Showing posts with label dlna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dlna. Show all posts

6/30/2012

Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel - black Review

Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel - black
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I love this receiver... let me say that first. It does it all! 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs, Dolby True HD, DTS-MA, crystal clear sound. I would expect nothing less from a Pioneer Elite product. I am blown away by the amazing sounds the receiver can produce when watching a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD encoded with True HD and DTS-MA. Uncompressed audio is great and there is no way to do it justice until your hear it. That said, there are a few areas of concern that I have experienced.
1. "NOT SUPPORT" message blinks occasionally across the screen of the receiver. This is most likely due to your component or your display having an issue with HDCP. But, after talking to the Pioneer Elite team on the phone and trying to troubleshoot it, I was left with the intermittent problem. I believe the root is my Sony VPL-VW60 projector not accepting a 1080/24p signal. I think I may have eliminated the problem by outputting only 1080/60p from my Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD (Another GREAT piece of equipment).
***FOLLOW UP - The "NOT SUPPORT" was blinking because I had the HDMI Control turned off on everything. However, the HDMI control on the Receiver itself does not actually turn off (even when "off" is selected and the machine is restarted). To remedy this, I turned on the HDMI control on every piece of equipment even though I am using a universal remote and really don't need it to be turned on to select inputs. The reason I turned it off on the receiver was based on the advice from Pioneer via the telephone. They were 100% incorrect in their diagnosing of the problem. Hopefully this will be solved with future firmware updates. Using HDMI control on all components and the receiver does work almost flawlessly. I say "almost" since HDMI control is not 100% compatible between devices from different manufacturers. You can research this point many places on the web.***
2. The onscreen menu for adjusting Receiver features and setup is HORRIBLE!! Not only is the color scheme b/w, but the text looks like something out of a 1978 PONG gaming system box. C'mon Pioneer. i know the setup menu is not super-important in the big scheme of things. But...
Other than those two minor complaints, I can't imagine owning a better receiver. This receiver comes at a high price, but I believe it is well worth it if you want the best. I ordered from ButterflyPhoto via Amazon, and the unit arrived perfectly. I am very happy with this purchase!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel - black



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel - black

Read More...

