The AVC-1610, Denon's Latest HD AV Amp

Here's Denon's AVC-1610, a 5.1 AV amp (130Wx5ch at 6 Ω) that supports HDMI 1.3a, Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby NR professional logic IIz… Available in Japan from middle of May for around 55,000 Yen (€420).

Source
Akihabaranews

Onkyo's TX-SA706X 7.1

Onkyo's TX-SA706X 7.1 Receiver: Back in BLACK!

Last June we talked about Onkyo's TX-SA706X 7.1 receiver that delivers 200-watts, includes five HDMI 1.3 inputs (plus one output), with a frequency response of 5Hz to 100kHz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing, and built-in decoding for Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master and THX Ultra2 Plus Audio formats.

This baby WAS only available in Gold here in Japan… Guess what? On November 21st Onkyo will release them in... Black!

Source

Onkyo

Integra DTX-9.9 & DTX-8.9: Onkyo will never stop!

Integra DTX-9.9 & DTX-8.9: Onkyo will never stop!

Lastly, Onkyo announced the availability of their new AV Amplifier, the DTX-9.9 and DTX-8.9, for the beginning of September.
Our new “monsters”, provide almost the same specifications: a frequency response of 5Hz-100kHz (+1dB/-3dB, Direct Mode), a Signal Noise ratio of 110dB, 4 HDMI1.3 Input / 2 HDMI1.3 Output, the HQV Reon-VX video processor from Silicon Optix, the Imaging Science Foundation mode in order to enhance the image quality. It can also upscale your image to 1080p and can reproduce the latest audio codecs such as Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio….
But the DTX-9.9 provides a maximum output power of 280Watts x7 (6Ω), while the second one offers a power of 250Watts x 7 (6Ω).
The DTX-9.9 is also Windows Vista certified, features USB and Ethernet interface, can read MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC
It’s announced a price of 2180€ for the DTX-9.9, and 1555€ for the DTX-8.9.

Source
Onkyo

Denon AVC-2809

AVC-2809: an other AV Amplifier from Denon

Denon continue to introduce AV Amplifier, and this time this is the AVC-2809 (Successor of the AVC-2808 ) which should be available at the end of August.

The AVC-2809 provides an output power of 7x160 Watts (6Ω), frequency response of 20Hz-20 kHz, features 3 HDMI input / 1 HDMI output supporting 1080p video signals, and it can reproduce the latest audio codecs such as Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio…

It also features AL24 Processing Plus technology, the Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
It will cost around 990€.

Source
Denon

Onkyo Integra DHC-9.9

Integra DHC-9.9: Onkyo's New Beast

Onkyo announced the release of a new audio/video pre-amplifier for the Integra Series, the DCH-9.9. It will be available at the beginning of September.

Our new beast features 4 HDMI1.3 input / 2 HDMI1.3 output 1080/24p compatible, HQV Reon-VX video processing which upscales all video source material to 1080p output over HDMI, 7.1-channel professional-grade balanced XLR outputs for connection to compatible multichannel amplifiers, and can reproduce the latest audio codecs such as Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio…

It provides a frequency response of 5Hz-100kHz (+1dB/-3dB, Direct mode), a signal to noise ratio of 110dB (LINE, IHF-A), and 80dB (PHONO, IHF-A)

You can expect a price of 1400€ to get this very nice preamp!

Source
Onkyo

Onkyo BASE-V20HD

The New HD Friendly 2.1 Home Theater System

Within two weeks Onkyo will release in Japan a new 2.1 home theater system, the BASE-V20HD. It supports HDMI 1.3a and is compatible with TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby NR... and in a compact size of 205x326x116mm.

Definitely not the best sound system ever made, but perfect if you're looking for something compact and elegant.

Source
Onkyo

Samsung Strengthens Its Blu-ray Leadership

Samsung Strengthens Its Blu-ray Leadership

Now that the HD format war is over, manufacturers can begin focusing their efforts on improving their Blu-Ray product line-ups and and providing us with a better HD experience.

Many complained that most Blu-Ray player were “closed” and could not be updated, like a PS3 for example. To these complainers, it appears Samsung heard you. Their fourth generation Blu-Ray player allows you to upgrade when necessary.

