Pioneer unveils high-end multichannel digital amplifier, streams Windows Media 9 files

October 15, 2003

Once again GristyMcFisty found his way to our news submit to tell us that Pioneer has unveiled a new amplifier.
What's special about this high-end multichannel digital amplifier is that it
features the ability to play Windows Media 9 files streamed from a personal
computer. An industry's first according to a Pioneer statement:

The amplifier, the VSA-AX10Ai-N, can play back Windows Media 9
Professional-encoded files when connected to a personal computer using the
Sony/Philips Digital Interface, according to the statement. This is a
digital interface format that can be used to stream digital audio data
between two supporting devices without the usual conversion to analog.
This means no data is lost in conversion and also copy-protection
information is not discarded.

Getting Connected

Connectors supporting the system can be found on some
personal computers and many mid- to high-end audio visual
devices.

In addition to Windows Media 9 Professional, the
200-watts-per-channel amplifier also supports phase change modulation,
Dolby Digital, DTS, and MPEG2 AAC digital audio and conventional analog
signals.

According to the article Pioneer unveiled their new device during last
weeks Ceatec Japan 2003 show. The amplifier will be put on sale in Japan in
November for the equivalent of US$ 4,545. The unit will be available in North
America as the VSX-59TXi receiver model in January 2004, according to a
statement from Microsoft.

Source: Yahoo! News