Last month Ara picked up an Apple TV for use in his media room. That became the fourth HDMI device which was one device too many for his Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver. So he contacted Pioneer to see if he could review the Pioneer VSX-94TXH 7.1 A V Receiver. In actuality, Ara was auditioning the receiver for his own personal use.

Within a few days the receiver showed up and it's not going back! Just so everyone is clear, Ara has to pay for the receiver to keep it. We did not need to adjust any of the settings once it was done. The VSX-94TXH is a beautiful machine albeit substantial in size and weight. It has a nice piano black finish that looks great, but you can definitely see finger prints.

But who actually touches their equipment? The size and weight are definitely put to use producing 140 watts of power per each of its seven channels. As an aside, when reading the product specs I ran across a term called Symmetrical Power Train Design. I couldn't find any documentation on what it was. But since it was in the product specification it must be important right? For nothing more than clarification we asked Pioneer what this was, this is their explanation: The Pioneer Elite A V receivers each feature power amps for seven channels.

Accurate multi-channel sound reproduction is possible only when the operating environment of one channel is physically identical to that of the others. Setup Setup was as straight forward as it can be when introducing a new receiver into your system. Connections were simple since most of the gear being used supported HDMI.

HDMI does make life easy in cable management and universal remote programming. The only complication was using an HDMI to DVI cable between the Mac Mini and the receiver. Since the DVI cable does not carry audio, the optical output of the Mini was connected to the DVD input of the receiver. We then had to tell the 94TXH to use one of the HDMI inputs for the video.

In general we like the flexibility the receiver has in assigning inputs and outputs. After everything was routed we ran the Pioneer auto calibration to tune the room. Auto calibration is something most manufacturers are putting into their systems to get the best sound out of their equipment. Most mid range and up receivers have some form of auto calibration.

To start the process you connect an included microphone to an input on the front of the receiver and place it in the area you want the sound optimized for. The receiver will output a series of tones and measure the response at the microphone to find the optimal settings for your room.

On some receivers we've felt compelled to go in and manually tweak the final results. Not so with the Pioneer, the system accurately determined the size and distance of the speakers and was able to set the gains to the proper levels. Another feature we liked was the ability to have multiple calibration profiles. Say you play your video games while sitting on the floor.

You can place the microphone in that area, run the calibration and store it off in one of the receiver memory positions. Sound We listened to the typical suite of material, compressed mp3s, music CDs, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and Dolby True HD. All sounded fantastic. Dialog was crisp and clear, effects were dramatic, and the LFE could shake you to the bone. Music CDs sounded great!

We need to listen to more music on CDs or at least high bit rate rips of CDs. Also, please consider that much of our listening tests are a reflection on the speakers that we use. A high quality receiver like this needs to be paired with high quality speakers to get the most out of it. One feature that we found interesting is something called "Sound Retriever".

This technology is supposed to bring back some of the high frequency sound that is lost with compressed audio. Then you won't need technology like this and your audio will sound like it was meant to be.

Although there is no sound quality difference between having Dolby True HD or DTS Master Audio decoded on a receiver it was still nice to see "True HD" or "DTS Master Audio" light up in the receiver's display. However, with my Blu Ray Player, the only way to hear DTS Master Audio is to have the receiver decode it. The receiver definitely has the power to drive a 7.1 system and fill a large room with sound! Video Nowadays, receivers are also about video.

The 94TXH has a Faroudja video scaler built into it and it will perform video switching for you. The issue we had with it was that receiver would not upconvert 1080i or 720p source material to 1080p. Nor would it upconvert a signal coming in over the HDMI inputs. For Ara's use, scaling adds zero value. As far as switching goes, the player passed the signal through to the TV unaltered. We did not experience any HDCP issues with any of our equipment.

Having four inputs makes programming the Harmony Remote a snap. I did not need to do any tweaking to get the activities to work the way I wanted. Odds and Ends The 94TXH has some extras that don't cost extra. It comes complete with an iPod cable which allows you to listen and watch your content on your TV through the receiver. We didn't spend too much time with this because we had a Mac Mini connected to the receiver.

There is an Ethernet connection which allows for Internet radio and streaming music via and DLNA server. We couldn't find a way to do an update to the firmware via the network connection, nor could we find a way to access the settings via a web based interface. And that would be nice considering the on screen GUI looks like something that was considered good in 1985. The remote is jam packed with buttons that you may never use so your Harmony remote is almost required.

Conclusion Overall, Ara liked the receiver enough to bump his current receiver to the family room. Sound is very good, build quality is first rate and you get an iPod connection cable included in the deal. Four HDMI inputs make the 94TXH a very capable HDMI switch!

We were a bit disappointed that the receiver would not scale a 1080i or 720p signal to 1080p and that we couldn't find a way to get our 480i signal via HDMI to scale to 1080p. The remote and on screen user interface was not worthy of an otherwise stellar product.

