- HDMI 7 in/1 out
- 3D Ready (Blu-ray Disc, Broadcast, and Games)
- Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Pro Logic IIz/Dolby Digital Plus
I can confirm that the user interface experience is a bit dull (e.g. grey, no on-screen keyboard, etc), but it functions well enough, so I can't complain. I have other devices (e.g. Roku 2) with better interfaces that I'll likely continue to do most of my streaming from. The HDMI overlay setup menu is an independent mode, but I'm not sure why others are finding that to be a fault as I would not want a video stream to be playing in the background while I was trying to read the white text of the setup menu and make changes.
I was a bit disappointed to learn, after getting the AV receiver networked, that it is unable to update its firmware automatically. Instead, it detects that a new firmware version is available (after checking over the Internet) and then provides you with instructions for downloading the update from a computer and applying it with a USB thumbdrive. As a result, the primary purpose for networking the AV receiver is to enable AirPlay support.
The ControlApp works great on my Android smartphone running the "Gingerbread" (v2.3.4) version of the OS. After detecting the AV receiver, it downloads a small update to the app, which permits you to control the volume (using an on-screen dial) and toggle between the input sources. I find that I can use either the included remote control or the Android app interchangeably, without having to toggle anything on the AV receiver itself.
I use "Direct" stereo mode with some fantastic Pioneer floor standing loudspeakers with MCACC enabled. The audio output to the speakers has been incredible. I am hearing things in HDTV streams that I've never heard before.
I have a Wii connected to the Composite input and can confirm that 1080p up-sampling works without a hitch. Sometimes there is some very subtle flicker along the bottom/top of the image, but it seems to go away after a minute or two. This is an up-sampled image, so its graphical quality is not improved, but simply made compatible with the HDMI output provided to my TV.
I also have my non-HDMI Xbox 360 (in HD mode) connected to the Component input and can confirm that 720p/1080i passthrough is supported. Unfortunately, 1080p passthrough is not supported over the Component input (aside: I've verified that my Xbox 360 can support 1080p resolution by connecting it directly to my HDTV). When attempting this feat, sound was successfully played, but no image was displayed on my 1080p HDTV. After my initial disappointment, I have resolved to use my Xbox 360 in 1080i mode.
My remaining devices (Cable Box, Roku 2, and PS3) are connected via HDMI and work flawlessly. I have noticed that switching input sources is not instantaneous. The delay (usually less than 5-sec) is compounded by my HDTV going into "Searching for Signal" mode whenever a switch is made. I have an older HDTV from 2007, so newer TVs that "find" signals faster will likely have reduced delays between switched feeds. From everything that I've read, my observed delay is pretty typical of AV receivers switching between concurrently executing audio/video sources and has much to do with the amount of processing enabled. This performance is not a deal breaker for me, as I'm usually using a particularly input source exclusively for some period of time before switching to another. I have no need to rapidly bounce back-and-forth between input sources.
I am very pleased with this product and look forward to being able to test its 3D passthrough capability when affordable consumer devices begin to appear on the market in the coming years.
