Home Theater Week in Review, June 7-11, 2010: New Onkyo 3D HDMI 1.4 receivers; Redbox goes Blu-ray.

by Oliver Amnuayphol

Onkyo has always been an A/V company ahead of the technological curve, so it's no surprise they've just introduced three more HDMI 1.4 equipped and 3D ready receivers: the TX-NR708, TX-NR808, and TX-NR1008. Featuring the now standard arsenal of new-tech features, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio processing, 1080p upconversion (via Faroudja DCD1 Cinema processing), and 7 (!) HDMI inputs, these latest Onkyos guarantee compatibility with burgeoning 3D technology and are sure to please. Moreover, all three receivers also have an ethernet connection for direct playback of MP3, WMA or AAC files, Dolby Pro Logic IIz and Audyssey DSX processing, and 7.2 channels of amplification (9.2 in the 1008). On the multi-room front, the 708 features a powered/line-out capable zone 2 function; the 808 adds zone 3 line outs; and the 1008 adds powered zone 3 capability. What's more, Onkyo's also packed the 1008 with maximum sonic goodness courtesy an additional 192 kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DAC and features ISF calibration the video side of things. Retail prices are $899, $1099, and $1399 for the 708, 808, and 1008 respectively. Look for the 708 and 808 now; the 1008 drops late July.

If you're an HT enthusiast and find yourself in front of a Redbox machine in the near future, be sure to look for new releases in glorious, hi-def Blu-ray. That's right--the Redbox folks have gone Blu and will be offering select Blu-ray titles at only $1.50 per night. Redbox reports that nearly 17 percent of their customer base already have Blu-ray players at home, so this should be welcome news to current Redbox users and should have more customers going red now that there's a convenient and inexpensive way to get their hi-res fix. Moreover, Redbox will soon be offering catalog titles for sell-through at 9 bucks a pop, making owning your favorite titles much more appealing. Look for Blu-ray titles to appear in your local Redbox within the next few months.   

Movie Releases for This Week.

DVD: Shutter Island; From Paris with Love; WWE: The Undertaker's Deadliest Matches; The Suicide Tourist; Creek; Neil Young Archives Volume 1. 

Blu-ray: Shutter Island; From Paris with Love; The Illusionist; Caddyshack; Not the Messiah; Happy Together; The Red Violin; Power Kids; Neil Young Archives Volume 1.

Comments

[touch screen phones]

That is a great looking stereo system. I would love to have a home theater connected to red box =)