Yamaha RX Z7

Description

Product Description

Expanding on the highly acclaimed Z-Series, Yamaha introduces another benchmark: the RX-Z7, a 7.1-channel Network AV Receiver. This new receiver provides an enormous range of exciting multimedia features, extensive custom installation capabilities, video adjustment features and cutting edge technologies. The RX-Z7 performance provides great enjoyment for the home theater experience.

From the Manufacturer

 
RX-Z7BL back panel 

The RX-Z7BL Provides An Enormous Range Of Multimedia Features

Expanding on the highly acclaimed Z-Series, Yamaha introduces another benchmark: the RX-Z7BL, a 7.1-channel Network AV Receiver. The RX-Z7BL receiver provides an enormous range of exciting multimedia features, extensive custom installation capabilities, video adjustment features and cutting edge technologies. The RX-Z7BL performance provides great enjoyment for the home theater experience. 

HD Radio Tuner and iTunes Tagging

HD Radio provides much better sound from AM and FM stations, and also offers new HD2 multicast channels. The RX-Z7BL display various HD Radio data on the front panel and on the TV. The RX-Z7BL also provides iTunes Tagging, which "tags" desired songs so they can be accessed later via iTunes (transfer songs to an iPod, then connect iPod to computer). 

Advanced YPAO 
Yamaha�s YPAO system uses a small microphone and sophisticated equalization to automatically set the best sound for any room, no matter where the speakers are. First it checks the speaker connections and phase of each speaker. Then it sends out tones which are captured by the microphone to analyze the room acoustics and sets a variety of parameters, such as the speaker size, the distance of the speakers and even the sound pressure level, etc. Until it achieves the best sound conditions for your room and you don't have to do anything! Advanced YPAO is superior to other systems because it uses parametric rather than graphic EQ and can be set for eight different listening positions. 

 

Zone control over your home network Web Browser Control 
The RX-Z7BL has a built-in Web server that offers a simple and intuitive zone control solution for use in a home network. To use this feature, simply connect the receiver to your LAN and enter the unit's IP address from a full web browser on a PC, touch panel controller, or even a PDA (choice of two display sizes). The browser will display the top menu, allowing control of power on/off, volume and other settings for all zones. It also allows access to detailed Zone information pages with meta data from HD Radio, internet radio, iPod, XM/SIRIUS or PC music files. By utilizing this powerful feature, multi-zone configuration is no longer a time consuming task. 

Enhanced Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control) 
Yamaha's Adaptive DRC technology automatically adjusts the dynamic range of the sound according to the volume that is selected. Enhanced Adaptive DRC refines the dynamic range parameters to make low volume sounds easier to hear (narrower dynamic range) while retaining the massive feeling of high volume sound (wider dynamic range), because our ears lose sensitivity to low and high sounds as volume decreases, it continually adjusts these frequency ranges according to the volume and to the input signal level. In addition, speaker volume data obtained by YPAO measurements is reflected in the dynamic range parameters, ensuring that these settings are optimized when YPAO is set. 

 

Yamaha network functions connect you to your music Network Receiver Functions 
Using a network connection and Windows Media Player 11, the user can stream PC music content (MP3, WMA, WAV), listen to internet radio (MP3, WMA), and access the Rhapsody� and SIRIUS* streaming services. Rhapsody requires a paid subscription (30-day free trial period is included). The user can search by track, artist, album and genre, and add songs and albums to a "My Library" section. When a track is selected, the album art is displayed, and you can also select Channels for constant streaming music. The RX-Z7BL can also function as a Client in Yamaha's MusicCAST home audio network, seamlessly integrating with the MCX-2000. There is also a USB terminal on the front panel, and of course an iPod can be used via the optional YDS-11SL dock. 

Versatile Zone Control 
The RX-Z7BL allows the creation of four separate zones, so people in four different rooms of the home can enjoy music or movies. It features assignable amplifiers for multi-zone control (Zone 2 and 3) and assignable zone (2, 3, 4) component video out for creating a high quality home theater in addition to the one in the Main Zone. There are also a number of other zone control functions. A Party Mode permits play of the same audio source in all zones in 7-channel stereo, great for background music at parties. Zone Mono (Zones 2 and 3) provides compatibility with one speaker or three-speaker installations, for example when speakers are installed in the ceiling. There is an optical digital output for Zone 4 for sending a multi-channel bitstream signal to a room where there is a separate receiver or YSP unit (volume cannot be controlled via the RX-Z7BL). The sleep timer is functional for all zones and users can input their own zone names using the soft keyboard on the GUI. An RS-232C interface is provided, as well as remote input/output and programmable dual +12V trigger outputs. The I/O assign chart on the GUI is very easy to use. 

 

Upscaling to 1080p from any video input 1080p-Compatable HDMI with Dual HDMI Simultaneous Outputs 
HDMI enables the receiver to accept and output digital video and audio signals to maintain the highest signal quality. The RX-Z7BL receiver has two HDMI outputs and allows Dual Simultaneous HDMI Output. HDMI provides the benefits of x.v.Color and Deep Color (30/36 bit) and means the receiver can handle the high 1080p/24fps resolution of Blu-ray Discs. They also provide an Auto Lip-Sync function that automatically adjusts the lag between video and audio, and can transmit 120Hz/24Hz Refresh Rates. 

