Ask S&V

Pioneer vs. Elite AVRs, DVD Recorders, 1440p

Scott Wilkinson  |  Jun 15, 2011

Decisions, Decisions
We're getting a new A/V system, and the installer has proposed a Pioneer Elite VSX-30 receiver. Following your podcast 56 in early March, I learned about Pioneer's new models, including the VSX-1021, which most closely compares with this lower-end Elite model. Should I hold out for the new entry-level Elite VSX-40? My primary needs are HDMI to a new Samsung TV, terrestrial and Internet radio, and accessing music through my home network from a PC with a 5.1 speaker system. Do you have any recommendations or insight about Pioneer's 2011 Elite line?

Alan Goldstein

In general, the Elite line offers higher performance with more control options and networking for custom-installation applications. But let's take a look at the Pioneer VSX-1021 (pictured here and reviewed in the August 2011 issue of Home Theater magazine) and Elite VSX-40 specifically. The VSX-1021 has everything you specify here, while the VSX-40 lacks Internet radio and the ability to access music on your PC.

The step-up Elite VSX-50 has Internet radio and DLNA capabilities, which will let you stream music from your PC. So for you, it seems the choice is between the VSX-1021 ($550) and VSX-50 ($600), which have the same power rating and video processor (Anchor Bay). The Elite model has a 2-year warranty as opposed to 1-year for the Pioneer, and it has IP-control capabilities for control systems like Control4 and Crestron. If it were me, I'd probably go for the VSX-50 with its extra year of warranty and most likely better sound quality.

No Can Do
Last year, I bought a Panasonic DRM-EZ28 DVD recorder, which has an HDMI output, but the input is limited to S-video or composite video. I did not see this limitation mentioned in any of the reviews I researched to make a decision about which recorder to purchase. Is there a recorder model that has both HDMI input and output?

Vincent Cherene

I'm afraid not. An HDMI input on any device that records video digitally would potentially allow lossless copies to be made, something no content provider will tolerate. And as far as I know, there are no currently available DVD recorders with component-video inputs, either—Philips used to offer one, but it's been off the market for many years. Otherwise, the best you're going to get is an S-video input.

WQHD is Not a Broadcast Station
Is 1440p for real or just a publicity stunt to sell more HDMI cables? If it's for real, what's the benefit?

Jeffrey McQuillen

First, let me define 1440p. Also known as WQHD (wide quad high definition), it normally applies to computer monitors and indicates a pixel resolution of 2560x1440, which is available, for example, on the 27-inch NEC PA271W. Unfortunately, many computer monitors are mistakenly called 1440p with a resolution of 1440x900, which is also known as WXGA+ or WSXGA.

Some people are talking about 1440p TVs, since 2560x1440 is exactly double the horizontal and vertical resolution of 720p (1280x720), resulting in four times as many pixels. But I've heard of no plans to introduce such a TV, and there is certainly no content available at that resolution. I think the next jump in resolution for home theater will be to 4K (probably 3840x2160, or double the horizontal and vertical resolution of 1080p), but that's not going to happen for some years.

HDMI cables rated for 1440p might be important with very high-resolution computer monitors, but not with current TVs. Also, HDMI 1.3 devices can handle resolutions up to 2560x1600 at 75 frames per second, while HDMI 1.4 devices can handle up to 4096x2160 at 24fps, so cables that are honestly rated for HDMI 1.3 or 1.4 (both of which have a maximum bandwidth of 10.2Gbps) are fine for now and the foreseeable future.

The e-mail address to send questions for Ask Home Theater has changed; please send your home-theater questions to askscottwilkinson@gmail.com.

COMMENTS
TheJoBoo's picture
Submitted by TheJoBoo on June 15, 2011 - 1:30pm

There is a world of difference between Pioneer and Pioneer Elite that eludes those who simply shop by a spec sheet. Go to your local Pioneer / Pioneer Elite dealer and hear the difference for yourself.

AVtheaterguy's picture
Submitted by AVtheaterguy on June 16, 2011 - 5:47pm

@Alan Goldstein

Completely agree with TheJoBoo. Buy the elite. While they may be rated at the same power output, the elites will almost certainly have a better amplifier set (will sound BETTER), and who wouldn't pay 50 bucks for an extra year of warranty?? Heck this is a better upgrade than the $70 jump on the new denon AVR1912 (530) to the AVR2112 (600).

@Vincent Cherene

I am an owner of the Panasonic DRM-EZ28, and I will tell you that for what it does, its fantastic! Currently like Scott said, there is not a Disc Recording device with HDMI input, for the various copyright protection reasons, BUT... The ATSC tuner on the unit does accept and Tune Hi-Def content. It can also record HD content onto a DVD (albeit at 480p resolution, because of the DVD limitation). From here the player will upscale that recording up to 1080p when connected with an HDMI to a 1080p TV.

For "High Quality" recording from a separate component, use the S-Video connection, and you'll get as good as a copy as possible from a retail gear system. For example...

I have the Time Warner coax line going into the tuner on the DVD, and I have the Cable box's S-Video going into the DVD. The Coax line allows me to record channels 1-131 in DIGITAL (and sometimes HD), but I top out at channel 131.xxx. Problem is I don't get my HBO shows in those channels, so I run the S-Video to the back of the DVD recorder, and now I can record any channel off the cable box (although not quite as good of quality as I can off the tuner).

You could also hook up an S-Video connection from a AV receiver into the unit, and then you could record any source you want. For example, if you wanted to record a session of a Video Game, you could record what you played via the S-video input.

I have not yet tried to record an "On-Demand" show, and since I don't have the DVR box, I have not tried to record to a disc, something I had on a DVR. So I do not know how that will turn out.

Hope that helps.

Message me if you have additional questions about the Panasonic.

(I've setup many of these units and the big brother DMR-EZ48VK with the DVD/VCR combo)

Scott Wilkinson's picture
Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on June 17, 2011 - 11:32am
Okay, you both have convinced me that the Elite VSX-50 is the better way to go, despite my initial impulse to save 50 bucks. The extra year of warranty alone is worth that much, and I do agree that the Elite is likely to sound better. How much better, I don't know, since I haven't heard these models. But in general, the Elite line does sound better than the Pioneer line, so there you are. I've updated the text accordingly.
AVtheaterguy's picture
Submitted by AVtheaterguy on June 17, 2011 - 4:26pm

Coincidentally a friend of mine asked if I could record the first four episodes of Game Of Thrones on HBO for him because his DirecTV service didn't offer those on On-Demand.

So with my first foray recording On-Demand content, I will say it worked flawlessly. I set the input on the DVD-R to Input 1 where I have my S-Video going from the Box to the DVD-R. I did a standard recording (not a programmed recording) on high quality mode.

I've never recorded On-Demand before, because I had it "ON DEMAND," but for anyone looking to Record On-Demand or even DVR recorded shows to a permanent disc, it works perfectly.

Just some food for thought.

-Adam

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