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HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #628: New Pioneer Receivers
Home Theater HDMI HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #628: New Pioneer Receivers

Pioneer's five new VSX-line receivers mark the first consumer AV receivers to support HDMI 2.0, enabling 4K/60fps passthrough and expanded color depth for Ultra HD displays. The flagship VSX-1124 ($599) pairs an ES9006S DAC running at 192kHz/24-bit with multi-channel FLAC/WAV playback and DSD 2.8 MHz support, while the Elite VSX-80 ($700) adds Crestron and Control4 compatibility with full two-way RS-232C-over-IP control. Buyers evaluating a 4K home theater upgrade will find these receivers cover both high-resolution audio and next-generation video connectivity in a single unit.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #614: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box

Two home theater enthusiasts each build a complete 7.1 or 9.2 surround sound system anchored by large-screen displays, with one configuration pairing a Sharp 80-inch 240Hz Quattron LED with a Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-channel 4K receiver and Klipsch RF-42 II speakers for $6,439, and the other combining a Panasonic 65-inch 600Hz plasma with a Yamaha RX-A2030 9.2-channel Aventage receiver and an OPPO BDP-103 featuring Marvell Kyoto-G2H video processing for $7,810. Both builds demonstrate that a fully capable large-screen home theater with discrete surround sound is achievable without custom installation costs.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater Buying Guides HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #612: AV Receiver Buying Guide 2013

A 2013 AV receiver buying guide covers six models across three price tiers, from the Sony STR-DH740 at $275 with 4K pass-through and four HDMI inputs to the Sony STR-DA5800ES at $2100 featuring nine HDMI inputs, a four-port Ethernet switch, and Control4 automation support. Mid-tier standouts include the Yamaha RX-A2020 with YPAO Reflected Sound Control and the Denon AVR-X3000 with Audyssey Gold calibration and seven HDMI inputs. Readers can use the tiered breakdown to match receiver capability to budget and speaker investment, avoiding overspending on processing that outpaces their speaker system.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Audio HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #595: Top 5 AV Receivers for under $600

Five AV receivers under $600 are ranked by feature-to-price ratio, with the Denon AVR-2313CI taking the top spot for its FLAC HD audio support, AirPlay integration, and 4K upscaling capability. The Onkyo TX-NR626 stands out for its Audyssey MultEQ room correction and Qdeo video processing, while the Sony STR-DN1040 leads on raw power at 165W per channel. Buyers prioritizing network audio, multi-room control via iOS/Android apps, and 4K-ready video processing will find strong options across all five picks without exceeding a modest budget.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Audio HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #575: Tis the Season for Receivers: Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer

Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer have each unveiled their 2013 AV receiver lineups, with competitive models clustered around the $600 price point offering 7.1-channel amplification, 4K/UHD upscaling, and MHL connectivity. Onkyo's TX-NR626 and TX-NR727 stand out with Qdeo 4K upscaling, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and DLNA support for lossless formats including FLAC, Dolby TrueHD, and DSD. Buyers shopping this season will find that nearly every mid-range model now integrates AirPlay, Audyssey calibration, and smartphone control apps, making the choice largely a matter of personal preference and listening tests.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater Blu-ray HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #561: HT Guys Home Theater in a Box 2012

Two home theater enthusiasts each assemble a complete 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system under a $2,500 budget, with component picks including a 60-inch 1080p 120Hz Vizio LED TV and a Denon AVR-1912 receiver rated at 90 watts per channel. One build opts for a 55-inch 600Hz Panasonic plasma for superior black levels and THX 3D certification, while both systems incorporate Wi-Fi-enabled Blu-ray players supporting Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime streaming. Readers looking to avoid the compromises of sub-$400 all-in-one packages will find these curated component lists a practical roadmap for building a capable home theater without overspending.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater Buying Guides HD Audio

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #560: Receiver Buying Guide 2012

A curated 2012 receiver buying guide spans three price tiers, from the Pioneer VSX-1122-K with 7 HDMI inputs and AirPlay at $486 to the Yamaha RX-A3020 9.2-channel AVENTAGE at $2000, which features a cross-member anti-vibration frame and a dedicated fifth dampening foot. Mid-range standouts include the Yamaha RX-V673 with 4K upscaling and bi-amp assignable amplifiers at $550, and the Denon AVR-2313CI with DLNA 1.5 and Audyssey processing at $900. Readers shopping across budgets will find concrete performance benchmarks and feature tradeoffs to guide a well-informed purchase.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Review: Dish Network Hopper
Satellite HD HD Receivers HD DVR

Review: Dish Network Hopper

The Dish Network Hopper whole-house DVR system delivers impressive functionality, including 3 tuners supporting up to 6 simultaneous HD recordings and a 2TB hard drive, but its HD image quality consistently tested softer than a comparable cable feed, estimated at roughly 80% of its potential detail. The reviewer found that connecting a Darblet video processor at approximately 50% processing strength brought perceived image quality close to or above the cable reference, while 4K upscaling via a Sony projector with Reality Creation provided additional improvement. Prospective subscribers with large displays or critical viewing standards should weigh this image quality trade-off against the Hopper's substantial feature advantages and lower cost.

