Pioneer Debuts Five New-Generation Elite-Series AVRs

PIONEER’S NEW GENERATION OF ELITE RECEIVERS EXPAND ON CONTROL AND CONNECTIVITY

AirPlay and iControlAV2 App Enhance the Home Theater Experience for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch

LONG BEACH, CA – (June 7, 2011) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled its new line of Elite® branded AV receivers designed to meet the needs of today’s connected consumers and their portable devices.  The five new Elite models, consisting of the VSX-40 ($450), VSX-50 ($600), VSX-51($700), VSX-52($900) and VSX-53($1,100), incorporate state-of-the-art performance and specifications based on Pioneer’s uncompromising standards of engineering and manufacturing.  All five new receivers utilize the renowned Elite audio and video technology and the VSX-50 and up have advanced network features like Pioneer’s proprietary iPhone and iPad apps including iControlAV2¹ and Air Jam², as well as Apple’s AirPlay, DLNA Certified^® (1.5) and Internet radio to become the hub of a consumer’s home network and entertainment system.

“By expanding on networked features such as AirPlay and DLNA, and combining them with exclusive control functions such as iControlAV2 and Air Jam, Pioneer’s new line of Elite receivers is making it easy for consumers to integrate their portable devices while still providing them with superior audio and video performance they expect from our brand,” said Chris Walker, director AV marketing and product planning for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

The Power of Connectivity

Starting with the VSX-50 and up, each Elite receiver is network capable, offering Ethernet connectivity to provide consumers with a wide range of new content, set-up and control of their home theater system. Features and apps that consumers can take advantage of with the new line of Elite receivers include:

•   AirPlay - Elite consumers have complete access, control and playback of their entire iTunes music library wirelessly through their home theater system.  The AS-WL300, optional wireless LAN converter from Pioneer (sold separately), is available to simplify the connection process.  Users can quickly and easily enjoy all their music with song information and album art simultaneously displayed on a connected monitor/TV.  AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPad, iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.

•   Air Jam - Encouraging social connectivity via entertainment devices, Pioneer’s free Air Jam App is available from the App store for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch or at www.apple.com/itunes/. Compatible with four of the five Elite receivers, the app allows pairing of up to four devices via Bluetooth (optional AS-BT200 Bluetooth adapter required). Once linked, each individual can cue songs from their own music libraries to create a shared playlist to play back on the AV Receiver. Each connected device also displays the list of songs added by all the users and which device a song plays from.  The Air Jam App conveniently stores the lists of songs created for each session for future purchases at the iTunes Store.

•   DLNA Certified (1.5) - The new line of Elite receivers are also DLNA Certified (1.5), allowing music content to be shared from a PC to the receiver via the consumers’ home network. Through Ethernet or the optional AS-WL300 wireless LAN converter (sold separately), each receiver can access and play high resolution music (up to 192kHz/24-Bit).  Audio can also be streamed and controlled through the Elite receivers using a device that supports UPnP / DLNA media servers and renderers, enabling an entirely new way for consumers to share and play their music collection.

•   Bluetooth Audio Streaming -With the optional Bluetooth adapter, the entire lineup of receivers features wireless Bluetooth transfer of audio content from any A2DP Bluetooth wireless enabled mobile device or personal computer.  Pioneer’s AS-BT200 ($99) Bluetooth adapter allows listeners to keep their phone close to them while they enjoy music through their home theater system.  And, with Pioneer’s exclusive Sound Retriever AIR technology, specifically designed to enhance Bluetooth audio transmissions, music playback delivered through Bluetooth is near-CD sound quality.