Marantz has shown two new home theater separates at the 2008 CES in Las Vegas, the Marantz AV8003 pre/pro and the Marantz MM8003 multi-channel amplifier.

 

 The Marantz AV8003 scales all sources for 1080p output via HDMI. The AV8003 is an HDMI 1.3a compliant device, and provides four HDMI inputs and two outputs. The AV8003 features onboard decoding of all advanced audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The AV8003 also includes an ethernet connection for media streaming, and is ready for XM and Sirius satellite radio. Also housed in the Marantz AV8003's copper-plated chassis are XLR pre-outs, XLR inputs for SACD, and RS232c.

 

The Marantz MM8003 multi-channel amplifier provides 150 watts over each of it's 8 channels. The MM8003 features XLR inputs and a toroidal transformer.

 

The AV8003 and MM8003 mark Marantz' return to offering home theater separates after several years absent. Pricing has not yet been set on the Marantz AV8003 or the Marantz MM8003. Both are scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2008.

 

British loudspeaker producer PMC have updated their entire line of home hi-fi loudspeakers. 

 

All speakers in their home hi-fi lineup receive an 'i' designation. An all new tweeter made in collaboration with Norway-based driver producer Seas features a Solonex textile dome and custom dispersion plate. PMC claims the new driver produces better off-axis response, more detail and can handle more power than the previous unit. The mid-bass units are a new PMC-built driver, and are claimed to have lower distortion and higher power handling than their predecessors. 

 

Stalwarts in the PMC lineup, the 2 way FB1i is now approximately $3600/pair , and the 3 way OB1i is around $5800/pair.

Yesterday the Financial Times published an article stating that Paramount was considering using a clause in their contract with Toshiba that would release them from their obligation to publish exclusively on HD DVD.

 

AV Enthusiast did not report that news item, as there was nothing in the article by the Financial Times to substantiate the claim, and they also gave no source. Today Paramount has responded to that story, issuing a statement via email. Paramount's Brenda Ciccone stated in the email "Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format''. Paramount's contract with Toshiba is rumored to contain an opt-out clause that would release Paramount from their commitment to publish exclusively on HD DVD if Warner Bros. were to abandon support of the format.

 

I wouldn't expect much in the way of releases from Paramount until their inevitable departure from HD DVD, but I'm also guessing they face a stiff financial penalty for jumping ship this early in the life of the contract.

Sunfire has unveiled their new Theater Grand AV receiver, the Sunfire TGR-401.

 

The Theater Grand 401 powers seven channels via it's class H amplifier, which will push 150 watts and remain cool to the touch thanks to it's efficient design. New additions to this revision of the Theater Grand receiver are Sirius connectivity, two Ole2XL touchpad ports and a VIA!migo port for your iPod. The Sunfire TGR-401 offers three HDMI 1.3a inputs and one output. Unfortunately, decoding of Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD are not present in the TGR-401.

 

The Sunfire TGR-401 will set you back a cool $4000 when it becomes available this April.

 

Panasonic is again leading the way for Blu Ray player manufacturers, announcing their new DMP-BD50 Blu Ray player, the first player to conform to Blu Ray Profile 2.0.

 

Profile 2.0 introduces online connectivity, tagged by Blu Ray as BD-Live, similar to what HD DVD already offers. The Panasonic DMP-BD50 also supports all advanced audio codecs, and gives users the option to output LPCM or bitstream over HDMI. 7.1 channel analog outputs are provided for users who do not have HDMI capable processors, or who feel that the DACs in the DMP-BD50 do a better job.

 

Previous Panasonic Blu Ray players have been unanimously hailed as the best the Blu Ray camp had to offer, so the Panasonic DMP-BD50 is hotly anticipated. No pricing details at this time.

Samsung has introduced their second generation HD DVD-Blu Ray combo player, the Samsung BD-UP5500.

 

The Samsung BD-UP5500 will carry the same feature set as the fourth generation Samsung Blu Ray players. Onboard decoding of all advanced audio codecs is featured, as is output of an uncompressed bitstream for decoding by AV receiver or pre/pro. The BD-UP5500 is 1080p via HDMI 1.3, features 7.1 channel audio, and is Profile 1.1.

 

The Samsung BD-UP5500 is slated to hit stores in May, just three months on the heels of their first combo player, the Samsung BD-UP5000. The BD-UP5500 will list at $599.