Rodolfo La Maestra •
Reviews
Home Theater HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #541: 3 Budget Receivers, Unique Remotes and WiFi Headphones

Home Theater Podcast Episode 541 covers budget AV receivers, the Koss STRIVA Wi-Fi headphones, and unique remote controls, while also defining three core technical terms for home theater enthusiasts. Projector throw ratio is explained as the lens-to-screen distance divided by projected image width, a critical spec for matching a projector to your room size. Bitstream audio transmission, including Dolby Digital and DTS encoded formats, is contrasted with linear PCM output, and luminance is detailed as the brightness component carried on the Y cable in analog component video.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #538: Pioneer VSX-1122-K Review and Z-Wave Automated Door Locks

The Pioneer VSX-1122-K, a 7.2 channel receiver rated at 90 watts per channel with 7 HDMI inputs and Qdeo-based video upscaling to 1080p, delivers strong performance at its $599.99 price point, handling Dolby TrueHD content and DLNA streaming with minimal manual calibration required. Separately, the Kwikset 99100-005 Z-Wave deadbolt paired with the Mi Casa Verde VeraLite Controller ($180) enables time-restricted access codes, remote locking, and integration with existing Insteon home automation setups. Both products offer practical upgrades for home theater enthusiasts and property managers seeking reliable, network-connected control.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #535: Cloudee, Watch It and CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis 2012

The CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis 2012 survey reveals which brands professional custom installers favored across major product categories, with Integra commanding a dominant 60% share in A/V receivers and Samsung reaching 88% in flat-panel TVs. Kaleidescape led media servers at 50% despite ongoing legal challenges, while Epson surged to 37% in projectors as dealers shifted focus from dedicated theaters to cost-effective great room installations. For consumers, the survey offers a practical benchmark for identifying installer-trusted brands that balance performance, reliability, and real-world support.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
HD Audio HD Receivers Home Theater

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #530: Harman Kardon AVR 2650

The Harman Kardon AVR 2650, a 95-watt 7-channel receiver with HDMI 1.4a and Dolby Volume, delivers strong audio performance once its automatic EQ calibration is bypassed in favor of a flat EQ setting. Logic 7 processing expands two-channel audio to 7.1, though Dolby Pro Logic IIX Music was judged to sound superior for music playback. At $650, the receiver's standout practical benefit is Dolby Volume's per-input configuration, which maintains consistent loudness levels across TV, streaming, and Blu-ray sources without constant manual adjustment.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Home Theater HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #524: Eden, Amazon and the Ultimate AVR

XBMC 11.0 'Eden' arrives as a free, open-source media player for Linux, OSX, and Windows, delivering notable performance gains through dirty-region rendering and a new JPEG decoder, plus AirPlay support and improved unencrypted Blu-ray handling. The episode also outlines a concept 'Ultimate AVR' featuring 6 HDMI 1.4 ports, 7.1 processing, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, multi-zone A/V distribution, and multi-microphone room calibration. For home theater enthusiasts, these discussions highlight practical gaps between current receiver capabilities and what a truly integrated system could offer.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts
Smart TVs HD Receivers HD DVR

HDTV Almanac - Look, Ma! No Box!

At CES 2012, DIRECTV partnered with Samsung and Verizon partnered with LG to integrate set-top box functionality directly into Smart TV lines, with LG sets offering access to 26 live channels and over 10,000 VOD titles. While eliminating a separate box removes hardware clutter and a rental fee of roughly $6 per month ($72 annually), the trade-off is reduced access to full subscription programming and interactive content compared to a standard set-top box setup. Consumers should weigh whether the convenience justifies paying a premium for a Smart TV that delivers fewer features than a conventional receiver.

Alfred Poor •
Columns
Home Theater HD Audio HD Receivers

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #509: Home Theater "In a Box" 2011

Two complete home theater systems are assembled for under $1,500, each built around a 42-inch 1080p LCD display paired with a 7.1-channel receiver supporting HDMI 1.4a and HD audio decoding. One build centers on the Onkyo TX-NR609 THX Select 2 certified receiver at $390 alongside KEF KHT1005.2GB 5.1 satellite speakers, while the other pairs a Yamaha RX-V671 with the Energy Take Classic 5.1 system at $400. Both configurations demonstrate that a capable network-connected Blu-ray and surround sound setup is achievable near the $1,500 price point, though cables and accessories push real-world costs closer to $2,000.

The HT Guys •
Podcasts