Pioneer Introduces 2003 Receiver Lineup

12-Feb-03

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. introduced its new 2003 line of digital audio/video receivers, including the VSX-D912-K, VSX-D812-K, VSX-D712-K, and VSX-D412-K. With multichannel music and movies driving sales of DVD players, consumers are adding five-, six-, and seven-speaker configurations to their home theatre systems. As a result, Pioneer continues to develop new audio/video receivers with features to enhance the home theatre environment. Three of the new receivers offer Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC), allowing consumers the ability to accurately set up their speakers, with optimal performance based on the room environment.""Our new line of audio/video receivers takes multichannel music and movies to the next level by providing consumers an easy way to get the most accurate surround sound experience available,"" said Craig McManis, Vice President of Marketing for the Home Entertainment Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. ""The calibration feature has been a phenomenal success in our Elite reference receivers, and now we're offering this new technology in our Pioneer line.""Consumers who don't have a keen ear often find it challenging to calibrate all the speakers in a surround sound system. With manual acoustic calibration, users now have a reference point for their ears, ensuring that each speaker delivers sound to the listener at precisely the same time and at the same level. Acoustic calibration utilizes the left front speaker as a reference point to begin the tuning process. The receiver coaches the user through several steps until the sound being reproduced by each speaker is aligned to the front left reference channel. Auto-calibration in the VSX-D912-K uses a microphone to automatically set speaker distance and levels, without requiring the consumer to rely on their own listening skills.The VSX-D912-K, VSX-D812-K, and VSX-D712-K include DolbyÆ Digital EX and DTS-ESÆ decoding, which adds sound to the rear center speakers, while left and right surround information is reproduced by the side speakers. The addition of a new surround channel and use of one or two additional speakers allows true ""fly-over"" and ""fly-around"" effects that are more accurately placed, either directly behind or directly beside the listener.All models feature Pioneer's five channels of equal, high-power amplification (VSX-D912-K and VSX-D812-K feature six channels of amplification), which provides 100 watts of amplifier power to each channel, eliminating the possibility of one channel dominating a particular soundfield. All five amplifiers are of discrete configuration and utilize Pioneer's hybrid amplification system to ensure that the correct amount of bias signal is applied to each transistor for very low distortion. Pioneer's amplifiers are designed to handle the full bandwidth of DolbyÆ Digital, DTSÆ, and DVD-Audio software. Component and S-video switching are provided in the VSX-D712-K, VSX-D812-K, and VSX-D912-K, allowing both progressive and interlaced NTSC and HDTV signals to be passed to the television or monitor. To maintain future compatibility, all of the receivers have multiple, assignable digital inputs (both coaxial and optical). Finally, all new models come with either a standard remote or a preset/learning remote and Quick Setup feature for easy room setup. The Quick Setup feature walks the consumer through the process of choosing the number of speakers connected and selecting the room size for very easy and accurate surround sound performance, when utilizing the MCACC function is not desired.The new receivers will be available in March at a suggested retail price of $275 for the VSX-D412-K, $300 for the VSX-D712-K, $365 for the VSX-D812-K, and $475 for the VSX-D912-KFor more information about Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., visit www.pioneerelectronics.com.

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