Onkyo just introduced the TX-NR809 THX Select2 Plus Certified, 7.2-channel, network-capable home theater receiver.

The Onkyo TX-NR809 adds both the Mavell Qdeo and IDT's HQV Vida video upscaling and processing circuits. It also includes Imaging Science Foundation's ISF Video Calibration technology for the first time at this price point. On the audio side, the receiver comes equipped with Audyssey's MultEQ XT automated calibration and Dolby Volume. There are now front and rear USB ports for digital storage devices and Onkyo's optional wireless USB adaptor. It also offers improved home integration capabilities with Zone 2/3 preouts and a bi-directional remote control with on-screen RC set-up for attached components, and Macros for four activities.

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On-board video processing on the TX-NR809 is handled by the HQV Vida VHD1900 and Qdeo technology by Marvell. Vida offers upscaling of all 480i/p, 576p, and 720p video sources to high-resolution 1080p. Qdeo, meanwhile, performs full 4K (3840 x 2160) upscaling of 1080p sources.

The Onkyo TX-NR809's 135-watts per channel achieves THX-Select2 Plus Certification. Each of the seven amplifier sections use the company's Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT), three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry, and the High Current Power Supply (HCPS) uses a massive transformer. In addition, TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs are used on each channel.

The Audyssey MultEQ XT room-correction technology allows full spectrum acoustic measurements from multiple locations. Audyssey Dynamic EQ provides loudness correction and Audyssey Dynamic Volume to maintain optimal listening level and dynamic range. For home theater enthusiasts who wish to explore expanded ambience with height and wide loudspeakers, they have the option of using Audyssey DSX high or wide channels, or Dolby ProLogic IIz height channels. The receiver also includes Dolby Volume processing technology.

The TX-NR809 has one front- and seven rear-panel HDMI inputs, dual HDMI outputs with lossless audio processing using Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. There is also a full complement of legacy analog and digital connections, including multi-channel audio, stereo, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a phono input. There are two component video inputs, plus composite/S-Video inputs for four devices. It also has multichannel analog preamp outputs for possible use with a separate component power amplifier.

This receiver is certified for Windows 7 and DLNA. The network connection provides Internet radio and streaming music services, with preformatted service packages for Mediafly, Pandora, SlackerTM, Napster, Rhapsody, vTuner, SIRIUS XM Internet Radio, and Last.fm.

The TX-NR809 is Onkyo's first 2011 AV receiver to use a bidirectional, preprogrammed, and customizable RI remote control. Additionally, the receiver has bi-directional Ethernet and RS-232 ports for control, IR input and output, two 12-V triggers, firmware updates via Ethernet and USB, GUI Navigation via HDMI, powered Zone 2, and Zone 2/3 preouts.

The Onkyo TX-NR809 will be available from Onkyo dealers in May with suggested retail price of $1,099.