Pioneer has presented new AV receivers with iPhone control

6th March, 2010 by adina
Tags: Apple, Device, iPhone, News, Pioneer

Pioneer has presented new AV receivers that link tightly to Apple’s handheld devices. The VSK-820-K has an iPhone-approved USB connection but can expand on it with the iPhone Control button. When the controls of the receiver normally take over, this button can determine the receiver to hand back control and allow the listener to pick from the touchscreen of an iPod touch or iPhone.

This receiver and also the less costly VSX-520-K have both an optional stereo audio adapter Bluetooth-based. Most iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and other A2DP devices can stream audio files wirelessly when connected to a home theatre system. A sound processor present on either receiver is able to recognize compressed audio provided by any source and can automatically restore some lost details.

Both receivers support HDMI 1.4 and offer 110W of power through five channels with a pre-out for Dolby ProLogic IIz encoded audio files. The 820-K sports a full-size USB and RCA front jacks shrunk to mini form on the 520-K model, four HDMI inputs versus three on the other model, automatic surround sound calibration and also support for Sirius satellite radio.
The prices of the receivers are $229 for the VSX-520-K model and $299 for the 820-K. Different reports are revealing conflicting information about the possible shipping date, both receivers being scheduled either in March or in April.

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