Product Description
Three dimensions, two zones, one receiver - the VSX-1020-K from Pioneer. Seamlessly integrate all 3D components in your new 3D home theater thanks to the VSX-1020-K's HDMI v1.4 connectivity. Further, you can unlock the studio-quality surround sound experience found on Blu-ray Disc thanks to this receiver's combination of Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD MA decoding with an incredible 110W x 7-channels of output power. While Anchor Bay upscaling enhances DVD video to 1080p-equivalent levels for your HDTV, Advanced MCACC auto calibration tailors your system's performance to the unique acoustics of your living room. Second-zone capability lets you extend audio and video into a second room. Finally, compatible with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Internet Radio, and iPhone/iPod, this receiver lets you enjoy music, video, and photos from a variety of sources.
33 items found.
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So after reading reviews on many AVR's around the $500 price point I decided to go with the 1020K. Cnet speaks very well of last years model the 1019K and it was an editors choice.
After using this for over a month I can say I have no issues with it and I am very happy with my purchase.
This unit is very easy to use and "just works". Sound and Picture are A+. Setup was easy.
Very high quality product."
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Bruce,
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I cannot recommend this product for two reasons. I still have to have SVideo to my DVD recorder. It has composite, which is older than SVideo.
The second reason is poor technical help. The rep. was usless. I knew more about systems than he did, and I don't know that much.
I have returned."
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Alan Rose,
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Fantastic receiver! Programable internet radio stations, lots of hdmi inputs, iTouch/iPhone ready ( nothing additional to buy like some other receivers ), bluetooth capable to stream content from your computer, Macintosh friendly, and 3D ready. This unit is light weight and runs cool. I have this hooked up to Sony 55" 3D TV, Sony 3D Bluray player and Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 600. Sound and video are outstanding. One unbelievable plus is that Pioneer has actual phone support! I just cannot get over that in this day and age that a company actually has humans ( Americans yes you read right Americans ), you can speak with that will help you set up your system. For me this is huge, I am the type of person that all things being equal I will pay more for service and this service is FREE. Hats off to Pioneer for a great product with great customer support."
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Flyboy,
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I've owned about 5 Pioneer receivers and the main reason I go back to them is because they never have broken down on me. Pioneer receivers are super reliable. Now, I've owned from the very inexpensive low budget receivers to their high end Elite models. And this receiver performs like an Elite. The sound quality is top notch. You will really appreciate the sound quality if you have a bluray player and connect it through your HDMI. Unfortunately for me I have a "fat" PS3 witch does not output Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio but even so it still plays the raw PCM audio and it sounds way better than standard Dolby Digital or DTS. I also have an Xbox 360 and its hooked up through HDMI and it sounds great. Actually my 360 is also hooked up to my Turtle Beach headset through optical which is cool because I didn't know the 360 could output sound simultaneously through the the optical and HDMI. So sound is a big thumbs up and other than that everything else works like a charm. I recommend using the included mic to calibrate your speakers. I think there are 6 memory slots to store speaker calibrations. I'm still tinkering with other features but as of right now I have no regrets buying the Pioneer VSK-1020-K. I highly recommend it!"
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Migz7,
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I am writing this review with limited experience. Very likely, the review will be updated later with more time spend with this receiver.
I purchased this item after another purchase went sour with a Yamaha Receiver (simple shipping damage by UPS). I was originally very attracted to Pioneer, however, I did not want to pay extra $150. Lucky for me, damaged Yamaha became an excuse to upgrade to this Pioneer.
I admit, I am not an audiophile. However, I have much experience with technology, and technology is what got me with this device.
Summary of Goods:
-Internet Radio built-in, IP configurable
-Device specific iPhone App, free
-Very easy to navigate on-screen menu
-5+1 HDMI input (you never know when you need the 5th one)
-Very pleasant design
-Very clean sound, with good speaker of course
-Multiple pre-configured presets for various movie and music situations
-Very functional universal compatibility with FIOS and Cable remotes
-Front HDMI (very important if you need to hook up an HDMI camera)
-Front iPhone/iPod interface (also charges, I think. cable is provided)
Not so good (but still OK)
-Very complicated remote with small keys
-Depth size is a bit high, if you have IKEA TV stand (stands out about and inch)
-No Wi-Fi (Ethernet only)
As you an see, this receiver does not have many negatives that would effect its functionality much, especially the sound quality. Therefore, I will not focus on details for what is good, rather give some tips to potential purchasers. I will also provide more information here later in coming months based on further experience.
I would also like you to pay attention to a general tip at the end of this review for possible network connectivity challenges you might have in your current and future system and how to over come.
TIPS:
Set-up and configuration:
Basic set-up was very easy, and teh system was on after 10 minutes. Make sure you use the BD input for Blu-Ray, and HDMI 1 input for cable/sat source. It becomes easier to navigate later on. You can go to home menu and rename the sources as you like.
