Audio Video News

Onkyo and Pioneer Announce Dolby Vision Update

SV Staff  |  Oct 3, 2017

Onkyo and Pioneer have announced that a Dolby Vision firmware update for a number of 2016 models will be available by end of December. The update will enable the passthrough of high dynamic range (HDR) content encoded in the Dolby Vision format.

Onkyo models slated for the update are the PR-RZ5100 AV controller and eight AV receivers: the TX-RZ3100, TX-RZ1100, TX-RZ810, TX-RZ710, TX-RZ610, TX-NR757, TX-NR656, and TX-NR555. For more information on product updates, visit the company’s Support page at onkyousa.com.

The 2016 models will join seven 2017 Onkyo AV receivers with Dolby Vision already onboard: the TX-RZ920, TX-RZ820, TX-RZ720, TX-RZ620, TX-NR777, TX-NR676, and TX-NR575.

Eight Pioneer AV receivers are slated for the update: the Elite SC-LX901, Elite SC-LX801, Elite SC-LX701, Elite SC-LX501, Elite VSX-LX301, Elite VSX-LX101, VSX-1131, and VSX-831. For more information on product updates, visit the company’s Support page at pioneerhomeusa.com.

The 2016 models will join five 2017 Pioneer models with Dolby Vision already onboard: the Elite SC-LX502, Elite VSX-LX302, Elite VSX-LX102, VSX-932, and VSX-832.

COMMENTS
drny's picture
Submitted by drny on October 3, 2017 - 11:24am

Great news for Onkyo and Pioneer AVR owners. You will receive an upgrade via firmware just in time to celebrate 2018, only to have your Receiver be obsolete by the end of 2018 or early 2019.
HDMI 2.1 is coming and buyer be ware should be the caveat on all $700+ AVRs and Smart 4k TV's.
My advice, if you must buy new, buy an inexpensive low end model AVR (under $400) and just wait for HDMI 2.1

Decibel's picture
Submitted by Decibel on October 3, 2017 - 11:41am

Until I read this..........https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-2-1-what-you-need-to-know/
No need to panic.

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on October 3, 2017 - 2:15pm

Those who purchased a new AVR or SmartTV 2014 and early 2015, know how costly the change from 1.4 to 2.0 was in real world dollars.
HDMI 2.0 (a&b upgrades also) are backward compatible with 1.4, that only means that you're stuck with 1080p and with Dolby True HD or DTS for audio processing (No ATMOS or DTX for you, you need a new AVR with 2.0a)
The advent of 4k with HDR metadata,started in earnest in 2015 in less than a year source material quickly spread into the market (VUDU 4k movies, Netflix 4k programing and 4k UHD blurays). The fast sales of 4k TVs was driven by the fact the fact that source material (4k streaming and UHD 4k Blurays became a reality within a year of HDMI 2.0 (for software encryption and Data capacity for 4K).
CNET conclusions are based on the presumption that source material that will take advantage of the increase capacity of HDMI 2.1 won't be available for years. Therefore, they conclude, you won't be throwing away your money if you buy a new TV.
Streaming is increasing exponentially, and with it will come the demand for increase capacity.
The fast adoption of 4k that started in 2015 is the evidence that the market will demand the source material.
CNET is not addressing real A/V enthusiast. Fact CNET does not review any mid-level and high end Audio equipment (Ask Steve Guttenberg he was a contributing reviewer for CNET).
Their TV reviews focus on sub $2,000 price cost. CNET does push their readers towards LG OLED's (LG spends a ton of money advertising on CNET), but the majority of their TV reviews are on mid to lower cost TV displays.
My comments on AVR's and Smart TV becoming obsolete are meant for S&V readers who I believe are true A/V enthusiast.

Decibel's picture
Submitted by Decibel on October 4, 2017 - 9:11am

I live in China as a long term expat where 1080p HD is still some what hard to find. And due to censorship am stuck using The Pirate Bay for my HD downloads. And good luck finding a 4K Blue Ray around here. That being said I have three home theater set ups. Onkyo TX RZ 820 and 810. B&W and Klipsch. Other is a decent Samsung HTIB.

drny's picture
Submitted by drny on October 4, 2017 - 10:18am

Good to know that you are a fellow A/V enthusiast who does not have to worry about obsolescence of his gear any time soon.

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