Audio Video News

Yamaha Corporation has joined the ranks of manufacturers whose products qualify for THX Ultra2 certification.

On September 8, Yamaha announced a partnership with THX Ltd. to incorporate THX Certification and performance standards into the company's home theater components. The first Yamaha component to win THX Ultra2 Certification will be the RX-Z9, a 9.1-channel digital home theater receiver, formally introduced to the public and at CEDIA 2003, held September 5–7 in Indianapolis.

THX, a San Rafael, CA–based spin-off from LucasFilm, promotes and approves high-performance standards for movie theaters and home theater equipment. Yamaha has a strong working relationship with the company, with "roots in the professional recording studio environment," according to the announcement. Yamaha is unique among consumer electronics companies in that it has a long history of building products for the professional sound industry.

THX certification programs provide consumers with assurance that their purchases will perform as advertised. "The THX Certification programs and performance standards have revolutionized the way audiences experience motion pictures and music," said Kunihiro Maejima, managing director of Yamaha Corporation. "Now consumers can get best of both worlds: the superior sound and engineering expertise of Yamaha and the exceptional performance standards of THX."

THX general manager Ivan Fujihara expressed similar sentiments. "We're thrilled to be working with Yamaha, one of the true pioneers in home theater and consumer electronics manufacturing," he said. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to providing consumers superior sound and a breadth of choices in home entertainment products. We're confident that this certification is the beginning of a strong working relationship with Yamaha in the consumer market."