Audio Features
Video Features
Network Functions
USB/iPod Connectivity
Multi-Zone Capability
Radio Functions
Convenience Features
Remote Control

Audio Features

WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology): This technology uses low-negative-feedback circuit topology for accurate signal reproduction, improved dynamic signal-to-noise ratio, and better delivery of power peaks.

3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry: The TX-NR609 employs 3-stage inverted Darlington circuitry for ultra-low distortion and less jitter.

H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply): The Onkyo TX-NR609 is equipped with a H.C.P.S. massive high power transformer to keep your music sounding great at low and high volume levels.

Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry: Optimum Gain Volume Control adjusts the gain so that less than half the amount of attenuation is needed, ensuring the signal never comes close to the noise floor. This protects the signal against noise, resulting in a dramatically clearer sound.

Burr-Brown DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters): This receiver is equipped with 192kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown DACs to decode and playback high-resolution recordings with less jitter and clearer sound.

32-Bit Processing DSP: The Onkyo TX-NR609 is equipped with a powerful and highly accurate 32-bit processing DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for better surround sound reproduction.

THX Select2 Plus Certified: The TX-NR609 is THX Select2 Plus certified. THX surround technology was founded by George Lucas and utilizes stringent standards that ensure movies are reproduced in movie theaters and home theaters just as the director intended. THX Select2 Plus requirements define hundreds of parameters, including - amplifier performance, preamplifier performance, and operation for both digital & analog domains.

THX Loudness Plus: THX Loudness Plus is a volume control technology featured in THX Ultra2 Plus and THX Select2 Plus certified receivers. With THX Loudness Plus, home theater audiences can experience the rich details in a surround mix at any volume level. THX Loudness Plus compensates for the tonal and spatial shifts that occur when the volume is reduced by intelligently adjusting ambient surround channel levels and frequency response. The THX Loudness Plus feature can be applied when listening in any THX listening mode.

Listening Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of listening modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. You can assign a default listening mode to each input source so that listening mode will be selected automatically when you select the corresponding input source. The following audio formats are supported by the receiver's Listening Mode - Mono, Stereo, 5.1-channel, and 7.1-channel.

Note: Dolby Digital and DTS listening modes can only be selected if your audio source is connected to the A/V receiver via a digital audio connection (HDMI, optical, or coaxial). To enjoy true 7.1ch Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS-HD surround sound, the receiver must be connected to your Blu-ray player via HDMI.

Dolby Pro Logic II Music Settings: While listening in the Dolby Pro Logic II Music format, there are three further enhancements you can adjust:

• Panorama: Broadens the front stereo image to the surround speakers to provide a wraparound effect, especially effective when there is limited output from the surround channels, panorama can be turned on/off in the menu.
• Dimension: Allows you to move the sound field forward or backward.
• Center Width: Allows you to adjust the width of the center channel.

Center Image: In the Neo:6 Music mode, the Center Image feature adjusts the output of the left and right channels relative to the center channel, allowing you to make the center channel more or less dominant as needed. This improves the image of the center channel, especially when the listener is off-center. Adjustment varies from 5 (nothing subtracted from the L/R channels) to 0 (L/R channel output is cut in half).

Listening Angle: While listening in the Theater Dimensional mode you can adjust the listening angle to either Wide (if listening angle is 40-degrees) or Narrow (if listening angle is 20-degrees).

Audyssey 2EQ Automatic Speaker Setup: With the supplied speaker setup microphone, Audyssey 2EQ can measure the number of speakers connected, their sizes, crossover frequencies and distances front he listening position and calculate the optimal speaker setting for you automatically. The supplied microphone includes an attached 19.5' cable that plugs into the Setup Mic input on front of the receiver. There is a threaded insert on the bottom of the microphone so it can be mounted on a tripod for accurate listening position placement. Three listening position measurements are taken, one primary and two secondary, to optimize the surround effect for a broad area. You can also setup your speaker system manually using the receiver.

