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Denon and Marantz will add HDMI 2.1 to these older receivers for $600
For $600, Denon and Marantz will update pricey receivers from 2018 with the gear needed to handle 8K resolution and 120Hz gameplay via HDMI 2.1
Denon rolls out the first 8K-ready receivers with its 2020 X-Series
Denon's 2020 X-Series receivers handle 8K video as well as key 4K gaming features with prices starting at $849.
The Queue: Wildstar, languages, and Valeera Sanguinar
Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Alex Ziebart will be your host today. We're starting the day off with a Wildstar question, but have no fear -- there's WoW in them hills. SallyBowls asked: do you remember the AVR addon? Play in the Wildstar beta? I wonder if Blizzard is having second thoughts? It just struck me as ironic that other people spent time developing something at no cost for Blizzard that Blizzard took out and similar functionality is becoming more common in MMOs.
Arduino Leonardo finally launches with new pin layout, lower price (video)
We caught our first glimpse at the new, simplified Arduino Leonardo at Maker Faire back in September of last year. At the time, we were promised a late October shipping date, but it failed to materialize. Finally, Massimo Banzi has taken the wraps off the slimmed down microcontroller and its now in stock at retailers across the web. The Leonardo sports a new pin layout, dubbed R3 (which the Uno has also been updated with), that will become standard across all Arduino boards. That's a big deal for shield makers who only have to design and manufacture an add-on once to ensure it's compatible with the entire product line. The new layout also adds some extra pins and versatility, especially in the realm of shields, which can use to the new IOREF pin to determine the voltage of the processor and thus its model. That means a shield doesn't have to be designed specifically with the new ARM-based Due in mind. The other big news is that the circuitry for converting USB to serial communication and the processor itself have been combined, which not only simplifies the design and drives down costs, but allows it to communicate directly with a computer and imitate all sorts of accessories (such as keyboards and mice). Best of all, is the price. The Leonardo, complete with headers, costs just $25 -- a good $10 less than the Uno -- while the headerless, solder-friendly version retails for $22.50. Check out the video after the break for a few more details from Massimo himself.
Onkyo intros a new pair of TX-NR AV receivers, prices start at $999
Shortly after introducing its entry-level TX-NR515 and TX-NR616 receivers, Onkyo is taking the wraps off of a fresh pair of souped-up, pricier AV boxes. Both part of the TX-NR family, the TX-NR717 ($999) and TX-NR818 ($1,119) are carrying on the 7.2-channel audio tradition seen on their lower-priced siblings, while a Qdeo processor handles all video upscaling duties -- yes, 4K included. The 3D-ready couple is also packing THX Select 2 Plus certification, a whopping eight HDMI ports on each box, DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD decoding and a revamped 1080p GUI. Onkyo's also said iOS and Kindle Fire variants of its Android Remote App are in the works, though mum's the word on when they'll be up for grabs. Either of these good enough for your home setup? They won't hit shelves until May, which may (baller status) or may not (Average Joe) be enough time to save up.
Addons that you wish were still around
It is a rare occurence in the World of Warcraft that a player-made addon attains such great heights in effectiveness and popularity that it is essentially quashed. One of the most recent examples of an addon overstepping its bounds was AVR, the augmented reality mod that allowed players to "draw" on the game world. While the main purpose of the addon was to show players physical areas and locations to move to or be safe in during Icecrown boss encounters, the real treasure was buried in AVR's sharing feature. What AVR did is not doable anymore, since Blizzard removed the ability for addons to do the type of "drawing" on the world that it showcased. Other addons like Antiarc's Poison Swapper were just too powerful and forced Blizzard's hand in changing the way rogue poisons work. Addons have a rich history in World of Warcraft, with many of our favorites gone the way of the dinosaurs. Which addons, for better or worse, do you wish were still in game? Any addons that you miss from the early days like Cosmos and player-made minigames? Sound off in the comments.
Insert Coin: BoardX is an open-source, modular motherboard for prolific prototypers
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. We're more than a little enamored with Arduino and its DIY microcontroller ilk. But we'll admit, there are a few limitations that the compulsive prototyper might find bothersome. Chief amongst them is the lack of modularity, Now, sure, you can easily add all sorts of sensors, ports and radios to your Uno (or Duemilanove if you're old school) but that generally requires piling shield, upon shield, upon shield, until you've got a stack of boards three-feet high. And, if you want to use an ARM chip instead of an AVR for a project? Well that's a whole other set of boards. Kevin Greene has decided to address these perceived "weaknesses" with BoardX -- a modular, open-source prototyping platform.
