Onkyo AVRs Include Atmos, DTS:X and HDMI 2.0a – The first two AVRs from Onkyo will ship next month with two object-based surround formats: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X – the second will be a firmware upgrade later this year for the $699 and $999 models. None of the three new object-based surround formats are compatible with one another. These will be the brand’s first AVRs with HDMI 2.0a inputs and outputs, which pass thru high dynamic range video formats to a compatible TV. Both are networked 7.2 channel models supporting a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos of DTS:X speaker configuration. both HDMI outputs will pass thru copy-protected UHD video from future UHD IP set-top boxes and UHD Blu-ray players to UHD TVs equipped with HDCP 2.2. They are also the company’s first AVRs with Apple AirPlay and 384K/32-bit DACs. Their streaming services include TuneIn Radio, Pandora, Slacker, SiriusXM, Spotify and Deezer. The $999 model also has a whole-house mode for sending synchronized audio thruout the house.
Potential for Wired Supplements to Wi-Fi – Almost 40% of U.S. broadband homes with Wi-Fi networks have experienced or currently experience Wi-Fi problems, including slow or no connections and dead zones. A majority of them would be willing to use existing coax cables or power lines to carry network traffic and improve performance. 87% of households have experienced slow connections or dead zones – that means 15 million households. Parks Associates and Multimedia over Coax Alliance did the surveys. 28% of the respondents with networking problems have considered using Ethernet/Cat-5 wiring and 27% have considered using their existing coax or electrical wiring. 97% of respondents with homes larger than 3000 squre feet said they have considered using a wired option. MoCA technology has been adopted by cable, telco/IPTV and satellite operators worldwide to distribute their content thruout the house.
ManualsOnline Has Mobile-Friendly Website – The largest repository of product support documentation on the Internet has launched a new website providing user manuals for over 700,ooo products to more than four million consumers per month, and its client base has increased more than 250% in the past year. A representative said “The shift in user behavior [from desktop to mobile devices]…has been staggering and we’re very excited to stay ahead of the market’s needs and support our retailers’ shoppers across all devices.”
Remaining RadioShack Stores Will Keep Their Name – Standard General – the firm owning what’s left of RadioShack’s stores – will get to keep its name on 1700 stores with billing shared with Sprint on about 1440 of those locations. The company also gets RadioShack’s websites, private-label brands and other property, including the customer database.