Mahwah, N.J. – Denon is bringing HDCP 2.2 and remote control via Bluetooth to its entry-level S-series audio/video receivers with the launch of the $279 AVR-S510BT.
Two other models in the series at higher price points have yet to be announced. Last year’s three-SKU series ran from $249 to $599.
The new $279 5.2-channel AVR-S510BT, available in June, features HDMI 2.0 ports that are upgradable to HDMI 2.0a, but the receiver isn’t upgradable to add DTS:X or Dolby Atmos object-based surround decoding because it’s equipped with only five amplifier channels, said product manager Paul Belanger.
The AVR is Denon’s first receiver in any series to be controlled via Bluetooth from an iOS or Android phone running a Denon app. Controlled functions include on/off, volume up/down, mute and source select.
Like its $249 predecessor, the $279 AVR-S510BT model features full-speed 18Mbps HDMI 2.0 and Bluetooth streaming, but the new model adds HDCP 2.2 copy protection to pass through HDCP 2.2-protected 4K content from future 4K settop devices and from future 4K Blu-ray players to HDCP2.2-equipped TVs. Consumers who try to stream protected 4K content through an AVR that lacks HDCP 2.2 would get a black TV screen.
With 18Gbps HDMI 2.0, the receiver passes through 4K Ultra HD at 60p with 4:4:4 color sampling.
Three of five HDMI inputs feature HDCP 2.2 and 18Mbps bandwidth.
Other features include auto setup with room EQ, USB port certified as Made for iPod and iPhone, and decoding of MP3, WMA, FLAC and MPEG-4/AAC tracks from USB-connected sources. It also features Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master surround decoding.
Power output is rated at 5×75 watts into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD, with two channels driven.
