Yamaha Rethinks The AV Receiver, Creates NeoHD
Reading up on this totally fresh neoHD receiver tells me that Yamaha—unlike its competition—is trying hard to keep up with the rapidly changing home theatre situation, particularly where HD video is concerned.
Yamaha clumsily calls neoHD a “media connector,” which makes it sound like just part of the home-theater equation, rather than a solution to that equation. What neoHD really is is a streamlined AV receiver with more emphasis on “V” than “A.”
It’s a smallish box with a zillion inputs—3 HDMI, 2 component, 1 composite, both optical and coax digital audio, and a USB port—and a few choice outputs. Straightaway there’s support for an iPod dock or a Bluetooth stereo receiver. There’s an amp to drive your own 5.1 surround-sound speaker set, or a 2.1 system that you can buy bundled with it that uses a virtual surround sound. It has IR blasters for TiVo, cable boxes and I suppose even Xbox (though not PS3, right?), so that everything can be run and managed through the system. And to do that, it’s got a super-simplified remote, signaling the days of the 14″ long AV receiver remote are finally, possibly, at an end.
As you probably guessed from the picture, it ditches for good this notion that a receiver can be programmed with a tiny LED display and a bunch of abbreviated terms like “PrLgcII,” instead throwing everything to an on-screen display that is sadly not pictured here. The core is a natural-language command hierarchy much like the one that made Logitech’s Harmony remotes famous, where you select “Watch” “Listen” or “Play” and a series of commands are set into motion.
The basic YMC-500 unit costs $US600, a little steep, perhaps, but if it replaces a Harmony as well as an AV receiver, it could well earn its price—we’ll find out for sure when we have a look at a review unit. There’s a $US200 step-up YMC-700 model that comes with Ethernet and Wi-Fi, which is good for Rhapsody as well as local content (using Twonky Media Server), but something tells me Yamaha may not be able to go as far as Samsung, LG, Sony or Panasonic to secure really good on-demand video. $US800 is also the price of the YMC-500 with 2.1 speakers thrown in.
YAMAHA neoHD MEDIA CONTROLLERS WITH SIMPLIFIED REMOTES OFFER INTUITIVE CONTROL OVER ENTIRE HD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS
- Breakthrough Components Deliver HD Audio, HDMI, AIR SURROUND XTREME and Dynamic Full-Color On-Screen Menus for Quick Access to Desired Entertainment -
BUENA PARK, Calif.––Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theatre and digital audio and video reproduction, today ushers in the future of home entertainment with the introduction of neoHD. These sophisticated Media Controllers provide the HD audio and video performance essential to true HD entertainment experiences and total control of all home and Internet components and sources connected to a home AV system. Using a simple remote to drive an intuitive menu-driven on-screen display, neoHD makes it easier than ever before to navigate and access all audio and video content in the home, regardless of where it is stored.
Upon touching the power button of the neoHD remote, the Media Controller and connected TV automatically power up and give the user three onscreen entertainment choices: “Watch,” “Listen,” or “Play.” Next, the user is prompted to choose among more specific activities (such as Watch Movie, Watch LiveTV, Listen CD, etc) at which time icons for the appropriate video, audio or video game components (such as Blu-ray players, CD players, cable boxes, iPods, game consoles, etc.) will appear. Once the component is selected, it automatically powers on and is fully operational via the neoHD remote and on-screen interface. All individual component remotes that normally clutter the room can be kept out of sight in a drawer.
neoHD can control up to six other AV components, such as TVs, Blu-ray disc players and set-top boxes, through its remote control and three IR outputs on the Media Controller’s back panel. Remote control codes for the AV components (including TVs, DVD and Blu-ray players, VCRs, set-top boxes, etc.) from most manufacturers are embedded into the neoHD Media Controller for immediate compatibility and control. The codes for components that are not embedded can be quickly learned by the Media Controller.
neoHD is available in a variety of configurations, including neoHD (YMC-500), neoHD WiFi (YMC-700) with WiFi/Ethernet compatibility, and the neoHD System 2.1 (YMC-S21), a complete surround sound and system control solution that matches the YMC-500 Media Controller with two high-quality speakers and a subwoofer.Both neoHD models feature HD quality audio playback (Dolby TrueHD) and three HDMI inputs for connecting HD AV sources, such as a Blu-ray player, digital set-top box or Apple TV. Also provided are two component video inputs for game consoles and DVRs, such as Tivo, and single composite video inputs for a VCR. The YMC-700’s WiFi compatibility allow it to wirelessly play back content from PCs, laptops and audio files stored on hard drives. Even without the computer powered on, the Rhapsody online music service and Internet radio can be accessed directly from the Internet. YMC-700 can also playback iTunes AAC files via TwonkyMedia Server Software that purchasers have access to via a bundled licence key.
