The 4KVM board is no longer in our inventory or available from any alternative sources that we are aware of, and there are no updates planned for past home cinema models.
It may be helpful to know that the 4KVM video module was designed solely to partner our upscaling to 4K BD32 MKII universal disc player. As the BD32 MKII did not have HDR, we did not design the 4KVM board to have HDR capabilities.
Shortly after we were able to bring that update to market, the first full 4K UHD disc players, with HDR, came on the scene. Working with our transport partner, OPPO, and video processing development team we determined that 4KVM would be able to be used effectively with these new players as long as their HDR output could be turned off.
For those wishing to take advantage of HDR, a dual connection scheme would allow that playback option with 4KVM - HDMI 1 from the source connected to the display input for full 4K HDR video presentation; HDMI 2 connected to the 4KVM for audio processing - something both of our companies (Primare and OPPO) have recommended for years in order to ensure the best video and audio performance.
We produced a limited number of 4KVM boards, as we had begun the planning stages of new multi-channel product, and related updates, that would include HDR video (HDMI 2.0b) and object-oriented surround sound processing (Dolby Atmos and DTS X).
In the middle of that initial development process, the HDMI 2.1 specifications and three new HDR platforms were announced. HDMI 2.1 includes, among many other features, 8K/10K video and eARC (which would allow Dolby Atmos and DTS X to be transmitted through the ARC channel and for CEC to be turned off). No sooner than the HDMI 2.1 specifications were only confirmed that HDMI 3.0 would be announced soon (we have no details yet).
As a result, we have determined that we must change our multi-channel product development plans to avoid launching new products that might immediately be perceived as outdated (as happened with the 4KVM video module) by including as many of these new features, as well as few other tricks we have up our sleeves, that we believe are relevant to providing the best multi-channel audio and video experience.
As we have developed these new models, it became immediately apparent that the nature of the new technologies and related software, hardware, and licensing considerations would prevent us from being able to provide updates for past models as we have been able to do in the past. In part, this is due to the simple fact that the costs involved in doing so essentially would be the cost of the new models we are designing without the benefit of the new preamplification, amplification, and power supply technologies that form the essential foundation of those new designs.
We are working hard to launch this all-new range of home theatre models before the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, which will include:
A35.8 multi-channel amplifier
- 8 channels, 150 watts per channel (all channels driven)
- XLR and RCA inputs
- Each pair of channels is bridgeable to mono
- MSRP TBD (estimated €4000)
- Launch date TBD (estimated second quarter 2022)
SPA25 Prisma integrated amplifier
- 9 channel,100 watts per channel (all channels driven)
- Dolby Atmos and DTS X
- 4K UHD HDR switching
- Dirac Live DSP capabilities
- eARC
- Prisma network player technology
- MSRP TBD (estimated €5000)
- Launch date TBD (estimated third quarter 2022)
SP35 Prisma processor preamplifier
- 16 channel fully balanced preamplifier
- Dolby Atmos and DTS X
- 4k UHD HDR switching
- Dirac Live DSP capabilities
- eARC
- Prisma network player technology
- MSRP TBD (estimated €6000)
- Launch date TBD (estimated fourth quarter 2022)
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