Shopify AV receiver schema for AI agents: channel configuration, power output, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Atmos/DTS:X codec matrix, and room correction encoding

Why AV receivers are the hardest consumer electronics product to encode for AI agents

A Shopify buyer searching for shoes needs size and color. A buyer searching for an AV receiver needs to navigate a 15-dimensional specification matrix: channel count (with height channel breakdown), per-channel power output (at specific THD, impedance, and simultaneously driven channel count), HDMI port count (with per-port bandwidth version), audio codec support (with bitstream vs decoding-only vs upmixing distinctions), room correction system (with tier), video processing support (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+), streaming platform support (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HEOS), phono stage type, headphone amplifier output impedance, and pre-out count.

AI shopping agents trained on purchase intent can resolve queries like "best AV receiver for a PS5 in a 5.1 room" or "11-channel receiver that runs all channels simultaneously at 100W" — but only if the structured data contains the right numeric properties. When a store's JSON-LD says "name": "Marantz Cinema 60 8K", "description": "9.4 channel AV receiver, 105W, Dolby Atmos, HDMI 2.1", the agent cannot confirm:

• Whether "9.4" means 9.4 (all main channels), or 7.2.4 (7 main + 2 LFE + 4 height — completely different physical speaker layouts)
• Whether 105W is rated at 0.08% or 1% THD — a difference of 30–40% in real output
• Whether HDMI 2.1 applies to all ports or only 2 of the 8 HDMI inputs
• Whether "Dolby Atmos" includes TrueHD bitstream decoding or only upmixing of non-Atmos content

The home theater market has a second AI exclusion problem: the product category has accumulated decades of jargon ("Dolby Atmos ready," "HDMI 2.1 enabled," "room correction calibrated") that sounds specific but is technically ambiguous. AI agents trained on consumer electronics reviews and specifications know that these phrases are unreliable — and when they encounter them in structured data, they apply exclusion rather than inference. The fix is numeric properties with explicit methodology: watts at 0.08% THD, 2ch driven, 8Ω — not "powerful amplification."

Channel configuration: the [main].[LFE].[height] format and why total channel count is insufficient

The standard notation for AV receiver channel configuration is [main channels].[LFE/subwoofer outputs].[height channels]. A receiver listed as "9.4 channel" has 9 main channels and 4 subwoofer pre-outs — but it might have no height channels at all, making it incapable of playing Dolby Atmos with physical overhead speakers. The three-number Atmos notation (e.g., 7.1.4) is essential: 7 main channels, 1 subwoofer output, 4 height channels.

There is an additional distinction between a receiver's processing channel count and its amplified channel count. A receiver might process 13.2 channels (decode a 13-channel Atmos object mix) but only have internal amplifiers for 9 channels — the remaining 4 channels require external amplifiers connected via pre-outs. This must be encoded separately: an AI agent recommending a receiver for a "13-channel room" needs to know that 4 channels will require additional amplifier investment.

Encode channel configuration as distinct properties, not a single composite string:

• mainChannels: integer (amplified main channel count)
• subwooferPreOuts: integer (LFE pre-output count)
• heightChannels: integer (amplified height/ceiling channel count)
• processingChannels: integer (maximum decoded channel count, if different from amplified)
• amplifiedChannelConfiguration: string in [main].[LFE].[height] notation (e.g., "7.1.4")
• preOutCount: integer (total pre-amplifier outputs for external amplification)

Power output: THD, impedance, and the driven-channel deception

Power ratings for AV receivers are the most manipulated specifications in consumer electronics. The same receiver can be legitimately rated at 160W per channel (2 channels driven, 8Ω, 1kHz, 1% THD) or 95W per channel (9 channels driven simultaneously, 8Ω, 20Hz–20kHz, 0.08% THD) — a 68% difference in the same spec field.

THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) threshold

Power output is always measured to a THD threshold — the point at which distortion becomes audible. Industry convention uses two thresholds:

• 0.08% THD: audiophile-grade rating, the threshold for inaudible distortion in standard listening environments. This is the meaningful number.
• 1% THD: a much looser threshold that allows significantly higher power claims. Receiver X might be rated at 150W at 1% THD and 95W at 0.08% THD — the 150W figure is technically accurate but misleading for real listening levels.
• 10% THD: maximum or "peak" power — meaningless for normal use; purely a marketing number.

