Audio Video News

Outlaw Audio has debuted its Model 1050, claimed to be the world's first 6.1-channel receiver to sell for under $600, a price point made possible by the use of Zoran's ZR38650 multi-format digital audio processor IC.

"We believe that we have leapfrogged the industry," said Tom Young, President of Outlaw Audio. "Only a handful of 6.1 channel products are currently available, but only the Outlaw 1050 brings this exciting new technology to the consumer at an affordable price. Our unique internet-only business structure and strategic technology partnerships with companies such as Zoran make it possible for us to sell a product for under $600, that traditional retailers would have to sell for as much as $1,000."

The new Outlaw receiver delivers precise decoding from all popular digital and analog surround formats, including Dolby Digital®, DTS®, Dolby Surround® and other analog based matrix surround systems. Outlaw's designers worked with Zoran to develop three additional new analog surround modes as well as the proprietary algorithm for Outlaw's Surround 6.1 process. In addition, the automatic format selection feature of the ZR38650 allows the Outlaw 1050 to automatically switch to the appropriate incoming audio format, without user interaction. All of this is accomplished on a single circuit board, which keeps manufacturing costs low. Even so, each output amplification stage is made of discrete components.

Like the company's highly rated Model 750 amplifier, Outlaw's first receiver delivers all the features consumers expect in a high quality A/V receiver---such as 6 x 65 watts of output power and preamp outputs for all channels---while adding the capability to extract the center surround information available in the digital soundtracks of many newly released DVDs. Now, the sound of a bullet fired toward the audience can be heard to fly over the audience and strike behind the listener, rather than get lost at the sides of the room. With Outlaw's Model 1050 Receiver, consumers will be able to experience those effects at an affordable price. Now on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the 1050 will will be available at Outlaw dealers beginning in February.