Pioneer Elite Introduces A New Line Of Audio/Video Receivers Showcasing THXÆ, DolbyÆ Digital And DTSÆ Digital Surround
Pioneer Electronics has introduced five new Audio/Video receivers to their Elite brand of home theatre components. These new models (VSX-21, VSX-24TX, VSX-26TX, VSX-27TX, and VSX-29TX) offer advanced features such as Dolby Digital/DTS Digital Surround processing, THX processing, a 5.1 channel decoder input for future 6 channel sources, new Multi-Room/Source versatility, Burr Brown 96kHz 24-bit digital-to-analog converters, and more. As the differences in home theatre receivers have become more pronounced THX has expanded their rating systems to include THX Ultra and THX Select. The main differences are that THX Ultra receivers (VSX-26TX, VSX-27TX, and VSX-29TX) offer more total power for larger room sizes, THX Select receivers (VSX-24TX) have power requirements more directly suited to the needs of multichannel digital sound in a smaller room environment. To allow greater flexibility for todayís growing number of digital sources all Elite receivers offer four assignable digital inputs and one digital output. In addition, all audio/video inputs offer S-video switching. The introduction of future technologies, such as DVD-Audio, is no problem for the new Pioneer Elite receivers, as they all feature a six-channel decoder input. This forward-thinking design provides the versatility to easily take advantage of new components and innovations. Pioneer Elite receivers convert all analog signals into digital bits of information. To insure conversion takes place with the highest degree of accuracy, Pioneer Elite employs a Cirrus Logic Crystal 24-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter to process the signal. Pioneer is the first consumer electronics company to employ one of the most advanced processing chips in the world - Motorolaís DSP56362. This 24-bit signal-processing engine offers extreme precision and outstanding specifications. With speeds of up to 100 MIPS (million instructions per second), a single chip can easily handle advanced multi-channel sound processing like Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround, THX, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Midnight Mode, Digital Noise Reduction, and Advanced Theater. Pioneer has developed several exclusive features that allow for maximization of sound reproduction to bring out the highest possible performance, or to customize the sound for greater enjoyment. Digital Noise Reduction has the ability to analyze stereo signals in real time to actually improve the signal-to-noise ratio. This newly designed audio processor takes advantage of the discrete multichannel information provided with Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround. Also contained is a new DSP feature set called Advanced Theater and is aimed at multichannel soundtrack enhancement. Based on the type of movie being watched, Advanced Theater is said to work in conjunction with the surround decoder, enhancing the sound field design. Since most movie soundtracks can be broken down into three specific genres (musical, drama, and action), Advanced Theaterís provided modes are named similarly. ""Musical"" is aimed at expanding the sound field to enhance the musicality for those movies containing a heavy content of music. For movies with more dialogue, the ""Drama"" mode has been developed to insure absolute clarity of the dialogue. Finally, for the experience of the intense surround effects, especially in action movies, the ""Action"" mode targets the surround channels to improve the presence of the surround channelís information. Another benefit of the digital processor, says Pioneer, is Digital 5-D Theater, which works with the ProLogic decoder to emulate ""stereo imaging"" in the surround channels, by creating movement in the rear speakers to follow the action on screen. Midnight Mode is said to work with any multichannel surround format to create an engulfing surround sound experience, but for lower listening levels such as late-night viewing. For added convenience, all Pioneer Elite receivers incorporate an Auto Signal/Format Selector. By choosing the processing mode - THX, Standard or Advanced Theater, the receiver will automatically switch to the proper incoming signal (analog, digital, or AC-3 RF) and processing mode (ProLogic, Dolby Digital, or DTS Digital Surround) needed to decode the information. On the VSX-24TX and up Pioneer Elite receivers use state-of-the-art Burr Brown 96kHz/24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converters. This converter can decode 2-Channel 96kHz/24-bit Linear PCM digital signals straight from the output of any Pioneer DVD-Video player. To create realistic home theater sound, a receiver needs the power to drive all five channels simultaneously; to accurately reproduce todayís dynamic soundtracks. In fact, this is one of the most important considerations in THX certification, as a receiver must produce sound at 105dB and beyond. With Direct Energy MOSFET Power Amplification, Pioneer Elite receivers are claimed to readily meet these requirements. To improve efficiency even further, Pioneer engineers improved the management of the excessive heat created through amplification. The MOSFET Transistors in the VSX-24TX and the VSX-26TX are mounted to an extra thick aluminum plate heat sink to dissipate heat more efficiently. To obtain the 120W power of the VSX-27TX and VSX-29TX, these receivers use higher tolerance components and an extra thick extruded aluminum heatsink. These designs, do not require fans to maintain cool internal temperatures, which in turn provides noise free power. Setting up the receiver for its wide array of functionality is accomplished through the newly developed On-screen Display. The easy-to-use on-screen directions allow such set-up procedures as assigning the digital inputs, setting the crossovers point, and setting the time alignment. The VSX-29TX comes with a LCD touch pad remote making controlling all A/V gear easy. A Multi-Room / Multi-Source (VSX-26TX and up) system gives the power to control the system from another room. With such features as front panel controls, variable or fixed audio outputs, and compatibility with 3rd party IR transmitters such as Xantech and Niles, increases flexibility of use. And finally for consumers looking for a performance driven receiver at a value price, Pioneer introduces the VSX-21 Dolby Digital/DTS Digital Surround receiver. With conveniences such as S-video switching, Auto Signal Select and pre-outs for all channels the VSX-21 is sure to satisfy even the most demanding consumer. The VSX-29TX is available in June at a suggested retail price of $2300.00 The VSX-27TX is available in June at a suggested retail price of $1650.00 The VSX-26TX is available in June at a suggested retail price of $1200.00 The VSX-24TX is available in June at a suggested retail price of $1000.00 The VSX-21 is available in June at a suggested retail price of $650.00 For more information, contact Chris Walker at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., headquartered in Long Beach, California 310 952 2401 or visit Pioneerís Website: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com.