News

Onkyo Adapts Computer-style Architecture to Home Theater Receiver (20/1/2004)

Onkyo, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of audio and home theater products, has adapted the computer industry's architecture of replaceable card-based modules, upgradeable software, and build-to-order marketing, in order to create a unique home theater receiver that will not be rendered obsolescent by the "next big thing."

With today's introduction of its top-of-the-line TX-NR1000 audio/video/network receiver, Onkyo is showing a product that surpasses any other receiver on the market today. It is powerful, easy to use, and has all the latest sound processing magic from Dolby, DTS, and THX. The big difference is that the Onkyo TX-NR1000 will still be able to match or surpass future models from the competition for many years to come.

"Nothing is more frustrating to consumers than to find out they just bought a product that is already out of date," said Don Milks, Onkyo's national product and marketing manager. "Now, with the TX-NR1000, we can not only upgrade existing systems, but we can add new capabilities such as high-tech broadcast reception, advanced networking, processing circuits, and interface standards that don't yet exist."

When the receiver first ships to dealers in April, it will be absolutely state of the art, including the new HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) for optimal digital video connections, iLink (IEEE-1394) for digital transfer of high-resolution SACD and DVD-Audio, and Onkyo's exclusive Net-Tune(TM) Ethernet audio technology for accessing MP3, WMA, and WAV files stored on a networked PC.

While the front panel of the receiver looks quite conventional, the rear panel is totally different, with nine modules held in place by screws much as computer PCI and AGP cards are secured to a PC chassis. All the related inputs and outputs are grouped on individual modules. When the receiver initially ships in April it will come fully populated with nine modules: digital audio, analog audio, video, AM/FM tuner, iLink, Net-Tune, HDMI, Dual Multichannel Input and an extra component video in/out module. Optional modules such as digital radio and enhanced video outputs are planned for fall introduction, with details to be announced in September.

The Onkyo TX-NR1000 will be available in April, with a suggested retail price of $4000.

www.onkyousa.com