Both models also allow connectivity to portable devices, such as USB memory sticks, as well as iPods and Bluetooth-enabled devices (including cell phones, PCs or Macs) via optional accessories (Yamaha YDS-11, MSRP $US99.95, and Yamaha YBA-10, MSRP $US129.95, respectively).neoHD employs several proprietary audio technologies. Users can take advantage of Yamaha’s popular Cinema DSP programs, such as Movie, Music, Entertainment and All Channel Stereo, to optimise movie, TV and sports viewing experiences in systems with 5.1 speaker configurations. Yamaha’s AIR SURROUND XTREME technology adds extra system setup flexibility for a two-speaker stereo configuration, delivering surround sound that clearly separates the audio from in front, behind and either side of the viewer. Yamaha’s YPAO Automatic System Calibration quickly optimizes audio performance in any room, regardless of where the speakers are placed.
Adaptive DRC maintains the maximum dynamic range at all volume levels by continuously monitoring audio content and making low-volume sounds easier to hear as music or movies are playing. Yamaha’s Compressed Music Enhancer restores the highs and lows that are lost when audio files are digitally compressed, such as with MP3 files, to make them sound fuller and more engaging.
Both neoHD Media Controllers, YMC-700 and YMC-500, are currently available for MRP $US799.95 and $US599.95, respectively. The neoHD System 2.1, YMC-S21 is also available for MRP $US799.95.
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
@Spartanical: well..there's dogs, water, mother in law, wife, act of random deity.....
KhaiJB
@OMG! Ponies!: I think the number of inputs is alright. Could maybe use one more HDMI input. How it is now you can connect 5 HD devices (3 HDMI w/ digital sound, 2 component w/ optical and coax) and 1 ghetto device (stereo in + composite).
Discofunk
I understand big companies have to earn their bread *blink blink touch my nose* I don't understand we the people letting them sell us every piece of unnecessary piece of... neo crap...
Them all should have a big meeting and define standards. This looks like 1960s to me, especially the spring connectors. Brutal.
"
Upon touching the power button of the neoHD remote, the Media Controller and connected TV automatically power up and give the user three onscreen entertainment choices: "Watch," "Listen," or "Play."
"
Isn't is easier to hit a single source button that also macros the TV on and not have to deal with display options on power up?
Yamaha is generally pretty quality stuff. This looks like crap though. might work for a few people, but will quickly be outgrown.
I use a HK 254 that does everything I want.
Kevin Sargent
@room209: Let me fix that for you:
[snip] flash [snip] sucks.
That is all.
@KhaiJB: don't lose the remote. how the hell do you lose a remote in the house??!
and if you say children then i say LOSE the kids. :-)
Spartanical
@nutmac:
3 hdmi inputs. ridiculous. that might have made sense 2 years ago, but i would already be one short with my current setup and I'm sure in the near future i will have a need for at least 2 more. lame.
forward thinking minus the forward.
Spartanical
@framitz:
ugly indeed. how many years need to go by before companies learn something from apple's styling.
i'd rather own a pc any day, but i've almost bought a mac simply because it's beautiful. :-/
Spartanical
@nutmac: Don't you mean != ?
St.Jimmy
@wooties:
we have a TX-SR805 and it is absolutely brilliant!
Giz's new flash image loading bullshit sucks.
That is all.
room209
@OMG! Ponies!: Many modern HDMI AVRs don't have on-screen displays because they pass through the untouched HDMI video signal, which is a good thing. You don't need the receiver adding processing that your TV will do as well.
This thing most likely will force HDMI video reprocessing, and chances are you won't be able to disable the OSD, so you couldn't pass through HDMI video even if you wanted. Something similar happens with Harman Kardon receivers. They suck.
andyo
@wooties: Yup. I have a TX-SR706, and it's terrific.
mrburglar
@OMG! Ponies!: For $600 it should be able to do at least as much as my existing receiver. I can already dock an iSomething, extend to other rooms, plug in more stuff, and manage it with the OSD, all for a lower price. Given that I don't particularly like the form factor either (doesn't really match anything else I have), it's a no-brainer indeed.
spannu
Needs:
3 HDMI
3 COMPONENT
3 COMPOSITE
plus
3 OPTICAL AUDIO
3 COAXIAL AUDIO
Looks pretty cool. I've been looking for a suitable replacement for my yamaha cavit dp u50 which was running my home theater setup until the volume control went wonky. This is almost a direct replacement, but with more brains. Now the question is, can I use it to run some Bose powered speakers...?
