Techwatch: Want a new home entertainment system to go with your new HDTV? The Onkyo HTS5400 Home Theater System gives you the flexibility to harness a 7.1 channel audio goodness with your high definition display. Now movies, games, and music come alive with atmosphere and realism. For only around $600, you get a receiver, seven satellite speakers, and a downfiring subwoofer.
The HTS5400′s cheap price is definitely one of its strong points, but this piece of equipment is more than just its competitive price.
For connections, the HTS5400 has four HDMI 1.4 inputs and a single output which is 3D capable plus supports not only all the latest lossless formats but also Audio Return Channel. Audio Return Channel, or ARC, allows you to send audio down from your TV to your receiver through the HDMI cable you use to send video up. While those with set-top boxes won’t appreciate this feature as much, those that have historically routed all of their sources directly to the TV will. Specifically, if you use the tuner in your display or have an Internet enabled TV, you’ll find this of much use. Of course, your TV would have to also support ARC for all it to work.
Additional connections include 5 Composite video inputs (1 Front/4 Rear) and 2 outputs, 4 digital audio inputs (2 Optical and 2 Coaxial), 6 analog audio inputs (1 Front/5 Rear) and 1 output, plus a front mounted USB port for direct connection to your iPod, iPhone, or iPad.
Enthusiasts will be pleased that the amplifier section of the HTS5400 incorporates a massive transformer, optimum gain volume circuitry, and PLL jitter-cleaning circuitry to preserve signal accuracy. Other features include high-quality TI Burr-Brown audio DACs, a new Advanced Music Optimizer to enhance the fidelity of compressed audio files, and a convenient overlaid on-screen display for adjusting the settings.
Onkyo also included Audyssey 2EQ, which ensures the surround soundstage is adjusted to the proportions of your living room. What it basically does is automatically calibrate the receiver and mid-size, two-way front Left/Right/Center speakers and four smaller surrounds. Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume are also on board.
Dynamic EQ helps keep your system sounding good even at low volumes and Dynamic Volume makes sure that the volume stays constant so you won’t have to worry about those loud commercials waking you up ever again. Lastly, if you are really interested in getting the biggest front stage experience, the HTS5400 supports Dolby ProLogic IIz which allows users to reconfigure the two surround-back channels as front height channels and increase the ambiance of movies and games.
Indeed, technology in the HTS5400 is very impressive given its price. With things like Audyssey 2ED/Dynamic Volume/Dynamic EQ, Dolby ProLogic IIz, and HDMi 1.4 with 3D support and Audio Return Channel showing up, the Onkyo HTS5400 is definitely a bargain.
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