DigitalSoundProjector
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Yamaha's $1,000 YSP-2200 Digital Sound Projector debuts with HDMI 1.4a
It's been a hot minute since Yamaha served up a new Digital Sound Projector, but with 3D doing its darnedest to take over the home entertainment universe, there's hardly a better time for the YSP range to make a comeback. Debuting shortly before CES, the YSP-2200 is one of the outfits sleeker soundbars at 3.5-inches tall, touting 16 speaker beam drivers, faux 7.1 surround sound, 11 Cinema DSP programs and full internal decoding of DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD. You'll also find a foursome of HDMI 1.4a inputs alongside a single output, all of which are fully capable of handling 3D Blu-ray content. We've been ardent supporters of the YSP range ever since we first heard one at CEDIA 2008, but even for a loyalist, the $999.95 retail price is tough to swallow. But hey, at least that nets you a 100-watt subwoofer and a bucket of bragging rights!
Yamaha's cinema-lovin' YSP-5100 and YSP-4100 soundbars ship this month with breathtaking price tags
Yamaha's YSP-5100 and YSP-4100 soundbars (or Digital Sound Projectors, as the sophisticates would say) emerged early last month over in Japan, but then CES happened. In a stellar effort to jog our memories, the company has just announced that both units will be on sale here in the States prior to January's end, and while each comes with a laundry list of features, the MSRPs are downright shocking. Both bars offer up 40 beam drivers, two woofers and a dedicated amplifier, while the 5100 adds a pair of tweeters. They're also equipped with HD Audio decoding (TrueHD DTS-HD Master Audio, etc.), 1080p-compatible HDMI sockets (4 in/ 1 out), internal upscaling, a UniVolume feature to maintain a consistent volume level between different sources and an integrated FM tuner. Sounds nice, but the internal yAired wireless technology must be the icing on the cake, as the $2,199.95 (5100) / $1,899.95 (4100) price tags clearly have some sort of premium baked in.
Yamaha turns up the bass, brings the noise with its YSP-5100 Digital Sound Projector
There are three ways to end speaker wire clutter: go wireless, get a soundbar, or shun the ways of the surrounds entirely. The former option isn't for everyone, the latter simply won't do, and so Yamaha keeps pumping out endless new installments of its Digital Sound Projector line. Latest is the YSP-5100, an update to the YSP-4100 that's all of two and a half months old, so new that Yamaha didn't even bother to do another studio shoot, just chopped in the same remote from the earlier press image. Natural, really, since the devices sport the same HD decoding abilities (like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD), the same suite of ins and outs, and the same 55W power rating. The only differences are a slightly greater width on the 5100 and what's claimed to be "dramatically" evolved sound, richer bass and clearer highs -- things you can't really verify from a press release. No word on price, but they should be shipping before the year is through.
Yamaha intros YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector
Yamaha cranked out its pricey YSP-600 sound bar just a few months back, but the company's already looking to put the past behind and move forward with the YSP-3050. The latest in the outfit's long-standing line of Digital Sound Projectors offers up 21 beam drivers, two woofers, 23 corresponding digital amplifiers, three Cinema DSP programs (movie, music and sports), analog-to-HDMI video upconversion, HD upscaling to 1080i / 720p and a 1080p (24Hz and 60Hz) compatible HDMI interface with two inputs and one output. Aside from engulfing you in audio with just a single bar, the unit is also XM Radio / iPod-ready (via the $99.95 YDS-11), and the integrated FM tuner and bundled remote make it even easier to see in your den. You'll also find the firm's propriety automated system calibration (IntelliBeam) along with TV Equal Volume to keep those sudden bursts at bay when it comes time for commercials. 'Tis a shame this piece costs $1,399.95, but if you're tight on space, it just might be worth it. Full release after the break.
Yamaha's YSP-4000 Digital Sound Projector adds HDMI upscaling
Yamaha's single unit surround sound bars have come a long way since the YSP-1 made its debut, and the company's latest entry, the YSP-4000, continues to up the ante, with 1080p HDMI compatibility, analog video upscaling to 1080i / 720p, XM Neural Surround compatibility, optional iPod dock, and a host of calibration modes, including one designed to make compressed audio sources sound better. Yamaha is being pretty coy with the frequency response numbers, suggesting that the YSP-4000 isn't an ass-shaking bass machine, but the 120W of power through six channels should provide plenty of clean sound for average TV and movie viewing. Available in October for $1,799.[Via Apartment Therapy]
Yamaha's YSP-900 Digital Sound Projector: a 5.1 sound bouncer that works
The YSP-900 Digital Sound Projector joins Yamaha's high-end YSP-1100 in their digital sound projector line-up of simulated surround-sound speaker-bars. As a followup to the YSP-800, the YSP-900 comes in silver or black and introduces the "My Beam" and "IntelliBeam" functions previously found only in the YSP-1100. Just press and hold a button on the remote control and the My Beam function will instantly "beam" the sound in your direction -- useful for the hard-of-hearing or late-night movie fests while the rest of the household slumbers. IntelliBeam then, is the auto system calibration software which optimizes the unit's placement in the room. Just keep in mind that the sound will bounce best in a rectangular room with the couch offset from the center of the back-wall. That limitation aside, Yamaha's sound projectors come highly touted for quick and not-so-dirty home theater setup. Hitting Japan on February 22nd for ¥94,800 or about $602. Better yet, these will come Stateside soon enough.
Yamaha's YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector
Yamaha is set to roll with their new YSP-1100 Digital Sound Projector unveiled at CEDIA. Like the YSP-1000 it replaces, the YSP-1100 is said to do a decent job of creating the illusion of surround-sound by bouncing sound off the walls via 40 built-in beam drivers and 2 built-in woofers with 42 corresponding digital amplifiers. However, the YSP-1100 brings a larger sweet-spot than its predecessor, an RS-232 port, IR in/out, component-video in/out, and an improved version of Yamaha's IntelliBeam automated system calibration to adjust the sound for best effect. Yours for $1,699 starting September, if you dare. [Thanks, Mike P]
