Yamaha is expanding its Blu-ray selection to three models and its selection of networked A/V receivers (AVRs) to four.
Here at the Expo, the company is unveiling its first two Blu-ray Profile 2.0 players, which connect to a networked modem to stream BD-Live content from the web. The new AVR’s network capability enables music streaming from a PC, from Internet radio stations, and from Internet music services.
The AVR is shipping. The players ship this month.
At a suggested $1,399, the new 7×130-watt RX-V2065 AVR expands the selection of networked AVRs to four and brings the opening price of a networked AVR down from $1,899, excluding a recently introduced $799 YMC-700 neoHD Media Controller. NeoHD controllers, loosely based on an AVR, are designed to simplify setup and operation of audio and home theater systems, in part via a simplified on-screen icon-based user interface and embedded IR-code database.
Other V2065 features include embedded HD Radio, expanding the selection of HD Radio AVRs to six. Other features include five 1080p-up-scaling HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, and decoding of all Blu-ray surround formats. When networked, the DLNA-certified receiver streams Internet radio stations and Rhapsody’s online music service through a broadband modem.
In homes with a Wi-Fi network, the AVR can be controlled from the company’s $499-suggested pocket-size MCX-RC100 Network Music Commander, an LCD-equipped Wi-Fi remote controller that also controls the company’s MusicCAST2 networked music system.
In Blu-ray, the two new players are the BD-S1900 and BD-S1065 at suggested retails of $699.95 and $599.95, respectively. They join a model launched late last year at $1,199.
The opening-price BD-S1065 offers BD-Live and BonusView, x.v. Color and Deep Color compatibility, full HD Audio decoding with HDMI output of bitstream and multichannel PCM audio, 1080p/24Hz-compatible HDMI, and 7.1-channel analog outputs. Other features include IR in/out ports, 192 kHz/24-bit audio DAC, and 1080p up-scaling of DVDs, photos and personal videos.
The BD-S1900 adds Yamaha’s Pure Direct circuitry to boost the quality of CD playback, RS-232 interface, aluminum front panel and gold-plated output terminals.
