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Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers

by Steven Kim posted Sep 28th 2009 at 3:54PM

Pioneer VSX-23TXH receiver
Video scaling has been a longtime knock held against Pioneer's AV receivers, but Pioneer is addressing those concerns with the inclusion of Anchor Bay VRS processing in its Elite VSX-23TXH ($899) and VSX-21TXH ($699) models, and also the VSX-1019AH-K ($499). Of course, Pioneer's home market in Japan isn't getting the short shrift -- the VSA-LX52 and VSA-1019AH are getting the same treatment. These models will be getting an ABT1015 to ratchet input signals all the way up to the magical 1080p figure; hopefully an indication that Pioneer will take a page from Denon's playbook and include ABT scaling in all of its AVRs from here on out. Full details after the break.

UPDATE: We have sent questions to Pioneer about whether this is a mid-production spec bump, or ABT VRS has been in these models all along. We'll report back with any answers we get.

UPDATE: We got official word back from Pioneer -- the VSX-1019, 21, 23, 25, and 27 models have all had Anchor Bay VRS scaling from the initial production, so there's no need to go throwing your AVR out. We can't imagine why both Pioneer and Anchor Bay haven't touted this feature from day one, but if your eyes told you the new Pioneer receivers had great scaling, give yourself a point.

Continue reading Pioneer adds Anchor Bay VRS scaling to VSX-23TXH, VSX-21TXH and VSX-1019AH-K receivers

Marantz preps BD5004, BD7004 Blu-ray players, NR1501 amplifier for launch

by Richard Lawler posted Jul 15th 2009 at 7:49PM


We questioned the strategy of Marantz delivering a nearly $800 Bonus View Blu-ray player last fall, but it appears ready to settle things with customers who believe in its superior construction and components and want a few newer features (though access to streaming movie services is still missing) with two BD-Live compatible players on the way in August. Both support AVCHD, DivX, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD bitstreaming and more, with the BD7004 adding 7.1 analog outs, internal TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding, an Anchor Bay Reference Series video processor and additional reinforcement against vibrations. Look for the BD5004 (pictured above) for $549 and the BD7004 at $799. In the interests of matching equipment, announced along with the BD7004 in Japan is the 7.1 channel NR1501 amplifier due this month, supporting the latest HD audio formats in a 105mm x 367mm deep resin and fiber reinforced design for ¥60,000 ($635), check for additional pictures after the break.

Continue reading Marantz preps BD5004, BD7004 Blu-ray players, NR1501 amplifier for launch

Denon outs 2009 line of Blu-ray players, AV receivers and headphones

by Darren Murph posted May 11th 2009 at 2:30PM


Ready for loads of succulent new audio / video equipment that you can likely only afford in your wildest dreams? Fantastic. Today in NYC, Denon has decided to introduce a whole fleet of new kit, so we'll get right down to the nitty gritty. Oh, and we're on hand at the premiere, so expect some hands-on shots shortly.
  • DBP-2010CI ($699; shipping in July) - Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player, onboard Ethernet, BD-Live / BonusView support, DivX HD playback, support for AVCHD, Anchor Bay Technologies VRS processing, upconversion and IP scaling to 1080p/24, RS-232c support, HDMI / component / composite video outputs
  • DBP-1610CI ($499; shipping in July) - Same as above sans Anchor Bay chip and RS-232c
  • Nine new AV receivers, priced from $379 at the low-end to $1,999 at the high; shipping between May and July 2009
  • ASD-51W ($299.99) and ASD-51N ($249.99) network-enabled iPod docks, both shipping in August. Both items also allow for Rhapsody streaming, Internet Radio streaming and Napster support.
  • AH-NC600 ($199), AH-C710 ($149) and AH-C360 ($49) in-ear headphones, all of which will ship by July
Full press releases and details for each are posted just past the break, and yes, it's overwhelming.

Gallery: Denon outs 2009 line of Blu-ray players, AV receivers and headphones


Gallery: Hands-on with Denon's new lineup

Continue reading Denon outs 2009 line of Blu-ray players, AV receivers and headphones

Warner and Paramount sign up for movies on SD cards

by Steven Kim posted Jan 10th 2009 at 3:49PM

SD card Warner and MOD
If you've ever wished out loud for movie distribution on solid state memory, a glimmer of a speck of hope has just popped on to the radar thanks to a partnership between digital media delivery system company MOD Systems and movie studios. Anchor Bay, First Look, Image Entertainment, and -- wait for it -- Warner and Paramount are among the studios signed up to set 4,000 titles loose at a kiosk near you. The bad news is that only standard definition titles are going to be set loose to devices or SD cards. That standard def limitation is a whine, we know -- we like where this is headed.

Oppo coughs up BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player details

by Darren Murph posted Dec 11th 2008 at 9:57AM Breaking News


Lookie, lookie -- we just might have a winner on our hands here. While Denon just announced the world's first universal Blu-ray player at $3,800, the highly respected Oppo is looking to trump said offering with a low-cost version of its own. The heretofore elusive BDP-83 has finally been detailed, as consumers who signed up to know more have received an email (posted in full after the break) with oodles of delicious information. For starters, the player will indeed be fully universal -- a Profile 2.0 BD deck with SACD, DVD and DVD-Audio support -- and for SACD playback, it will support DSD over HDMI and DSD-to-analog without any PCM conversion. As of now, the unit is currently undergoing "an extensive and thorough beta test program," and Oppo is considering opening up an "Early Adoption Program" later this month to give a limited number to mere mortals for feedback. Obviously, there's no finalized date for release, but the anticipated price will hover between $499 and $599.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Oppo coughs up BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player details

Anchor Bay's DVDO EDGE takes anything to 1080p for $799

by Darren Murph posted Aug 29th 2008 at 6:14PM


If you'll recall, Anchor Bay's heralded DVDO iScan did a fairly decent job at upscaling content to high-def levels. Unfortunately, it put a crater in your wallet about $3,149 deep. Now, however, the outfit is hitting back with an all new alternative that checks in well below four digits; the DVDO EDGE upconverts all video formats as high as 1080p and relies on the same Video Reference Seres technologies to do so. Additionally, it doubles as a robust A / V hub, sporting six HDMI 1.3 inputs, two HDMI 1.3 outputs and a whole slew of analog ports. Hit the read link [PDF] for all the nitty-gritty details, and get ready to spice up your old Hi8 tapes next month for just $799.

Anchor Bay's DVDO iScan VP50 goes 1080p-24

by Darren Murph posted Jul 17th 2007 at 7:35PM


The always expensive (but equally coveted) DVDO HD video processor lineup just got even more attractive, as the Anchor Bay iScan VP50 can now take any SD or HD signal all the way to 1080p-24 without a hint of lag or artifacting. The free software update enables v1.04 of its "Film Technology" feature, which allows users to take any input (interlaced or progressive) and have it converted to 1,920 x 1,080 at 24 frames-per-second. So, how many of you are actually lucky enough to need this?

[Via Audioholics]




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