Pioneer VSX821K 5.1-channel 3D ready home theater receiver

Not just the usual suspects

You need more for your home theater hub. Sure, the Pioneer VSX821K offers all the usual things you need: four HDMI inputs and one output (3D-ready with an audio return channel, what more could you need?), AutoMCACC speaker setup, and high-quality playback for everything from Blu-ray movies to MP3 files. But you're a modern media master, and your video and audio isn't just coming from a CD player or Blu-ray disc. That's why the VSX821K includes a USB port compatible to play and charge from not only the iPod and iPhone, but also the iPad. With one connection, you get access to all the music, video, and streaming from your favorite mobile device, letting you play and display your media from the best seat in the house.

Wireless possibilities…

We live in a wireless age, and while connecting and charging your iPod, iPhone, or even iPad with the included charging cable is nice … sometimes wireless is the way to go. By adding the optional AS-BT200 or ASBT100, you can easily connect your smart phone, iPod, laptop, computer, tablet … Bluetooth compatible device with just a quick sync. Plus, Pioneerâ€™s Advanced Sound Retriever audio compression software takes your compressed digital music files and enhances them with frequencies that are normally lost during compression.. By keeping your potable devices wirelessly synced, you can stream music while keeping them nearby, because thereâ€™s nothing worse than the realization that you left the device you need plugged in at home.

In the box

Included with your purchase are: VSX821K receiver, remote control, iPod docking cable, two AAA batteries, setup microphone, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, user manual

Comparison Specifications

Processing decoding: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus / dts-HD Master Audio, dts-ES, dts Neo-6
Output power: 80W per channel (20Hz - 20kHz, 0.08%THD @8ohm) / 100W per channel (1kHz@8ohm) / 125W per channel (1kHz@6ohm)
Best video connections: 4 HDMI v1.4 inputs, 1 output
Best audio connections: 2 digital optical audio inputs / 1 digital coaxial audio input
Other connections: 2 component-video in, 1 out / 4 composite-video in, 2 out / 6 L/R analog-audio input pairs, 3 output pairs / 1 subwoofer preout / 1 FM antenna in / 1 AM antenna in / 1 headphone out / USB
Digital signal processing: Texas Instruments Aureus DSP
Bluetooth compatible (requires optional AS-BT200 or AS-BT100)
Remote control: Included

Additional Specifications

3D-ready via HDMI v1.4 connectivity
Auto MCACC speaker setup
Audio return channel
Multi-media connectivity: 1 front mini jack for portable audio players
Speaker terminals: Binding posts pairs for 5-channel front L/R, back L/R and center channel output / 2 binding posts for B L/R speakers
iPod connectivity with front USB + Video / Compatible with 5th gen Nano and above, iPhone, 3G, 3GS, 4, iPad
iTunes Move / TV / Video / YouTube playback
Android audio playback via USB
Compressed-audio enhancer: Advanced sound retriever
Auto level control

Manufacturer Specifications

Speaker A/B, A+B
3D noise reduction / Y/C color separation
Convenience features: FL Dimmer (4 steps) / Sleep timer / Auto audio signal select / LFE attenuator
Audio features: 2-ch SACD playback via HDMI / Multi PCM playback (192kHz) via HDMI
Audio features: Symmetric EQ / 0.1-step audio delay (Lip Sync, max 9 frame) / auto surround stream direct / phase control, bass / midnight listening mode