Pioneer intros receivers with HDMI deep color
updated 01:30 pm EDT, Mon June 11, 2007
Pioneer AX1 and 1017AV
Pioneer today released two receivers that the electronics maker hopes will bring more advanced home theater to a better price. The AX1AH and 1017AV (pictured) each drive 180 or 170 watts respectively to each of the satellites in a 7.1-channel system with either full Dolby TrueHD support or DTS HD Master Audio to help drive HD DVD and Blu-Ray movies. Also onboard is HDMI 1.3 for video that helps compatible TVs and movie players display a greater range of colors while still routing other devices through the receiver.
Other choices of input include a USB port for playing iPods and other portable media players directly from the receiver, optical audio input, and Advanced MCACC support for fine-tuning audio results.
Prices are set in Japan at $1,149 for the more powerful AX1AH, which ships first in June, and $772 for the lower-power 1017AV which arrives in July. Both are likely to see equivalents released in the future for the US. [via Akihabara]
