Pioneer VSX-921-K problem

I bought a Pioneer VSX-921-K receiver on Dec 26, 2011. It just started to not output video from any device source other than the Cogeco HD PVR (a Pace). Last week it was working perfectly on all sources so I am not sure what happened since nothing has been changed. I have tried to reset the receiver using the procedure in the manual and it did not work (it did reset, but the problem remains.

Audio does come from all the sources (A Pioneer DVD, an Apple iTV, PC input via HDMI, iPAD though Apple HDMI adapter), but no video from any of these is displayed. The red HDMI connected light does light on the receiver when connected to these sources and the audio is getting through. Just not video.

Even when I can see video from the HD Box, if I enter the Pioneer’s setup menu while using the HD Box, the setup menu’s do NOT appear on the TV. I can see them on the AV receiver screen text, but they do not appear on the TV. It looks like nothing is getting through the AV receiver’s output except the pass thru of the cable box video signal.

Interestingly if I set the receiver to DVD, and then turn on the DVD player, the DVD's "Pioneer" logo displays briefly, then the screen goes blank and there is no video. Its like it gets thru for a brief moment, then is gone.

HELP!

I am a Pioneer fan (the TV is a 5 yr old 50” Pioneer plasma ), but this is frustrating!

I don't think it is between the Receiver and the TV since the HDCable box runs through the Receiver too (using the DVR HDMI in port) and that works perfectly with both audio and video going to the TV (except the Pioneer AV receiver's own setup menus don't display on the TV like they used to). All the other HDMI in ports on the receiver do not seem to pass the video thru to the TV (using the same HDMI out on the receiver).

I will try the other HDMI in port on the TV, but I cannot see that being the problem since HDMI input 1 on the TV works with the receiver for the DVR Cable box.

I think there is a problem with these Pioneer VSX 921 AV receivers. Many others seem to have problems and most seem to have been bought in the last month. Here is what I have tested:

1. The AV receiver seems to HDMI handshake to all the sources (Pio DVD, Apple TV, iPAD HDMI Cable, PC HDMI and Pace Cable box. However ONLY the Pace's video gets passed through to my Pioneer Plasma. All the other ones do get audio out via the receiver, but nothing to the TV. Even though the Pace video gets good video, the AV receivers' setup menus do not display on the TV. The screen goes blank, but no menus.

2. I tried putting the output on the AV Receiver to Toshiba LCD 720p, and it worked from all sources (weird). Even the AV receiver's set up menu's display properly. Makes it sound like it might be my previously flawless Pioneer plasma that has now very coincidentally fried itself??? That would be too much coincidence. So then I tested that.

3. Tried direct connecting the various HDMI sources to the Pioneer plasma HDMI input 3 (not through the AV receiver) and they all work properly. So looks like the TV is OK.

4. I have spend endless time switching out HDMI cables with no change. The cables work on other devices. All are high speed rated cables.

So my conclusion is that the receiver itself is not working properly with the TV (keep in mind that it worked together perfectly for about 1 week, then mysteriously the other sources stopped working (nothing else was changed). It can no longer connect properly to put video out to the Pioneer plasma (but for whatever reason, the little Toshiba LCD is able to hold an HDMI link to it).

Looks like its going back to Best Buy (if I can just find my receipt). If I am correct in thinking that there is a bad batch that came from Pioneer then Best Buy will probably be getting a lot of them back.

Sorry to hear that. I hope your insurance covers it (or the credit card insurance). I have ordered an HDMI switcher to try that before it goes back. My researching found a couple of other people suggesting an HDCP handshake issue so its worth a try. My concern is that the problem is equally the fault of my Pio plasma TV since running the HDMI cable to a Toshiba LCD works. Go figure.

The funny thing is that the Pio AVR and TV played nice together for a couple of weeks before they stopped. If this does not resolve it, its the LAST Pioneer equipment I buy.

i returned it and upgraded to a 1021 since Best Buy would only exchange not refund. it was defective i think

On a related note, my replacement 1021 unit was working great, then after 2 weeks it also started to switch to "Stereo" instead of picking up the Digital surround from the cable feed. (it worked perfectly before). I then downloaded the latest firmware upgrade from Pioneer and installed it. That fixed the problem. However, I don't think firmware updates can be done on a 921.