Yamaha intros speakerbar with video upscaling

Electronics builder Yamaha has released the YSP-3050, a new speakerbar in its Digital Sound Projector line. Like other speakerbars, the 3050 attempts to mimic separate surround speakers through a single unit, by using a multitude of tiny drivers aimed in different directions; the 3050 has has some 21 drivers, with 23 amplifiers and two woofers. This allows 5.1-channel sound under codecs such as SRS, DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Digital. People can additionally switch to a variety of unique combinations, such as My Beam, which isolates sound to a single listener.

New to the 3050 is the addition of video upconversion, which allows analog signals to be switched to HDMI, via component or composite input. Images can then be upscaled to 720p and 1080i, with the HDMI output itself supporting 1080p at 24 or 60Hz. Two HDMI inputs are also provided.

The bar further incorporates an FM tuner, and support for XM Radio, as well as iPods through the optional YDS-11 dock. The 3050 is currently shipping for $1,400.