At CES 2021, Pioneer and Onkyo have unveiled their first AV receivers with HDMI 2.1 ports for up to 8K and VRR pass-through (via CNET).
More HDMI 2.1 receivers
The first HDMI 2.1 receivers have had issues to say the least. Hopefully Pioneer and Onkyo will have better luck with their seven new AV receivers, all of which come with HDMI 2.1 features.
Why is HDMI 2.1 relevant in a receiver? Well, if you want to extract sound from an HDMI 2.1 console or player via a receiver, the receiver must be capable of letting higher-quality video signals like 4K120 (4K at 120 frames per second) and later 8K pass through to the TV via the HDMI connection. This requires HDMI 2.1. With the previous HDMI 2.0 standard, you will be limited to maximum 4K60 from consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Onkyo TX-NR6100
Onkyo TX-NR6100
The receivers are also listed with support for VRR pass-through (Variable Refresh Rate) as well as eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) in case you prefer to connect players and consoles to the TV first and then pass audio back to the receiver via the TV's eARC port.
Pioneer VSX-LX105
In addition, the receivers support a range of audio formats including Dolby Atmos and DTSX. They also feature AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Works with Sonos, Bluetooth, and DTS Play-Fi as well as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice controls.
Full specifications have yet to be announced but here is what we know so far thanks to CNET's report. Availability and pricing details will be announced later.
Onkyo & Pioneer 2021 receivers
| Onkyo TX-NR5100
5.2.2 channels
80 W per channel (stereo)
4 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs (with eARC)
Onkyo TX-NR6100
5.2.2 channels
100 W per channel (stereo)
6 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs (with eARC)
Onkyo TX-NR7100
7.2.2 channels
100 W per channel (stereo)
7 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs (with eARC)
Dirac Live calibration
Onkyo TX-RZ50
7.2.2 channels
120 W per channel stereo
7 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs (with eARC)
Dirac Live calibration
Pioneer VSX-LX105
5.2.2 channels
6 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs
80 W per channel
Pioneer VSX-LX305
7.2.2 channels
7 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs
100 W per channel
Pioneer VSX-LX505
7.2.2 channels
7 HDMI inputs, 2 outputs
120 W per channel |
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