The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) has one announcement relating what was the company's hobby, the Apple TV-- tvOS 12, the latest version of the software powering the STB, features Dolby Atmos support.
The announcement makes the most recent Apple TV 4K the first (and so far only) streaming device with support for both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. Once the update rolls out Apple will add Dolby Atmos audio to movies in customers' iTunes libraries for free, just like when Apple added 4K media support to the STB.
Other updates make the STB easier to use-- one can AutoFill passwords from iPhone or iPad to Apple TV to sign into Apple TV apps, and the Apple TV remote will be automatically added to the iOS 12 Control Center app. In addition, Control4, Crestron and Savant home control systems get Apple TV voice control via Siri compatibility.
The VSX-LX303 is the less powerful of the two, with 170W of power per channel (into 6 ohms) and 9.2-channel audio in 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 configurations. Surround audio comes through "Multi-Channel Stereophonic Philosophy" treating discrete sound encoded in surround formats equally through a combination of Direct Energy amplification and MCACC calibration.
The two slimline AVRs have a similar feature set, with support for ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless audio files up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz formats. Video passthrough includes 4K and HDR in HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), while wireless connectivity comes through Bluetooth, AirPlay and Denon HEOS.
The AVRs share functionality with the recent RX-V85 models, such as Bluetooth and AirPlay wireless connectivity and, for Amazon Alexa device owners, voice control. Also included is MusicCast for DLNA streaming of files up to 24-bit/192kHz and support for Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer via either 2.4-5GHz wifi or ethernet. Another addition is MusicCast Surround, a means for users to connect pairs of Yamaha MusicCast 20 or 50 wireless speakers for use as rear channels.
The TX-NR787 handles multiple speaker configurations, including 5.2.4 and 7.2.2 layouts for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio, and 5.2- and 7.2-channel surround in the the primary zone plus powered stereo speakers in up to to two additional zones. It is rated at 9 x 100W (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD, two channels driven).
The Cinema Designer is a cloud-based design tool with a large database of products from participating CI vendors. Installers can calculate and produce 3D CAD drawings, specify the precise location of loudspeakers, screen, seating, projector, crucial amplification and processor requirements, acoustic treatments, RT60 value and more. The tool a generates detailed documents complete with audio and video calibration reports, as well as true-to-room aesthetic renders reflecting how the finished room will look.
The image consist of two rectangles in a mysterious starry landscape. Both are shrouded with a blue cloth, and on top is the Japanese kanji "gyouten," meaning "dawn"-- the suggestion of a new dawn for Pioneer players? Below the rectangles is Japanese text reading "it's been 4 years since the impact. Finally." But finally what?
