ONKYO UNVEILS THE WORLD’S FIRST 2.1 SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM WITH DTS SURROUND SENSATION AND HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO
An excellent, low-profile antidote to low-calibre flatscreen TV sound quality
Home cinema leader Onkyo has launched the world’s first true, high definition (HD) surround system, designed specifically to add a new dimension to the typically ‘so-so’ sound quality typical of the latest flatscreen TVs.
The innovative HTX-22HD 2.1-channel digital home cinema system is based around an integrated A/V amplifier with built-in subwoofer and comes with two separate front satellite speakers.
OVERVIEW
· Two HDMI inputs/one output (with Deep Colour, x.v Colour, Lip Sync)
· Onboard decoder for Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution AudioWorld’s first implementation of DTS Surround Sensation technology
· VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) for Front Channels
· Audyssey 2EQ set-up system and Dynamic EQ
· RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) control system
· Speaker outputs for centre/rear channels
· Optional centre/rear speaker package
This system has built-in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders that allow it reproduce bit-for-bit high definition surround sound, making the HTX-22HD a superb partner for the latest generation Blu-ray Disc and DVD players, gaming consoles and digital television receivers.
Onkyo is also proud to announce that the HTX-22HD is also the world’s first system to incorporate DTS Surround Sensation. Unveiled at CES 2008 this long-awaited new software algorithm delivers a virtual 5.1 surround sound experience from just two speakers.
"DTS has had a great relationship with Onkyo for many years and we are very excited to be reaching new heights with the launch of DTS Surround Sensation" said Rick Beaton, DTS Senior Vice President, Research & Development and Engineering . "Like DTS, they are a company that puts out quality product and we look forward to a successful relationship in the future."
DTS Surround Sensation uses advanced post-processing technology to deliver an incredible surround effect from just two speakers. The post-processing contains significant psycho-acoustic information that alters human perception, making one believe that sounds actually occur outside the boundaries of the two-speaker system. DTS Surround Sensation creates a three-dimensional wall of sound that exceeds the limitations of just two speakers for an optimal surround sound experience. DTS Surround Sensation also supplements the weakened stereo image and ambience of digitally compressed audio, while keeping the monaural components (such as solo vocals) unchanged.
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For dedicated home cinema fans, purchasing an optional, add-on package of centre-speaker and two rear surround speakers can transform the HTX-22HD into a fully-fledged 5.1 system – all the necessary speaker terminals are already located at the rear of the main unit.
Excellent sound quality and ease of ease were the top priorities for Onkyo during the development of the HTX-22HD. For that reason, the system includes Audyssey 2EQ room calibration to precisely match surround sound to your home. It also includes the new Audyssey Dynamic EQ loudness correction technology – found in Onkyo’s new generation standalone AV receivers - for dynamic, detailed surround sound even at low volumes.
Thanks to the inclusion of RIHD (Remote Interactive via HDMI) the user can also integrate and seamlessly operate the system with selected HDMI-equipped playback sources and TVs from other manufacturers.
Home cinema doesn't have to be complicated
Listen to a good movie with a soundtrack on a quality surround system and you’ll find it hard to settle for anything less at home. Few people, however, look forward to the prospect of all those huge boxes to unpack and set up, all those digital and analogue bits and pieces to connect, all those wires trailing half-way across the living room… it can be a scary prospect, not to mention a pretty ugly one if you don’t plan it properly!
Not a problem with the HTX-22HD. This system is blissfully simple to wire up and unobtrusively slots into your living space. Thanks to HDMI connectivity, a single cable is all you need to hook up the HTX-22HD up to the TV. The built-in HD decoder takes care of the sound, pumping out superb stereo, virtual surround or - if you invest in the optional SKS-11 add-on speaker set - full-blown 5.1-channel surround sound.
Many companies have previously tried to cut down the number of remote controls sitting on the typical living room table but the advent of HDMI connections has opened up new possibilities for simplification. Most of the major electronics manufacturers now employ HDMI’s
CEC (Consumer Electronics Protocol) to integrate components, allowing a degree of system control via one remote.
Onkyo has gone one better. It has incorporated CEC into its long-running RI interactive system (originally designed to control Onkyo components) to create RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI). This manages the feat of integrating and controlling virtually all current Onkyo components (including the HTX-22HD) as well as controlling certain HDMI-compatible high-definition TVs, DVD and hard-disk recorders, and Blu-ray Disc players.
So now, with one remote control, the user can control functions including Standby, Volume and Direct Change. The HTX-22HD can seamlessly integrate with several other leading brand-name devices, including those in the Panasonic VIERA Link and Toshiba REGZA LINK ranges, as well as selected Sharp TVs.
Flat screen, flat sound…
Yesterday’s cathode-ray tube TVs took up a lot of space, but they also had sizeable speakers that could sound reasonably good. By comparison, the tiny speakers built into modern flat screen models sound thin and tinny, compromising the high quality images most sets are capable of showing.
Thanks to the HTX-22HD you can now enjoy high-definition video accompanied by great-sounding HD-quality film soundtracks and music with minimal fuss. The accompanying gloss-finished, two-way satellite speakers benefit from OMF (Onkyo Micro Fiber) speaker diaphragms. These are made from ultra-fine cotton fabric which attenuates feedback but is stiff and light enough to reproduce audio signals quickly and precisely.
The computer-modelled "Aero Acoustic Drive" duct in the matt-black subwoofer plays a major part in helping to deliver a deep, rich bass quality that adds real, visceral impact to games, films and music.
Quality has its price
Onkyo is one of the world’s leading lights when it comes to home cinema so it should come as no surprise that the HTX-22HD employs many of the same features and technologies that you’d encounter in one of our AV amplifiers.
HTX-22HD buyers will experience the very best sound quality possible from a product in this category while being able to choose whether they would rather have fewer wires but a top-class 2.1 stereo/virtual surround sound system, or a full-house surround sound rig with a full 5.1-speaker system.
PRICE
Onkyo HTX-22HD 2.1-channel High Definition (HD) surround system - £300
(optional SKS-11 centre/surround package - £100, all products available via good retail/online outlets in May 08)
About Onkyo
Onkyo, which means 'sound harmony’ in Japanese, founded 61 years ago, is one of the leading names in hi-fi and home cinema throughout the world.
The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theatre and digital revolutions.
While many manufacturers are intent on building components at ever cheaper prices, Onkyo has a different vision. Their approach is to perfect the basics, leave out the frills, pay attention to details, and use only the finest parts.
The results can be seen in the obviously high quality of any Onkyo-manufactured product, even before it is turned on...
About DTS
DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSI) is a digital technology company dedicated to delivering the ultimate entertainment experience. DTS decoders are in virtually every major brand of 5.1-channel surround processor, and there are hundreds of millions of DTS-licensed consumer electronics products available worldwide. A pioneer in multi-channel audio, DTS technology is in home theatre, car audio, PC and game console products, as well as DVD-Video, HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc and Surround Music software. Founded in 1993, DTS is headquartered in Agoura Hills, California and has offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and China. For further information, please visit www.dts.com DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.