I was wondering if there are Pre-Amp outputs for each 8 channels, on this devicce. Better yet. The 94TXH has some extras that don't cost extra." Mar 15, 9:53am But the article conveniently fails to mention what this receiver costs! Today, there are many comparable AVRs with these features and MSRP is a needed mention to compare value of such a device to a user. Re: Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH 7.1 Channel A V Receiver Mar 15, 10:13am Pioneer doesn't offer any surround pre-amps.

I believe Onkyo makes a version of the same Re: Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH 7.1 Channel A V Receiver Mar 16, 11:18am Greg, you mention that the REON HQV video chipset in Onkyo's TX-SR875 is superior to the Faroudja in the Pioneer. If they are older and cheaper ABT chipsets, I would take the REON HQV. ADSG was the R&D unit of the sound department producing products for movie theaters and movie studios. Two of the products they worked on include the DCP-1000 and DADR-5000.

The DCP is a digital cinema processor used in movie theaters around the world. The DADR-5000 is a disk-based audio dubber used on Hollywood sound stages. ADSG was awarded a Technical Academy Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2000 for the development of the DADR-5000. Ara holds three patents for his development work in Digital Cinema and Digital Audio Recording. Every week they put together a podcast about High Definition TV and Home Theater.

Source: http://feeds.hdtvmagazine.com/click.phdo

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Since 2006, OPPO has been providing a DVD performance envelope covering the main feature, the movie, at roughly the $200 mark directly competing with other players and external scalers costing $1000 plus. They have been earning my recommendation since then along with a full model line review last year. When it was announced that OPPO was releasing a flag ship DVD player at nearly double the price, I requested a review sample to find out how OPPO has raised the bar on an already very successful product line.

As with past models, you will need an HDMI input on your display to receive the full video benefits of the product. While OPPO decided to include analog component video outputs with this model, it is limited to 480p with most discs and while those discs that aren't flagged can be output up to 1080i, the Anchor Bay video processing is not used at all in that application. As with the DV-981HD, the flag ship player supports SACD and DVD Audio.

On the surface the DV-983H doesn't appear to offer anything different from last year's DV-981HD, yet those differences are there, buried in the details. Along with links to the very well documented OPPO website are the following differences between the DV-981HD and the new DV-983H.

Features

• VRS by Anchor Bay video processing technology
• Anamorphic Aspect Ratio for anamorphic 2.35 lens applications (not tested)
• Directly supports 6.1 Multi-channel audio Dolby Digital or DTS
• 7.1 multi-channel audio via analog or HDMI
• Optimized High Fidelity Audio Circuit Design for the analog outputs
• Kodak Picture CD compatible - high resolution picture slide show
• USB 2.0 back panel connector supporting video, picture and music playback
• RS232 port for custom Home Theater installations
• IEC 14 gauge AC Power cord
• Heavy gauge black brushed aluminum front panel

Not-So-Common Features for the DV-983H

• Includes Anchor Bay Technologies video test disc
• PAL/NTSC disc and TV compatible with automatic or manual system conversion
• Analog Component Video up to 480p with CSS encrypted discs or up to 1080i without CSS
• 8 channel analog audio outputs with 24 bit 192kHz D/A convertors
• Audio Only mode turns off the video circuits for high-resolution multi-channel digital audio output through HDMI or analog audio for CD, DVD-Audio and SACD
• Dimmer Control allows the front panel display to be turned off for improved analog audio fidelity
• Y/C Delay, on/off/auto CUE correction along with in depth De-interlacing Mode, Video Mode and Color Space besides basic picture controls
• Alternate Remote Control Code - allows other manufacturers DVD player controls to operate the OPPO

Optional Accessories

• External IR remote Sensor, IR-ES1

Opening the Box

Like past products the DV-983H was well packed with the player in a nice bag, a nice black OPPO box containing all the accessories along with a full sized manual and Anchor Bay Technologies test disc. The remote looks identical to past versions but for this model it is in black. While appearing identical, some of the buttons have different functions. Either way, do not expect much here. While certainly not hailing from the land of cheese, the remote is not back-lit and the button layout veers more towards a tabled layout with button shape similarity adding to the confusion. While it has glow-in-the-dark keys that won't help much once the glow has extinguished itself in your darkened room. I don't place too much emphasis on remotes though, as most folks use a system (universal) remote for everyday use.

Out of Box Performance

Hooking up the player to a BenQ W10000, I found it preset for 16:9, adjusted the output for 1080p and ran the DVE test material. After watching the video performance tests and test patterns I was left scratching my head trying to figure out exactly what the improvement was. Based on all players tested thus far, the Achilles heal had always been material that was not properly captured or encoded, and more importantly 4:3 letterboxed presentations. With my fingers crossed I loaded The Poseidon Adventure (1972 4:3 letterboxed) in the tray pushed play, hit the zoom button and was greeted with a palatable presentation of this OAR, original aspect ratio 2.35 movie in 16:9 mode. On to objective testing.