The IHF (Institute of High Fidelity) standard and the CEA-2006 standard define different testing protocols. Most Japanese manufacturers use IHF; many budget receivers use unstated 1% THD ratings. An AI agent answering "which receiver drives power-hungry Magnepan speakers cleanly" needs the 0.08% THD figure, because at 1% THD the receiver has already entered audible clipping.

Simultaneously driven channels

Virtually all receiver power ratings use 2 channels driven (not all channels) — a measurement convention that inflates the per-channel figure by 20–35% relative to all-channels-driven performance. When all 9 or 11 channels are active simultaneously (watching a movie with full surround), the internal power supply is shared across all channels and per-channel output drops. A receiver rated at 130W/2ch might deliver 90W when all 9 channels are driven simultaneously.

4Ω capability

Many high-end speaker brands (Magnepan, B&W 800 series, Sonus faber, KEF Reference) present 4Ω nominal impedance loads. Some AV receivers explicitly refuse 4Ω loads (the manual warns "do not connect 4Ω speakers"). Others are rated at 4Ω — but may have higher rated power at 4Ω than at 8Ω (because power = V²/R, halving resistance doubles theoretical power). A buyer asking for "AV receiver for Magnepan 1.7i speakers" needs explicit 4Ω stability confirmation in structured data.

HDMI specifications: 2.1 vs 2.0b and why "4K compatible" fails gaming queries

HDMI version determines what video signal can pass through an AV receiver to a display. The practical division point is 4K/120Hz — the native output of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X for next-gen gaming:

HDMI 2.1 introduces four gaming-specific features beyond raw bandwidth:

• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): synchronizes the display refresh rate with the GPU output rate — eliminates screen tearing without the input lag of V-sync. Required for smooth PS5/Xbox Series X gameplay.
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): automatically switches the TV to game mode (lowest latency) when it detects a game console HDMI signal — no manual switching.
• QFT (Quick Frame Transport): reduces latency by starting frame transmission before the full frame is buffered.
• QMS (Quick Media Switching): eliminates the black screen flash when switching between frame rates (e.g., 24Hz movies to 60Hz menus).

eARC vs ARC

Audio Return Channel (ARC) sends audio from the TV back to the receiver over the same HDMI cable carrying video. Standard ARC is limited to approximately 1Mbps — enough for Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC-3) but NOT for lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio. eARC (Enhanced ARC, HDMI 2.1 feature) supports up to 37Mbps — sufficient for full-bandwidth Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio from the TV. This matters because modern streaming-capable TVs (Apple TV 4K built in, or via connected streaming box) output Dolby Atmos TrueHD streams. Without eARC, the Atmos audio degrades to lossy Dolby Digital Plus through ARC, losing the lossless advantage.

HDCP 2.3

HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) 2.3 is required to pass 4K HDR content from a source (Blu-ray, streaming stick, console) through the receiver to the display. A receiver with HDCP 2.2 but not HDCP 2.3 may fail content protection handshakes with newer 4K content sources. Encode as an explicit boolean or version string.

Audio codec matrix: Dolby, DTS, Auro-3D, and what "Atmos ready" actually means

The audio codec landscape for modern AV receivers requires encoding at three levels: the base codec (the container), the lossless tier, and the object-based extension. "Dolby Atmos" is not one codec — it is an object layer that can ride on two completely different underlying bitstreams with radically different audio quality.

Dolby codec hierarchy

• Dolby Digital (AC-3): Lossy, up to 5.1 channels, 640kbps maximum. Legacy format — DVDs, broadcast, streaming as fallback.
• Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3): Lossy, up to 7.1 channels, max 6.144Mbps but streaming services use 384–768kbps. Carries Netflix/Disney+/Apple TV+ Atmos on streaming — at its streaming bitrate, significantly below lossless quality.
• Dolby TrueHD: Lossless, up to 7.1 channels (or 24 objects), variable bitrate to 18Mbps. Available on Blu-ray and some 4K UHD Blu-ray discs.
• Dolby Atmos (on TrueHD): Object-based spatial audio on a lossless TrueHD bitstream. Full cinema quality. Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray only.
• Dolby Atmos (on DD+): Object-based spatial audio on a lossy DD+ bitstream. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max. Convenience-tier quality.
• Dolby Atmos Music: Spatial audio upmixing applied to stereo music — Apple Music Spatial Audio, Tidal Dolby Atmos. Different pipeline from cinema Atmos.

