Integra Launches 2 New Multichannel, Multizone Home Theater Receivers

Integra has introduced a pair of new home theater audio/video control receivers, featuring A-Bus multi-room capability and built-in 2-zone control. Both will be available from Integra dealers this month.

The higher-end model is the DTR-6.4 ($1,000 US), a 6 x 100 Watt THX Select certified receiver that features selectable bass management for the DVD-A/SACD 5.1 analog inputs. The mid-price model is the DTR-5.4 ($600 US), offering most of the same features as the DTR-6.4 in a 6 x 85 Watt package, without the multichannel-in bass management.

The Integra DTR-6.4 provides advanced bass management features for multichannel 5.1 analog inputs (DVD-Audio and SACD)

The Integra DTR-6.4 features powerful 32-bit Dual-DSP audio processing for THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX and ProLogic II, DTS-ES, Neo:6, and the new DTS-96/24 format. The high quality 192 kHz/24-bit DAC found on each channel is combined with Integra’s VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry), previously found on the company’s high-end DVD players, to smooth the analog output, generating cleaner and more detailed audio reproduction.

The DTR-6.4’s 5.1-channel analog input includes optional bass management, a feature that is critical when listening to high resolution DVD-A and SACDs with most multichannel speaker systems. The incoming signals are digitized and then processed by the receiver’s DSP to route low frequency information to a subwoofer while excluding it from small satellite speakers that are ill equipped to handle deep bass. The subwoofer crossover is selectable at 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, or 150 Hz for optimal integration with any speaker arrangement. This feature can also be bypassed with Integra’s exclusive Pure Audio Mode for the ultimate in analog signal fidelity with full-range speakers.

Designed to offer maximum flexibility and integration options for whole-house audio distribution and control, the DTR-6.4 multizone receiver is capable of processing two sources simultaneously, or sending the same signal to both the main zone and systems in other rooms. It includes a built-in port for the flexible A-Bus audio distribution system favored by many installers, and also features both fixed and variable line level zone 2 outputs to feed second zone receivers or amplifiers. There is even Integra’s Powered Zone 2 feature, which dedicates two of the receiver’s internal amplifier channels to directly power speakers in a second room.

For integration with video equipment, the Integra DTR-6.4 features five A/V inputs and three outputs, each with both Composite and S-Video connections, and two assignable Component Video inputs. The receiver features Composite to S-Video conversion using a 3-line digital comb filter for superior reproduction, and all video inputs are upconverted to 480i Component video to simplify connection to displays. For HDTV and DVD video fidelity, component video switching boasts a 50 MHz bandwidth to prevent signal degradation.

The DTR-5.4 features the same 32-bit dual DSP processing, broad support for the full range of multichannel decoding formats, and the Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) of its more-expensive sibling. It provides inputs for five A/V sources and two audio-only sources, including four assignable digital inputs, and one digital output. One A/V input, including optical digital jack and S-Video, is located on the front panel for easy connection of a camcorder or portable MP3 player. There are two assignable component video inputs and one output, with a component video switching bandwidth of 50 MHz to prevent degradation of HDTV and progressive scan DVD signals.

The Integra DTR-5.4 shares the sophisticated DSP audio processing circuitry of the more expensive DTR-6.4

The DTR-5.4’s six internal power amplifier channels deliver a continuous power output of 85 Watts per channel into 8-ohm loads, and 110 Watts into 6 ohms. It boasts a linear frequency response range of 10 Hz – 100 Hz, thanks to Integra’s Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT). The inclusion of a new, more massive High Current Power Supply (HCPS) transformer, combined with high-capacity filter capacitors, gives the receiver tremendous current reserves for audio transients and instantaneous power on demand.

As a versatile two source multizone receiver, the DTR-5.4 includes a built-in port for the flexible A-Bus audio distribution system favored by many installers, and also features both fixed and variable line level Zone 2 outputs to feed second zone receivers or amplifiers. In addition, with Integra’s Powered Zone 2 feature, two of the receiver’s internal amplifier channels can be dedicated to powering a second room, eliminating the need for any additional electronics components.

The DTR-5.4 also features two programmable 12-Volt trigger outputs for the main zone, an additional 12V trigger output for the second zone, IR control input and output jacks, and an RS-232 port to integrate the receiver with whole-home control systems and touchscreens.

