This is the next in a series of articles taken from the H/DTV Technology Review & CES 2005 Report by Rodolfo La Maestra, published in March 2005. If you are interested in downloading the full version of this report, it is currently available for purchase from our CES Report page.
This year a larger number of units implementing DVI and HDMI were released, in addition to the monitors and integrated TVs mentioned on the previous sections.
Although the implementation of HDMI inputs/outputs was also seen in more receivers, it is still mainly reserved for top-of-the-line receivers, which usually are on the $4000-$6000 range.
The data included below is an example of some of the new units, not a complete list.
HDMI/DVI Receivers/Switching
Denon
AVP-1x Studio Reference Video Preamp, DVI/HDCP, HDMI switching, video upconversion
New Denon receiver with multiple HDMI
In addition to the current AVR-5805 $6000 receiver with 3 HDMI/ 1 DVI inputs and one HDMI output (introduced in Sep 04), Denon announced at CES 2005 a new receiver AVR-4806 for $3000 due in March 2005 with 3 HDMI 1.1 (2.0) inputs (that can be used for DVD-Audio signals), one DVI input, a DVI-converting HDMI output, a IEEE1394 input for DVD-Audio/SACD, and a proprietary Denon Link DVD-Audio input. Three video zones, component video upconversion, S-video up-down conversion, Audyssey Lab's MultEQ for correction of room acoustics with multiple listeners, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker.
Halcro
Surround processors
With HDMI outputs, deinterlacing upscaling to 1080p on HDMI, A/D conversion
SSP100 $10000
SSP80 $8000
Integra Research
Sep 04
RDC-7.1 preamp/processor, TTM Nov 04, $4000, HD radio and XM upgrade cards available after introduction.
JVC
RXD701/702B A/V top end receiver with 7x150 watt channels, HDMI input w/upscaling HDMI output, Dolby Prologic IIx, USB input for PC connection, built-in 802.11 2.4 GHz receiver for streaming audio, wireless transmitter that plugs into a PC's USB input
Marantz
CES 2005
SR9600 140x7 watts A/V receiver, 2 HDMI in/ 1out, IEEE1394 connection, $3500, TTM Apr 05, video upconversion to component analog from 480i S-video/composite w/TBC
SR8500 125x7 watts A/V receiver, 2 DVI in/ 1 out, $1600, TTM current
Onkyo
TX-NR1000 $4000, 7.1 channels x150 watts, HDMI, IEEE1394
Samsung
Oct 04
Samsung announced for March 2005 the introduction of its first A/V receiver for a price ranging the $4000-$5000 mark. The receiver will have 7x250 watt amps, 3 two-channel audio zones with its internal digital amplifier, RS-232, DC triggers, IEEE1394 input for DVD-Audio and SACD, two HDMI inputs and one output, two DVI inputs and one output, automatic room equalization, video up-conversion over HDMI or DVI, up-scaling of DVD to HD, FM tuner.
CES 2005
The receiver announced above was demo at CES with a model # AV-R3000, for $5000, TTM Jun/Jul 05, 4 HDMI inputs/one HDMI output, 2 DVI inputs/ 1 DVI output, 250x7 watt channels, video upscaling, component 480i upscaled to 1080i of not-protected content
Sony
CES 2005
ES Series A/V Receiver
STR-DA7100ES $2000, 170 Watts x 7, 7.1 channel A/V receiver, HDMI switching, 720p/1080i upconversion, 32-bit S-Master Pro Digital Amplifier, iLink IEEE1394 for audio, independent 5.2 channels and 2 channel surround, second zone video/audio, third zone audio only.
HDMI/DVI DVD players
Denon
New Denon DVD player DVD-5910 for $3500 with 1394 output for DVD-Audio/SACD, and HDMI output for DVD-Audio, the first DVD player to use Teranex de-interlacer chip Realta HQV, simultaneous SD and HD outputs.
Integra
Sep 04
Five-disc universal DVD player with HDMI; single DVD-Audio/video players are discontinued.
Integra Research
Sep 04
Universal RDV-1.1 $4000, TTM Oct 04, HDMI/HDCP input/switcher to connect other HDMI components thru the DVD player.
Marantz
Sep 04
DV9500 first universal DVD player to incorporate HDMI with upconversion, TTM Oct 04, $2100, DVD-Audio, and SACD with full bass management, Dolby Headphone
Theta
Compli universal DVD player, $5900, DVI card for 480p, component
Yamaha
DVD-S2500 first universal player with HDMI/HDCP upconverts to 720p/1080i, $700, TTM Jan 05
Be sure that you read the next article in the series: Digital Connectivity (Coming Soon)