ONKYO Introduces Its First HD DVD Player, Including High-Bit-Rate and Lossless Audio

[Cochise]

I think I might hold off on upgrading my XA1 to one of Toshiba's 3rd gen players - there's a new player in town:


ONKYO Introduces Its First HD DVD Player, Including High-Bit-Rate and Lossless Audio Streaming via HDMI 1.3a

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (8/9/07) – ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.

The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo's 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, as well as two "lossy" formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio.

The Onkyo DV-HD805 has the capability to support different frame rates, including playback at 24 frames per second, which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to HD DVD with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible.

HDMI version 1.3a allows the DV-HD805 to offer the full potential of high-definition 1080p video (the native resolution of HD DVD discs). Furthermore, HDMI version 1.3a enables Deep Color™ technology to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradation. Also, when connected with the new Onkyo HDMI version 1.3a A/V receivers, the DV-HD805 is capable of high-bit-rate audio streaming output. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound codecs enable bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master meaning that this player is capable of the highest clarity and most advanced realism from movie soundtracks. It also has the capability to provide Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bit stream data.

HD DVD specifications allow for the inclusion of web-enabled network connectivity to develop new and unique content such as additional materials and bonus features. In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the ability to upload content and interact with providers, to participate in interactive polls for example. Compared to other media formats, HD DVD is advanced in this capacity. The DV-HD805 includes an Ethernet port to allow users access to these capabilities, as well as enable the user to easily download any future firmware updates.

Recognized as the leading video processing technology in the home theater industry, the DV-HD805's onboard HQV Reon VX video processing chipset provides exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). When used with the standard-definition DVD format, HQV Reon VX enables viewers to enjoy superior video quality at the native resolution of the connected high-definition display. HQV Reon VX processing also eliminates or substantially reduces video noise for improved video reproduction.

The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007 at a suggested retail price of $899.

Onkyo, which takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning 'harmony,' has been producing precision audio components for over a half-century. 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 theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.

- Credit to egcarter over on AVS.

[timbobarry]

Awesome news, wow its coming this fall.

[hotburnttoast]

Hell Yeah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PIHB]

oooo really tempting, toshiba has more competition, i wonder if toshiba will have anything to do with manufacturing of these

[resevilfan86]

Denon Blu-ray-$2000
Onkyo HD-DVD- $899....hmmmmmm I wonder which player more high end home theater enthusiasts will buy.

Actually dont get me wrong, I am sure that denon is going to be a FANSTASTIC player, I am sure it will sell some to high end users. But still, if people bought the XA2 at normal retail price, quite a few I am sure will buy the Onkyo.

[bear89103]

Originally Posted by resevilfan86

Denon Blu-ray-$2000
Onkyo HD-DVD- $899....hmmmmmm I wonder which player more high end home theater enthusiasts will buy.

Actually dont get me wrong, I am sure that denon is going to be a FANSTASTIC player, I am sure it will sell some to high end users. But still, if people bought the XA2 at normal retail price, quite a few I am sure will buy the Onkyo.

I guess I might be missing something with both the Onkyo and Denon players... I mean, we've all been harping about wanting lower prices... so what do these two players bring that requires me to pay upwards of 4 times the amount?

[resevilfan86]

Ill give you the answer, in one word..."quality". Can't beat their quality.

[tranzparentl]

HD DVD now has Toshiba, Onkyo, and LG drives available.

Samsung is on the way for Xmas.

Lite-On is making drives for the 360.

and before anyone says anything about LG's crappy standalone, they have some very nice PC drives with full HD DVD playback. I'm sure they have a "Gen2" dualformat player on the way as well.

[forsho01]

Originally Posted by tranzparentl

HD DVD now has Toshiba, Onkyo, and LG drives available.

Samsung is on the way for Xmas.

Lite-On is making drives for the 360.

and before anyone says anything about LG's crappy standalone, they have some very nice PC drives with full HD DVD playback. I'm sure they have a "Gen2" dualformat player on the way as well.

doesn't rca make one too or something? it's good to see all the support out there for hd dvd.

[bear89103]

Originally Posted by resevilfan86

Ill give you the answer, in one word..."quality". Can't beat their quality.

Ok yeah that makes sense. I guess for me sometimes it's easier to buy two players for the price of one. That way, even if one breaks, I can still buy a second one and pay less for it than buying one top quality product. That doesn't ALWAYS apply to everything in our lives. But in terms of an entertainment player, it makes sense to me.

[cardpetree]

This is awesome news. I love Onkyo and I love HD DVD. I'm all over this when it comes out. It says that the player is capable of bitstreaming the lossless audio, but will the actual HD DVD's that are out now allow this?

[PIHB]

how about a picture
http://www.gadgetell.com/2007/06/onk...ration-player/

[dingus]

Wow this is interesting. Decisions, decisions, on what to buy. I'm currently debating over buying a denon avr 4308CI or the Onkyo 875, now I will have to ponder over a 3rd gen tosh. or now this new Onkyo player.

[WesleyTech.com]

I doubt this player will look like that old picture when it is actually released.

My guess is that it will be based on the Toshiba HD-A35 and possibly be even better!

[glocks out]

This looks like a pretty sweet player, certainly better than anything Toshiba currently has. I wonder if the Onkyo player will have any features the HD-A35 won't have and if it doesn't, I wonder what the incentive will be to buy Onkyo's at a higher price.

Anyway, kudos to the HD DVD team for finally getting another company to offer a player.