Onkyo Rolls Out HDMI 1.3a AV Receivers

By Geoff Duncan Updated August 17, 2007

Although you’d never know if from checking out their own Web site, Onkyo USA says it has begun shipping four new high-end AV receivers, all of which are THX-certified, feature HDMI 1.3a connectivity, are ready to roll with either Sirius or XM satellite radio, and offer RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) system control integration. Onkyo is touting the new line as the most comprehensive set of THX-certified receivers offered by any manufacturer—while we will neither confirm nor refute that claim, the new systems have plenty of goodies to keep home theater junkies happy.

At the high end, the $2,099 TX-NR905 offers switching for up to four HDMI 1.3a video sources, AM/FM and HD Radio tuners (with 40 presets), a USB port, an Ethernet port, and Microsoft PlaysForSure certification. The NR905 features Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processing and will upconvert video sources to 1080p over HDMI; the unit also sports a second HDMI output for flexibility,and features component outputs for non-HDMI displays. The sytem also offers seven amp modules pushing 140 watts into an 8-ohm load, and the rear amp channels can be reconfigured for bi-amping the front left and right channels up to 220 watts. The system also features MultEQ XT eight-point room acoustics correction and support for multiple zones.

For $1,699, the TX-SR875 offers a feature set similar to the NR905, minus the second HDMI output, HD Radio tuner, USB, and Ethernet.

For $1,099, the TX-SR805 manages switching between three HDMI 1.3a sources, offers 130 watts per audio channel and 40 AM/FM/Sirius/XM presets. The system transcodes all video sources for output over HDMI, and upscales all analog signals to 480p component video using Faroudja DCDi to simplify connection management, but won’t convert content up to 1080p. Finally, the $899 TX-SR705 drops to 100 watts per audio channel, but includes support for any older gear you might have hanging around by offering video S-Video inputs, five composite inputs, and three component inputs. The system will upscale S-Video and composite signals to HDMI and component video to ease connection to modern displays, but also offers de-interlacing to convert 480i to 480p. The SR705 is also compatible with Onkyo’s iPod docks.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Audio / Video

Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM

Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Audio / Video

What is Roku? The streaming platform explained

A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?