SEOUL, KOREA – April 28, 2008 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced its latest additions to the product lineup: a fourth-generation Blu-ray player and a second-generation Blu-ray home theater. Samsung boasts the most diverse selection of Blu-ray products in the industry, and company officials revealed plans to make the high quality video and audio format a full-fledged market that Samsung will lead.

Samsung Electronics introduced the world’s first Blu-ray player in June 2006 and has to date developed three successive generations of the product. Last December Samsung unveiled the first-ever home theater-in-a-box that includes a Blu-ray player and now has come out with an upgraded version. As such, the company remains ahead of the competition in new product development.

Dongsoo Jun, chief of Digital AV Business Division at Samsung Electronics, said he expects the overall Blu-ray market to achieve average annual growth of at least 80% through 2012, with 51 million units sold a year by that time. A conservative estimate for 2008 would be 5 million units sold, or three times the number for last year, he added.

“We will maintain our technology and market leadership, working together with many other companies in the Blu-ray business to drive market expansion. Our own Blu-ray product sales should increase to W400 billion this year and surpass W1 trillion by 2010,” Jun said.

In the days ahead, Samsung Electronics intends to differentiate its technology governing the basic Blu-ray functions—video and audio quality. Its strengths as a consumer electronics maker will be leveraged to strengthen the connectivity among home-use products (such as the TV) and mobile products (camcorders, mobile phones, etc.). In addition, access to various media services will be added to provide consumers with a steady stream of new lifestyle options, setting Samsung clearly apart from its rivals.

Importantly, Samsung expressed determination at the Blu-ray Strategy Briefing to stimulate market growth as a Blu-ray product manufacturer. Jun said, “The DVD market took off once 1,000 DVD titles became available, and Samsung will help to create an environment that will allow film studios to produce their titles on BD. This we will do by informing the consumers of the value that Blu-ray offers and by expanding the number of competitive products to drive market growth.”

The increase in full-HD TVs is seen as the impetus for Blu-ray market expansion. Full-HD TVs are now in widespread use, but consumers are having a difficult time in finding the players and contents that are up to the capabilities of their TV. The Blu-ray market will grow because this format is a sure way for consumers to enjoy full-HD video and audio quality. Samsung Electronics will broaden the synergy between its Blu-ray product line (players, home theaters) and full-HD product line (TVs, camcorders and so on). Samsung’s goal is to provide an environment for consumers to create and play back contents in full-HD, and to make full-HD a format second to none.

4G Blu-ray Player (BD-P1500)
The recently completed fourth-generation Blu-ray player(BD-P1500) will play CDs and DVDs as well as the high quality BDs. This is a full-HD Blu-ray, offering the same high picture quality as the original movie. With dual decoding, the product offers a Bonus View function whereby you can watch picture-in-picture contents at the same time as the main program. Built-in memory enables a Bookmark function. In addition, internet and USB memory provide easy firmware upgrades now and will bring BD Live interactive service in the days ahead.

Future Blu-ray players from Samsung will be equipped with an HQV processor to deliver even better picture quality the ability to upgrade standard-definition video to high-definition output. The high-definition audio function will also be enhanced.

2G Blu-ray Home Theater (HT-BD2F)
In December 2007 Samsung Electronics released the world’s first home theater-in-a-box that includes Blu-ray(HT-BD2), and it comes with 7.1-channel, lossless surround sound—the same as a regular movie theater. The product supports various HD surround decoding formats, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, and it reproduces sound ranging up to 50KHz. With the second-generation Blu-ray home theater, Samsung changed the speaker system to 5.1 channels and lowered the price accordingly to increase sales.

Source
Akihabaranews

SE-DRS3000C: Pioneer's

SE-DRS3000C: Pioneer's New Digital Wireless Headset

Looking for a great digital (2.4GHz) wireless headset? Behold the SE-DRS3000C (headset + transmitter) from Pioneer. It will become available in Japan from mid of May for roughly 250€.

With a 30m working radius, our headset is compatible with Dolby Digital, DTS-ES, Dobly NR ... It supports a bandwidth of 10Hz to 24kHz and weighs 720g.

Source
Akihabaranews