• Subwoofer: Yes or No for subwoofer connection.
• Crossover: Set the crossover point for each set of speakers (front, center, surround, surround back/front high) and the subwoofer individually. The speaker crossovers can bet set to full bandwidth, 40 Hz, 50 Hz, 60 Hz, 70 Hz, 80 Hz (THX standard), 90 Hz, 100 Hz, 120 Hz, 150 Hz, or 200 Hz. The subwoofer crossover can be set to bypass, 80, 90, 100, or 120Hz.
• Equalizer Settings: With the Equalizer settings, you can adjust the tone of the speakers and subwoofer individually with a 5-band EQ. You can adjust each frequency band (63, 250, 1000, 4000, and 16000Hz) for each speaker from -6dB to +6dB. You can also adjust each frequency band (25, 40, 63, 100, and 160Hz) for the subwoofer from -6 dB to +6 dB.
• Speaker Distance: The distance from the listening position to each speaker can be set from six inches to 30 feet in six inch increments.
• Speaker Levels: The output level of each speaker is adjustable +/-12dB; -15dB to +12dB for the subwoofer.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ solves the problem of deteriorating sound quality as volume is decreased by taking into account human perception and room acoustics. Dynamic EQ selects the best possible frequency response and surround levels moment-by-moment as volume is changed. The result is bass response, tonal balance and surround impression that remain constant despite changes in volume. Audyssey Dynamic EQ combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a prerequisite for delivering a loudness correction solution. Audyssey Dynamic EQ works in tandem with Audyssey 2EQ to provide well-balanced sound for every listener at any volume level.

Audyssey Dynamic Volume: Audyssey Dynamic Volume solves the problem of large variations in volume level between television programs, commercials, and between the soft and loud passages of movies. Dynamic Volume looks at the preferred volume setting by t he user and then monitors how the volume of program material is being perceived by listeners in real time to decide whether an adjustment is needed. Whenever necessary, Dynamic Volume makes the necessary rapid or gradual adjustments to maintain the desired playback volume level while optimizing the dynamic range. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is integrated in Dynamic Volume so that as the playback volume is adjusted automatically, the perceived bass response, tonal balance, surround impression, and dialog clarity remain the same whether watching movies, flipping between television channels, or changing from stereo to surround sound content.

Bass And Treble: You can independently adjust the Bass (50Hz) and Treble (20kHz) of the TX-NR609 from -10 to +10 dB.

Double Bass: This setting boosts the bass output by feeding bass sound from the front left, right, and center channels to the subwoofer.

Music Optimizer: The Music Optimizer function enhances the sound quality of compressed music files. The Music Optimizer function only works with PCM digital audio input signals with a sampling rate below 48kHz and analog input signals.

Re-EQ: With the Re-EQ function, you can compensate for harsh high-frequency content, making it more suitable for listening.

Late Night Feature: The Late Night feature limits the dynamic range of Dolby Digital recordings. Limiting the dynamic range makes it easier to find a volume that ensures the quiet sounds are not too quiet and the loud sounds are not too loud for night time listening. This allows you to comfortably listen to without the need to constantly adjust the volume to keep from waking family/neighbors. The choices are: Off, Low, and High.

Note: This feature only works with Dolby Digital Encoded software and the depth of the feature will vary based on the individual software package.

Bi-Amping Front Speakers: The Surround-Back/Front-High speaker terminals can be reassigned and used along with the Front terminals to bi-amp the front speakers, providing improved bass and treble performance. When bi-amping the front speakers the receiver is limited to a 5.1ch speaker system in the main room.

ARC (Audio Return Channel): This feature allows audio to be sent from your compatible HDTV to your receiver through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your HDTV. This eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your television.

