There are not many models that come close the Onkyo TX-SR605, when it comes to providing you with an extensive range of features and advanced specifications at a street price. One special feature that particularly sets it apart is the inclusion of integrated high-definition audio decoding. This is then aptly supported by the latest HDMI 1.3a connections, which is also easily compatible with most of the popular new HD audio formats used by Blu-ray players.

Then, each channel is powered by a reasonable 140W of amplification, which pleasantly enough, can be easily coupled with advanced set ups so that the audio performance can be enhanced by bi-amping the front two speakers. You should also love the fact that setting up the Onkyo TX-SR605 is hassle free and is assisted by advanced features like the advanced automatic calibration system, with further assistance coming in the form of the basic Audyssey 2EQ and clearly presented menu screens.

Meanwhile, the latest HDMI 1.3a connections give you the leverage to switch between compatible high-definition sources, consequently making it convenient for you to operate the unit while at the same time removing unwanted cable clutter. The HDMI feature included with the unit is not the ordinary type, as it made with the latest technologies and with the intention to last a long enough time without becoming outdated. It is compatible with a variety of contemporary formats like Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio, and also accepts Deep Colour picture enhancements.

On the downside, the automatic calibration system tends to be a bit time consuming, and the Audyssey 2EQ system also has the same problem. The good thing with the latter feature is however that it is pretty accurate.

There is a proverb that goes the more the merrier. It seems that Pioneer has taken a leaf out of this proverb and accordingly come up with the Elite VSX-94TXH A/V Receiver, which hosts an amazing array of features and options. The good thing about all these is that they represent an assembly of unusual, interesting, and downright useful functions that should allow you to derive the maximum benefit out of the device.

Another notable aspect of the unit is that though it is inundated with a number of out of the box features, the fundamental features are not made a scrape goat. Inclusion of features like four fully-functional HDMI 1.3a inputs with Faroudja DCDi upscaling, video cross-conversion, HDMI output, drives that point. Moreover, just like its cousin the Pioneer VSX-LX 51, the Elite VSX-94TXH is THX Select 2 certified, and has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding technologies.

The analogue-to-HDMI conversion and upscaling feature is by far the receiver’s top rate features. Then theirs is the “Full-Band Phase Control” feature as well which effectively minimizes the group delay between the middle- and low-frequency ranges. There are also very few issues when it comes to the unit’s frequency and frequency domains. Meanwhile, the auto-EQ routines are quite sophisticated, but you will however curse the fact that the user interface is a tad bit obscure.

That is not all, as you can even connect the receiver’s serial port to your PC and use a Windows programme downloadable from Pioneer that will allow you to achieve better control and thereby generate graphs of the data collected by MCACC.

Marantz has not used THX technology for the first time with this model. After successfully incorporating THX in its AV amplifiers, Marantz has once again used it for the SR8002 receiver as THX Select2. Good to look at, the receiver features a copper-plated chassis that is brushed in aluminum colour.

You can call it a downscale sibling of the THX Ultra2 and it is mainly aimed at providing better quality surround sound for home cinemas. Along with offering a complete bandwidth of 100 kHz, the SR8002 offers as many as 7 channels in total. The Marantz SR 8002 also provides adequate power supply and 32bit DSPs that are quite helpful in maintaining the performance of all these channels. Moreover, you also benefit from the current feedback amplification and deep colour, xvYcc and SA-CD support by HDMI. You will like the auto lip-sync and M-DAX functions as well. The RC101, which is a multi-room lightweight remote control, is good enough to manage the whole operation.

The only thing that you are likely to miss the most with this receiver is the lack of friendly GUIs. This reduces its user-friendliness and information advancement, which might be a cause of trouble for a modern user.

All in all, it is a reasonably nice receiver, provided that you are ready for a little compromise.

Sony has launched its new flagship product called the STR-DA6400ES 7.1 channel network A/V receiver. It is a complete home entertainer and takes care of all your digital needs.

The Sony AV receiver features dual Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips that enable up-scaling of standard definition content to 1080i in up to two rooms. You can use it as a full entertainment hub by connecting an Ethernet cable to it and then sharing music, photos and videos. One of the best parts of the Sony ES series, such as the Sony STR-DA 5400 ES, is their strong connectivity. This DA 6400 ES A/V receiver can share digital data with the PC even if the two devices are kept in separate rooms. Connection to Ethernet makes data manageability and network upgrades really easy.