DTS codec hierarchy

• DTS Digital Surround: Lossy, up to 5.1, 1.509Mbps. Legacy format — DVDs.
• DTS-HD High Resolution Audio: Lossy, up to 7.1, max 6Mbps. Extension layer above DTS core.
• DTS-HD Master Audio: Lossless, up to 7.1, variable bitrate to 24.5Mbps. Blu-ray format, DTS's equivalent to Dolby TrueHD.
• DTS:X: Object-based spatial audio on DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream. DTS's equivalent to Dolby Atmos — supports up to 32 speaker locations. Available on some Blu-ray discs and streaming.
• DTS:X Pro: Extension supporting up to 30.2 physical channels — primarily for commercial/professional installations, available on select high-end home receivers.

Auro-3D

Auro-3D is a third spatial audio format from Auro Technologies that uses a different approach from Atmos and DTS:X: rather than object-based rendering, it uses a fixed-speaker-layer system (Voice of God overhead layer above surround layer above floor layer). Auro-3D configurations are defined by specific speaker counts: Auro 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, and 13.1. It is natively encoded on some Blu-ray discs and some streaming content in Belgium and European markets. Auro-3D processing requires a separate license and is supported only on select premium Denon, Marantz, Arcam, Onkyo, and Pioneer receivers — NOT universally supported even in the high-end tier. It is also NOT the same as DTS:X or Dolby Atmos and cannot be inferred from Atmos support alone.

Video processing codecs must also be encoded separately from audio codecs:

• HDR10: Static HDR metadata — baseline HDR format, supported by all 4K displays and streaming services.
• Dolby Vision: Dynamic HDR metadata — must be explicitly licensed; NOT automatically supported on all 4K receivers.
• HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma): Broadcast HDR format used by BBC and NHK for over-the-air 4K.
• HDR10+: Dynamic HDR metadata (Samsung/Amazon alternative to Dolby Vision) — supported on fewer receivers than Dolby Vision.

Room correction: Audyssey MultEQ XT32 vs YPAO vs Dirac Live vs MCACC

Room correction is a software/DSP system that uses an included measurement microphone to analyze the acoustic response of the listening room and applies parametric equalization and delay compensation to correct for room reflections, standing waves, and speaker placement non-idealities. It is one of the most meaningful factors in real-world audio performance — a well-corrected 8Ω, 80W receiver in a treated room will outperform a poorly-set-up 200W receiver — and also one of the most under-encoded product attributes on Shopify.

Dirac Live stands apart from all proprietary systems in one key respect: it performs mixed-phase correction — correcting both amplitude (the frequency response curve) and phase/time domain problems simultaneously. All Audyssey tiers, YPAO, and MCACC correct amplitude only (or partially address phase). Phase errors cause smearing of transients and affect imaging precision — audible in critical listening but not the primary target of standard room correction. Audiophiles specifically seeking Dirac Live are making a technically informed choice, and an AI agent can correctly recommend "Dirac Live AV receiver" queries only if room correction system is encoded explicitly.

Streaming and smart home: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HEOS, MusicCast, Roon Ready

Modern AV receivers include network streaming capabilities that are critical for buyers who want to integrate the receiver into a multi-room audio ecosystem or use streaming services directly. These must be encoded as explicit platform capabilities — "streaming compatible" is uninformative.

AirPlay 2

AirPlay 2 (Apple's wireless audio protocol for iOS/macOS) supports lossless ALAC audio up to 48kHz/24-bit when streaming from Apple Music Lossless. It is NOT the same as AirPlay 1 — AirPlay 2 enables multi-room sync (sending simultaneously to multiple AirPlay 2 speakers) and HomeKit integration. A buyer in an Apple ecosystem specifically needs AirPlay 2, not generic "wireless streaming." Note: AirPlay 2 does NOT transmit Dolby Atmos — Atmos from Apple Music reaches the receiver via HDMI eARC from an Apple TV 4K, not via AirPlay 2 itself.

Chromecast Built-in

Chromecast Built-in enables casting from Android phones, Chromebooks, and Google Home, and supports Google Assistant voice control via a connected Google Home device. Audio quality via Chromecast is typically compressed (Opus codec at 320kbps or FLAC depending on source application). Chromecast Built-in is distinct from "works with Chromecast" (which just means the device appears in the Google Home app but may not support casting). Encode as boolean.

HEOS vs MusicCast

HEOS (developed by Denon/Marantz parent company Sound United) and MusicCast (Yamaha) are proprietary multi-room audio ecosystems. A buyer already invested in HEOS speakers needs a receiver with HEOS — not just any "multi-room capable" receiver. These ecosystems are NOT interoperable. Encode the specific ecosystem name.