I'll be looking into this.
@OMG! Ponies!: Agreed. Only one optical? And who knows if it even has THX certification. I'll wait for the next series of Sony ES receivers.
@JacquesAss: what if you need to hookup 5 svhs players and 5 NESs?
irfan
@ClothoBuer6293: A house would be nice too.
@ã¶ã£ã¡ãŽã‚Š IN THE FACE!: exactly... i totally expected the back to resemble a top end receiver with that phrase.
irfan
@Xeno: you can still get that for under $400 online.
irfan
No display makes sense when you're watching TV, or DVD, or Blu-Ray, or YouTube. Not so much if you're just playing music. An indicator of which source you are on would make sense. You could turn on your giant power-wasting HDTV for that, but it's overkill.
Not sure about that minimalistic remote, either. Shouldn't there at least be a button for source selection? Or maybe just a few user-definable mode selection buttons? That would remove the need to turn on the TV to see what you are selecting.
jdale
yay. another device with more controls on the remote than the device itself. another lose the remote and be fecked.
KhaiJB
Whatever.. The system looks awesome, and it has enough inputs for video... but my current yamaha system has at least 2 optical ports.. going down to one would be an issue.. Nice idea, but not enough on the follow through. nice starting point though.
mossiprose
While I still have kids in the house, I'll stick to my Yamaha HTR-5660. That new fangled thing doesn't have enough connectors for everything in my entertainment console. Hell, I only see 3 audio-in ports, one set of RCA, one Optical and one coax digital.
GoPadge
Ah, this is so close to being awesome - current home A/V receivers are overloaded with legacy connections. Combining all of the comments above would make an instant purchase:
5 HDMI inputs
2 each coax and toslink in
Binding post speaker connections
Pre-amp speaker outputs
If you could keep it relatively small and it has a nice on-screen GUI, you have a winner.
JacquesAss
Actually, the only place that "media connector" appears is in the Gizmodo write-up. The unit itself-- and the press release-- call it a "media controller", which makes a whole lot more sense...
infoclipper
Looks good except only one optical & one coaxial audio imput? When are the people that make these things going to realize some people have more than two devices that use these? I have to use a breakout box now and it would be nice to be able to ditch it finally and be able to stay on the cheaper side of things.
vicorp
What I want to know is whether and how this thing can interact with an htpc. Particularly one running XBMC.
Nathan Betzen
Less than $700 buys you an Onkyo TX-SR806.. I'd only consider this if it were around $200 or less.
I wouldn't call it a zillion, but that seems like enough inputs for the average person to me.
Especially since it looks like they're trying to target the type of person who wants a home theater system but doesn't want the complication. In other words, the kind of person who needs a Harmony but can't figure out how to program one.
That is sweet. I've been looking for a small AV receiver unit for my bedroom and this looks like it will work great.
kbdrand
@bobdobbs: I love my Onkyo but hunger for a upgrade with HDMI audio stripping and video conversion. Other than that, when paired with a Harmony remote I'm in love.
Xeno
@nutmac: Yeah, this is just plain not enough inputs, no matter how you slice it. Plus, it doesn't do 7.1 audio out? Try again, Yamaha.
dougr650
@DeusExMach: Thirded!
3 HDMI != "a zillion inputs"...
Zillion inputs = 3 HDMI + 1 analog audio + 1 coax digital + 1 Toslink digital + 2 component video + 1 composite video + 1 USB
nutmac
I just want speaker pre-outs.
@OMG! Ponies!: Agreed. Take what it has x2.
@bobdobbs: Heck, my $350 Onkyo 606 has binding posts.
jimothy
The styling is too ugly to give it a closer look.
I'm happy with my WDTV and Denon receiver combo.
Looks like a hunk of junk to me.
My five year-old Sony receiver has on-screen. I like the form factor of this, but it really needs more inputs.
Spring clips for speaker connections? I'd stick with similarly-priced Onkyos.
Awesome. Now all I need is an HDTV, surround sound system, Blu-Ray player, and a comfy chair.