New Yamaha Aventage

AVAILABLE SOON IN SOUTH AFRICA


The AVENTAGE series is defined by an obsession with details: Yamaha’s R&D team takes a granular look at every design aspect—circuitry, construction, components, volume and sound reproduction qualities—to achieve the purest, best-sounding audio and the best video reproduction possible. Featuring hand-picked components that are continually evaluated and tested for peak performance, this first update to the AVENTAGE series pushes the best sounding, mid-priced receiver to dramatic new heights.
Key performance, networking and control specifications offered on select AVENTAGE receivers last year are now available on every model in the series. These include expanded network set up and control capabilities, convenient front panel direct USB digital connections for iPhone/iPad, as well as iPhone A/V system control app compatibility—a feature Yamaha was first to bring to market in 2009. Yamaha will again set the pace in A/V system control when it unveils a similar control app for Android devices this coming Fall.
“Our AVENTAGE A/V Receiver series embodies a meticulous design process, in which we refine and re-engineer all key components of each model to deliver superior sound and video,” said Tom Sumner, President, Yamaha Electronics Corporation. “In these latest offerings, we have added more performance and control capabilities, as well as unprecedented value, that clearly exhibits Yamaha’s leadership among A/V receiver manufacturers.”



Other features offered across the new line of AVENTAGE receivers include HD Audio decoding, HDMI with 3D and A.R.C. (Audio Return Channel) and front panel HDMI inputs.
Leading the Pack of High Performance, Mid-Priced Receivers
The RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 are the first 9.2 channel models in the AVENTAGE line, and enable the integration of front virtual presence speakers in a single zone or stereo audio in an additional zone. The RX-A3010 also offers Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP HD3 that expands the sound field vertically for the most realistic surround sound available in a home theater receiver.
The substantial high-end look and feel of these models go far beyond esthetics, to deliver unprecedented sound quality in their price category. The specially designed signature 5th foot at the bottom of each model improves structural rigidity, which reduces vibration that can cause distortion and audibly improves sound quality. Yamaha also incorporated double-bottom construction on select models to improve peak performance at any volume level. The innovative design also provides immediate thermal feedback to the units’ transistors to eliminate harmonic distortion over the course of operation. All components, including wires, fuses and electrical paths, were rethought and redesigned to create works of visual and acoustic art for the home.



The advanced networking control functions introduced in select models of the original AVENTAGE line are now present in all five models of the new line. This provides seamless integration with a wide range of third-party home automation control systems, while permitting control via a PC Web browser or by a free iPhone/iPad app. As noted earlier, a similar app for Android phones will be made available later this year as well. The Web browser control also enables system settings to be easily backed up and recovered from a PC.
DLNA (1.5) compatibility and Windows 7 certification enables networked AVENTAGE receivers to easily stream Internet Radio (MP3/WMA), Rhapsody and Sirius, while easily playing music files (WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC 96/24) from a PC or DLNA Server. Web set up manager software enables each of these models to be seamlessly integrated into custom installation environments.
The top two units in the AVENTAGE series are the industry’s first A/V receivers to incorporate the exceptional HQV high-class “VHD1900” video processing chipset to ensure peak HD and SD video performance. The top three units also feature dual HDMI (Zone B output capability) for convenient dual HDTV viewing for the main room and in a secondary room simultaneously via the main AV system’s HDMI sources.

Each AVENTAGE model provides full HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio).
Models RX-A710 and RX-A810 offer four SCENE buttons to activate pre-set system operations, while the RX-A3010, RX-A2010 and RX-A1010 feature SCENE PLUS, which provides a total of 12 system operation choices.
Users of Apple mobile devices will appreciate the convenience afforded by the front panel direct USB digital connections for iPhone/iPod/iPad found on each model, as well as the optional YDS-12 or YID-W10 wireless yAired dock. Further versatility is provided by the optional Yamaha Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver YBA-10, which enables users to listen to their favorite music on just about any Bluetooth-enabled device, including iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android phone, MP3 player and most smartphones. Other key features found throughout the line include Compressed Music Enhancer; Low Jitter PLL Circuitry; HDMI V.1.4a 3D Pass-through with ARC (Audio Return Channel); and analog-to-HDMI 1080p video upscaling with precise deinterlacing for stunning, lifelike picture quality, even from non-HD sources. The series offers Deep Color (30/36 bit) technology, x.v.Color, 24Hz Refresh Rates, audio input assign capability for HDMI and component video inputs and Auto Lip-Sync compensation, which automatically eliminates audio/video sync issues.