Assignable Digital Inputs: The Onkyo receiver is equipped with two optical digital inputs and two coaxial digital inputs. All four digital inputs are assignable. You can choose auto decoding , PCM, or DTS for the digital audio inputs. Auto will decode the signal in its original form (Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM, etc), PCM decodes the signal to 2-channel, while DTS decodes only DTS formatted sources.

Binding-Post Speaker Terminals: There are color-coded binding-post terminals for the following speaker connections - Front, Center, Surround, and Surround Back/Front High. The binding post terminals will accept bare-wire, pin-connectors, and banana plugs (single/dual). The Zone 2 speaker outputs use color-coded spring-clip terminals, which will accept bare-wire or pin-connectors.

Headphones: When headphones are plugged into the full-size 1/4" jack on the front panel, all the main speakers are automatically muted (the Powered Zone 2 speakers are not muted).

Note: When you connect an iPod or iPhone to the USB port on this receiver, no sound will be output from the headphone jack.

VideoFeatures

HDMI (v1.4): The TX-NR609 has six assignable HDMI v1.4 inputs (5 rear/1 front) and one HDMI v1.4 output for connecting DVD players, HDTV set-top boxes, and other video components to your TV or projector. The receiver's HDMI circuitry allows the receiver to output an HDMI audio signal from its speaker outputs, headphone out, and HDMI out so you don't have to run and additional analog or digital cable. The HDMI inputs can accept and switch 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p video signals to a HDTV. The HDMI inputs will support uncompressed standard or high definition digital video along with the following audio signals: 2-channel linear PCM, Multichannel linear PCM, and Bitstream. Each HDMI input is assignable.

Marvel Qdeo Video Chip for 4K Upscaling: The Onkyo TX-NR609 utilizes a Marvel Qdeo Video Chip for 4K Upscaling and video processing. The Marvel Qdeo Video Chip produces quiet and natural video, free from noise and artifacts. Analog video signals (composite/component/PC) are converted to HDMI and can be scaled to the resolution set in the menu: Through (no scaling), Auto (automatically scaled to the highest resolution supported by the display), 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p.

HDMI Through: When enabling the HDMI Through function, regardless of whether the AV receiver is "on" or in "standby" both audio and video streams from an HDMI input will be output to your television, via the receiver HDMI monitor output. You can select between 3 HDMI Through functions modes.

• Auto: Detects the signal and automatically selects the input sources.
• Source: Selects the input source (BD/DVD, VCR/DVR, CBL/SAT, Game, PC, Aux, TV/CD, Port) for which the HDMI Through function in enabled.
• Last: The HDMI Through function is activated on the input source selected at the time of setting the AV receiver to the "standby" mode.

3D-Compatible: The TX-NR609's HDMI v.1.4 connections will accept 3D video from your 3D-ready Blu-ray player and output the video signal in 3D to your 3D-ready HDTV.

x.v.Color: The AV receiver supports x.v.Color, offering a wider color range than the current broadcast standard. For the x.v.Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Deep Color: The Onkyo receiver also supports Deep Color which allows the color depth of video signals passing through HDMI to be raised. The number of colors that could be expressed by 1 pixel was 24 bits (16,777,216 colors) with a standard HDMI jack. However, the number of colors which can be expressed by 1 pixel is 36 bits with a Deep Color enabled HDMI jack. Since the gradation of the depth of a color can be expressed more finely with more bits, continuous color changes can be more smoothly expressed. For the Deep Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Note: x.v. Color and Deep Color technology are supported only when source product, HDMI cable, media and HDTV all support those features.

Auto Lip Sync: The Lip Sync function can automatically synchronize HDMI audio and video that has gotten out of sync due to the complex digital video processing being performed by your HDMI-compatible TV. With HDMI Lip Sync, the audio delay required to synchronize the audio and video is calculated and applied automatically by the AV receiver.

A/V Sync Control: Occasionally, you may need to manually adjust the audio/video signals that are not properly synchronized manually. Typically when using a progressive scanning DVD player. You can correct this by delaying the audio; options are 0 (no delay) to 800 milliseconds, in 10 millisecond steps.

