Pioneer VSX-819H hits the sweet spot for AV receivers

A/V receivers are always part of full product lines, so making your pick usually comes down to finding the model that offers all the features you want for the least amount of money. (And hopefully it sounds good, too.) All of Pioneer's new A/V receivers at CES 2009 score pretty well on the price-to-feature metric, but the VSX-819H hits the sweet spot. Here's the full rundown:

Key features of the Pioneer VSX-819H:

Three HDMI inputs

Two component-video inputs

Three digital-audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial)

Onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding

Automatic speaker calibration

Auto Level Control (keeps commercials from being louder than programs)

Connect your iPod via USB and browse your songs with an onscreen interface

Sirius-ready, with onscreen interface

US April release date, US$300 list price

The connectivity and decoding options already make the US$300 price tag look good, but when you throw in more unique features like Auto Level Control, and the ability to browse both Sirius and your iPod onscreen, it jumps out as a great deal. The biggest missing feature is the lack of analog video upconversion--which is available on the step-up VSX-919AH (US$400)--but with almost all new home theater gadgets using HDMI (and everyone looking to save money), its absence doesn't bother us as much as it used to. It will be interesting to see how the VSX-819H stacks up when competitors release their new 2009 lines, but right now it looks like a top contender for those looking to maximize their home-theater dollar.

Via CNET.com

Sharp's Aquos HDTV goes Blu

Here's the deal: The upcoming Sharp BD-series HDTVs will be the world's first LCD TVs with onboard Blu-ray/DVD/CD playback. This will be delivered via a slot-in disc player, though details on Blu-ray compatibilities such as BD-Live and HD surround sound support were not available at press time. What we do know is this series features the company's Superlucent Advanced Super View panel which supposedly boosts brightness and contrast. To enhance motion reproduction, there's also a 120Hz dejudder function, while 1080p connectivity is catered for by up to four HDMI inputs for the 42- to 52-inch models.

The LC-42BD80U, LC-37BD60U and LC-32BD60U are slated for launch in the US this month. The larger LC-52BD80U and LC-46BD80U models will follow subsequently from February. There were no pricing and availablility outside the US in Sharp's CES press release.

Via Engadget

Entry-level Panasonic plasmas get Infinite Black

Of the 42 individual models of plasma and LCD TVs that Panasonic announced at the 2009 CES, the X1 series lives on the bottom rung of the totem pole. That didn't stop the company from endowing the plasmas with so-called Infinite Black technology, however.

The Panasonic rep we talked to explained that Infinite Black caused the TVs, when displaying a completely black screen, to basically fade down to nothing, as if the TV was turned off. The new entry-level panels also improve upon the contrast-ratio spec for the entry-level PX80U series from last year, doubling it from 15,000:1 to 30,000:1. The result should be excellent black-level performance for a relatively low-buck display.


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Panasonic's DMP-BD70V puts Blu-ray, VHS playback in a single box

It seems weird to put Lo-Fi VHS tapes and 1080p high-definition Blu-ray movies in the same box, but that's exactly what you'll be able to do with Panasonic's DMP-BD70V, which (as far as we know) is the first combination VHS/Blu-ray player. Aside from adding VHS playback, the specs look to be identical to the standard DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player. Here are the details.

Key features of the Panasonic DMP-BD70V series:

Blu-ray and VHS playback from a single player

Profile 2.0 compatible

Onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-Master Audio Essential decoding

SD card slot and USB input

Access to Viera Cast Internet content, including Amazon Video On-Demand

This might be a compelling option for those who still have home movies in VHS format, but this seems like a niche product. It's time to convert your VHS tapes to DVD, everyone. For more information on this player, check out our more in-depth coverage of the DMP-BD60, which is similar but lacks VHS playback.

Via CNET.com

Wireless Panasonic plasma just 1-inch thick

The epic battle between plasma and LCD manifests itself in numerous ways--Hz oneupsmanship, contrast ratio and viewing angle specs, lifespan claims--but until now, panel depth was a frontier comfortably dominated by LCD, with ultrathin models like the Hitachi UT37X902. Now Samsung and Panasonic aim to claim that frontier themselves, the latter with the new inch-thick Z1.

Panasonic's press material uses the term "Z1 series," which indicates to us that the company is planning other screen sizes with inch-deep panels. But for now the only size the company sees fit to announce is the 54-inch TC-P54Z1, due in the US in summer for an undisclosed, but surely sizable, chunk of change.


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