NEWS: Onkyo claims world first with one-box, high-definition surround sound system

We first came across Onkyo's one-box HD audio surround sound system at the Bristol Sound and Vision Show back in February, but details were sketchy.

Now we have the full technical specs, prices and pictures. The HTX-22HD is a 2.1 channel home cinema system based around an integrated AV amplifier with built-in subwoofer.

It costs £300 and comes with two front satellite speakers. An optional SKS-11 centre/surround speaker package for full 5.1 performance costs £100.

It's one of the first systems of its type to include built-in Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders, making it suitable for use with Blu-ray players and games consoles such as the Sony PS3.

Onkyo also claims it's the world's firs system to incorporate DTS Surround Sensation, which is aid to deliver a 'virtual' 5.1 surround experience from just two speakers.

Other highlights include two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output with x.v. Colour and Lip Sync support, plus the Audyssey 2EQ auto set-up system used on Onkyo's full-size home cinema receivers.

The technical specs in full are:

Advanced Features

* 2 HDMI Inputs and 1 Output (with Deep Color, x.v. Color, Lip Sync, decoding for DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digtal Plus, Super Audio CD and Multi-channel PCM)

* DTS Surround Sensation Speaker Technology

* Onkyo RIHD for System Control

* VLSC(Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)

* Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction

* Audyssey 2EQ to Correct

* Room Acoustic Problems

* 2 Optical / 1 Coaxial Digital Inputs

* 2 Audio Inputs

* Pre Out for Surround Back Speaker

* Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function

* Remote Control Supplied

* 16 cm A-OMF Diaphragm Woofer

* Aero Acoustic Drive for Powerful and

* Natural Sound

* 2-Way, Acoustic Suspension Speakers

* 8 cm A-OMF Diaphragm Woofer

* 2 cm Balanced-Dome Tweeter

* Frequency Response: 70 Hz-50 kHz

* Max Power : 40 W

* Rounded Cabinet

Optional SKS-11 Surround Speaker Package

2-way, Acoustic Suspension Centre Speaker (D-11C)

* 8 cm A-OMF Diaphragm Woofer x 2

* 2 cm Balanced-Dome Tweeter

* Frequency Response: 70 Hz-50 kHz

* Max Power : 40 W

* Rounded Cabinet

Two-way Acoustic Suspension Surround Speakers (D-11M)

* 8 cm A-OMF Diaphragm Woofer

* 2 cm Balanced-Dome Tweeter

* Frequency Response: 70 Hz-50 kHz

* Max Power : 40 W

* Rounded Cabinet

Technorati Tags: Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Audio, DTS Surround Sensation, DTS-HD, HDMI , high-definition, home cinema in a box

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.