Component Video: There are 2 component video inputs and 1 component video output. The component video inputs and outputs have a bandwidth of 5Hz to 100MHz.

Picture Adjust: Using the Picture Adjust feature, you can adjust the picture quality and reduce any noise appearing on your TV screen.

• Wide Mode: Auto, Full, Zoom, Wide Zoom, or 4:3.
• Picture Mode: Custom (Brightness/Contrast/Hue/Saturation/Color Temp), Cinema (for movies), Game (for gaming), Through (changes resolution), Direct (no adjustment).
• Picture Settings: Film Mode (video or film), Edge Enhancement (sharpens image), Noise Reduction (reduce noise)

Network Functions

NetworkReady: The Onkyo TX-NR609 A/V receiver is network-ready, which means you can connect it to your home network with a standard Ethernet cable and enjoy the music files stored on your computer or media server. If your network is connected to the Internet (broadband), you can also enjoy Internet radio.

Ethernet Connection (LAN): Connecting the A/V receiver's Ethernet (RJ-45) port to a 100Base-TX switched Ethernet network is recommended for best results. Use a shielded CAT-5 Ethernet cable to connect the receiver to your home network.

Note: The TX-NR609 is also compatible with Onkyo's Wireless LAN Adapter (580UWF1, sold separately), for a wireless (WiFi) connection to your home network. If you want use the UWF-1 with the Onkyo A/V receiver, you will first have to perform a firmware update via a hardwired Ethernet connection.

Internet Radio: The Onkyo TX-NR609 lets you access various Internet Radio providers through its Ethernet network connection. The TX-NR609 will display station name and program-related information, such as - artist name, song title, and elapsed playing time. You can preset up to 40 of your "favorite" Internet radio stations for easy recall.

Note: To receive Internet radio, your Ethernet network must have Internet access. Internet URLs in the following formats are supported: PLS, M3U, and podcast (RSS). However, depending on the type of data or audio format used by the Internet radio station, you may not be able to listen to some stations.

Media Server Playback: You can play back music files stored on your computer or media server (the TX-NR609 is DLNA certified). Compatible music file formats include MP3 (8-320 kbps), WMA (47-320k bps), WMA Lossless (16/24-bit), WAV (8/16/24-bit), AAC (8-320 kbps), FLAC (16/24-bit), Ogg Vorbis (48-500 kbps), and LPCM (8/16/24-bit). Each folder on the server may contain up to 20,000 music files, and folders may be nested up to 16 levels deep.

Media Server Requirements: The receiver can play digital music files stored on a computer or media server using the following technologies.

• Windows Media Player 11 or 12
• Windows Media Connect 2.0
• DLNA-Compatible Media Server

PC Input: The AV receiver is equipped with a rear-panel PC input (15-pin D-sub) which allows you to connect your PC to the AV receiver and use your HDMI connected television as a computer monitor. This is a video input only.

Firmware Updates: Future firmware updates are available from the Onkyo website through the receiver's Network or USB connection. Visit http://www.onkyousa.com/download/software.cfm for the latest firmware updates.

USB/iPod Connectivity

Front-Panel USB Port: A USB MSC (Mass Storage Class) memory device can be connected to the USB (type-A) terminal located on the front-panel, allowing you to play music files through the receiver. Your USB MSC device must be formatted in FAT16 or FAT32. Compatible music file formats include MP3 (8-320 kbps), WMA (47-320k bps), WMA Lossless (16/24-bit), WAV (8/16/24-bit), AAC (8-320 kbps), FLAC (16/24-bit), Ogg Vorbis (48-500 kbps), and LPCM (8/16/24-bit). The receiver can recognize up to 20,000 music files in each folder. You can control basic playback functions of your connected USB device's music from the included remote control, such as - Folder/File Select, Play/Pause, Stop, Fast Forward/Rewind, Skip (next/previous), and Repeat/Random. MP3 players containing music files that are managed with special music software are not supported.

iPod/iPhone Direct: The Onkyo TX-NR609 supports audio/video playback, metadata display, control, and charging of select Apple iPods and iPhones. The iPod/iPhone is controlled by the receiver's remote, or you can continue to control your iPod/iPhone from its clickwheel or touchscreen. Your iPod/iPhone's battery will be charged while connected to the receiver.