6/04/2012

Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) Review

Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've had the Onkyo TX-NR807 for about a month now. It replaced a 10 year old 70W Yamaha Dolby Digital surround receiver. I listen mostly to Jazz vocals, some light pop, and the occasional action movie. My priority is two channel (stereo) music, secondary is surround for movies. Other set-up details: Infinity main and center speakers(see below), small Paradigm surround speakers, Rotel CD running analog outs, Denon DVD, Windows Media Player on PC as music server. Overall satisfaction is high.
Before buying, this unit was demo'd in a showroom against a comparable Denon. The sound was similar on Def Tech floor stand speakers and both performed well. The Denon had a slightly warmer sound, which many prefer. The Onkyo had slightly better clarity, albeit a bit on the brighter side. The issue with a brighter sound is that it can be fatiguing for longer listening periods. This was a problem I was having with my current setup. Tough choice, but I decided to try the Onkyo as clarity is important to me. I like to hear the subtle parts of the music. The Onkyo, after discounts, was also about $500 less.
At home with the Onkyo, immediately I could pick up more details in the music and noticed better mid-range and bass. Not unexpected given I was going from 70W in the old receiver to 135W.
However, after listening for a while, I realized the better sound coming from the Onkyo was now actually revealing limitations of the speakers that were less evident with the slightly muddier sound of the old Yamaha. The vocals were a bit tinny and I was still dealing with the issue of the sound being too bright, although this aspect was a bit improved from the Yamaha. At this point I also looked around the room and realized it may be partially to blame for the brightness. High ceilings with bare walls cause a lot of reflections of high frequencies. There were three viable options: 1) Spend a lot more on a surround receiver or separates in an attempt to get clarity and less brightness ($$$), 2) try room treatments to tame the brightness (costly and usually unattractive), 3) try new speakers. I opted for 3 as the old Infinities were probably outgunned by the new receiver anyway (and I really wanted new speakers).
One of the high-end stores in the area sells B&W speakers and I'd always wanted a set. They have an overnight demo program so I lugged home a pair of mid-range 3-way B&W's to try out. With the B&W's I could hear even more detail in the music, the mid-range was richer, and the bass fuller and cleaner. They did exactly what I thought I was looking for. They made the music very detailed and they were very fast. For those who don't hang out in speaker review forums, this means they respond to changes in volume very quickly. For instance, each snare drum strike might be individually discernable, a cymbal brush stroke may consist of individual strands of the brush hitting the cymbal instead of a constant "whoosh". However, I discovered that after listening for more than 1/2 an hour at a time, that level of detail resulted in a feeling of having my head inside a drum rather than sitting in the audience. The vocals were also a bit harsh. Detail fatigue. So it turned out what I thought I was looking for wasn't what I really wanted.
The B&W's went back and I ended up with Wharfedale Opus speakers for mains and center. These use fabric dome (rather than metal) tweeters and mid's. With these I gave up some of the speed and a tiny bit of clarity, but gained beautiful vocals. They also tamed the brightness. I can listen to these for hours and just smile. A great fit for me when paired with the Onkyo.
Now that the music criteria was taken care of, it was on to movies. I had not really considered the Audyssey calibration tool that comes with the Onkyo to be very valuable. After all, I had managed to set up the surround on the old Yamaha manually. What a pleasant surprise. After running the Audyssey calibration, the surround timing and levels were vastly improved. Note that minor tweaking may still be appropriate. For instance, I needed to manually adjust the level of one of the main speakers by about 1 decibel because the Audyssey settings resulted in slightly off-center results when listening to two channel sources such as CD's.
One of the other criteria I had for a receiver was its ability to stream music stored on my home computer and preferably also from Pandora. Although I knew the Onkyo would do both, I got lucky here. It turns out the Onkyo is the only receiver in this range that will stream music stored in lossless formats. For those who may be lost at this point, music downloaded or ripped from CD's is usually compressed in a manner that removes some of the information (lossy compression). When listening on an ipod you may not know the difference, but on a nice home system there is a difference. Music can be ripped from CD's in a lossless format. However, only the Onkyo will use all the information. For instance, the Denon says it will play lossless formats, but in a small footnote it tells you the streaming software on the computer has to compress the music in a lossy format (192kbs max) in order for the receiver to accept the stream. Not good. What this all means is that I have now burned CD's on my computer in full resolution (no lost information) and can access and play them on my Onkyo receiver with easy on-screen menus. No more swapping CD's for quality sound. No more messing with ipod docks playing compressed music. In case you are wondering about sound quality of the streaming, I've compared the quality of the full-resolution streaming (which uses the Onkyo's digital to analog conversion) with the analog output of the Rotel CD player noting almost no discernable difference. Very good. Actually, excellent. Pandora streaming also works flawlessly.
In summary:
Advantages
- Great sound quality for this level of receiver
- Technologically ahead of competition. Onkyo tends to throw in lots of bells and whistles.
- Lossless streaming!
- Easy to use considering all the features
- Pandora
- Audyssey works well (most at this price have the same or similar)
- Price, especially if you find discounts
- Ability to bi-amp speakers (unit also seemed to run cooler after I did this)
Could be better
- No surround pre-ins for outboard processing (it does have pre-outs)
- No video or picture streaming from home computer or internet
- Sound character slightly on the bright side
Hope this info helps any prospective buyers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black)

The TX-NR807 brings together the very latest mid-range home-theater functionality and adds one major upgrade: networking capability. An Ethernet port on the TX-NR807 allows it to receive and output audio files playing in real-time on your PC. Alternatively, you can bypass your PC and enjoy a direct connection to streaming internet radio stations such as Pandora and Rhapsody. Naturally, the TXNR807 also handles all of your high-definition audio and video sources—courtesy of six HDMI 1.3a inputs—and upscales any video input to 1080p via Faroudja DCDi Cinema. This powerful THX Select2 Plus Certified receiver also comes with Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz, two new surround-sound formats that expand the spatial dimensionality of games and movies. Meanwhile, Audyssey room-correction and equalization technologies help ensure a convincing and detailed audio performance, regardless of the volume level or the shape of your room. An intelligent customizable remote controller puts the finishing touch to what is another benchmark-setting all-round performer from Onkyo.

Buy NowGet 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black)

Read More...