Roon Ready vs Roon Tested

Roon is a premium music management and playback platform used by audiophiles. There are three distinct Roon certification levels with major functional differences:

• Roon Ready: The device has embedded RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport) protocol natively — highest quality, lossless over the network.
• Roon Tested: Verified to work with Roon via AirPlay 2 or USB — functional but not native.
• Roon Core eligible: The device can run Roon Core software (rare for AV receivers).

An audiophile asking "Roon Ready AV receiver" is specifically requesting native RAAT — not AirPlay compatibility. Encode the Roon tier explicitly.

Voice assistant integration

There is a meaningful difference between Built-in (microphone array in the receiver itself — always listening) and Compatible (can be controlled via a separately purchased smart speaker — requires the external device). "Alexa Built-in" and "Alexa compatible" are not the same product claim.

Complete JSON-LD example: an 11.2-channel receiver with HDMI 2.1, Atmos/DTS:X/Auro-3D

The following example represents a flagship 11.2-channel receiver (Yamaha RX-A8A tier) with comprehensive schema encoding across all critical dimensions:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": "YourBrand Titan-X 11.2 AV Receiver",
  "sku": "TITAN-X-11CH",
  "brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "YourBrand" },
  "description": "11.2-channel AV receiver with 9 amplified channels (7.2.2 internal, 4-ch pre-out for external amps), 150W/2ch/0.08%THD/8Ω, HDMI 2.1 × 7 inputs + 3 outputs (48Gbps/4K120Hz/VRR/ALLM), Dolby Atmos/TrueHD, DTS:X/DTS-HD MA, Auro-3D 11.1, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, AirPlay 2, HEOS.",
  "offers": {
    "@type": "Offer",
    "price": "2799.00",
    "priceCurrency": "USD",
    "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
  },
  "additionalProperty": [
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Amplified Channel Configuration",
      "value": "7.2.2",
      "description": "7 main + 2 subwoofer pre-outs + 2 height channels amplified internally. Additional 4 pre-outs for external amplifiers allow 9.2.4 or 11.2 processing with external amps."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Processing Channel Count",
      "value": "11",
      "description": "Decodes and processes up to 11 audio channels plus 2 LFE channels (11.2 total). 2 additional channels (for 9.2 or 11.2) require external amplification via pre-outs."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Maximum Speaker Configuration (with external amps)",
      "value": "9.2.4",
      "description": "With 2 external stereo amplifiers on the pre-outs: 9 main + 2 subwoofers + 4 height channels (Dolby Atmos 9.2.4 layout). Optimal Atmos configuration."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Subwoofer Pre-Outs",
      "value": "2",
      "description": "2 independent LFE/subwoofer pre-out connections for dual-subwoofer bass management setups."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Power Output Per Channel (2ch driven)",
      "value": "150",
      "unitCode": "W",
      "description": "150W per channel, 2 channels driven simultaneously, 8Ω, 20Hz–20kHz, 0.08% THD. IHF measurement standard."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Power Output Per Channel (all 9ch driven)",
      "value": "110",
      "unitCode": "W",
      "description": "110W per channel, all 9 amplified channels driven simultaneously, 8Ω, 1kHz, 0.08% THD."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "4Ω Stable",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Rated for 4Ω speaker loads. Compatible with Magnepan, B&W 800 series, Sonus faber, and other 4Ω nominal impedance speakers."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDMI 2.1 Inputs (48Gbps, 4K/120Hz)",
      "value": "7",
      "description": "All 7 HDMI inputs are full HDMI 2.1 at 48Gbps bandwidth. Supports 4K/120Hz passthrough, 8K/60Hz, VRR, ALLM, QFT, QMS. HDCP 2.3."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDMI Outputs",
      "value": "3",
      "description": "3 HDMI outputs: Main (HDMI 2.1 + eARC), Zone 2 (HDMI 2.0b), Front (HDMI 2.1)."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "eARC on Main HDMI output. Supports full-bandwidth Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio return from eARC-capable TVs. Requires HDMI 2.1 cable."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDCP Version",
      "value": "2.3",
      "description": "HDCP 2.3 compliant on all HDMI inputs. Passes 4K HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+ protected content."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Atmos Decoding (TrueHD bitstream)",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Full-lossless Dolby Atmos decoding from Dolby TrueHD bitstream (Blu-ray, 4K UHD Blu-ray). Bit-perfect lossless; not down-converted."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Atmos Decoding (Dolby Digital Plus bitstream)",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Dolby Atmos decoding from Dolby Digital Plus bitstream (Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video streaming). Lossy at streaming service bitrates (typically 448–768kbps)."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby TrueHD Decoding",
      "value": "Yes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "DTS:X Decoding",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "DTS:X object-based spatial audio on DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream (Blu-ray). Supports up to 32 speaker locations."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, up to 7.1 channels, variable bitrate to 24.5Mbps."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Auro-3D Decoding",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Auro-3D 11.1 decoding — Voice of God + Height + Surround + Floor layers. Requires Auro-3D license activation. Supports Auro 9.1, 10.1, 11.1."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Vision Passthrough",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Passes Dolby Vision HDR metadata from source to display without processing or stripping. Display must also support Dolby Vision."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDR10+ Passthrough",
      "value": "Yes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Room Correction System",
      "value": "Audyssey MultEQ XT32",
      "description": "Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with up to 8 measurement positions and 32,768 FIR filter coefficient resolution. Corrects frequency response and speaker distance/level. Audyssey MultEQ Editor app compatible for manual curve adjustment."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dirac Live Available",
      "value": "No",
      "description": "This model uses Audyssey MultEQ XT32. Dirac Live is not available for this receiver. Dirac Live is available on select Arcam, NAD, and Emotiva receivers."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "IMAX Enhanced Certified",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "IMAX Enhanced certification: DTS:X with IMAX remix, −14dBFS IMAX reference level calibration, minimum 5.1 channel requirement met."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "AirPlay 2",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "AirPlay 2 multi-room audio support. Streams lossless ALAC from Apple Music Lossless (up to 48kHz/24-bit) from iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Supports HomeKit Automation."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Chromecast Built-in",
      "value": "Yes",
      "description": "Chromecast Built-in (native, not AirPlay-bridged). Compatible with Google Assistant and Google Home ecosystem."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Multi-Room Ecosystem",
      "value": "MusicCast",
      "description": "Yamaha MusicCast whole-home audio ecosystem. Pairs with MusicCast speakers, soundbars, and other MusicCast receivers. App-controlled multi-room synchronization."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Roon Support",
      "value": "Roon Tested (AirPlay 2)",
      "description": "Compatible with Roon via AirPlay 2. Not Roon Ready (no native RAAT protocol embedded). Roon Ready receivers include select NAD and Arcam models."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Wi-Fi",
      "value": "Dual-band (2.4GHz + 5GHz)",
      "description": "802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Wi-Fi. 5GHz band recommended for stable high-resolution streaming."
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Voice Assistant",
      "value": "Amazon Alexa compatible, Google Assistant compatible",
      "description": "Compatible (not built-in): requires external Amazon Echo or Google Home device for voice control. Receiver has no embedded microphone array."
    }
  ]
}
</script>

