Onkyo Planinng HDMI 1.4 AVRs For Spring Bow

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/8/2010

LAS VEGAS - Onkyo has joined the short list of component-audio suppliers with announced plans to offer components with HDMI 1.4 connections.

The brand will introduce its first HDMI 1.4-capable products in the spring but said the products wouldn't be displayed at International CES. All new A/V receivers will incorporate the interface, said marketing manager Paul Wasek.

Sherwood announced plans at CES to launch its first two products with HDMI 1.4, and at CES, at least one other audio company will launch an HDMI 1.4-capable product.

In Onkyo A/V receivers, HDMI 1.4 will support 3D video and audio return channel capabilities, the company said. The audio return channel lets a TV with HDMI 1.4 input send audio data "upstream" over an HDMI cable to an A/V receiver or surround processor, eliminating the need for a separate S/PDIF audio connection.