Onkyo says its new HT-S9300THX is the world's first THX I/S Plus Certified (Integrated System) and 3D-ready packaged home-theatre system. This type of system, popularly known as a "home theatre in a box" or HTiB, consists of seven loudspeakers, a subwoofer, and an audio-video receiver that is fully compatible all the latest 3D technologies, including the mandatory formats for 3D video broadcast content of "Side-By-Side (Half)" and "Top-and-Bottom" formats.

The Onkyo HT-S9300THX receiver has four 3D-Ready HDMI 1.4a inputs, and can upscale video from any input source to the maximum 1080p HDMI output resolution. The receiver includes lossless Dolby and DTS high definition audio processing, Dolby ProLogic IIz height channel processing, and other high-performance sound processing features from THX, Audyssey, and Onkyo.

The Onkyo HT-S9300THX was awarded THX I/S Plus certification based on THX's testing of the combined audio performance of the system's receiver, speakers, and 12-inch subwoofer. The front loudspeakers use a THX-developed dual-woofer array that optimizes the sound field for a sonic presentation, which Onkyo that is remarkably close to that found in THX movie theaters. The system includes THX Surround EX; THX listening modes for Music, Movies and Games; and THX Loudness Plus, which maintains surround impact at low listening levels.

The HT-S9300THX also provides for easy surround-sound speaker set up with Audyssey 2EQ room acoustics correction technology, and also features Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Dynamic Volume processing. It includes Onkyo's proprietary Music Optimizer, which improves the sound of compressed music files for playback with loudspeakers, and four DSP modes for various gaming scenarios.

All video inputs can be upscaled to 1080p video, regardless of native resolution, via Faroudja DCDi Cinema processor, which also removes jaggies during the video signal deinterlacing process, resulting in smooth progressive-scan video images.

The receiver employs Onkyo's new overlaid graphical OSD (on screen display) for adjustment of settings while still viewing the program in the background. A proprietary rear-panel Universal Port can be used to connect an optional Onkyo UP-A1 dock for iPod/iPhone and UP-HT1 HD Radio tuner module. The receiver also includes Onkyo's HDMI Thru feature, which provides automatic source-to-TV switching when the receiver is in the standby mode. This allows children to enjoy programs using a TV's built-in speakers without the need to use the receiver's controls.
The HT-S9300THX will be available at the end of August with a suggested retail price of $1,499.

Article Tags:  Onkyo, HT-S9300THX, HTiB, home theater, home theatre, THX, 3D, HDMI 1.4, I/S Plus, Dolby, DTS, Audyssey, 2EQ, Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume, Faroudja, DCDi,