Video performance
The VSX-1019AH-K is capable of upconverting analog signals to its HDMI output, so we put it through our video testing suite. We connected the Samsung BD-P3600 via component video to the VSX-1019AH-K, with the BD-P3600 set to 480i output. The VSX-1019AH-K was set to output at 1080p over its HDMI output, connected to the Samsung LN46A950D.

We kicked off our video tests with Silicon Optix's HQV test suite on DVD. The first test is a resolution test and the VSX-1019AH was able to pass the full resolution of DVD, although we saw plenty of image instability in the horizontal lines plus other flickering. If this were a DVD player, we'd knock this performance harder, but just passing the full resolution is better than what we've seen on the Yamaha RX-V665BL or Onkyo TX-SR607. The next jaggies tests were worse; both a rotating white line and three pivoting lines were absolutely filled with jaggies. Finally, we looked at the 2:3 pull-down test, and the VSX-1019AH-K passed, as there was no moire in the grandstands as the racecar zooms by.

We switched over to program material and the first disc up was "Star Trek: Insurrection." The Pioneer had no difficulty clearly rendering the opening sequence, with the curved edges of the bridge railing and boat hulls looking jaggy-free. Lastly, we looked at the difficult introduction to "Seabiscuit" and the VSX-1019AH-K actually surprised us with its performance, showing very few jaggies on the slow pans over black-and-white photographs. In all, the VSX-1019AH-K's video performance is far from impressive when compared with quality upscaling DVD players or quality HDTVs, but it's the best we've seen from AV receivers in this price range this year and is probably good enough for those last remaining analog devices in your home theater.