The STR has got an Xross Media Bar inspired GUI that has been enhanced to offer simplified access to content on a networked PC and can also be used in second room. You can enjoy your iPod, Walkman player, SHOUTcast Internet Radio and Rhapsody Music Service in up to three rooms through dual Digital Media Port (DMP) inputs. One unique feature that is found only in Sony STR-DA6400ES is its Quick Click onscreen remote control. It allows the users to easily operate all the compatible sources. The advanced A/V technology generates the audio formats via DTS and Dolby Labs.

eSYS Information Technologies has recently launched the Divoom COMET-A1, a hi-fi home cinema system which will definitely change the way you perceive entertainment.

The Divoom COMET-A1 is powerful, sleek and has exceptional looks and design. It offers 5.1 multi-channel surround sound with 400 watts of RMS. The best part of this home cinema system is its 5 floor standing satellites with 20W speakers and 100 W subwoofers, which are more than enough to produce floor shaking bass. The Divoom COMET-A1 is fully functional and compatible with Dolby/THX hardware decoding which means that it can generate multi-channel sound for awesome listening experience. It has an AV receiver too which can be used to connect and play A/V equipment such as a DVD player, Sony Playstation 2, VCD player, MP3 player, high defintion television, FM radio and more. You can connect the Divoom COMET-A1 to any computer.

This home cinema offers lots of customisable options. As far as the connectivity is concerned, the Divoom COMET-A1 has got all the necessary inputs including coaxial and optical ones. Besides this, the system’s design and contours are also as good as its ergonomics and sound. Five satellite speakers are mounted on beautiful stands along with one subwoofer box. Divoom COMET-A1 is the ultimate choice for those who love to explore the high definition digital entertainment.

Sony never fails to impress you with its uninterrupted sequence of quality products. The latest to come out of the company ranks is the STR DA5300ES, which can be marked as another feather in the company’s cap. The average looks of the unit notwithstanding, it is a user’s delight. The moderate style, in fact, seems a deliberate attempt by the manufactures so that they can focus more on its performance.

You are provided with a slick, icon-based graphical user interface which it has inherited from its predecessors. The most impressive aspect of the Sony STR-DA5300ES however, happens to be the GUI, a feature that has still yet to be mastered by its competitors. One enticing aspect about the GUI is that it makes using the receiver a lot easier, as it allows you to interact with an onscreen menu instead of a jumbled and at times dysfunctional remote. All you have to do to select a source is click “Menu” and then select “DVR” or any other name from the device list.

Apart from having the conventional Input menu, the unit offers you a multitude of options like music via the DM port, as well as AM, FM, XM, and Sirius Radio. The radio options are another pivotal part of this wonderful gadget and make the AV receiver a true complete package.

With the launch of STR-DA7100ES, Sony has maintained its impressive sequence of high quality receivers that started with the STR-DA5200ES (incidentally the company’s first A/V receiver to incorporate a true menu-driven graphical user interface (GUI) as well). This unique feature has contributed to the STR-DA5200ES earning a great deal of accolades. It has also given the device a kick start when compared to the more archaic models offered by the other companies, which still rely on looking onscreen displays with blocky white text and other such obsolete technologies.

The aesthetically designed unit is also replete with many a fearsome feature that allow it to deliver a devilish performance. Moreover, the set is prepared with the goal of enduring a lot of grinding and should come in handy for day-to-day use.

Taking a cue from its predecessor the STR-DA5200E, which is celebrated for its radical interface, the STR-DA5300ES is a hub of versatile features. The unit also pleasingly retains most of the remarkable features of its predecessor and has an amazing six HDMI inputs, far more than the Sony STR-DA 3400 ES has, for example. Then, the DA7100ES also includes the customary Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding features as well. Moreover, Sony has further refined the graphical user interface so that each HDMI input can be renamed.

he STR-DA5200E has also refurbished the video quality, and its upscaling capability from all analogue sources has been increased to 1080p.

The Onkyo TX-SR576 AV Receiver has come as a real blessing for those who are looking for an inexpensive arrangement that is equipped with the expertise to handle the latest formats. Blu-ray players may still prove to be a rather costly proposition, particularly when you are on a tight budget. The TX-SR576 apart from being pretty affordable, gives you instant and uninterrupted access to HD audio.