Upscaling to Full 1080p and Upconversion 
Upscaling is a technology that increases the resolution of video signals. This receiver can upscale video signals (depending on the capability of the TV or projector), all the way up to 1080p (Full HD). The RX-Z7BL supports HDMI to HDMI upscaling so any incoming HDMI signal will be upscaled to a higher resolution. Customers will benefit from upscaling if they have an HDTV capable of 720p, 1080i or 1080p resolution. Upconversion means that the receiver will convert an analog input signal from a composite, S-video or component input to HDMI so it can be output from a single cable. Downconversion will also be performed if necessary. 

Pre-Amplifier Mode 
The Pre-amplifier Mode designates the 7-channel power output for Zones 2, 3 and 4, while the Main Zone signals are output from the preout terminals to an external amplifier (or amplifiers). The 7 channels (980W of power) are freely assignable, for example, they can power 2 speakers in Zone 2, 3 speakers in Zone 3 and 2 speakers in Zone 4. This provides much greater flexibility for distributing audio throughout the home, as well as providing high quality sound with low power consumption. Setup can be done through the GUI. 

High Quality Second Zone Home Theater 
The RX-Z7BL's Zone Component Video Out (assignable to Zone 2/3/4) allows the creation of a high quality second zone theater that offers HD video pass-through, upconversion of Composite and S-Video signals to Component 480p, crystal-clear audio bitstreams, stereo PCM. The receiver also has Multi-Tuner/Multi-Media source capability with Zone On-Screen Display for Zone 2 to meet the needs of custom installers. There is an optical digital output for Zone 4, for a room where there is a separate receiver or YSP unit (volume cannot be controlled). 
 
Cinema DSP 3D ensures surround realism. 
Cinema DSP 3D 
This is an upgraded version of CINEMA DSP that uses the two presence speakers in the 7-channel configuration to give the sound field an enhanced vertical dimension. Hi-Fi DSP programs sound more natural, closer to the feeling of being in a concert hall with a high ceiling or a club where the sound seems to bounce up from the floor. CINEMA DSP programs have a greater feeling of height that gives sounds coming from above more precise localization. 

Video Adjustment Memory 
The RX-Z7BL provides seven different types of video adjustment for extremely "fine-tuning" of the picture: Mosquito Noise Reduction, Block Noise Reduction, Fine Detail Enhancement, Edge Enhancement, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation. Once these adjustments are made, they can be stored in a preset memory. There are six memories, so six different patterns can be stored. You can have different patterns for different input sources (including a digital video camera, connected to the front panel HDMI terminal), or several different patterns for the same source. 

PReP (Progressive ReProcessing) 
Anchor Bay's PReP� (Progressive ReProcessing) is the industry's first video processing method that significantly improves progressive video signals and removes artifacts caused by inferior interlaced-to-progressive conversion. Video signals that originate in an interlaced format are often degraded by artifacts incurred when the signal is converted from interlaced to progressive formats by general purpose chips in DVD players, AV receivers, and set-top boxes. Until now, there has been no way to improve these signals to optimize images on high-resolution displays. Poor interlaced-to-progressive conversion is especially problematic with large-screen HDTVs, as upscaling to higher resolutions often amplifies artifacts created in the conversion process, making them more noticeable. As a solution to this problem, Anchor Bay has introduced PReP�, an advanced video processing technology that reverts the progressive video signal output from source equipment to its original interlaced format. PReP� then converts the interlaced signal to progressive format, this time applying the source, edge, and motion adaptive algorithms in its Precision Deinterlacing technology to eliminate jaggies, combing, and other degrading effects. PReP� technology allows 480p, 1080p, and other formats to be processed by this method. PReP� is especially good for lower quality video sources, where the improvement in quality will be very noticeable. 

RX-Z7BL Accessories 
The RX-Z7BL is compatible with the following Yamaha accessories:

• The Yamaha YBA-10WH Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver
• The Yamaha YDS-11SL Universal iPod Dock

Technical Specifications

• Power Output: 140 watts x 7 Channels
• Tuners: AM/FM, HD Radio, XM/Sirius (with subscription)
• iPod Compatibility: Yes (with optional YDS-11SL)
• Bluetooth Compatibility: Yes (with optional YBA-10WH)
• YPAO System Calibration: Optimizer Microphone Included 
• HDMI Up Conversion: Scale to 480p / 720p / 1080i / 1080p
• Dolby TrueHD: Included 
• Dolby Digital EX and Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Included 
• DTS-HD Master Audio: Included 
• DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: Included 
• DTS 96/24 and DTS Neo-6: Included 
• HDMI Inputs/Outputs: 4 inputs back, 1 input front/ 2 outputs back, version 1.3a 
• Component Video Inputs/Outputs: 3 inputs / 1 output 
• Digital Inputs/Outputs: 5 optical and 3 coaxial inputs / 2 optical outputs
• Network Connection: RJ-45 LAN Terminal
• USB Inputs: (2) 1 front, 1 back
• RS-232C Interface: Included
• IR Ports: Yes (2)
• +12V Trigger Output: Yes (2) 
• Pre-Outs: All Channels
• Remote Control: Learning and Macro Capability
• Zone Remote Control: Included
• Product Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-1/8" x 7-11/16" x 17-3/8"
• Product Weight: 40.6 lbs

Features & details

• 5 HDMI Input and 2 HDMI Simultaneous Output
• Extensive video calibration capabilities
• 6 Video presets
• Zone Control via Ethernet web browse
• Network Receiver with Ethernet connector, Internet Radio, PC music streaming, USB port, Web Browser Control