Calibre announced what looks to be a killer video product this week; the Vantage HD video scaler/processor featuring the highly regarded Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing engine. In addition to getting some of the best video processing around, you get a world class switcher as well. I see two additional perks that might make this product a home run for videophiles.

I would love to see this baby pared with a 1080p projector, such as the Sony Ruby. That would be pure video bliss!

Let It Wave is a new technology that may make it into your next scaler. Faroudja DCDi has endorsed it so this seems it won’t be a fly-by-night kind of thing.

Letitwave introduces Super-Resolution Bandlet upconversion technology - HD Beat

Let it wave

Need a receiver that switches 1080p over HDMI? Akihabara News reports that the Denon AVC-2920 does just that. Well, actually, it says ” 1080p HD and has a HDMI port”. Which doesn’t necessariliy mean that the 1080p uses the HDMI port. It could mean that it supports 1080p over component. So the HDMI/1080p part is my guess. This beast goes for a cool 800EUR, which actually isn’t bad.

So I go to the Denon USA site to check it out, and I can’t find it! This model must be for sale in a different country. The closest one I see is the AVR-3806, whose back panel is very similar. Two HDMI inputs and one out. Unfortunately the Denon website is very short on details, and no mention is made of 1080p support.

Akihabara News - Denon HD (1080p) amplifier with a Sharc CPU, the AVC-2920

I have a Harman/Kardon receiver, so I have to say that I am biased. I like Harman/Kardon, and the AVR 740 looks to be quite a receiver. It includes HDMI switching and upconversion to 720p or 1080i for 480i or 480p sources. Harman/Kardon has always been known for their smooth sounds and for having the power to back it up without fudging the numbers to make them look impressive.

The AVR 740: The Ultimate Audio/Video Receiver

Harman Kardon once again redefines the state of the art in audio/video receiver design with the availability of its flagship 7.2-channel AVR 740 – incorporating a host of the industry’s most advanced features and technologies, including The Bridge-ready iPod connectivity, to set new standards in audio and video performance, multiroom flexibility and ease of use.

Winner of an Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Award, the AVR 740 features HDMI 1.1 switching, and provides upconverted and enhanced high-definition 780p and 1080i video output from 480i and 480p video sources. Along with extraordinary video quality, the AVR 740 delivers remarkable sonic realism, thanks to Harman Kardon’s EzSet/EQ II feature set, which provides automated system calibration and full-range room equalization, including stereo subwoofer adjustment capability. The AVR 740 features a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth, discrete-output amplifier section that delivers 7 x 85 watts of power output (into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, <0.07% THD, all channels driven; 2 x 100 watts in stereo; and ±60 amps of high-current capability), along with 24-bit/192kHz audio D/A converters and a Texas Instruments™ TI™ DA610 32-bit, 250MHz DSP processor for unsurpassed surround sound performance. The receiver also includes full-process Logic 7 surround-enhancement technology to deliver heightened sonic realism.

The AVR 740 offers an extremely comprehensive complement of additional video and audio connections and convenience features, including a USB port that allows users to listen to compatible streaming audio from their computers, and operate key music playback functions from the receiver’s remote control; multiroom/multisource audio and video operation; XM Satellite Radio-ready capability, and many additional refinements. The AVR 740 is supplied with Harman Kardon’s TC 30 activity-based remote control, an advanced yet easy to use remote that provides complete control of every component in a home entertainment system from a single device.

The Harman Kardon AVR 740 will be available in February 2006 at a suggested retail price of $3,499.

The AVR7400 seems to be replacing the AVR7300. And the new AVR640 is the successor to the AVR630.

eCoustics - HK Announces Shipping Date for its AVR 740 Receiver

The new Denon AVR-4306 receiver has 130W x 7 of power. That’s good. XM radio. All right I guess. iPod connectivity. Sure, that’s good too - I have an iPod. Networking connectivity. That’s cool. HDMI video conversion with 1080i upscaling. Hey, now we’re getting somewhere! Future proof 1080p HDMI-output (HDCP) switching & repeater functions. Now we’re cooking with gas! Why don’t more receivers have stuff like that?

Hey, I want one! A friend of mine will be building a home theater soon. I wonder if I can get him to buy one of these for me to try…

[via HTDude]

engadget - Denon AVR-4306 Receiver

Note: ad link is a different receiver.

I just complained about the lack of HDMI switching on the Emotiva processor. That’s not the case with the THX Ultra2 certified Integra RDC-7.1 processor. Well, kinda.

You see, you can mix and match what you want to get in the processor. And one of the things you can stick in there is an HDMI module. Unfortunately, the Integra’s HDMI support is a bit lacking. After about a month of bliss, it went flaky for the reviewer, making it unusable. Doh!

Also, you can receive SACD and/or DVD-Audio signals digitally via its iLink connection. How cool is that? However, there are only a few disc players so equipped. Both Integra and Pioneer provide them, among others.

You’ll be happy to know that Dolby ProLogic IIx is included, to get all 7 speakers and also the subwoofer pumping. It also has the THX modes to match.

Audio quality is excellent, of course. “The RDC-7.1 did not color recordings in any way that I noticed.”

Conclusion?

It’s hard for me to find much to criticize in the RDC-7.1. It’s not inexpensive- mine totaled out to $5,500. It’s heavy, deep and tall, so forget about putting it on one of those stackable Pier 1 tables. It’s upgradable. I know. You’re thinking about your wife. Don’t worry, she’ll love it too.

Ultimate AV - Integra Research RDC-7.1 Preamp/Processor

Your HDTV is probably not sitting in your den all by itself, is it? Surely it has a kicking companion audio system. A speaker array, a pre-amp/processor and amp, or receiver. And of course, a DVD player. So how do you decide on a good set of audio components to compliment your HDTV? Check out some reviews of course, and Audioholics has a review of the Emotiva DMC-1 Processor.

This processor sounds great, and has all sorts of features you might like. For instance, it has Pro Logic IIx to help you use all of those 7.1 speakers. It even has balanced 7.1 audio outputs.

Not only that, it sounds great. Just like you want your HDTV to look great, you want your high definition audio gear to sound it. Audioholics’ review is quite extensive and they conclude by saying:

The Emotiva is a beautiful processor to look at - as much a piece of artwork as it is a high-performance machine for high-end audio. This product is geared towards audio enthusiasts who desire the best sound quality possible. With an MSRP of $2495 it also comes in at almost $1500 less than the Sunfire Theater Grand IV, which has nearly identical innards and the same processing core. Add an MPS-1 7-channel amplifier and you beat an equivalent Sunfire combo by almost $3000. If you want all the latest features and gadgets, or if you are trying to spend as little as possible for your home theater system then look elsewhere, this product isn’t for you. If, however, you want to enter the realm of high-end audio and experience separates at a competitive price to their peers, then the DMC-1 is a great processor to drive the reference system in your listening room.

But I have to wonder: HDMI isn’t that old anymore. Why doesn’t this latest state-of-the-art processor not include HDMI switching?

Audioholics - Emotiva DMC-1 Processor Review