Onkyo just announced its TX-NR809 7.2-channel receiver, which is brimming with new features.
The THX Select2 Plus Certified, 7.2-channel, network-capable home theater receiver adds in Mavell Qdeo and IDT’s HQV Vida video upscaling and processing circuits. This is huge, considering that the Qdeo can upscale 1080p up to 4K (3840×2160). The Vida, on the other hand, Vida offers upscaling of all 480i/p, 576p, and 720p video sources to high-resolution 1080p.
Another new feature is Imaging Science Foundation’s ISF Video Calibration technology — at least its something new to the $1,099 price point.
On the audio side, Onkyo is adding Audyssey’s MultEQ XT advanced automated calibration and Dolby Volume, as well as front and rear USB ports. Those ports are perfect for adding in Onkyo’s optional wireless UFW-1 USB adapter or to play MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, and AAC audio files from a USB flash drive or a portable device, such as the iPod touch or iPhone.
For those interested in home integration, the TX-NR809 has Zone 2/3 preouts and a bi-directional remote control with an on-screen setup and Macros for four activities.
Boasting 135 watts per channel, other features on the TX-NR809 include TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, and both Dolby ProLogic IIz and Audyssey DSX support.
Designed to be the hub of the A/V setup, the receiver has one HDMI input in the front, with another seven on the back side. There’s also two HDMI outputs with lossless audio processing using Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding, as well as two component video inputs, composite/S-Video inputs for four devices, a phono input, multichannel analog preamp outputs, and multi-channel audio, stereo, optical and coaxial digital inputs.
Featuring Windows 7 and DLNA certification, the TX-NR809 also comes with a bidirectional, preprogrammed, and customizable RI remote control.
Onkyo says that the TX-NR809 will start shipping this month.