Yamaha Drops Entry Price for Feature-laden Receivers

According to an article at twice.com, Yamaha is launching four new A/V receivers that drop the price of entry for consumers looking for some of the hottest new technology available on the consumer electronics market.

With these new products, installers can now purchase a dual IR codeset-capable receiver for just $199 (so more than one receiver can be controlled at one time in a custom installation). At the $299 price point you can find a new product that has extended IR codes. These codes deliver IR control of literally all features, so installers don't have to worry about not being able to program touch screen remotes or other systems with teh capability to control every aspect of the receiver. Originally, this functionality was only available at the $1,200 price level. These lower-priced receivers also feature preset-volume turn-on for first and second zones - perfect for reproducing the correct levels each day.

Yamaha has introduced a new "Scene" feature that scripts the startup process for a receiver to include powering up connected components, switching to the correct input, setting listening levels and initiallizing the proper surround mode. This is available on all models except the most entry level unit. All receivers now come with iPod docking connectability ($299 and up), XM satellite radio integration (subscription required), support for Neural Surround - a 5.1 XM radio surround format, and automatic YPAO room optimization ($299 and up - mic included).

Yamaha's new Compressed Music Enhancer technology, designed to restore low and high frequencies to compressed music, is also available on all new receivers.

The RX-V661 ($499) and RX-V861 ($999) are the first Yamaha receivers with Simplay HD-certified HDMI inputs and outputs (Simplay certifies that they feature the HDMI repeater function and will work properly with other certified equipment). Current owners will want to know that HDMI on Yamaha receivers has always been structured as a repeater (sans certification). These receivers are also multi-zone and will switch from 7.1 to 5.1 + 2 automatically when the second zone is fired up.

The four receivers have suggested retails of $199, $299, $499 and $999. All but the $999 RV-V861 shipped in March. The V861 ships in mid-to-late May. The $499 and $999 models are seven-channel receivers, and the others are five-channel models.

Yamaha will announce the next round of A/V receivers in the fall.