The RX-V2600 and RX-V1600 are the world's first receivers in their class to offer 2-in/1-out HDMI switching with up-conversion features. This process provides the most advanced method of delivering high-quality video to a home theater system that allows the user to enjoy DVD and satellite TV with HD quality. Compatible with the HDMI Ver. 1.1 format, they can also decode digital audio signals including DVD-Audio, CD, Dolby Digital and DTS.
Both receivers allow video composite, S-Video and component signals to be up-converted to HDMI output, with a TBC (Time Base Corrector) that stabilizes the video signal. A video de-interlacer superior to any other in this class of receiver effectively delivers best-quality progressive video images. The RX-V2600 can convert 480p signals to HD resolutions (720p, 1080i), and is the first and only receiver in its class to offer the benefits of superior up-scaling technologies.
These models also include HDTV (720p/1080i) compatibility via a Component Video UP Conversion feature, which can upgrade composite and S-video signals to component video format for ease of installation. The receivers allow users to plug an XM Connect-and-Play home antenna and activate the XM Radio service to receive more than 150 news, sports and entertainment digital radio channels. The XM Connect-and-Play home antenna is capable of receiving XM's satellite and terrestrial signals as well as channel tuning, decoding and audio transmission. It is the only accessory needed to receive XM Radio through the Yamaha XM-ready AV receiver. Yamaha is the first manufacturer in the industry to incorporate XM-ready technology into high-quality home AV receivers.
Makes my poor little RXV-2200 look positively outdated! Making me consider trading up.... I wonder if they'd do a one for one swap. They even include THX select certification which would sit in just nicely with my new Jamo D6 PTX speakers.
On that note the speakers have been a welcomed upgrade over the Wharfedale diamond system that they replaced. Not to say the that Wharfedales were bad by any streatch of the imagination but they were somewhat dwarfed by the open area they had to fill in our new house. With music they filled the room efficiently but without a sub and relying on the D8.4 to provide all the bass just didn't do justice to the room. The new D6 Sub however seems to make short work of the problem though. Watching the Starwars: Clone Wars animated series last night really demostrated the scale that could be produced as an ever increasing number of starships entered the scene.
Mounted the surround speakers on the roof has really payed off in the stearing of surround effects in the room. The scene where General Grievous is walking on the roof was conveyed with such realism that I actually thought something had hit the roof above me! I have to say the Jamos have been one of the best upgrade purchases I've made!
The other upgrade that I've been seriously considering and is partially sanctioned in the "Year of Vanessa" is the upgrade of my camera. It's a pretty big upgrade (because I don't have one yet). I'm looking at something with manual focus but without heading to a full SLR so the first two that come to mind are the Fuji Finepix S9500 and the Panasonic Lumix FZ-30. I'd like to have something to take some nice photos while we're on our honeymoon and I get frustrated by the auto focuses on the standard digitals never hiting the right lenght.