• iPod/iPhone Audio Playback: Using a USB-to-iPod Dock cable plugged into the front-panel USB port, music can be played directly from an iPod/iPhone, bypassing the iPod/iPhone's DAC. Song/artist information and elapsed time are displayed on the receiver's front-panel display and your connected TV screen (via HDMI only). You can navigate your iPod/iPhone's music using the on-screen menu and remote control by Playlist, Artist, Album Genre, Song, or Composer. You can also shuffle the playback of your iPod/iPhone's music and view the Now Playing screen.
• iPod/iPhone Video playback: Using an Onkyo DS-A4 (580DSA4, sold separately) or UP-A1 (580UPA1, sold separately) iPod Dock, photos and video can be played directly from your iPod/iPhone onto your composite video or HDMI connected TV.

iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: Using the USB-to-iPod Dock cable or optional video dock, the Onkyo TX-NR609 supports the following iPod/iPhone models and functions (as of October 2011):

Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the receiver and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert to the older software version or wait until a newer software update is available.

Multi-Zone Capability

Multi-Zone: In addition to the main listening room, you can also enjoy audio playback from a different source in another room of your home using the receiver's Multi-Zone function (Zone 2).

 Zone 2: The receiver features Zone 2 line-outputs, as well as Zone 2 speaker terminals .

• Line Out: By using the line-level outputs on the TX-NR609 you can connect an external receiver or integrated amplifier in a second room, allowing you to listen to 7.1 surround in the main room and play a different audio source in another room of your home. The volume of Zone 2 is controlled by your optional integrated amp.
• Speaker Out: By using the speaker-level outputs on the TX-NR609 you can directly connect a secondary pair of speakers in another room of your home, allowing you to listen to 5.1 surround sound in your main room and play a different audio source in the other room. The volume of Zone 2 is controlled by the TX-NR609 receiver.

Compatible Zone Sources: Only Tuner, analog, USB, and Network audio sources can be sent to Zone 2. You must currently be listening to a USB device or Network audio source in the Main Zone to initially select USB or Network as a source in Zone 2. Then you can switch the Main Zone to any source you desire.

Note: You cannot select different AM/FM radio stations or listen to USB and Network content in separate Zones at the same time.

Incompatible Zone Sources: Optical/coaxial digital and HDMI audio sources are not output to Zone 2. You cannot output any video signal to Zone 2.

Radio Functions

AM/FM Tuner: With the built-in tuner you can enjoy AM and FM radio stations. You can store your favorite stations as presets for quick selection. You can store a combination of up to 40 of your favorite FM/AM radio stations as presets. You can name each radio preset for easier identification.

HD Radio Ready: The Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio Module (580UPHT1, sold separately) sends high-quality digital AM/FM audio via a single proprietary cable to the Onkyo receiver's Universal Port. The same convenient cable also powers the tuner unit, saving on cable clutter. The tuner features 40 presets for FM and AM stations. A rear-side Universal Port input gives you the option of daisy chaining a second compatible device, such as the UP-A1 Onkyo Dock for the iPod

Convenience Features

On-Screen GUI (via HDMI): The Onkyo AV receiver offers an on-screen setup menu (GUI) through its HDMI output. The on-screen display offers multiple language text, such as - English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. If your TV is connected to the composite video or component video monitor output, you will need to use the AV receiver's front-panel display when changing settings.

