At the lower end of the price scale, Yamaha’s new $5500 LPX-500 projector uses three 1280x720 resolution 16:9 LCD panels. The projector delivers 800 ANSI lumens and an 800:1 contrast ratio for excellent image quality. Other features include Faroudja DVDi video processing, a 150 watt UHP lamp with 3000 hour life expectancy, 30dB noise level (once again using Scirocco fans and twin ducts), DVI input and full complement of analog inputs.
Yamaha was also showing three new receivers, the RX-V1300, RX-V2300 and RX-V3300. The $799 RX-V1300 starts off with 100 watts into each of six channels, the latest Dolby Digital and DTS sound format decoding, multi-room/multi source capabilities, 12 volt trigger, Yamaha’s Cinema DSP with 25 programs and 44 variations, composite to S-Video conversion, wideband component inputs, 5.1 channel analog input and an LCD remote control with learning and macro capabilities. The $999 RX-V2300 adds 110 watts into each channel, S-Video to composite conversion (yes, that way), powered Zone 2, plus 26 DSP programs with 46 variations. Finally, the $1599 RX-V3300 offers numerous upgrades including 8.1 channel processing, 33 DSP programs with 53 variations, six channels with 130 watts and two effects channels with 25 watts each, RS232 interface, plus five optical and two coaxial digital inputs.
A new $999 DVD player, the DVD-S2300, offers combined DVD-Audio and SACD playback. The new model also includes a 12-bit/54MHz video DAC, Faroudja DCDi progressive scan processing, 4:4:4 progressive component video circuit, 24-bit 192kHz audio DACs, MP3 playback and a wide range of extended IR codes. At the other end of the spectrum is the $199 DVD-S530 single disc dual-laser model that advertises “chroma upsampling error correction”, a problem still evident on many high-end players.
Then there’s Yamaha’s new DVD recorder, the DRX-1. This burner follows the DVD+R and DVD+RW formats. Disc capacities range from 2.5 hours to 6 hours and it features an NTSC tuner with VCR+ programming, progressive scan output via Faroudja’s DCDi, iLink digital video input and more. The recorder will retail for $1299.
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