Liquid snippet: av_receiver.* metafields → JSON-LD output in Dawn

Add this to snippets/av-receiver-schema.liquid and include it in sections/main-product.liquid after checking product.type:

{% if product.metafields.av_receiver.channel_config != blank %}
{% assign av = product.metafields.av_receiver %}
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Product",
  "name": {{ product.title | json }},
  "sku": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.sku | json }},
  "additionalProperty": [
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Amplified Channel Configuration",
      "value": {{ av.channel_config | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Processing Channel Count",
      "value": {{ av.processing_channels | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Power Output Per Channel (2ch driven, 0.08% THD, 8Ω)",
      "value": {{ av.power_2ch_w | json }},
      "unitCode": "W"
    },
    {% if av.power_allch_w != blank %}{
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Power Output Per Channel (all channels driven, 0.08% THD, 8Ω)",
      "value": {{ av.power_allch_w | json }},
      "unitCode": "W"
    },{% endif %}
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "4Ω Stable",
      "value": {{ av.four_ohm_stable | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDMI 2.1 Inputs (48Gbps, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM)",
      "value": {{ av.hdmi21_inputs | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "eARC Support",
      "value": {{ av.earc | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "HDCP Version",
      "value": {{ av.hdcp_version | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Atmos Decoding (TrueHD)",
      "value": {{ av.dolby_atmos_truehd | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Atmos Decoding (Dolby Digital Plus / streaming)",
      "value": {{ av.dolby_atmos_ddplus | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "DTS:X Decoding",
      "value": {{ av.dts_x | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding",
      "value": {{ av.dts_hd_ma | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Auro-3D Decoding",
      "value": {{ av.auro_3d | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dolby Vision Passthrough",
      "value": {{ av.dolby_vision | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Room Correction System",
      "value": {{ av.room_correction | json }}
    },
    {% if av.dirac_live != blank %}{
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Dirac Live",
      "value": {{ av.dirac_live | json }}
    },{% endif %}
    {% if av.imax_enhanced != blank %}{
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "IMAX Enhanced Certified",
      "value": {{ av.imax_enhanced | json }}
    },{% endif %}
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "AirPlay 2",
      "value": {{ av.airplay2 | json }}
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Chromecast Built-in",
      "value": {{ av.chromecast | json }}
    },
    {% if av.multiroom_ecosystem != blank %}{
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Multi-Room Ecosystem",
      "value": {{ av.multiroom_ecosystem | json }}
    },{% endif %}
    {% if av.roon_support != blank %}{
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Roon Support",
      "value": {{ av.roon_support | json }}
    },{% endif %}
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "Wi-Fi",
      "value": {{ av.wifi_bands | json }}
    }
  ]
}
</script>
{% endif %}