All models also have Yamaha’s proprietary YPAO room optimizer, and the RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 add Reflected Sound Control (RSC) sound optimization with multi-point (speaker height and directivity) measurement, DSP Effect Normalization, Room Acoustic Echo and reflection and echo control.
As with the existing Yamaha Home Theater product line, the AVENTAGE Series enables audio and video aficionados to take pleasure in their Blu-ray disc players, broadcast HD services and gaming consoles, as well as 3D televisions, with comprehensive feature sets throughout the line. Yamaha‘s proprietary Cinema DSP 3D audio processing, which is offered in each of the line‘s models, complements 3D television technology and provides extra height dimension to allow more engaging 3D video, through the use of the industry‘s only 3D Virtual Presence technology. This technology eliminates the need for extra front presence speakers. (As noted above, the RX-A3010 features Yamaha’s proprietary CINEMA DSP HD3 .)
Each model is sold with learning and preset remote controls. The RX-A3010 and RX-A2010 remotes provide intuitive GUIs -- with song/station select, album cover art display, zone tone and balance controls and short messages -- as well as separate second zone control units. An ease-of-use design refinement presents the control buttons on the receivers and GUI in a consistent manner to avoid confusion.
All models are also “eco-friendly” with low standby power consumption (0.3W and 2.7W in HDMI standby through mode) and auto power down function with variable time setting.

Some News

B&W

Bowers and Wilkins in South Africa have ended the run of the PV1 and the M1, limited stock available. There will be a replacement model on both PV1 and M1 speakers with prices also bit more steaper, but rumours have it as a much more powerful system. I should have update around January/February on the new units which I will post on this blog.

Also, B&W PM1 Speakers was launched last month, sound brilliant, basically take a CM1 and a 805 Diamond and you have a lovely looking powerful bookshelf.

 Retails around R25 000.00 with stand around R5000.00. Contact me should you have questions on this product. (South Africa market please)

Marantz

New series was launched last month. New models include SR6006, SR5006, NR1602 and NR1402. Airplay will be available on all but NR1402.

Also read google some reviews on the Marantz UD 7006 Blu Ray player, absolutely brilliant Universal Player.

Yamaha

New Aventage range launched, RA 3010, RA 2010, RA 1010 and RA810. Lots of new network and I-Pod functionality.

Email me should you need more info on this products in South Africa

Yamaha Aventage in South Africa Soon

Home Theatre System

How to choose the best for your home theatre system

Watching movies is a neat escape from the stressful lifestyle we live in. Watching movies in a wide screen and surround sound take you far away and into the movie scene you are watching. You watch it as if you were there in the movie scene. Of late, we can only experience this escape in a cinema. However, modern technology may be able to provide this same sight and sound experience right in your own living room. We will discuss the basic components of a home theatre system in this article. Read on to understand how these basic components can deliver the best cinematic experience to a home theatre system.

Home theatre experts state that the most important consideration in setting up a home theatre system is the size of the room where you will set up the home theatre system. The most important component of the home theatre system, which is the television, is dependent on the size of the room. Although, the recommendation is 27 inches television set at a minimum is necessary for your home theatre set up. It is also a recommendation that a flat television is good for a home theatre system because it exhibits fewer glares and produces a crisper image. Another major component of a home theatre system that depends on the size of the room is the speaker. The number of speakers for your home theatre system is dependent on the size of the room. You may add up to six speakers from the basic three speakers if you want a more lifelike sound. Adding a subwoofer may also be good to achieve a complete surround sound like in the movie theatres. Three speakers should be the minimum; you may go up to six if the room is big.

Another major for your home theatre system is the DVD player. It is a recommendation that DVD players with progressive scan will be the best choice. This is because progressive scan produces sharp and flicker-free pictures. This however points back to the choice of television unit; you may need to check if the flat television set supports progressive scan signals. You may also acquire a five-disk carrousel DVD player. This will avoid having to stand up from your seat to change discs every so often. A minor consideration is the power rating that will determine how loud your speaker can be. Of course, almost all these depend on the size of the room to where the home theatre system is going to be set up. Small room requires from few types of equipment, bigger rooms may require more and adding home theatre furniture to your home theatre system may be best. A bigger room thus requires more investments. A smaller room might require fewer but of good quality equipments to avoid the too basic feel of the home theatre system.