1/31/2012

Denon AVR2112CI Integrated Network A/V Surround Receiver Review

Denon AVR2112CI Integrated Network A/V Surround Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My 6 year old Onkyo TX-SR502 was an entry level AV Receiver and it was time to upgrade. It didn't have HDMI connectivity and didn't have an onscreen display. It also did not have an auto speaker setup and I wasn't quite able to configure them myself to produce great sound. We also noticed lip sync problems when watching DVDs on our PS3. So after much research, I decided that my second receiver would be the Denon AVR-2112CI.
First, I'll address the issues listed above. I now have my DirecTV and PS3 wired to the receiver via HDMI and my Wii connected using component cables. From there, we have one HDMI cable running from the receiver to the TV. Using this connection scheme, we seemed to eliminate the lip sync issue when watching DVDs and were also able to eliminate any delay when playing video game systems between the controls and the actual on screen action. The onscreen display is great for a few reasons. It was nice to have something to look at while setting up the receiver, but it is also nice to see the volume level on screen when adjusting the volume. Our coffee table blocks the line of sight to the receiver and we would have to get up and look at the old receiver to see the volume level. Lastly, the included Audyessy MultEQ XT setup configured the speakers so that they sound great. The real test was my wife who said that the sound is much better now with the new receiver.
On top of these benefits, this receiver has some other great features. When hooking up to the internet through your home network, the receiver can stream audio from numerous different internet services. I primarily use Pandora, but Rhapsody and Napster are a few other services available. You can also access your computer music files through DLNA technology. Now if you have Apple portable audio devices with wifi (think iPhone, iPod touch, iPad), then you can listen to music off of these devices wirelessly through the Apple AirPlay feature. I found this feature to be flaky (time to connect and music stuttering), but when it works, it is a nice feature to be able to listen to your iPod library with device still in hand. You can even listen to Pandora this way as well, so it is up to you which method you prefer. AirPlay also works with iTunes on your Mac or PC. Just select the little icon in the bottom corner of iTunes and select "Denon AVR-2112CI." As I mentioned, the AirPlay feature can be a little flaky, but this may be due to a poor connection between my D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Gigabit Wireless Router and my D-Link DAP-1522 Xtreme 4-Port GigaBit Selectable Dual Band Draft 802.11n N Duo Wireless Bridge/Access Point.
Lastly, this receiver features Audio Return Channel and HDMI Standby Passthrough. If you're television also has this feature, then one of the things you can do is run the video and audio signal through the receiver to the television while the receiver is in standby mode. This was important to my wife since she likes to watch TV shows using the television speakers. However since the new receiver produces a much better sound, she's often watching her shows using the surround sound, something she never did with our Onkyo.
My first receiver was a great entry level receiver for a new college grad living on his own for the first time. But this Denon is a great upgrade and is great for watching movies, playing games, and listening to music.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon AVR2112CI Integrated Network A/V Surround Receiver

Take control of your home theater with the AVR-2112CI from Denon. This versatile AV receiver features 6 HDMI inputs and an output as well as component, composite, and USB inputs to accommodate all your entertainment sources. 3D pass-through and Audio Return channel capabilities make this receiver even more attractive. An ethernet port opens up even more options with internet radio and other streaming capabilities.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Denon AVR2112CI Integrated Network A/V Surround Receiver

Read More...

1/07/2012

Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black) Review

Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been using the HT-RC370 receiver for 3 days now. I read a lot of reviews for many A/V receivers before buying this one. At first i decided to buy the Onkyo TX-NR609 because it had the most positive reviews in the mid-range receivers and it was in the my budget range, but the Audyssey 2EQ was one of the things i didn't like in the NR609 model because i wanted to equalize the subwoofer. Then i read that Onkyo's HT-RC360 was the same performance but lacking the THX certification and the PC-In and is almost 150 dollars less. That was the reason i looked for a cheaper version of the TX-NR709, and thank god i found the HT-RC370 with an Audyssey MultiXT (more than i wanted) and just 100 dollars more than the 609 model.
The installation was really easy and the setup as well. Replacing my 2003 Sony's STR-DE995, i ran the calibration on 3 positions only because i was so excited to wait for all 8 :) I played Inception Blu ray on the PS3 and i was really AMAZED of how well my same speakers sound, especially the wonderful CS10 Polkaudio Center and the cheap RCA rears. i never experienced a clear dialogue like that before and crisp clear high frequency effects and last but not least a damn realistic low frequency. When you increase the volume you'll pass by a THX reference at 82.0 it was really loud but i said i should give it a try. I must tell it is the closest theater like experience you'll ever get especially with this price range.
Video quality is also great.
A thing that i didn't really like (but trivial) is the receiver consumes a lot of power while in Standby and allowing HDMI pass through. It was warm after 4 hrs in standby. I didn't check yet exactly the power consumption on stanby.
Bottom line, this is an amazing piece of art and i recommend it for any one who's looking in the same price range.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black)