Keyglove ditches QWERTY for one-handed computer control (video)
We've seen some pretty ambitious hand warmers in our day, but this one takes the cake. Keyglove is an Open Source Hardware (OSHW) project that's intended to eliminate those clunky keyboards and unmanageable mice from the computing process altogether, instead engaging a series of conductive sensors that, when touched together, mimic a keystroke. The mitt's creator says the traditional mobile keyboard is "either too big to be portable, or too small to be easy to use," adding that his solution would eventually become second nature just like touch typing. Keyglove is an Arduino and AVR-powered device that also incorporates an accelerometer to control mouse movements. It's apparently fully customizable and allows for a total of 60 unique touch combinations -- impressive, sure, but it took us long enough to figure out the home keys on the real thing. If you dream of a world full of one-handed typists, check out the video after the break, or follow the source link to find out how you can donate to the project.
Apple finds another AirPlay partner in Pioneer's VSX-1021 AV receiver
You may have laughed off the assertion made by BridgeCo's VP of Sales and Marketing back at CES, but the man's looking downright prophetic now. Apple has just nailed down yet another major player in its efforts to take over the streaming media world with AirPlay, as Pioneer's VSX-1021 launched today as the first of eight AirPlay receivers the company has planned for 2011. It's a 7.1 channel affair that supports wireless playback of iTunes libraries so long as you fork over a few extra dollars for the AS-WL300 wireless LAN adapter. You'll also need an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or a Mac / PC with iTunes 10.1+, and the new AVR should show up immediately as an available AirPlay device. This particular one will sell for $549, and if you're looking to spring, you should also know about Air Jam and iControlAV2 -- two new (free) apps that turn iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.2 into sources for the aforesaid AVR. The latter actually enables full-on control of the receiver from an iOS device, while the former should do a fine job of handling the song selection during your next part. Hit up the source links for the nitty-gritty, and if you venture down beyond the break, you'll find overview videos for the device shown above as well as the Air Jam app.
Samsung goes cubic with HT-D7100 Blu-ray home theater system, HW-D550 soundbar
Digging the cube-like stature of Samsung's new BD-D7000 3D Blu-ray player, but on the hunt for a more complete package? Have a gander at the GT-D7100, an all-in-one Blu-ray home theater system that's shaped more like a box and less like... well, conventional home cinema systems. There's 2D-to-3D upconversion, a 2.1 channel sound system (with 110 watts of power), inbuilt WiFi, support for Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio and support for Samsung Apps / Hub. If you're looking for something more traditional, the HT-D6730W is a 7.1 channel surround system, complete with a WiFi-enabled 3D Blu-ray deck, wireless rear speakers, a pair of tower speakers, 1330 total watts of power and a wideband amplifier, two HDMI inputs and an iPod / iPhone dock cradle. In related news, the HW-D7000 Blu-ray AV receiver is being introduced, and it's being described as the world's first 7.1 channel AVR with an integrated 3D Blu-ray player. You'll get four HDMI sockets, HDMI-CEC (Anynet), inbuilt WiFi, a Smart Hub (including internet radio) and a 120 watt x 7 channel amplifier. Finally, the HW-D550 soundbar measures 46-inches in length and offers 2.1 channel audio, 310 watts of power, a wireless subwoofer and a pair of HDMI connectors. Pricing information remains to be seen, but as with Samsung's other CES introductions, these too will be on sale in 1H 2011. %Gallery-112485%
Inspect request throttling explained
If you haven't already heard among the throngs of vuvuzela-esque cries of "Gearscore is dead," Blizzard has decided to add a throttling time limitation to inspect requests that some addons use to quickly check to see what a character has equipped and what class that character is. The most notorious addons that use these inspection requests are "mouseover" addons that pull data about a character into a tooltip and Gearscore. There have been a lot of misconceptions about Blizzard's change, so it would be beneficial to clear those misconceptions up.