Preset Input Names: You can enter a preset name for each individual input for easy identification. when entered, the preset name will appear on the display. This feature cannot be used for AM/FM tuner, or USB input.

Display Dimmer: The display brightness has three settings; Dim, Dimmer, and Normal.

Sleep Timer: From the remote, you can set the unit to automatically turn off after as much as 90 minutes or as little as 10 minutes; choices are presented in 10 minute increments.

Auto Standby: The AV receiver will automatically go into Standby mode, if there is no operation for 30 minutes with no audio/video signal input.

Remote Control

Multi-brand Remote: The supplied RC-801M wireless remote is a multi-brand remote. The remote is pre-programmed to operate Onkyo components, as well as other popular brands of equipment, including DVD players, satellite receivers, cable boxes, VCRs, and televisions. The IR wireless remote control will operate up to 16-feet away from the receiver at an angle of 30-degrees left or right of the receiver as long as the remote is within the line of sight of the TX-NR609.

HDMI Control: This function allows CEC-compatible components (Toshiba REGZA-LINK TV/Sharp TV) or RIHD-compatible components connected via HDMI to be controlled with the TX-NR609. The AV receiver offers the following CEC HDMI controls.

• The AV receiver will enter Standby mode when the power of the TV is turned to Standby.
• You can set on the menu screen of the TV to either output the audio from the speakers connected to the AV receiver, or from the speakers of the TV.
• It is possible to output the audio/video from the antenna or from the input jack of the TV from the speakers connected to the AV receiver.
• Input to the AV receiver can be selected with the remote controller of the TV.
• Operations such as volume adjustment or similar for the AV receiver can be performed from the remote controller of the TV.

RI Remote Control Jack: The 1/8" RI remote control jack allows you to connect this receiver to other compatible Onkyo components.

Remote App for iPod/iPhone: Additional system control is provided by Onkyo's Remote App, which lets you use your iPod touch/iPhone as a remote controller. You gain control of the Onkyo A/V receiver via your iPod touch/iPhone over your home's wireless network. The Onkyo Remote App for iPod touch and iPhone provides an intuitive way to operate the Onkyo network A/V receiver.

• Intuitive GUI: The Remote App's graphical user interface (GUI) lets you see menus for input source, network source, or radio station, and make your selection accordingly.
• Menu Control: Selecting the Home Menu feature on your iPod touch/iPhone makes the receiver's main menu page appear overlaid on your home theater display. You can then access a variety of menus that let you adjust settings on the connected Onkyo receiver.
• Volume & Tone Control: Onkyo's Remote App makes smart use of the accelerometer inside your iPod touch or iPhone. Simply tilt the iPod touch/iPhone right or left to turn the volume up or down. The app also lets you adjust bass & treble levels, and select dedicated listening modes, via your iPod touch/iPhone's touchscreen interface.
• Audio/Video Information: Your iPod touch/iPhone offers a variety of useful information when you want to know more about the content playing back through your system. You can quickly check if your audio content is encoded as stereo or multichannel, for example, or whether your video content is in standard or high definition.

Note: Available as a free download from the online Apple App Store. The Onkyo Remote App is compatible with most network-capable Onkyo A/V receivers released in 2009 or later and the iPod touch (3rd/4th gen) or iPhone (3GS/4), with iOS 4.2 or later. The receiver must be connected to your home's wireless (WiFi) network.

Remote App for Android: The Onkyo Remote App for Android supports wireless audio and remote control functionality for all 2011 Onkyo Network AV Receivers. The app operates over a wireless LAN and enables a range of remote control functions, such as volume and tone control, as well as input selection from your Android device. The Onkyo Remote App for Android also allows you to stream wireless audio stored on your Android device to your Onkyo home theater system.

Note: The Onkyo Remote App requires your Android device (2.1-up) and your connected 2011 Onkyo Network AV Receiver to be connected to the same wireless (WiFi) network. Support for WMA and FLAC formats depends on the model of Android phone.