While acceptance of next-gen DVD players that employ HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc is still nascent, Integra is giving adopters a new option to handle the audio and video capabilities of those technologies.

The company has introduced the DTR-5.8 A/V receiver, its first with HDMI 1.3a processing, to give users the full impact of high-definition sources, including PlayStation 3 and those high-def DVD players.

Integra’s DTR-5.8 has a pair of HDMI 1.3a inputs and one output to be compatibile with full 1080p digital video signals, as well as internal decoding for DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus audio formats. Legacy analog video sources are transcoded to HDMI and component video.

The DTR-5.8 is also the company’s first receiver to include compatibility with both XM and Sirius satellite radio programming, and has onboard Neural THX processing for reception of multichannel XM HD surround programming. The receiver has 40 radio presets.

Power-wise, the DTR-5.8 has a seven-channel amplifier section rated at 90 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 110 Watts into 6 ohms, the company says, and has a smooth response from 5 Hz to 100 kHz. For audiophiles, Integra adds, the front channels are bi-amp-capable by using two surround channels to complement the front channels.

MSRP on the DTR-5.8 is $800 and it is available now. Go to www.integrahometheater.com for more.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!