Problems

Towards the very end of my time with the OPPO, the HDMI kept resetting itself going through a handshaking routine. Oddly enough this cleared up after returning to the machine a few days later.

Service

This is one of those rare moments where I can report from direct experience. OPPO is great. I lost my DV-971HD during the warranty period. I called them up explaining I was a service center and they sent me a part! While it did not resolve the problem they deserve kudos for providing that potential convenience. I ended up having to ship it back but lo and behold they offer a prepaid service so I could simply order one and send the old one back for credit. If I was needy I could have also had them overnight one, naturally at my expense. Now that is service!

Putting It in Perspective

While the DV-983 may not be as refined and detailed as the Toshiba HD-A35, that is not its strong suit. The key to this player is how it handles all the other stuff on your disc besides the movie; special features, TV shows, anime and letterboxed titles. In essence OPPO is delivering all the capabilities of an external scaler for only $170 more than their DV-981HD and about $600-400 less than an external scaler. While not quite as refined as a $1000 plus external scaler, it provides a quality solution for DVD collectors who want that kind of capability for all the material they own and don't seek the ultimate in performance along with the ultimate performance price. Based on the viewing environments and habits of most folks, the refining difference won't be seen anyway and the DV-983H can easily be perceived as $399 worth of videophile gold! With this capability the DV-983H fills a niche that very few players (if any) can touch regardless of price.

For general everyday audio performance, using an HDMI equipped receiver accepting linear PCM or analog multichannel inputs you have access to thousands of HD audio titles. If you are an audiophile though you can do far better and this is not the right product for such a demanding application.

With Blu-ray players hitting the market that can also play your DVDs, do you really need yet another box, remote and available connection to deal with? If you want the external scaling "I can handle it all" DV-983H solution then the only answer is yes.

If the movie is your only concern, then a Blu-ray player is worthy of your attention. In my opinion, OPPO needs to get involved with the Blu-ray format or they will be left with great SD DVD players that fulfill only half a need. OPPO has been working on the BDP-83 using the same Anchor Bay video processing provided here for DVD along with Blu-ray plus DVD Audio and SACD support listed as "Coming Soon" on their site.

Conclusion

OPPO has given other far better-known manufacturers a great deal of competition with their past players and the DV-983H ups the ante significantly, but it is a niche player. If all you care about is the main feature, the DV-981HD performs just as well. If you are picking nits you can find a single hair improvement and save yourself $170 or even spend that difference for a Blu-ray player instead. If you want it all with every bit of content on your shiny DVD discs then the DV-983H is the bargain player of the year that will provide videophile nirvana for every single minute of that content. Along with that you get multi-channel digital support or 8 decent analog outputs for SACD and DVD Audio. This product comes highly recommended for the DVD collector and their vast library along with the variety of mastering that naturally comes with that!

Source: http://feeds.hdtvmagazine.com/click.phdo

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How do you think R&D spending will fare in 2009? The problem is not necessarily the set itself, but the limitations of the delivery pipeline that brings the signal to the set," said Bocko. The challenge for the HDTV industry is to sync up the fast-improving TV capability with the content delivery infrastructure, which is developing at a slower pace. While consumers are adopting HDTV in greater numbers, anecdotal evidence indicates that product return rates to retailers remain high.

Bocko sees an opportunity to apply Corning's research in glass substrates and fiber optics to pinpoint possible solutions. Corning's targeted research into display network requirements could help benchmark the requirements needed for optimal HDTV performance. By sharing our proprietary research findings, we hope to benefit the entire HDTV market," said Bocko.

He added in an interview that the disconnect between HDTV receiver capability and network delivery performance is partially due to the speed at which HDTV technology has arrived. What's more, sets that formerly broadcast only television programming and movies are now sophisticated multimedia portals. Thus, content providers are increasingly churning out higher-quality digital offerings, further increasing the need for a robust content delivery pipeline.

Even high-end HDTVs may come up short due to network quality issues, including content delivery bandwidth, bit rate and video compression constraints. Corning researchers are developing the infrastructure needed to support future display technologies.

For instance, using an optical testbed to emulate fiber-to-the-home, cable television and digital subscriber loop networks combined with new display technologies, Corning engineers have been able to analyze how content delivery and network capabilities affect HDTV viewing. Among the metrics are variations in bit and compression rates, display size and type and network characteristics.

Our initial research indicates that for each display type viewing quality improves with bit rate. And the rate of improvement grows for more advanced displays and larger screens," Bocko said. Corning will release its HDTV research results later this year. We believe the data will lead to technical modifications of displays and networks which ultimately will lead to improved image quality for consumers," Bocko said.

Source: http://eetimes.eu/uk/212701639

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