Yamaha RX-V861 Receiver

Yamaha upgraded its receivers on Monday with the RX-V861. The firm's latest home theater receiver is geared towards more complex AV setups with a mix of standard and optional digital links. Support for XM satellite radio tuners is built-in, as is a connection for the separate YDS-10 iPod dock that plays music and video from any Universal Dock-compatible iPod. Complex HDTV arrangements are handled by dual HDMI outputs and a video engine that can deliver video up to 1080p in native resolution and scales analog sources up to 1080i.

Audio is 7.1-channel with up to 105W of power for each channel, making for a strong 735W based on the company's estimates; the receiver is also ready for enhanced movie audio formats such as Dolby Digital EX as well as the just-introduced DTS Neo:6. Hooks in the firmware also ready the device for XMHD, which adds surround sound to XM's satellite broadcasts.

The V861 is due to reach stores by May for $1,000. This price is crucial, Yamaha says, as few receivers can manage its features or performance at the relatively low price. [via Crave]

By Electronista Staff