TAG MC LAREN AV192R

Deluxe Recycling...

TAG McLaren have unveiled their future upper-market audio/video processor, the AV192R. New in shape and numerous minor modifications on the insides, it nevertheless outwardly remains a clone of its patriarch, the AV32R. Effectively made up of 85% of elements stemming from the latter, it benefits from external re-styling as well as THX Ultra 2 certification. Owners of AV32R processors can soon, if they wish, have the possibility to taste the pleasures (after a decent upgrade) of having a AV32R transformed, via fine tuning, into an AV192R. According to the manufacturer, this operation, on offer from Springtime 2002, will necessitate a long return to the factory… probably around eight weeks, in order to realise the somewhat heavy modifications.



It’s also worth pointing out that at the same time, the AV192R will be coming on sale in most outlets. The prices of the modification and the new machine have not yet been given.
According to the US based company Pilote Films: TheAV192R is made-up of the front panel of the AV32R and a new inferior section, comprising composite and S-Video connectors, analogue audio inputs and a headphone jack. This explains why the front panel of the AV32R will be reused and not changed. The increased height corresponds to the inclusion on the new rear panel of the extra interface possibilities.

The main novelty comes from the heart of the system, because in addition to its compatibility with DVD audio, the AV192R benefits from the inclusion of a second DSP, making it four times more powerful than its elder relative, the AV32R. Manufactured by the company Analog Device, this new processor is referenced as 211161N. A few important figures to note, such as:

- the 600 Mflops as against 198 in the AV32R,
- the 128 Kbytes of SRAM compared to 32 Kbytes,
- the 2 Mb of flash memory, compared to 1 Mb
- and the 4 Mb of SDRAM compared to 2 Mb in the AV32R, which is proof of the major "mutation".



The AV192R is thus the first processor of the brand to be certified THX Ultra 2, with, as a main function, being sound reproduction on 8 channels (format 7.1). When you talk about THX Ultra 2 you also have to include the addition of two new matrix-based surround modes: THX Ultra 2 Music and THX Ultra 2 Cinema. Its indeed thanks to the Advanced Speaker Array process that it’s possible to reproduce 7.1 from a soundtrack in 5.1.

So as we mentioned earlier, no commercial information, apart from the availability, have been communicated. We’ll thus soon be back on the case ion order to pass on the official prices to you. In between times, I’ll leave you to discover the manufacturers specifics, by clicking HERE.