Coming your way from Pioneer: a new line of high-end receivers that can do some sweet tricks with high-definition video and your iPod's music library. The flagship model, the Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXVi, is a 980-watt beast that features four — count 'em — four HDMI inputs on the back for connection to one of those fancy new Blu-ray or HD DVD players (although Pioneer, one of the companies deeply entrenched on the Blu-ray side of that format war doesn't mention HD DVD for some reason). It can also upconvert other video signals — like whatever's coming out of your DVD player or cable box — to HDMI, meaning you only need to have one cable running to your TV for both your digital and analog signals. In addition to all the high-def fun, it comes with built-in iPod support via a proprietary cable that lets you browse your iPod playlists on a TV screen. Unfortunately, the onscreen menu looks like the system font from an Apple IIe, making your $1,500 receiver look like a 25-year-old computer. The interface also doesn't support the iPod's video menus, meaning if you want to screen that $22 sub-VHS quality season of Laguna Beach you bought on iTunes on your $10,000 HDTV, you'll need to get your lazy ass up and do it manually. On the plus side, the receiver can also handle XM Satellite Radio, but you'll sadly be navigating those channels using the same interface as the iPod screen, uglying up the whole affair. The VSX-84TXVi as well as the other three other Elite receivers will be waiting for your credit card number later this month. — Adam Frucci