Provided booklet is a bit complicated but it is worth reading, in fact, it is a must to read it. You will have to go to it back and forth later in advance configuration phase.
Given my lack of experience with home-theater systems, originally I tried to use it with only two Polk Audio Monitor 70 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker (Single, Black), only to find out that you MUST have a center speaker in a system like this in order to comprehend the spoken word on TV. The system will otherwise eat up the dialogs and output the effects and music only..So, I later on picked up BIC America FH6-LCR Dual 6.5-Inch 175-Watt LCR Speaker with Mid/High Frequency Horn. It made all the difference. You may be able to survive without rear speaker in an home-theater system, but center is a MUST.
Internet Radio:
I am an avid internet radio listener. This device connects to internet with ease and stream any ".pls" URL's with ease. Forget about trying to set-up radios from the remote. You can go to the system's home menu and see the IP address of the receiver, and then log-into it from your computer and change default radio stations URLs. Unfortunately, there are only 24 stations at any given time. It is OK for most of the users I guess, but not for me. Still, having a built-in Internet radio is sufficiently awesome.
Internet Connectivity:
As long as, you hook up an Ethernet cable to the receiver, connection is not problem. Once it is connected, make sure to upgrade the firmware. the one on the receiver is not the latest version.
HDMIs:
Unlike many of the current receivers, VSX-1020 has 5+1 HDMI inputs. 5 on the rear, one up front. I was particularly impressed with the front HDMI. It is a must have for those who own HDMI cameras. Nowadays, many manufacturers are providing HDMI out-put on digital cameras. Imagine the convenience.
iPhone/iPod:
There is a free app in the app-store for this device which enables you to control many functions of this device from your iPhone/iPod. You must be on the same network connected via the same Wi-Fi network. Once both your iPhone and receiver are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the app immediately recognizes the receiver without further configuration. Again, make sure you are in Wi-Fi with your iPhone, not 3G for this.
Blue-tooth:
I do not own the Pioneer Electronics AS-BT100 Bluetooth Adapter for Compatible Pioneer Products (Black) for this. You should be able to stream in music from your iPhone (or another blue-tooth enabled device) via this. I am yet to try, perhaps if the adapter sells below $50, I will. Yet, I am afraid it will increase the depth of the receiver and became more problem to fit into some shelves. Alternatively, you can get an Airport Express and stream all the music you like from iTunes on your computer. Again, with he internet radio, I am sufficiently connected to external music sources already.
Remote:
For some configuration and mode changes you definitely need the Pioneer remote. However, to increase the sound level, mute, and turn it on and off, you can easily program your cable/FIOS remote to turn on all the connected systems (TV, Box, receiver, blu-ray) at once. I think, you would prefer to use a single button to turn on and off your entire home-theater system, instead of switching between remotes. Just read the user manual for your Cable remote, it is easy. Not only you have to enter the right codes, but also configure it that the sound controls (volume, mute) works for the receiver not TV.
Design:
Like all other Pioneers, this receiver is nicely designed, with curvature corners. two large knobs to control Volume and Source looks very classic.
GENERAL TIP ON NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IF YOU LACK ETHERNET JACKS:
If you are getting this system or a system like this one, you are likely to have or will have network connected TV and/or Blu-ray player already. Today, NOT many HDTVs and Blu-rays come with built-in Wi-Fi. If you have one that does, good for you. However, for those of you who need to connect his/her blu-ray player, HDTV and receiver to the network via Ethernet cable, you have a challenge. But there is a solution, less than ideal but it works.
If you are lucky like me and you have single Ethernet jack on the wall, it is still not enough for all four devices. What I did to overcome this was to purchase TRENDnet 300 Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router TEW-639GR (Black) for $50 and then hook it up to the single available jack and use the LAN jacks on the wireless-router as splitter. It worked fine, now I have a faster N router,a nd wired all four devices still room for another future one.
Of you have no Ethernet jack close by, and you do not feel like laying one across the rooms for a single connection Airport Express works fine, but it has single Ethernet jack on it. For multiple connectivity, you will need to use the wireless router as bridge. Still a $90 solution, but for today home media devices connectivity is a must to upgrade the firmware, stream radios and watch Netflix.
That is all folks..I will provide more information with more time pent on this receiver.
***Buy it or Do not Buy it ??***
DEFINITELY, BUY IT !
Thanks..
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Hans Blix,
USA
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Features:
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Front USB connectivity provide iPod, touch, and iPhone users ultimate plug-and-play integration of their Apple products with their home theater
Simple connectivity to high-performance HD video, HD audio, portable, internet, wireless, and analog components
The latest version of HDMI inputs and outputs provide more HD connectivity options with "future-proof" 3-D capability
1080p video conversion and upscaling ensures the highest quality video from any source
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