To really get your home theater connected, hook up the ultra-versatile HT-RC370. With seven HDMI inputs including one on the front this THX Select2 Plus certified receiver offers unlimited scope for high-definition thrills. Along with lossless audio from Dolby and DTS, the HT-RC370 supports 3D video, an Audio Return Channel, and video up scaling to 4K resolution via Qdeo technology. Other inputs include a front-panel USB port for direct digital connection of iPod /iPhone , and a wide range of digital and analog inputs including S-Video and 7.1-channel analog inputs to handle legacy components. The HT-RC370 employs advanced Odyssey room-calibration and equalization technologies to optimize audio output, and a seamless graphical OSD and navigation GUI for browsing your content and adjusting settings. As a network receiver, the HT-RC370 also adds internet radio and PC audio to your entertainment options. Audiophile features, such as bi-amping capability and 7.2 multichannel pre-outs, help make the HT-RC370 an irresistible choice for the serious home theater fan.

Buy NowGet 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black)

Read More...

12/17/2011

Marantz SR5006 AV Receiver Review

Marantz SR5006 AV Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is by far the nicest receiver I have ever owned. The sound is great and the design is elegant, with only two knobs, one row of buttons, and a small "porthole" LCD on the front. It projects a sort of confidence, "I don't need to show off with rows of glowing controls; it's all under the hood." That said, the design entails certain compromises -- some aspects of the receiver are difficult to configure unless it is attached to a TV by HDMI. If you don't plan to connect it to a screen in that way, this probably isn't a good choice for you. The same holds for debugging; if it doesn't do what you expect, you're going to have a hard time figuring out what's wrong without any sort of diagnostic output on the unit itself.
However, if you do plan to connect it to a screen via HDMI, you're home free. It connects to audio sources via component cables, TOS-link, HDMI, ethernet, USB and bluetooth (with RX101 adapter, not included). It connects to video sources via HDMI and component cables. It can send two different audio streams to different sets of speakers, if you are watching TV in one room and somebody wants to listen to music in another. It comes with a microphone, which it can use in self-configuration to optimize its setting for the room in which it is placed.
Issues: Though the device has Airplay, which allows it to play music from iTunes over the local network, I haven't yet been able to get it to work correctly. The remote that comes with it is a very old school slab of buttons, but Logitech has not yet updated its database for Harmony universal remotes to work with the SR5006. I figure they'll probably do it soon. Finally, and this is not a Marantz issue I think, the box arrived from Amazon looking as though it had been kicked open, taped up, then kicked open again. The cardboard was shredded and the styrofoam was crumbled. I was surprised the receiver was unscarred. Amazon should have put another box around the Marantz shelf box.
The real test will come over time, and I will update this review if I run into problems.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Marantz SR5006 AV Receiver

The SR5006 is loaded with numerous convenience features and tremendous sonic capabilities. Features include a 7-channel discrete amplifier (100 watts x 7), network/streaming of Internet radio, Napster, Pandora and more, up-scaling HDMI to HDMI 1080 video, multi room audio, six HDMI inputs, plus it's certified Control4, Crestron and AMX compatible.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Marantz SR5006 AV Receiver

Read More...

