Audio Video News

Integra Expands 2018 Lineup with HDBaseT Receivers

SV Staff  |  Feb 9, 2018

As a follow-up to last week’s Research Series announcement, Integra continues to fill out its 2018 lineup, this time with two HDBaseT-enabled receivers.

Slated to ship in March, the DRX-7.1 AV receiver ($2,400) and HDB-RX1 4K HDBaseT receiver ($400) are among the first products in their respective categories to support 4K HDBaseT, which makes possible the transmission of 4 K/60p/4:4:4 video to an existing AVR or AV processor via an HDBaseT network and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI output. The feature is also included in the recently announced DRX-R1.1 AV receiver and DRC-R1.1 AV controller.

The 9.2-channel DRX-7.1 carries THX Select certification and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound as well as all three high dynamic range (HDR) formats — Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma — wide color gamut, extended (sYCC601, Adobe RGB, Adobe YYC601) color, and BT.2020 video pass-through. Rated power output is 140 watts per channel (8 ohms at 0.08 percent THD with two channels driven, FTC) and the receiver is equipped with 11.2 multichannel pre-outs to accommodate 7.2.4 layouts with an additional two-channel amp.

A generous selection of connections is offered, including eight HDMI inputs (one on the front panel), main out, and sub/Zone 2. With a wireless router, the receiver also supports wireless technologies including DTS Play-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Google Assistant voice control, and Onkyo’s own FlareConnect platform.

The HDB-RX1 receiver is purpose-built to facilitate transmission of HDR-enabled 4K/60Hz/4:4:4 video at 18 GB per second from a compliant Integra AVR or A/V processor via an HDBaseT network and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI output, while maintaining backwards compatibility with previous generation Integra AVRs and processors for up to 4K 4:2:2 transmission. The device also supports RS-232 and IR control passthrough and carries POC (Power Over Cable) and IP Control for installation flexibility.

For more information, visit integrahometheater.com.

COMMENTS
brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on February 9, 2018 - 8:49am

I'd never heard of this before reading this article. What effect will the roll out of HDMI 2.1 have on this?

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on February 9, 2018 - 11:37am

The HDbase will serve as a temporary means for those who don't want to wait for HDMI 2.1 on receivers to benefit from some of the immediate 4k sources (or soon to come) at 4k at 60p. However, and more importantly, for those of us who have a long cable run over (40 feet in my case to my projector), the HDbase makes it possible to upgrade to a true 4k projector and use Cat 5-7 instead of extremely expensive new 2.1 HDMI (active) cables or fiber optic (also active) needed from the 4k source to the display (in my case the projector).
There are other benefits to HD base, mostly for home wide inter connectivity (multi room).
For those whose connection between the Receiver and the display is less than 20 feet, it's HDbase is unlikely worth the investment. Jut wait until HDMI 2.1 connections are integrated into receivers by this end of 2018 or early 2019.
In my case, I will wait to upgrade my receiver until HDbaseT and HDMI 2.1 are available. I use my 4k sources (both UHD player and 4k streaming apps) and connect them to my TV display (less than 6 feet distance) and my Projector (in the same room, but 42 feet to the rear ceiling mount).

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