Finally, you may acquire a beautifully designed home theatre system if you consider hiring a home theatre expert. If you can afford this, it will be best for you because the home theatre expert will be able to effectively design and set up your home theatre system. Your home theatre designer may also add some features like home theatre seating and other home theatre furniture to be able to give the complete home theatre package that closely resembles a real movie theatre. Having the finest and high-quality home theatre system will give you the most sought after set up that you could flaunt and enjoy to the max.

Home Theatre Seating

Complete your home theatre setup with home theatre seating

After a full day of work and mind bubbling activities in the workplace, the last entry in a young professional’s diary is to go to a movie theatre to relax. The sight and sound of a movie theatre relaxes and easily entertains even the most stressed moviegoer. The problem with this however is the fact that even before you reach the movie theatre, traffic jam may be a hindrance to your enjoyment. Traffic jam usually makes you more stressed than you currently are. It may be best if you can bring home the relaxation and entertainment. Having to sit and relax with your spouse in your own home theatre maybe best to eradicate the tiredness that you feel.

This is why the concept of home theatre is born. Because of the growing popularity of home theatre systems, you may easily find home theatre furniture like home theatre seating system and home theatre equipments that will suit your requirements. This modern concept is slowly receiving a grand welcome from people because in the end, having home theatre set up in your home may prove to be economical. Home theatre system including home theatre seating that completes the set up is not only available for the rich and the famous.

Slowly, the knowledge of the basic home theatre design such as the three major components and home theatre seating options is getting to be a concept known to the middle class citizenry. Home theatre system with the addition of home theatre seating options may be a neat gift of the older people because they can enjoy watching movies even without having to leave the house. Home theatre seating options include lumbar back support and motorized reclining mechanism, especially designed for people who need to give their back a rest.

It may be worthy to mention what are the three basic components of a home theatre system. You may not need to add home theatre seating if the room is quite small, only the three basic components may be able to give you that home theatre entertainment you long for. Do not mind home theatre seating if you do not have big budget for the home theatre system, a recliner may do the part especially if your living room has limited space. The three basic components of a home theatre system are television set which should not be smaller than 27 inches; three speakers placed on the right, the left and on the center for a surround sound; and finally, the DVD player, you may need to find one with progressive scan because this will give you sharp images and flicker-free pictures. If you have all these basic home theatre components, even without home theatre seating, you may be able to experience the almost theatrical experience.

Relax and enjoy the entertainment your home theatre system may provide. Sit beside your family in your home theatre seating designed to your whole family, the kids will surely love to see a movie with you on your very own home theatre system. You may not need home theatre seating to complete the set up if the room is quite small. However, if you have a bigger room for your home theatre system, including the home theatre seating in the set up may be able to complete the best home theatre package. You may even add television cabinet to compliment the design and your home theatre seating which may be made of the same wood as your television cabinet.

Additionally, because the basic three speakers’ requirement is only good for smaller rooms, if you have a bigger room, you may need to add more speakers. You can even put six speakers and a subwoofer to complete that surround sound you love in a movie theatre. All these will complete the grand package of your home theatre. You may need to consider high-end home theatre seating to help you relax you tired body from working all day. Relax and enjoy life with your family, your home theatre system may do a lot of good for you.

Home Theatre Projector

Movie-like home theatre projectors for entertainment within your reach

Going to the movies is a common and most popular recreation especially for young professionals living a very stressful life of running corporate affairs. However, for some who cannot afford to waste the time traveling to and from movie theatres, the answer to this recreational endeavor might be just inside your own living room. Bring home the sight and sound of movie theatres with your very own home theatre system. The best home theatre set up may indeed include high quality components that may bring forth the entire movie theatre experience without having to drive from your house to the movie theatre spending time and effort tiding heavy traffic. This modern innovation will grant you the relaxation and experience real life movie theatres provide.

Having the basic components such as the big screen and speakers with clear and flicker free images from a high quality DVD may provide the almost real movie theatre experience. Home theatre experts recommend that before you decide on the final set-up and equipments for your home theatre system, the size of the place maybe the first consideration. If you have a small size room for your home theatre system, television set may be best placed in the center and three speakers placed on the left, right and center might be enough to provide the surround sound you want in a movie theatre. However, if you have a bigger place, a home theatre projector might be best to provide the big screen requirement. Home theatre projector screen can provide the real-life movie theatre experience. It is therefore necessary that if you have a huge room for your home theatre system, in combination with your home theatre projector and home theatre projector screen, adding more speakers around the room could be a neat recommendation. A subwoofer may also help to provide the best surround sound that will enable a movie theatre surround sound come in to your living room.

