Yamaha's new RX-V861 1080p upconverting receiver for a grand

Yamaha has announced an upscaling 1080p receiver for just shy of $1000, with many of the features normally reserved for more expensive models, like microphone-based speaker optimization, HDMI output, and XM and iPod compatibility. The RX-V861 will upconvert HDMI, S-Video, or component, and output via HDMI to your display, while accepting audio formats such as DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD digitally for output over its 7.1 channels. Four preset buttons on the front of the unit allow for quick switching between audio modes, including the seventeen flavors of DSP processing. The optional iPod dock allows for playback of audio and video through the receiver's remote, which also controls XM satellite radio subscriptions. The RX-V861 will be available in May for a suggested retail of $999.95.

[MMagic @ Apr 23rd 2007 4:49PM]

it will not upscale to 1080p it will only upscale to 1080i
it will play 1080p
still a good device for under 1g

[colek42 @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:26PM]

would there really be any quality difference if it did upscale to 1080p. It still passes 1080p. good enough for me.

[aj @ Apr 23rd 2007 4:56PM]

on the site it doesnt mention anything about dolby digital TRUE HD, which is something i have been looking for since CES.

[Chris @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:01PM]

Over analog cables any receiver can do True-HD and DTS-HD just no next-gen players (Blu-ray or HD-DVD) can output that format yet.

[colek42 @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:11PM]

you can find this online for less than $700. Tempting

[RaynorWolfcastle @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:26PM]

This receiver certainly CANNOT accept Dolby TrueHD as it only has HDMI 1.2a (as per the product page). To pass Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, both the source and destination must use HDMI 1.3 or better.

With that said, as long as you have a player that can decode the TrueHD or DTS-HD MA stream to LPCM it is a non-issue as LPCM can be passed over earlier revisions of HDMI.

[ph @ Apr 24th 2007 4:34AM]

Actually, this receiver can play back true HD, however it needs the HD DVD player to decode it to linear PCM, something that ALL current HDDVD players can do over HDMI.

HDMI 1.3 is COMPLETELY unnecessary for true hd, and in fact could possibly be worse since the player could not mix the HD DVD sound with its own before sending it to the receiver.

In fact HDMI 1.3 is pretty much completely unnecessary period.

[Shmoe @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:43PM]

It's like the old saying, 'you pay for what you get.' And with this, you're getting the ability, but probably not good quality. I have my eye on the Anthem D2.

[Shmoe @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:43PM]

It's like the old saying, 'you pay for what you get.' And with this, you're getting the ability, but probably not good quality. I have my eye on the Anthem D2.

[Eliot @ Apr 23rd 2007 5:57PM]

Lord knows the "iPod dock" add on is going to cost something like $130

[youdiejoe @ Apr 23rd 2007 6:29PM]

Sony STR-DG1000 .... been out almost a year, also under a grand

http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/02/sony-announces-first-a-v-receiver-to-optimize-blu-ray-hd-content/

[Tony @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:24PM]

I actually just picked up an STR-DG1000 for under $400 at a local big box. Sony has a new line coming this month and all the retailers are clearing last year's models out. Shouldn't be too hard for someone else to find one for the same price or cheaper...

[priesteria @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:06PM]

The upcoming Onkyo TX-SR605 has HDMI 1.3 for only $399 and does all this receiver does.

[MIKE @ Apr 23rd 2007 7:24PM]

No HDMI 1.3 and no CEC. Makes you wonder what they're thinking. For this price I'd also like support for streaming audio from something besides an iPod.

[NutMac @ Apr 23rd 2007 8:43PM]

Talk about sloppy reporting.
- "upscaling 1080p": no, only 720p/1080i
- "many of the features normally reserved for more expensive models, like microphone-based speaker optimization": many low-end models have this feature
- "DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD": no it doesn't

[Craig @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:13PM]

agreed. on all points.

[Mike @ Apr 23rd 2007 9:42PM]

it must say hdmi 1.3 for me to even look at it

[Jason @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:14PM]

Confusing that they are still releasing receivers without hdmi 1.3 now. Onkyo's entire line is being upgraded, and a pretty good one will be available in May, with more higher end units released each month until August. Why on Earth would someone go with something without Blu-ray codec support now? And, some of the Onkyo's with it are considerably cheaper than this too.

[Taha @ Apr 23rd 2007 10:52PM]

Dont bother with this. Onkyo upcoming HDMI 1.3 lineup is much better.

Like preisteria mentioned, the 'lower' end Onkyo TX-S605 is going for about $400-500, has HDMI 1.3, decodes Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD Master Audio, and 1080p passthrough. It doesn't upscale content, but if your TV's scaler is really that bad then just of the higher up models from Onkyo covers that too and it'll still cost about the same as the Yamaha mentioned in this article, yet have much more features.

[gadgetman @ Apr 23rd 2007 11:50PM]

Looks interesting, but not having HDMI 1.3 is a real disappointment, esp for an Apr 2007 release. I hope the folks are right about Onkyo. I have the 674, which got great ratings, but have had to return the first 2. 3rd one seems to be the charm.

[James @ Apr 24th 2007 1:01AM]

As a STR-DG1000 owner, I do have to point out that the STR-DG1000 does NOT upscale beyond 480p. It also does not have an iPod dock option (AFAIK). So you are getting *something* for that extra money with the Yamaha. However, considering that the Sony is "last year's" model I would probably go with one of the Onkyo's for the price at this point in time.