Both new Integra receivers include a high quality AM/FM tuner section with 30 random presets, including direct access tuning via IR and RS-232 control ports. The included backlit preprogrammed/learning remote control makes system integration and control simple and convenient.

Integra Web Site

Car Audio SPL Sound Off Championships Come to Cities Across Canada

The Canadian consumer electronics retail chain Future Shop is again bringing the Canadian SPL (Sound Pressure Level) Championships to locations across Canada this summer.

This is the third consecutive year for the national competition, with over 700 competitors getting involved each year. The competition is straightforward: contestants are divided into 5 different categories, based on the number of subwoofers they have in their car, the audio output of their sound system is measured, and the loudest one wins!

This year, the Canadian SPL 2003 Championship will make 19 stops throughout the summer. Championships have already been held in Toronto and Ottawa, and the next event takes place in Montreal, at the Marche Central Future Shop, on Saturday, June 14. Regional finals take place in the East in Mississauga, Ontario on July 19th; and in the West in Richmond, British Columbia on September 13.

Trophies are awarded at each event to the first, second and third place finisher in each category and there are thousands of dollars in products and prizes to be won from great brand names like Rockford Fosgate, Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, MTX, JVC, Infinity, Stinger and others.

The events include fun interactive games for spectators and various displays featuring the latest in cool car audio, video and security systems for cars from some of Canada’s top brands in the business.

For competitors interested in putting their car to the test at one of these events, pre-registration is recommended and is available now in the car audio department at any Future Shop location in Canada.

Additional Championship Event Locations and Dates

June 14
Montreal SPL Championship
Marche Central Future Shop

June 21
Quebec City SPL Championship
Fleur De Lys Future Shop

July 5
Halifax SPL Championship
Halifax Future Shop

July 19
Toronto SPL Finals
Heartland Future Shop

August 2
Calgary SPL Championship
Shawnessy Future Shop

August 16
Edmonton SPL Championship
Edmonton West Future Shop

August 30
Winnipeg SPL Championship
St. James Future Shop

September 6
Kelowna SPL Championship
Kelowna Future Shop

September 1
Vancouver SPL Finals
Lansdowne Future Shop

Home Theater Magazine Announces First Annual Rave Awards at Home Entertainment 2003 Show

The editors of Home Theater magazine have announced the winners of their first annual Recognizing Audio Video Excellence (RAVE) Awards. The RAVE awards are open to all manufacturers whose components are reviewed in Home Theater magazine in the 12-month period ending in April.

The RAVE awards will be presented during a ceremony at this year’s Home Entertainment Show, HE2003, on Friday night, June 6, from 7pm to 8pm in the Windsor Suite at the Westin-St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

Each winner is chosen based solely on feedback from the writer who reviewed the product in Home Theater. The reviewer will have spent, on average, at least one month with the product, and will have based his decision on performance, value, ergonomics, and features.

Commented Editor Maureen Jenson, “The Home Theater team feels it is important to recognize excellence in the design and manufacture of superior audio and video components. I asked the reviewers to nominate gear that, after having spent weeks testing, they had a tough time shipping back to the manufacturer—equipment the reviewers loved so much they wanted to keep it for themselves.”

Full List of the 2003 Rave Award Winners

Product of the Year
Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai Universal Disc Player