Corresponding metafield definitions for the Shopify admin (Namespace: av_receiver):

AV receiver metafield reference table

5 common mistakes

FAQ

How do I encode Dolby Atmos support in schema.org for an AV receiver?

Encode Atmos as three separate additionalProperty fields: Dolby Atmos Decoding (TrueHD bitstream) for lossless Blu-ray Atmos, Dolby Atmos Decoding (Dolby Digital Plus bitstream) for streaming Atmos (Netflix/Disney+), and Dolby Atmos Height Channels for the physical speaker count. "Dolby Atmos compatible" as a single boolean conflates lossless and lossy decoding, and omits the height channel requirement that determines whether a room can actually reproduce Atmos spatially. All three properties are required for AI agents to correctly match buyers to receivers for their specific use case.

What is the difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 for AV receivers?

HDMI 2.0b supports 18Gbps bandwidth — enough for 4K/60Hz with HDR but insufficient for 4K/120Hz gaming (requires ~48Gbps). HDMI 2.1's 48Gbps also enables VRR (Variable Refresh Rate for tear-free gaming), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode, switches TV to game mode automatically), and eARC for full-bandwidth lossless audio return. For a buyer with PS5 or Xbox Series X, HDMI 2.1 passthrough is not optional — it determines whether the console's native output resolution and refresh rate reach the TV. Encode both version and port count: some receivers have only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports among a larger HDMI input array.

How should I encode rated power output for an AV receiver?

Power ratings require three measurement conditions: THD threshold (0.08% is honest; 1% is inflated), number of channels driven simultaneously (2-channel ratings are 20–35% higher than all-channels-driven), and impedance (8Ω vs 4Ω). Encode at minimum Power Output Per Channel (2ch driven, 0.08% THD, 8Ω) and — if available — Power Output Per Channel (all channels driven, 0.08% THD, 8Ω). For speakers with 4Ω nominal impedance, add a 4Ω Stable boolean and, if rated, the 4Ω power figure. A "100W" headline with no methodology tells AI agents nothing about real-world performance.

What is Dirac Live and how is it different from Audyssey MultEQ XT32?

Both are room correction systems using measurement microphones, but they differ in fundamental methodology. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 performs amplitude correction (frequency response equalization) at 32,768 FIR coefficient resolution — addressing volume-level imbalances across frequency. Dirac Live performs mixed-phase correction, simultaneously addressing amplitude AND phase/time domain errors — the latter affects transient smearing and stereo imaging precision. Dirac Live is generally considered superior in critical listening environments, is available on select Arcam, NAD, Emotiva, and Rotel receivers, and is sometimes available as a paid software upgrade on some Denon/Marantz receivers. Encode the exact system name and tier — "room correction: Yes" is insufficient for audiophile buyers making Dirac-specific purchase decisions.

How do I encode eARC vs ARC support and why does the difference matter?

ARC (available since HDMI 1.4) has approximately 1Mbps audio bandwidth — enough for Dolby Digital 5.1 (640kbps) and DTS 5.1 (1.509Mbps) but NOT Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio lossless. eARC (HDMI 2.1 feature) supports approximately 37Mbps — sufficient for full-bandwidth Dolby TrueHD Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio returned from the TV. This distinction matters for buyers using streaming apps on a smart TV, Apple TV 4K, or Roku Ultra: with eARC, the TV can pass full-lossless Atmos to the receiver. Without eARC (ARC only), Atmos degrades to lossy Dolby Digital Plus even from a lossless source. Encode eARC: "Yes" as a distinct property from ARC: "Yes".