Buy Pioneer VSX-1122-K 630W 7-Channel A/V Receiver, Network Ready, Pandora, iPod/iPhone, Black Now
Okay so I received mine and have been using now for about 3 weeks. This unit is fantastic. Every feature it claims to support, it does in fact support. Sound from the unit is more crisp than other receivers I have used in the past (mainly Onkyo). I bundled it with a Polk audio RM510 5.1 speaker system for $450 on Newegg.com (a total steal considering the receiver itself is $400). It shows how to use the Pandora directly in the users manual, no internet searching necessary. I would hardly consider this an "incomplete product" because it has more features than I even bargained for, like midnight mode. Midnight mode is great if you live in a dorm/apartment and want all the dialogue loud in the movie but don't want the action scenes waking up your neighbors. If you are like me I used to watch movies late with the volume remote in my hand and constantly adjusted throughout the entire movie. Bottom line, this S. R. Lingala guy has no idea what he is talking about.I have had my Pioneer VSX-1122-K for about a week now, and I love it. My previous receiver was a Pioneer VSX 1021-K, and I had allot of HDMI handshaking issue's as well as a few other bugs that were very frustrating. Given all the issues I encountered with my previous receiver, I was hesitant to get another Pioneer. I am happy to say that I have NO issues with the VSX-1122-K at all! The handshaking issues are gone, and I have NOT encountred any bugs. The overall quality of the VSX-1122-K seems to be far superior to that of the previous model year. The Airplay feature is awesome and makes listening to my favorite music easy and convenient. The 2012 Icontrol application for the Ipad is very cool and allows you to turn up the bass or dilague during movies and TV shows without having to change any settings on the actual receiver. This model has a front HDMI port that allows me to hook up my HD video Camera without having to climb behind the TV stand with a flashlight. Pioneer also did away with the cheap looking, finger print collecting, high gloss plastic it has been using for the last few years, and upgraded to a nice black brushed aluminum face plate. I have not tried playing FLAC audio files on it yet, but am looking forward to giving it a try. This receiver is packed with cool features, sounds great, looks great, and you can't beat the price.Bought this to replace one of the notorious Onkyo receivers with the bad HMDI cards. That old Onkyo had wonderful sound but was worthless because of the HDMI problem. Would not see devices. The Pioneer lacks the punch of the Onkyo on the low end but is arguably a bit cleaner on the high end. And the sound imaging is good (I am running a 5.1 setup.) . Auto calibration is pretty lousy. Just do it manually, set the speaker size and distance yourself. It sounds a lot better. Network functionality is pretty primitive. It works but the output display to the HDTV is ugly beyond words. Jittery black and white text on the Network Radio function. Reminds me of DOS, circa 1990. A folder and file arrangement using text tree. Ugh. Only a little better on Pandora. AirPlay works well (but the receiver must be networked for it to work, something some people dont seem to understand.) The Pioneer ap is pretty limited and the lag time on volume makes it a bit tricky to use. But it does work. The remote is awful. Not backlit. Lots of tiny oddly arranged buttons with tiny text. But, hey what do you expect for $250? Given the price, it's not a bad deal. But don't expect a high end experience. It is just adequate. A decent entry level network receiver.Save 8% Off
I needed to replace an old Harman Kardon AVR 510 that served me well for over 10 years but recently developed problems. I initially bought a Denon AVR-1513, but that one couldn't maintain a reliable HDMI link with my other components and the TV, so I returned it and bought a Pioneer VSX-522-K. I also considered getting a Yamaha RX-V373, but somehow the Pioneer inspired more confidence, even though I'd read some great reviews of Yamaha receivers here. So, after using it for a few days, here's what I've found.First of all, it sounds fine. The old, upper-mid-range Harman Kardon was a truly great receiver, and this entry-level Pioneer isn't far behind in terms of sound quality. It also looks and feels to me like a higher quality product than the new Denon and Yamaha models. There is an acoustic calibration system and a USB port on the front; the Denon didn't have either of these. In addition to the requisite Dolby and DTS surround modes, there are several other modes that simulate different acoustic environments, like a concert hall, for example. It has midnight and loudness modes, automatic phase control, and compressed audio enhancer. However, like the Denon, this receiver has few inputs and not a single component video one, whereas the previous year model VSX-521-K had two.
Unfortunately, when it comes to convenience features, the Pioneer falls short. Unlike the entry-level offerings from Denon and Yamaha, this receiver does not support OSD (on-screen display) over HDMI. There are almost no settings that you can customize, besides the typical speaker size/level/distance setup; the only other (useful) options are automatic power-off and HDMI pass-through, which happen to be mutually exclusive, HDMI ARC on/off, and lip-sync delay. You cannot set the startup volume and mute levels, change input names, etc. The front display is rather small and useless; it is impossible to tell by looking at it how many channels are present in the source sound track. So, you may easily end up listening to stereo and not realize it. This and no OSD over HDMI is why I can't give it 5 stars.
Overall, considering the price, I am satisfied with this receiver, because it is easy to set up, sounds good, and looks like a high quality device. If you are looking for an entry-level AVR in this price range, I would recommend this Pioneer VSX-522-K (or VSX-521-K, if you need component video) or the Yamaha RX-V373. In fact, the latter definitely has more features and may be the best choice, but look at them all at a store, if you can.
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