Onkyo has three new THX certified AV Receivers
Great HD isn't perfect without great sound so you'll be excited to hear that Onkyo has three new THX certified AV Receivers. Not to take anything away from the first Onkyo 3D ready receivers that started shipping just a few months ago, this new trio is in another class. The TX-NR1008, TX-NR808, and TX-NR708 are all network connected with DLNA 1.5, feature HDMI 1.4a for all your 3D needs, and sport the legendary Faroudja DCDi Cinema scaler which will work wonders on even the lowest quality video. While all three have multi-room capabilities, only the TX-NR1008 has amps to power three rooms, while the 808 can do two and the 708 just includes line outputs for a second zone. The big boy is also the only one to include advanced ISF video calibration controls adjustments for every source. All three will start shipping in July with prices ranging from $899 for the TX-NR708 to $1399 for TX-NR1008. Full release with many more specs after the jump.
Ready Check: AVR is dead -- what did we learn?
Ready Check focuses on successful raiding for the serious raider. Hardcore or casual, Icecrown Citadel or Ulduar, everyone can get in on the action and down some bosses. Blizzard announced last week that the mod known as Augmented Virtual Reality will be broken and non-functional as of the release of patch 3.3.5. We'll get into some of the details here in a second or three, but this officially means that if you're using AVR to work on Icecrown Citadel, you're officially using a mod or method in a way that Blizzard does not intend. It doesn't mean you're exploiting or cheating, necessarily, but it does mean that you're not quite straight-shooting the encounters the way the game is meant to be played. Your mileage may vary on whether you care. If you're not familiar with AVR or AVR Encounters, it's probably fairly important for you to understand the mods for the context of this conversation. AVR, at its base, lets you draw stuff on the screen. These drawings will be seen by everyone else in the raid. Even more importantly, the combination of mods has the ability to draw stuff for you. If you're going to emanate a 10-yard circle of death around you in the next seven seconds, AVR will draw a 10-yard circle around you that everyone can see. Plenty of warning, ample visibility. Why does it matter?
Blizzard to break the AVR mod in Patch 3.3.5
Suffer, mortals, as your pathetic mod betrays you! Come patch 3.3.5, Blizzard is disabling the functionality of the ultra-useful Augmented Virtual Reality (AVR) addon. The popular mod allows three-dimensional images to be shared between party members in real time to aid in raid strategy and positioning. It is perhaps best known for making the Sindragosa encounter a snap during the ice blocking phase (and, of course, for sharing crudely drawn pictures of genitalia). Blizzard poster Bashiok broke the news of AVR's impending demise, citing its invasive nature and the fact that it takes away from the need for on-the-spot decision making: Bashiok -- AVR Mod Broken in 3.3.5 This is a notice that we're making changes in 3.3.5 in attempts to break the ability for the AVR (Augmented Virtual Reality) mod to continue functioning. For those unaware, this mod allows players to draw in the 3D space of the game world, which can then be shared with others who are also using the mod. In some cases this manifests itself through drawing/tagging/defacing the game world, but more popularly is used to give visual guides for dungeon and raid encounters. source The full announcement after the break.
Pioneer VSX-1020-K AV receiver with iPhone app up for pre-order
In the market for AV gear that "Works with iPhone?" Looks like Pioneer's trusty old VSX-1019AH (with its built-in iPod dock) just got a formidable ally in the form of the VSX-1020-K. This bad boy not only packs in the features you expect from an AV receiver (including connections for HD video, HD audio, wireless and analog components, 1080p video conversion and upscaling, support for 3D video and more) but the company throws in a free custom iPhone / iPod touch app for exploring your inner audiophile -- and getting your room to sound just so in the process. Up for pre-order now at Amazon for $549. Screenshots and further details after the break.
Pioneer brings Bluetooth streaming, 3D-readiness to VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K receivers
It's not like your two ears really need 7.1 channels of audio, but what your home theater does need is simplicity and an eagerness to support the third dimension. In truth, we can only safely say that those beliefs are shared by Pioneer, who has today introduced a new pair of 5.1 AV receivers that offer Bluetooth streaming, HDMI 1.4 and an unmistakable "3D ready" label. There's also the obligatory Works with iPhone certification on the VSX-820-K, which enables it to transfer iPod navigation control and on-screen graphics from the remote back to the Apple device. Outside of that, most everything else is identical between the two, as they each offer five channels of 110 watts, at least 3 HDMI sockets and rather reasonable price tags. Speaking of, you'll be asked to pay $229 for the 520 and $299 for the 820 when they splash down later this month.
