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Onkyo TX-SR803 Gets HDMI Switching, XM Radio Compatibility, and THX Select2 Certification

The TX-SR803 includes two HDMI inputs and one output for high quality switching of digital audio/video sources without unnecessary conversion. These connections are fully compliant with the HDMI 1.1 specification, enabling them to carry Dolby Digital and DTS digital audio streams as well as digital video, providing the simplest connectivity possible with high quality DVD players, HDTV tuners, and other digital sources. For analog video, there is HD switching for three component video inputs, with a 100 MHz bandwidth to prevent any signal degradation. It also includes analog upconversion with TBC (Time Based Correction) of composite and S-Video sources to component video, greatly simplifying connection to video display devices.

The Onkyo TX-SR803 is one of the first XM-Ready home theater receivers, making it easier than ever to bring XM Satellite radio into the living room. Using one of the widely available XM Connect-and-Play antennas, consumers can subscribe to and receive 150 channels of commercial-free music, news, talk, and entertainment programming. For conventional radio, there is also a high quality AM/FM radio tuner with 40 presets.

Onkyo has also designed the receiver to take complete advantage of the company's recently introduced DS-A1 Remote Interactive iPod dock/charger. With the iPod placed in the dock, it becomes a source component for not only audio playback, but also for photography stored in iPod photo units. Controls for the iPod such as play, pause, stop, skip, random and playlist access can all be operated via the Onkyo receiver's remote controller.

The TX-SR803 includes an automatic speaker setup feature that makes it simple to calibrate a home theater system to its acoustical environment. With the included microphone in the listening position, the receiver sends test signals to each speaker in turn, then uses the input from the microphone to adjust channel level and time delay settings for each speaker.

The TX-SR803 also features Onkyo's Powered Zone 2 feature, which employs two of the receiver's internal amplifier channels to power speakers in a second room while simultaneously providing a full 5.1 channel home theater system. The receiver is capable of either processing two A/V sources simultaneously or sending the same signal to both the main zone and systems in other rooms. It also includes a line level Zone 2 output to feed a second zone receiver or amplifier.

The TX-SR803 features powerful 32-bit DSP processing for THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX and ProLogic IIx, DTS-ES, Neo:6, and the DTS-96/24 audio formats. The high quality 192 kHz/24-bit DAC found on each channel is combined with Onkyo's VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) to smooth the analog output, generating cleaner and more detailed audio reproduction. The subwoofer crossover is independently selectable for each loudspeaker pair, providing optimal integration with any speaker arrangement.

The Onkyo TX-SR803 is among the first home theater receivers to carry the THX Select2 certification, which incorporates many elements of the THX Ultra2 standard, including Ultra2's multichannel audio and game modes, and the ability to deliver 7.1-channel playback of any 5.1-channel source material. THX Select2 certification ensures that the TX-SR803 meets all THX performance standards and specifications in small to medium sized listening rooms.

The Onkyo TX-SR803 includes a powerful backlit preprogrammed / learning remote control with macro capability to make system integration and control simple and convenient. It will be available in October in both black and silver finishes at a suggested retail price of $1,000.