Harmon Kardon announced three new AV receivers recently called the AVR 354, AVR 254 and the AVR 154. The first two receivers are 7.1 receivers and the 154 is a 5.1 receiver. The new receivers feature HDMI 1.3, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, a new and supposedly groundbreaking on-screen menu (354 and 254 only) and an improved iPod interface using the Bridge II docking station compatible with the 354 only.

The three receivers also feature the ability to pass through video signals to 1080p. Harmon Kardon isn’t specific on which receivers get the following features: 1080p video upscaling, Deep Color compatibility, EZSet/EQ automated calibration and more. Pricing for the AVR 354 is $899, the AVR 254 is $649, and the AVR 154 is $399.

I’m betting that only the high-end model gets all the interesting features. Still $399 isn’t bad for a receiver that can do both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Onkyo makes some similar priced receivers.

From www.i4u.com