Onkyo’s New Flagship AV Receivers

The long awaited flagship receivers has finally shipped. The Onkyo TX-NR5009 is priced at $2,899 and the TX-NR3009 few hundred quids cheaper at $2,199. Not much separate the two other power ratings and audio processing. The TX-NR5009 includes a heavy-duty Toroidal transformer for higher current output. This gives you a higher audio headroom for more dynamic surround sound in a larger room.

Both receivers include significant upgrades from last year’s models, including the use of the latest HQV-Vida and Marvel Qdeo video processors, new DTS Neo:X dimensional surround processing, Dolby Volume, and new streaming internet radio channels. Onkyo has also recently announced a firmware update to its remote app for Android that gives it direct support for Spotify Premium music streaming service. It is now available for these receivers, along with others in Onkyo’s 2011 line.

Quite an extensive set of features are incorporated into these units such as 3D compatibility, advanced audio/video processing, content streaming, as well as plenty of connectivity options. The top model is rated at 145W for each of the 9 channels and the NR3009 delivers five watts less at 140W per channel.

The usual audio decoding and processing chips from Audyssey, Dolby and DTS are all incorporated. Most if not all audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1/EX/Pro logic IIz, DTS 5.1/ES, 96/24, Neo:6 and Audyssey DSX.

Read the full Onkyo TX-NR5009 review and Onkyo TX-NR3009 review.

New Denon IN-Command Series A/V Receivers

Denon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality Audio Video products, recently launched the new “IN-Command Series” of A/V receivers. It is designed with inter-connectedness in mind. Consumers can now be “IN-Command” so to speak of all their content, components and entertainment environments so they can enjoy music, movies and games, with dramatically enhanced surround sound, plus interactive web access, multi-zone networking and more. It is Denon’s way of combining content and technology so that you can be entertained “in the simplest and most straightforward ways possible” as Denon puts it.

There are 3 models in this series namely:

1. Denon AVR-2112CI (SRP:$649.99)
2. Denon AVR-2312CI (SRP:$849.99)
3. Denon AVR-3312CI (SRP:$1099.99)

The IN-Command series AV receivers are designed from the ground up to meet the needs of today’s “content-hungry” consumer. These receivers feature advanced multi-zone networking capabilities, and convenient compatibility with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and other home entertainment source components.They support Apple’s AirPlay, which lets you stream content from your iOS device. In addition to AirPlay, these receivers also feature Direct Connectivity via USB for quick and simple integration into the larger home network.

You’d be glad to know that the the latest audio decoders like the Dolby Pro Logic IIz are also supported. Dolby PL IIz is capable of expanding your home theater’s front stage to include two extra front height channels. Also on board are technologies such as Audyssey DSX that makes movies sound three-dimensional by adding height and wide channels, Dynamic Volume, EQ Pro capability, and 3D pass-through technology that makes it 3D compliant for 3D Blu-ray players.

Complete 3D Checklist

As many of you may have already noticed, 3D technology has been creeping into the entertainment scene slowly but surely. And one thing is for certain. Whatever the naysayers say, 3D is here to stay.

But having 3D video playback in your home is not as straightforward as you think. So to make it easy for you we have listed all the items you need to enjoy 3D playback:

1. A 3D HDTV, 3D projector, or 3D computer monitor. These displays usually have a higher processing power as they need to display one image for each eye to create a 3D effect.
2. A source to deliver 3D content. This source can be a cable box with a subscription to a 3D channel or a 3D blu-ray player.
3. Content – In order to watch 3D, you will need to get some 3D content. This 3D content will come from the source mentioned above in the form of a 3D program, movie, or game. Please ensure that your 3D movies are in the Blu-ray 3D format, as this new format will provide the best 3D experience. Here are the some of the latest 3D blu-ray movies.
4. 3D Glasses – All 3D HDTVs on the market require 3D Active Shutter glasses to create the 3D effect. You will need one pair of glasses for each viewer. Also make sure that the Active Shutter glasses you buy are compatible with your display. It is best to buy the glasses from the same brand as your 3D HDTV. Most HDTVs are sold bundled with a pair or two of these 3D glasses.
5. HDMI Cable – To connect your source (such as a 3D Blu-ray player) to your display, you’ll need a high-speed HDMI cable that is ver 1.4 or later. Cables with this designation will be able to carry the 3D signals without any loss of quality.
6. 3D AV Receiver – The AV receiver that you buy for your home theater setup will also need to have HDMI ver 1.4 (or later) inputs and outputs to allow 3D signal pass-through. Most of the newer AV receivers like the Onkyo TX-NR1008 are already 3D compatible.

There are also 3D starter kits that will give you some cost savings.

New Flagship AV Receivers From Onkyo

Onkyo launched two brand new top of the line networked home theater receivers that offer a wide range of the latest home theater features:

1. Onkyo TX-NR5008 (MSRP: $2699.00)
2. Onkyo TX-NR3008 (MSRP: $2099.00)

They are both THX® Ultra2 Plus™ certified and support network audio streaming, various multi-room set-ups, iPhone/iPod playback over USB, and fully 3D-compatible using HDMI ver 1.4a passthrough.

With 9.2 audio channels, 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs plus a multitude of connectivity options, they are ideal for those who want the most out of their home theater setups. The 9-channel configuration allows users to take advantage of the expanded surround dimensions of Audyssey DSX™ or Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz. The former adds extra height or width channels for greater spatial ambiance, while the latter provides the option of extra height channels.

For top quality video Denon utilizes HQV-Reon VX chipsets that enables 1080p upscaling of all video inputs, regardless of source resolution. Both also feature advanced ISF video calibration, audio networking and internet radio. The receivers are also Windows® 7 compatible and DLNA 1.5 certified to ensure optimal compatibility with other network-enabled equipment in the home.

Read the full Onkyo TX-NR5008 review and Onkyo TX-NR3008 review.

Source: Denon USA

Denon Adds Two New 3D Receivers In Their Lineup

Denon recently launched two mid-priced AV receivers that will be 3D compatible. They come with the latest HDMI ver1.4a that recognizes 3D video signals and will pass through 3D signals from your Blu-Ray player. It also recognizes signals from 3D television broadcasts.

The lower priced 7.1 channel Denon AVR-1911 (MSRP: $599.00) comes will less bells and whistles. Connectivity is basic to keep costs down but no corners were cut in making it a credible performer. In fact it sounds better than most receivers in this price range. Check out the full Denon AVR-1911 review.

Next up is the Denon AVR-3311CI costing almost twice as much (MSRP: $1199.00). But you do get a whole lot of extra features like higher power output of 125W per channel compared to 90W for the AVR-1911. It comes with 6 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs. One of the technologies exclusive to the new 2010 models including the AVR-3311CI is the Audyssey DSX. The approach is different than the competing A/V receivers that purely rely on bit rate. To vastly improve the sound experience, DSX makes better use of the 7.2 configuration by adding width and height channels for better coverage. Also new is the Anchor Bay ABT-2015 video processor which now provides Precision De-interlacing to eliminate artifacts along with the ability to up-convert any sources connected via HDMI to 1080p 24fps/60fps.

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