There are various designs and models you can choose from for your home theatre projector. You may need to understand each of their features before you decide on buying one. It may also be necessary for you to require the services of a home theatre designer in order to complete the home theatre package that will give you the best entertainment. This will avoid having to spend unreasonably for your home theatre system including your home theatre projector. Buying unrealistically huge capacity equipments for your home theatre is possible especially if you do not know what are the possible choices and their differentiations that your home theatre may require. A too huge home theatre projector screen and the total set-up of your home theatre system should be of great consideration. Your home theatre designer may also provide options that may not require a television set for your home theatre. How is this so? The reason for this is the technological innovations provided by your computer and home theatre projectors. Home theatre projectors like InFocus screenplay models maybe used with computers and small room set-up. Home theatre projectors are also lightweight and maybe transported easily. For this reason, the use of home theatre projectors for business presentations is helpful.

Home theatre projectors and home theatre projector screens may help provide the theatre like experience, even for business this set-up may be extremely useful and thus is getting to be popular. Your home and office home theatre system setup is an innovation only a few intelligent consumers can avail of. However, I am sure that knowing all these options and the basic television, three speakers and DVD player may be worthy for people who wants a home theatre, you may not really need a home theatre projector if the room for your home theatre system is not very huge. Enjoy theatrical experience right in your living room by intelligently researching your possible option. You may then experience the relaxation movie theatres give without having to tide heavy traffic going to the movie theatre.

Home Theatre Furniture

Home theatre furniture, for a homey movie theatre

Home theatre system may be best for you if you want entertainment and relaxation after a long day of work. If you are one of those busy executives who want to relax after a long day of work by watching movies but hate traffic jams, setting up a home theatre may be what is best for you. Home theatre is a luxury for some. This is because not many people can afford it however, knowing the basic components of a home theatre may help you enjoy this modern entertainment. Know the basic components you need for your home theatre system including home theatre furniture to acquire the theatrical experience right in your own living room.

Basic home theatre furniture such as home theatre chairs and television cabinet may be good for your home theatre set up. Other furniture that will enhance the home theatre set up may be necessary but the home theatre chairs and television cabinet are two of the basic home theatre furniture that you may need. Other home theatre furniture may be added dependent on the size of your living room. Apart from the home theatre furniture required, the most important component of the home theatre system, after considering the size of the room, are the three basic gadgets.

The three basic components of the home theatre system like the television set, the speakers and the DVD player. Even for a small living room, the size of the television set should not be less than 27 inches. You may not want to watch a movie in a very small screen. Twenty-seven inches and above is necessary to acquire the big screen experience for a small room. Concerning the speakers, you may need at least three speakers for a small size living room. If you have a bigger room for the home theatre set up, you may add up to six speakers. For extremely big room, a subwoofer may need to compliment the six speakers to arrive at the surround sound for your home theatre. The DVD player is also important aspect to consider. A DVD Player with progressive scan will prove to be beneficial because of its sharp images and flicker-free performance. You may consider adding other equipments like home theatre projectors, and for bigger rooms, you may add home theatre projector screen. For the home theatre furniture, the seating is a major consideration. The television cabinet is a secondary consideration of a home theatre furniture. Adding other home theatre furniture will give more life to your home theatre system. However, we leave the recommendation to home theatre experts especially concerning home theatre furniture.

You may consider acquiring their services if you have bigger room for your home theatre system. They will be able to advice you more particularly to the power rating requirements and speaker requirements like if you need an amplifier or other home theatre furniture. Hiring the services of a home theatre designer will add to the possibility of acquiring the most entertaining home theatre system with complete home theatre furniture.

A well-designed home theatre system will be beneficial for the busy executive who needs to relax after a long day of work. If the home theatre is not properly set up, the home theatre experience will not be relaxing and entertaining. The surround sound will help you forget you are inside your own living room and not in a movie theatre, but if the speakers are not of high quality, the sound may be irritating in the ears. Avoid having to suffer this, and enhance the possibility of a real-life movie theatre experience with your home theatre and the inclusion of home theatre furniture by ensuring that a home theatre designer will design it for your enjoyment.