11/09/2011

Onkyo TX-NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver Review

Onkyo TX-NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I upgraded from an old non-HDMI Yamaha HTR-5850.
I looked at the following:
- Onkyo TX-SR608
- Denon AVR-1911
- Pioneer VSX-1020-K
- Pioneer VSX-1021-K
- Yamaha RX-V667
- A few others
- Onkyo HT-RC360 is also a very similar one that merits comparison, esp. with the price.
First impression:
- Box was well packaged.
- Easy to connect right out of the box. I have a simple 5.1 set up, but even the 7.2 seems easy enough. Plenty of space between things, except the power cord seems to be in a slightly awkward location, but definitely not a game changer or something to lose more than 5 minutes thought to.
- Plenty of ports (more on that below).
- Very nice and mostly intuitive GUI OSD. I am one of those guys who does not read the manual unless I have to, and the only time I had to was knowing how to program in a radio station.
- Remote is just ok. Could use a heavier feel to it and a better explanation of what things do. I got used to it or use my iPhone remote (more on that below too).
Pros of this one:
- 6x HDMI inputs, one in front, one output.
- Network capable. I use Pandora A LOT and it integrates nicely, but it has many other internet music capabilities.
- Nice On Screen Display (OSD) of its GUI (Graphical User Interface).
- 4K Support Via Marvell Qdeo (3840 x 2160 resolution vs 1920 x 1080, though most TVs do not support this, yet...).
- iPhone/iPad control app (give it a sec, I have more to say on this below).
- All the standard HDMI 1.4 features (HDMI stand by pass-through, 3D, Audio Return Channel).
- Powered Zone 2 audio out.
- iPhone/iPod connectivity right out of the box via your standard USB cable in the front (no need for an additional (more money) port, though one is available: Onkyo UP-A1 Dock for the iPod).
- PC VGA In (but really, most have HDMI out now anyway).
- Optional Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio Tuner.
- Superb Audio quality.
- Superb Video up-conversion. I took an old DVD and set the output to 480i (standard definition) and let the Receiver up-convert it. Then compared it to the output from my PS3 at 1080 as well as an old HD DVD player (lol) and a standalone DVD player with 1080 upconversion and this receiver just blew it away. (Note: on a 50inch top of the line Sony TV.)
- DLNA (for connecting to a home media system or a PC with music).
- THX certification (just for show for me and the cool factor as I could not tell much difference).
- Of course it does Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA and all the other standard decoders.
- Ability to upgrade firmware via internet easily.
Cons of this one:
- No built-in HD Radio.
- No built-in AirPlay (like some Denon and the Pioneer VSX-1021-k).
- No video out for Zone 2.
- No PC control.A few things to note:
- The iPhone remote is a bit lacking. It does your basic things you expect it to: control the station, input, turn it on/off, change music from Pandora/DLNA/iPod connected/etc., but the volume could use some work and the ability to control bass/treble as big buttons instead of the volume is useless. Two things I wish this had: The ability to vote for Pandora or any such interaction and the ability to fine tune the audio levels of each speaker. Connecting it is easy and it is pretty simple to use. Very nice bonus.
- When using the Stand-by through, you can choose "last used input", "a specific output", or "Auto". If you change it, it powers on. The "Auto" option can be flaky, sometimes switching to something that is off, but it after turning the thing I want it to be off then back on, it catches it.
- There is a cooling fan on the top but have yet to notice it, even in the dead silence of a scary movie, even after having the receiver going for 5-6 hours straight for a few days in a row. Maybe it will later on.
I am very pleased with this and would (and have already) recommend this as a purchase.Update 06/20/11:
- Added the Onkyo HT-RC360 as a comparable option. One of the only major difference is the price and lack of THX. Should definitely be on people's radar! Thanks Joshua.
- A couple minor grammar things.
Since having this for a couple months now I have to say I am still quite happy with this receiver. Here are a few updates:
- I barely notice the fan at all. Sometimes I will get up and check to see if it is even running (out of curiosity) and can see/hear it when I am up close. It was mentioned that cleaning this may be an issue. Thanks Mastercard!
- HDMI Stand-By Pass-Through is not a problem. The "Auto" works pretty well with only 3 or 4 times in the past couple months it has been finicky, in which case I whip out my iPhone or the remote to change it.
- The iPhone app is quite basic but I like it. I can control Pandora, the input, and the volume, which is all anyone really needs.
- On Android you can use a DLNA player such as 2Player and select this receiver as the target to stream music. Thanks George!
- Sound quality and video quality are still going strong / well.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver

Targeting the sweet spot where affordability meets superb functionality, the TX-NR609 looks set to be another Onkyo classic. This THXSelect2 Plus Certified A/V receiver handles content from all your favorite disc-based media, as well as networked and wireless audio contentfrom the internet, iPod/iPhone, and PC. Six HDMI inputs-including one on the front panel-provide support for 3D video and ultra-highresolution 4K video upscaling via Marvell Qdeo. HDMI also carries master-quality audio formats from Dolby and DTS, as well as the expandedsurround sound of Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. Three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and Onkyo's proprietary WRAT ensurea clean and compelling amplifier performance. And when audio signals are output, the 7.2-channel configuration includes twin subwooferpre-outs for added bass impact. Meanwhile, a user-friendly on-screen display and GUI make it easy to adjust settings and navigate your content.All this and more makes the TX-NR609 an irresistible choice for the value-seeking home theater fan.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Onkyo TX-NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver

Read More...