Sherwood's RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud
Consolidation of the boxes littered around our TVs is one trend we're happy to see, and for its part, Sherwood is getting onboard with network connectivity. Following the lead of the company's R-904 NetBoxx, the RD-7505 also got a dose of Verismo's VuNow tech for accessing content from DLNA, Hulu, YouTube, CinemaNow and internet radio. The RD-7505 also gets a trio of HDMI 1.4 inputs in addition to its seven channels of 110-Watt amplification; but you'll have to wait until summer to grab one for $500. Next up from Sherwood is the iNet-2.0 tabletop which pairs up its 8-inch display with an alarm clock, internet audio playback and an iPod dock; all of which just might make it a digital photo frame (yeah, it does that too) we'd consider putting in the house. Full details in the PR after the break.
Denon keeps high-end covered with AVR-4810CI receiver, DBP-4010CI universal Blu-ray player and ASD-51 iPod docks
Denon loyalists may have been stinging from the company's no-show at last week's CEDIA Expo, but the latest round of releases should help ease the pain. Here we go with the AVR-4810CI receiver, DBP-4010DCI universal disc player and ASD-51 iPod docks. The 9.3-channel AVR-4810CI ($2,999) looks to be the successor to Denon's popular 4308CI -- feature packed and definitely on the high end of the spectrum. Six HDMI 1.3a inputs, a pair of outputs, 140-Watts to nine channels, and the familiar set of features being rolled out across Denon's lineup: Anchor Bay video processing, Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz. Denon wants you to know it will pair up just fine with the DBP-4010UDCI universal disc spinner, which you should think of as a cheaper -- but at $1,999, not a "poor man's" -- DVD-A1UDCI. It'll play back just about every disc you've got (okay, maybe not laserdisc), and the build quality ensures it'll do so until after your physical media has turned to dust. Finally, Denon has also brought out the ASD-51W and ASD-51N iPod docks that also let you pull in internet radio, Napster and Rhapsody -- grab up the ASD-51W if you want to do that sans wires. As you'd expect from "CI" (custom integrator) designation on these bits of fun, everything is getting in on the network control and connectivity game, but we'll leave it for you to suss out those finer details after the break.
Yamaha shows off its RX-V2065 network AV receiver
Yamaha has introduced a new top-end RX-V2065 model to its RX-V65 receiver line. Connecting the receiver to both the home network and the internet at-large is coming on strong, and the RX-V2065 definitely got the memo. Starting with the basics, the RX-V2065 is a 7x130-Watt receiver featuring Yamaha's ToP-ART amp design with a 5/2 HDMI in/out complement. Yammy then adds its home-cooked assortment of DSP modes, packing 17 flavors of sonic manipulation into the new receiver. Networking is where this model really sets itself apart from the similar RX-V1900 model, though, with the ability to pluck streams from Rhapsody, internet radio, DLNA, and files around your home network. Heck, even sneakernet is supported courtesy a USB port up front. To be sure, there's a lot more acronyms and add-on accessories for this unit that the custom installer crowd at CEDIA can use to round out their sales pitches (and to help bring up the margins on this $1,400 AVR), but we'll leave that for you to decipher by hitting the link.
Harman Kardon resets its AV receiver line with AVR 1600, 2600 and 3600 models
The namesake brand at Harman International has introduced its new 2009 AVR lineup, making 3 out of the 4 AVRs on the company website shiny and new -- the AVR 1600, AVR 2600 and AVR 3600 (pictured, but trust us, they look almost identical). All three models are armed with lossless Blu-ray audio codec support which are now -- thankfully -- de rigeur, but the real emphasis is on connectivity and features. The living room is the new battleground, and even receivers have to fight for a place amongst the videogame consoles and set-top boxes. Taking top billing, the AVR 3600 includes second zone support and a pcked-in The Bridge III iPod/iPhone dock -- with a capital "T" and Roman numerals -- that can pull HD video right off the ubiquitous devices and put them up on the big screen. H/K put out the first receiver with Dolby Volume, and the company is standing by the feature by putting it into the 2600 and 3600 models, which also get a graphical UI in keeping with the convenience theme. Sorry, 1600 owners will have to make like everything's a foreign film and read the text. Full details and pricing after the break.
