New York, NY–In an effort to increase the entertainment value of home computers and video games, Kenwood has introduced its first line of home theater receivers designed for use with home networks and video game systems.
These products, to be targeted at the specialty retailer channel, highlighted the company’s April home entertainment line launch, which also included new progressive scan DVD players and THX Select receivers.
The new HD-ready Kenwood Fineline receivers feature the flagship Model VRS-N8100, which can play streaming audio and video files over a computer network, display photo files stored on networked PCs or on digital memory cards and play one soundtrack over speakers while playing another over headphones. Both new models, the VRS-N8100 and VRS-7100, have advanced features including built-in 130 watt x 6 channel digital amplification, HD component video switching, 6.1-channel Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES decoding, five digital audio inputs, 24-bit/96 kHz digital-to-analog audio processing and Kenwood’s exclusive Active EQ by DSP. The VRS-N8100 will be available in July at an MSRP of $800. The VRS-7100 will be available in May for $500 MSRP.
Kenwood also introduced its first 6.1-channel home theater system featuring an audio/video receiver equipped with an ethernet connection, PCMCIA card slot and special features for video gamers. The new NHT-815DV includes front-panel game system inputs, dual-source/single-zone audio and Dolby Headphone. A separate, single-disc progressive-scan DVD player with MP3/WMA audio, DVD video, and JPEG photo CD playback is also included. The new Kenwood NHT-815DV is the first network-ready “home theater in a box” system from Kenwood. The NHT-815DV is available in June at $1,200 MSRP.
Two other new Kenwood systems included the 5.1-channel HTB-S610, featuring a wireless surround speaker system, and the 6.1-channel HTB-S710DV, with special features for video gaming. These products offer new Dolby Pro Logic IIx surround sound processing with 7.1 channel capability for listeners seeking the very latest surround sound experience. The HTB-S710 will be available in May for $800 MSRP and the HTB-S610 will be available in July for $600 MSRP.
Kenwood new Fineline multi-format DVD players, are the DVF-8100 and DVF-3080-S. Both players offer slim, silver designs and incorporate progressive scan video output as well as MP3/WMA audio, DVD video, and JPEG photo CD playback features. The DVF-8100 will be available in May at $150. The DFV-3080-S is currently available at $120.
Finally, Kenwood unveiled the VR-8070, a 7.1-channel THX Select receiver priced at $600. The receiver’s other premium features include high-resolution, 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog audio conversion, HD component video switching, digital inputs and outputs, and THX Surround EX and DTS-ES(r) audio decoding. The VR-8070 is also equipped with Dolby Pro Logic IIx surround sound processing with 7.1-channel capability.
For versatility in matching dcor and satisfying personal preferences, Kenwood is offering the VR-8070 in silver (VR-8070-S) or midnight black (VR-8070) finishes. The MSRP for VR-8070 is $600; it will be available in July.