10/30/2011

Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver Review

Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I recently upgraded from an Onkyo HT530 receiver to the TX-NR509 for its HDMI and some of the fancy extras (networking, USB playback, etc.)Some thoughts on the receiver:HDMI issues from last gen of Onkyo receivers?
----------------
Doing a little research before buying, I was worried that the HDMI handshake issues that popped up for the TX-SR508 and TX-SR608 owners would be present here, but so far so good. Currently using it with a PS3, no issues so far. Will definitely update this if I come across issues.Easy Setup
----------------
The old receiver didn't have the Audyssey EQ configuration, using it was interesting. The set up process ended up pretty darn accurate in terms of automatically configuring speaker distance and values I'd normally have to put in by hand on my old receiver. +1 for painless initial setup!Great On-screen display
----------------
The OSD is actually pretty clean and makes the menus easy to navigate. I'm not used to being able to configure so much without staring at the receiver's built-in display (which is actually pretty cool to look at). The OSD for network-based playback is a bit simple, but it gets the job done.Mediocre Network-capabilities
----------------
A large part of spending a little more for this model over others I was considering was the networking capabilities. It was very cool to have it connect online and download a firmware update. Hopefully this means there will be an improvement on the next part: the DLNA playback for the receiver. This is where I have the most trouble.
I have PS3 Media Server set up on my home server and it diligently serves media to the PS3 via the gigabit network without problems. The TX-NR509 is able to see it and connect to it, but that's when the problems start. I haven't pinpointed the cause of it yet, but from what I've noticed, folders that contain "lots" of sub-folders or files (I'm just talking about over 20-30 here) cause the receiver to error out and force you to go up a directory/level and try again. Some directories only containing 1 file refused to open (I couldn't figure this one out). Letting it sit there and populate the contents of the folders didn't help either.
I was hoping I could play music off the server without turning on the PS3 and television, so the DLNA problems I'm experiencing are a little discouraging. Luckily, it's possible that Onkyo can remedy this through a future firmware update.
From Rodney's review, I tried the free Android app OnkyTroller on my phone to control the receiver. It does the job, but the app looks pretty ugly and seems somewhat limited in terms of functionality. Still, very cool idea. I noticed simply browsing through DLNA directories using my phone caused skips in music when playing from the network (too much network activity for the receiver to handle?).Additional thoughts
----------------
-The TX-NR509 only gets warm after hours of use (way cooler than my old HT530)
-I love the 'Dynamic Volume' function of the receiver, it prevents opening theme songs of TV shows from blasting and helps us hear softer dialogue without fiddling with the remote
-This receiver is pretty tall compared to the one it replaced, plan accordingly if space is limited

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver

New at the entry level, the networking ability of the TX-NR509 takes you one step closer to fully integrated home entertainment. Audio fileson your computer and streaming internet radio can both now be played through your main system, with fidelity far beyond what you're used toon a PC. When it comes to setting up the TX-NR509, Audyssey 2EQ works to adapt the soundstage to the unique dimensions of your room.On-the-fly adjustments to audio and video settings are simple, thanks to the user-friendly overlaid on-screen display. Additional system controlis provided by Onkyo's Remote App, which lets you use your iPod/iPhone as a remote controller. The receiver's four advanced HDMI inputshandle stunning high-definition audio from Dolby and DTS, as well as dynamic new 3D video. Further connectivity highlights include a newfront-panel USB port that offers a clean digital link for both iPod/iPhone and USB storage devices, and Zone 2 line-outs that let you send astereo audio signal to a second room equipped with an amp and speakers. All in all, the TX-NR509 offers a superb feature set for the valueconscioushome theater fan.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver

Read More...