Question 1

Do I need a television for the setup of this unit? I am interested in it purely for a sound system and do not have a TV.

Accepted Answer

In your answer, You can use the default audio settings and others would be at default without a HDTV (i.e speaker audio default setup, input and HDMI seup, ect). For my use, Yes, I needed the Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) to view on a HDTV only once using the included setup microphone. This unit also has a Graphical user interface (GUI) viewed on a HDTV for first time to measure accurate speaker audio distance and volume (Auto MCACC), Manual speaker Setup, Input Assign, HDMI setup, Auto Power Down, Network Standby. If no HDTV is used, this unit uses the default audio, input assignment  (like I said above). Also, if you don't use the network function (LAN Input on the back of this unit) you will not see any of the network Internet radio stations which there are thousands of radio station around the world to choose from (plus, the included "Pandora" Internet Radio) viewed on the HDTV through the Network's GUI section. Keep in mind, if you use the default audio settings and such. The audio for each speaker will be at low volume without the GUI MCACC setup.

Question 2

I have JBL 8 ohm speakers .  will this drive them without problems?

Accepted Answer

Yes, any speaker from 6 ohms to 8 ohms, including your JBL speakers, will be driven safely by this receiver.

The VSX-822 is a really sweet spot for the money, as long as your room isn't to large (over 200 square feet) and you don't want to drive the speakers really loud.

My recent purchase of the VSX-822 (October 2013) was to replace a Panasonic VSX-818 because the 818 didn't offer sound pass through on the HDMI and did not have internet radio. The sound was a dramatic improvement over the 818, as was the video quality through the HDMI video processor.

The 818 is still going strong four years after purchase, and has been moved to drive the whole house speaker system.

A third Panasonic, a VSX-1120 runs the main listening speakers and surround sound system in my theater room.

So far my Panasonic products have been bullet-proof and provide great sound for the money.

Question 3

where and how is a subwoofer connected to this?

Accepted Answer

The only hookup is a single RCA wire I love this system with HDMI's is great my 15 year old Kenwood was just totally out dated but had the same sub-woofer RCA single wire hookup. It shows on the back panel where it connects I hope this helps you

Question 4

I only have 2 HDMI inputs on my flat screen. They r connected to the cable box and Blueray player. Will this receiver allow me to connect an Apple TV to the system through the receiver itself? If so, will the receiver need to be on all the time while watching TV?
Also, will I be able to play media through my iPad wirelessly. Will I need an Ethernet connection or will the Apple TV bring all content to my TV through this receiver?

Accepted Answer

You will need to redo the HDMI inputs...everything will first go to one of the six HDMI inputs in the receiver. Then there is one HDMI from the receiver to the TV. The HDMI inputs are labeled Game, Video, BD, DVR/BD, DVD, Sat/Cbl, but that's just the arbitrary labels they used, the receiver is basically acting as an HDMI switch with six inputs. A large dial on the front of the receiver rotates through input selections. I'd probably put the BluRay player in "BD", Cable box in "Sat/Cbl", and the Apple TV's HDMI output to the HDMI input labeled "Video"

Remember to also buy one extra HDMI cable for the run from the receiver to the TV...so there will be three HDMI cables going to the receiver, one from your receiver to the TV...total of four for the devices you listed.

The receiver handles video/sound passthru via HDMI. Separate ethernet data connections would be needed for some other device.  The exception to this is that it can stream DLNA content, but that would be from some OTHER device delivering that over your home network. And DLNA has some compatibility issues with certain devices, so you'll have to test this.

Speakers and sound would then flow from the receiver directly to your speakers, which is usually the best implementation for 5.1 or 7.1 sound.

Question 5

is there an alternative other than the adapter to playing from iphone wirelessly?

Accepted Answer

There is a outlet in the front of the unit to hookup a wired connection to an iPhone/iPod, but if you want to do wireless you'll need to use the Bluetooth adapter.  I purchased the adapter and it works great with any Bluetooth device, which is nice because we have a mixture of iPhone, iPods, tablets and Android devices.  The output of this unit is great and the adapter is definitely worth the investment to give your unit expanded capabilities.  Hope this helps.

Question 6

What radio is part of this unit?  FM?

Accepted Answer

AM, FM and Internet radio like Pandora through the Ethernet connection.

Question 7

What kind of a wifi adapter does one purchase for this unit and can it be USB or will it have to be ethernet, which is hard to find but there are a few?

Accepted Answer

It has ethernet which is how I connect it to my network. I don't use it over wifi so I don't know about the adapter, you would need to contact Pioneer.

Question 8

So I recently bought Polk Audio RM6750 Black 5.1 CH Home Theater Speaker System, and for some reason it never occurred to me that I needed a receiver? With that in mind is this a decent item to get with my new surround sound system. Since I've already spent pretty much my limit on gifts I am looking for a cheaper receiver and can sacrifice some quality unless this completely doesn't work or will down grade quality of sound too much. Any information will be helpful thank you.

Accepted Answer

Since you have a decent speaker system, This receiver (Pioneer VSX-822) would be a perfect match, for it's sound (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA HD sound through the HDMI connector/cable) of course if you hava a good Blu-Ray player. This receiver also can be connect to a HDTV Opt. sound to get true 5.1 dolby surround sound from TV broadcast. This receiver produces crisp and clear sound with true bass.

Question 9

Is this receiver compatable with wireless speakers?

Accepted Answer

Not sure which type of wireless speakers you are referring to. The most popular wireless speakers today are Bluetooth wireless technology, which are designed to play music from a Bluetooth output device like a smart phone, laptop or tablet. The device streams music wirelessly directly to the speaker(s) which have a built-in Bluetooth wireless receiver and amplifier. The VSX-822 receiver when coupled with Pioneer Model No. ASBT-100 or ASBT-200 Bluetooth Adapters (purchased separately) can also accept music streamed from Bluetooth output devices like smart phones, laptops and tablets, amplify the music and play it through speakers connected to the receiver. Other Bluetooth adapters are available to accept a streaming Bluetooth signal and play it through the receiver from the auxiliary input on the receiver. However, it sounds like you may want to use Bluetooth speakers as extension speakers and play any material from the receiver to these speakers. I do not believe the Bluetooth Adapters available are designed to transmit Bluetooth signals from the receiver, but only to receive them. You could use a Bluetooth transmitter device (like the one below sold by Newegg) which takes an audio output from a device and transmits it to a Bluetooth receiver like Bluetooth speakers. The Bluetooth transmitter device could be plugged into the headphone jack on the receiver, but then all other speakers connected to the receiver would be muted. Alternately I think you could use the pre-out RCA jacks on the back of the VSX-822 (using an RCA to 3/16" phono jack converter) to drive a Bluetooth transmitter to send a signal to the Bluetooth speakers. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA07Y0AG5963

Question 10

Just exactly how do I connect this device up and why would I use it?

Accepted Answer

You need HDMI cables. I have 3 devices (Blu-Ray player, ATT U-Verse TV box and DVD recorder) connecting with this receiver.
In this case, needs 4 HDMI cables, 3 connecting with each device and 1 cable connecting with TV). You can use other connection for PC and VHS if you have. 
No needs for iPOD cable because of included as a part of package.

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