The best thing about the unit is its built-in Dolby Digital Plus decoding feature, which allows you to connect a Blu-ray player to one of its three HDMI v1.2a inputs so that you can enjoy some enthralling sound that has been intrinsically enhanced. Quite interestingly, if your Blu-ray player can internally decode HD audio formats to uncompressed multichannel PCM, then you can use it as a source for the Onkyo TX-SR 576 via HDMI and enjoy the benefits of Dolby True HD, DTS HD and DTS HD Master Audio. Moreover, it has onboard Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24 decoding features.

Meanwhile, it also supports full 1080p HDMI video switching, which means that can pass up to three hi-def video sources through the unit to your display. The lack of an upscaling option is, however, quite glaring. The unit is also generous as far as video socket is concerned and provides you two component video inputs and one output, three S-video inputs and one output, apart from three composite inputs and two outputs.

The audio socket section, on the other hand, is decorated by two optical and two coaxial digital audio inputs, four analogue stereo inputs and a set of colour-coded 7.1-channel analogue inputs. The last feature, in particular, is quite significant as it allows you to feed in decoded audio signals from Blu-ray, DVD-Audio or SACD players.

Onkyo is a real giant when it comes to Home Cinema Systems and has been consistently delivering one quality product after another. The company has recently come up with the world’s first true one-box, high definition (HD) surround system and consequently has managed to outwit it rivals in the continuing battle for supremacy. To be precise, the unit seeks to add a new dimension to the typically unimpressive sound quality that has been the bane of the latest flat screen TVs.

The unit at its core is a 2.1-channel digital home cinema system and involves a “one-box” A/V amplifier with built-in subwoofer and comes with front satellite speakers. Moreover, it has also been inscribed with the latest built-in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders that allow you to literally replicate the high definition surround sound from the source. This impressive quality has contributed in the unit’s rising fortune as it has found a great deal of acceptance among the latest generation of Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles and digital television receivers.

That’s not all, since the HTX-22HD has made a record of sorts be becoming the first unit to incorporate the innovative DTS Surround Sensation feature. In the meantime you will feel absolute bliss once the unit starts delivering a virtual 5.1 surround sound experience from two speakers, supported by the long-awaited new software algorithm. Moreover, another significant aspect of the Onkyo HTX-22HD system is that you can transform the unit into a full-fledged 5.1 system. All you have to do is purchase an optional add-on package of centre-speaker and two rear surround speakers! The unit has all the necessary speaker terminals to accommodate the same.

Other priorities of the unit include providing you a superior sound quality, and the inclusion of Audyssey 2EQ room calibration feature is a firm step in that direction. The calibration is meant to precisely match surround sound to your home.

The AV-R3000 Digital Receiver represents Samsung’s first 7.1 channel A/V Receiver. This stands in contrast to the multitude of 7.1 channel AV receivers offered by companies like Sony and Yamaha with products like the Yamaha DSP-AX 763. The prominent features of the unit include HDMI switching, 7-channel pure digital performance, apart from an analogue up-scaling feature. The last feature is supported by none other than the unique Faroudja DCDi chip set. The unit, in fact, has both the DVI and HDMI switching feature onboard.

Connectivity happens to be one of its best parts and here it features four HDMI inputs, two DVI inputs, one HDMI output and one DVI output. This colourful array of connectivity options will grant you an unprecedented amount of flexibility, as it literally accommodates a wide range of digital components doing the rounds in contemporary times.

The channels are each powered by an impressive 250 watts that allows the receiver’s digital amplifier to deliver an awe-inspiring performance, be it at low to medium volume, or at the optimum volumes.

Some of the unit’s other impressive specifications include comprehensive audio enhancement features that are more than capable of filling up the room with brilliant sound. Moreover, there is a built-in room equaliser that automatically takes into account the listener’s position and subsequently compensates for the frequency response, delay time and gain for all channels. The sound quality is further fine tuned by the Sound Field Effect Processor technology that provides DSP effects, while the Audio Direct Mode ensures that the sound quality is crystal clear and bereft of distractions on every channel.

The unit is also carefully designed to deliver smooth images with full HDTV-compatible inputs, and provides superior image precision at hi-definition resolutions. The A/V receiver, on the other hand, is capable of upgrading any non-copyright-protected analogue video signal to the highest possible analogue video output, with video signal up-scaling and Faroudja DCDi for progressive video.