More connectivity, more control, more ways to enjoy your high-definition entertainment. Put this extraordinary Elite® A/V receiver at the center of your home entertainment system, and take your experience to a whole new level. Connect an array of audio and video sources via six digital inputs, including two HDMI inputs compatible with the latest — and still to come — high-res 1080p sources like Blu-Ray Disc® players. With simplified one-cable connection to your HDTV, HDMI protects the digital purity of the signal for high-quality audio and video with no loss, and no mess of wires. TBC Digital Video Conversion takes signals from older video sources (connected with composite, S-Video, or component video), and can output them via HDMI so one wire is all that's needed from the receiver to the TV or Monitor.
My old ELite 26TX finally died after several years of faithfull service. Still may get it fix and use in another room or sell it. But this 81 has brought my HT system into a new age. The clarity of the music is top notch. I listen to my collection of downloaded music via my Squeezebox, and this AV makes them rival the cds they were ripped from. The sound retriver system works flaws with any file rip at 128kps and above. You rip a file at 230kps or higher and you will be hard press to hear the difference. As with any newer model AV system the 81 has more conections than the average person will need. The IPod and XM radio connections are a big plus if you are into that type of stuff. I looked at the other models in this series and didn't see a reason to spend more on a few more watts.