Best High-End Speaker System
MartinLogan Odyssey

Best Mid-Level Speaker System
NHT Evolution

Best Entry-Level Speaker System
Infinity Entra

Hot Ticket Value Speaker System
Athena Point 5

Best High-End Preamplifier-Processor
Meridian 568.2

Best Mid-Level Preamplifier-Processor
Krell Showcase

Best Entry-Level Preamplifier-Processor
Anthem AVM 20

Best High-End Power Amplifier
Lexicon LX-7

Best Mid-Level Power Amplifier
ATI AT2007

Best Entry-Level Power Amplifier
Anthem PVA 7

Best High-End A/V Receiver
Denon AVR-5803

Best Mid-Level A/V Receiver
Rotel RSX-1065

Best Entry-Level A/V Receiver
Sony STR-DA3ES

Best High-End DVD Player
Meridian 598

Best Budget DVD Player
Samsung DVD-P421

Most Worthy of Its Controversy
SONICblue ReplayTV RTV4000 PVR

Best HTIB
Kenwood/Boston Acoustics Unity

Best Plasma HD Monitor
Fujitsu PDS-5002

Best Direct-View Display
Sony KV-34XBR800 HD Monitor

Best Rear-Projection Display
Mitsubishi WS-73711 73-inch HDTV

Best DLP Projector
PLUS Piano Avanti HE-3200

Best HD-Capable Projection System
NEC HT1000 DLP Projector

Best Custom Product
Xantech MRC44 Control System

Best Convergence Product
Klipsch ProMedia 5.1 Personal Computer Audio System

Hot Gear
Epson PowerLite TW100 LCD Projector

Hot Gear
B&W CDM 9NT Speaker System

Hot Gear
Polk DS7200 A/V System

Hot Gear
Bryston 9B SST THX Amplifier

DVD of the Year
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Platinum Series Extended Edition (New Line)

Voyetra Extends Desktop Music Creation Lineup with Record Producer and Record Producer Deluxe

PC-based music software developer Voyetra™ has released two new desktop music production packages aimed at the home and consumer recording niche. Record Producer™ and Record Producer Deluxe™ are follow ups and upgrades to Voyetra’s popular and award winning Digital Orchestrator™ series of music creation software.

Record Producer ($49.95 US) turns a MIDI-equipped PC into a desktop music production studio, allowing composers to record songs using MIDI and digital audio tracks, then play them back for others.

Record Producer Deluxe ($99.95 US) expands on the features of Record Producer, and adds powerful digital audio editing with its Advanced Digital Audio Editor and CD creator. The Deluxe version also comes with 5,500 samples to help home composers jump start the music creation process.

“Our Digital Orchestrator series of products has been extremely popular over the years,” comments Frederick Romano, executive VP of Voyetra.

“The combination of powerful audio editing tools with an extremely user-friendly interface makes the Record Producer products perfect for both the home songwriter or studio musician alike.”

Both products’ minimum system requirements are a Pentium-class 233MHz, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, Internet Connection, 64MB RAM, 16X CD-ROM and a 16-bit sound card (Turtle Beach Santa Cruz recommended). A microphone is required for recording custom samples and a CD-R is needed for burning features.

Record Producer and Record Producer Deluxe are available immediately from major computer and electronics retailers, as well as direct from Voyetra’s Web site.

Roland’s Version 2.011 OS Update Turns VS-2480 Workstations Into Full-Featured Control Surface for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase

Roland has announced a major software upgrade for both the VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD Digital Studio Workstations. Introduced in 2001, the VS-2480 series was the first self-contained recording workstation to offer 24-track/24-bit digital recording with 64-channel digital mixing, onboard effects processing, full mouse-based waveform editing, moving-fader automation, and optional on-board CD burning.

The new Version 2.011 System Software features a comprehensive Control Surface Mode. The new mode allows the operator to use the buttons, knobs, and motorized faders of the VS-2480 to control parameters of many popular software-based recording and sequencing programs.

Roland's powerful VS-2480 audio workstations become full-featured controllers for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Performer, and other recording software applications with the new Version 2.011 OS

This hands-on style of control frees the user from the constraints of mouse-based mixing. With its plethora of buttons, knobs, faders, and transport controls, the VS-2480 makes an excellent control surface for use with practically any software application.

The new software includes several pre-configured templates that map the VS-2480’s buttons, knobs, and faders to key parameters of popular computer-based sequencing and recording programs. Included are templates for Emagic Logic 5™, Steinberg Cubase™, and a HUI™ template for any software application that can be controlled by Mackie’s HUI controllers, such as Digidesign ProTools™ and Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer™.

This update essentially turns the VS-2480 into a fully capable hardware controller for most audio recording and MIDI sequencing applications.

Version 2.011 also allows VS-2480 owners to design their own user templates for controlling and editing other programs or any hardware that responds to MIDI control. This means a musician can perform most major operations for supported programs directly from the VS-2480 without having to use the computer’s mouse or keyboard.

In addition to the Control Surface Mode, Version 2.011 enhances the VS-2480’s compatibility with the VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation. The 2480 can open and read sessions created in a VS-2400CD, and sessions created in the VS-2480 can be saved as a VS-2400 project. This provides totally seamless compatibility and exchange of song data and tracks between these two popular workstations.

Version 2.011 System Software is now available as a free download from the Roland US website. VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD owners can find the download at http://www.rolandus.com/support/updatesdrivers.

Roland U.S. Web Site