Pioneer Electronics today announced its new line of six Elite A/V receivers. For the first time, Pioneer is adding two models, VSX-30 and VSX-31, to the line at more affordable $550 and $650 price points. Key new features include enhanced iPhone and iPod touch control and functionality, Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio, Internet connectivity for streaming Internet radio, HDMI 1.4a, making the receivers Blu-ray 3D and TV broadcast ready as well as comprehensive custom installation features.

All models in the lineup are "Works with iPhone" certified offering iPod, iPod touch and iPhone users an integrated plug-and-play experience. In addition, iPhone and iPod touch users can adjust the receiver?s audio settings with Pioneer?s first home theater iControlAV App, available for free from Apple?s App Store.

The entire line also offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity via an optional plug-in adapter, AS-BT100 (MSRP: $99) for a multitude of Bluetooth-enabled iPhone, iPod touch, Android platform, other smart phones or personal computers. Users can stream digital music files directly from the portable device to the A/V receiver for wireless listening at home. The VSX-30 and higher models offer Sound Retriever AIR, a new feature that enhances quality to compressed audio files transmitted via Bluetooth to more closely mirror the original recordings.

Additional connectivity options include a front USB input and an Ethernet connection to the home network, where users can experience sports, news and music from around the world through Internet radio.

The flagship SC-37 (MSRP: $2,200) features Home Media Gallery, which adds an easy way to access photos and music files from a networked host computer as well as SIRIUS internet radio and Rhapsody for on-demand access to more than seven million songs.

For experiencing 3D in the home, the 2010 Elite A/V receivers feature HDMI 1.4a, the latest version required to display mandatory formats. Pioneer?s exclusive PureCinema video processing converts lower resolution analog and digital sources from interlace to progressive-scan images with noise reduction and chroma separation providing Pioneer's internal Anchor Bay or the TV's 1080p scalers enhanced video signals for further HD processing.

The VSX-32 and higher models feature Marvell Qdeo video processing technology.

For the first time, all models in the new line are programmed to deliver a customizable surround sound experience with Pioneer "Wide Surround." This Pioneer original technology creates surround sound with a front wide speaker arrangement for a smooth feeling of motion and a wider sound field. Additional configurations for height and width have also been added, as well as a new "virtual height" option that delivers a full 9.1 surround sound experience.

Also, this year the Advanced Multi-Channel AcoustiC Calibration (MCACC) technology has been updated to hold measured data in the USB memory and to display the results graph on a computer screen. The VSX-32 (MSRP: $800) offers HDMI jitter reduction for a more accurate sound image and natural sound field.

Several models in the Elite A/V receiver line have been developed in a partnership with THX and Air Studios, both experts in reference sound technology.

Elite receivers offer comprehensive custom features with certifications from leading system control partners to ensure trouble-free custom integration. Features include:

* Second & third Zone A/V with second zone configurable amplifiers and component video
* RS-232C
* Two 12 volt triggers
* Dual HDMI outputs and front HDMI input
* Detachable power cords

Full product specifications on the new line of Elite A/V receivers can be found at www.pioneerelectronics.com.