full of Elite A/V Receivers are ready for custom installation with the following features:

* Multi-zone, multi-source capabilities allow Pioneer’s Elite receivers to serve as the entertainment centerpiece of up to 3 A/V zones in the home
* The SC-07 has dual HDMI video output and second zone component video output for zone 2 HD video capabilities
* RS232 Port for PC and 3rd party custom control and connectivity
* Advanced Direct Construction ensures enhanced reliability and performance
* New product cosmetics synchronizes with design of the KURO displays and Blu-ray Disc players

The VSX-01TXH and VSX-03TXH will be available in June for a suggested price of $750 and $1,000, respectively. The SC-05 and SC-07 will be available in August for a suggested price of $1,800 and $2,200, respectively. The VSX-94TXH is currently available for $1,600.[/I]

[kopkiwi]

Damn you HD-MAN I had just settled on the 94 and you go and throw a spanner in the works

Nope, I aint changing again, I'm sticking with the 94....I think...

[ProXX]

Originally Posted by Cordre69

Almost a month old but I am interested in this as well. I got the 92 recently and am staring blankly at all the options. So far I just use Ext Stereo for music (assuming it only has 2 channels in the first place) and Advanced Game for my PSP. It was stuck on THX Cinema when I played Rock Band and did not let me change to any other THX option. Am I missing something?

What setting you use for blu ray 5.1 or 7.1? THX cinema?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by HD Man

The SC-09 will make you drool in public.

Yes, yes it certainly does.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ip+AV+Receiver