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Pioneer Embraces AirPlay and iOS Apps With New VSX-1021 Receiver

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Apr 12, 2001
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Pioneer today announced its new VSX-1021 receiver, the first of eight receivers from the company scheduled to be released this year with support for Apple's AirPlay technology. The VSX-1021, which carries a suggested retail price of $549, can be easily configured to join a home network and automatically appears as an output option via AirPlay on iOS devices.Once the VSX-1021 is connected to a home network through Ethernet or Wi-Fi using Pioneer's optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN adapter (sold separately), AirPlay lets consumers stream their favorite songs to the receiver from iTunes on Mac and PC, or their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.

To use Airplay, users can simply choose a song or playlist on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and then tap the AirPlay icon. The VSX-1021 will appear as an available device, and once selected, the receiver automatically turns on or switches to the Airplay source to start music playback.Pioneer also announced the release of several new iOS apps to support the VSX-1021, offering similar functionalities found in Apple's Remote app for navigating iTunes libraries, although with additional features and Pioneer-specific implementations.

Pioneer Air Jam allows users to contribute songs from multiple iOS devices to a single playlist via Bluetooth, with all users being able to see the common playlist and access links to the iTunes Store and YouTube for more information on tracks from others.

Pioneer's new iControlAV2 app for iPad and iPhone/iPod touch is a revamp of the company's original iControlAV app that offers full remote control of certain Pioneer components such as the new VSX-1021.Pioneer's iControlAV2 App enables VSX-1021 owners to put away the included remote control and utilize an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch as their main home theater controller, enabling direct control of the receiver's volume, bass, balance and room settings.

The app is further enhanced when used on an iPad, with most major functions combined into a single, intuitive screen. Additional features include detailed graphic representations of before and after MCACC room calibration, and sound adjustments that enable users to create their own equalizer settings with a simple "touch and draw" on the screen. The iControlAV2 App also includes Blu-ray player control when connected to a compatible Pioneer Blu-ray player.All apps require a minimum of iOS 4.2 and are available from the App Store free of charge.

Article Link: Pioneer Embraces AirPlay and iOS Apps With New VSX-1021 Receiver
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/03/08/pioneer-embraces-airplay-and-ios-apps-with-new-vsx-1021-receiver/
That sounds pretty awesome. I have a Denon AVR-590 which I just got last year and already, features like this are making me feel the upgrade itch.

Now if we can just get an Airplay-to-Sonos interface...
 
Awesome stuff. Still, the ultimate things I want to control from my iPhone are:

- Central heating in my house
- Turning the oven on/off
- Adjusting lights
 
I got the pioneer 1020 last year. The iControlAV2 is what I was hoping they would eventually release. I downloaded and found out it won't work with the 1020. Bummer. I hope pioneer updates iControlAV original release. I have an airport express hooked up that does essentially the same thing. Unless the iControlAV can power on the unit, I don't see any reason to upgrade hardware.
 
Apple's iOS devices have a jump start in this field too. Yes I'm someone will say airplay was not first. Blah blah blah. Its packaged nicely within the iOS to make it easy to use with 3rd party devices or appletv/ airport express.

The person managing networks or having fun exploring the technical specifications of devices will argue about some obscure new tablet that can "do it better". In the meantime people off the street who want to merge a tablet or phone with their entertainment system quickly and easily will disagree.
 
SuperCachetes said:
If it's anywhere near the ATV2's price of $99, it's too much.

Seems like the ATV2 is a much more versatile HT add-on - and it does video.
Click to expand...

Right on. Over at AVS forums, the recent Denon receivers have offered a firmware update to add (audio only) airplay for about $50. The general consensus is that it's better to just buy an Apple TV for $99. For the extra $49, you get HD video (720p), iPhoto, Netflix, ... ... and portability.
 
Doctor Q said:
Sold separately at what price?
Click to expand...

i have their last year receiver the 1120, and the Bluetooth add-on is $100. amazon has it for cheaper, but still. i would assume that this Wi-Fi add on will be a $100 option.

Remember, you always have the option to buy a cheap Ethernet to wireless network bridge, or running a Cat 6 - Ethernet line to your receiver for free :)

i love my pioneer 1120, it has the same ipod/iphone dock cable included, the only thing i was not happy with is they advertise an RF radio Remote to control the head unit from anywhere in your house/yard (great for zone 2 or zone 3 playback).... but the remote consists of 3 separate parts.

ADF7007 IF BLASTER CABLE $24.14
AXX7272 RF RECEIVER BOX $142.20
AXD7580 RF REMOTE $221.88

i didn't order it :)
 
Last edited:
Pioneer makes awesome stuff...

I have their LaserDisc player and one of their early DVD players and they still work great to this day... ;)

I have their first LD player in my collection and that works aweseome too...
 
SuperCachetes said:
If it's anywhere near the ATV2's price of $99, it's too much.

Seems like the ATV2 is a much more versatile HT add-on - and it does video.
Click to expand...


this pioneer receiver is not the same thing as an Apple TV - this is the central unit of the home theater/sound system. you plug all your speakers and devices INTO this receiver. if you have an apple TV, you would hook it's HDMI output into this receiver to give you 5.1/7.1 sound, and to manage your video.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

For that amount of money I'd buy another air tunes plus a much better speaker system.
 
I'm a bit confused, does this mean it would Airplay videos as well? Since you need to connect your receiver to the TV via HDMI anyways. I don't have a Apple TV, and I was thinking of getting a receiver. Glad I waited if that's the case.
 
eme jota ce said:
Right on. Over at AVS forums, the recent Denon receivers have offered a firmware update to add (audio only) airplay for about $50. The general consensus is that it's better to just buy an Apple TV for $99. For the extra $49, you get HD video (720p), iPhoto, Netflix, ... ... and portability.
Click to expand...


I agree. Denon makes great receivers but these add ons are a little ridiculous. They have an ipod dock that is highly priced too. You're better off getting an apple ipod dock and programming the remote to control it.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

If it could do audio and video it'd be a must buy for this atv holdout.
 
Neat to have it built in, but don't forget that you can always use an AirportExpress as an AirPlay receiver.
 
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