Onkyo TX-NR900

Features
Net-Tune
Remote Control
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

THX Select Certification: This unit has been built and tested to conform to the high standards of sound and build quality set by the THX Select Certification program. A "THX Cinema" mode can be activated to apply signal processing that ensures the sound you hear while watching movies is the exact sound as the movie director had intended it to be heard. All THX Select Certified receivers include Re-Equalization, Timbre Matching, Adaptive Decorrelation, Bass Management, Bass Peak Level Manager, and Loudspeaker Position Time Synchronization (delay).

THX Surround EX: THX Surround EX soundtracks have an additional surround channel signal matrix encoded into the standard surround channel signals of a Dolby Digital soundtrack.  When a THX Surround EX soundtrack is decoded and played back through a 7.1 channel system, you can hear more detailed imaging behind you.  Although THX decoding produces the best results with soundtracks that have been recorded with THX Surround processing, this feature can be used, with varying results, with any Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 channel soundtrack.  This unit provides amplification for seven channels and allows you to use two back surround speakers, which are normally placed behind the two regular surround loudspeakers.

On-Screen Display (OSD): An OSD can be displayed on your television for easy system setup. The OSD can be sent through the S-video or composite video monitor output, but is not sent through the component video output of the receiver. The joystick/enter button on the remote makes display navigation and setting adjustment simple and convenient. The OSD set-up gives you access to the following:

• Background Color: allows you to select Blue1, Blue2, Green1, Green2, Magenta, Red1, or Red2
• Superimpose Mode:
  • Off: select to have the OSD Setup Menu displayed on the selected background color
  • Normal: select to have the OSD Setup Menu superimposed over the current video if one is displayed or on the selected background color if there is no video signal
  • Black: select to have the OSD Setup Menu displayed on a black background at all times
• Immediate Display:
  • On: select to have the screen immediately display certain operations as you perform them (e.g., having the input source displayed whenever an input source selector button is pressed). The display will remain for five seconds after the operation is completed.
  • Off: select to turn off the immediate display of operations
• Display Position: use this setting to select the position of the immediate display that appears when certain operations are performed. You can position the immediate display at any of ten different levels ranging from the top all the way to the bottom.

Component Video Switching: In addition to composite and S-Video switching, this unit can switch between two component video sources. There are 2 component video inputs and 1 component video output; each input and output has jacks labeled "Y", "Pb" and "Pr". This feature allows you to connect, and switch between, high resolution video sources equipped with component video outputs. The component video inputs are assignable, which allows you to tell the unit which input source is connected to each set of component video jacks.

Composite to S-Video Conversion: This unit is equipped with a simple Y/C separation circuit and a simple Y/C mixing circuit. These circuits will up convert an incoming composite video signal to an S-video signal. This feature allows you to connect your television with a single S-video cable to the receiver's S-video monitor output.

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.

192kHz/24- Bit Digital-to-Analog Converters: This receiver is equipped with six 192kHz/24-bit DACs to decode and play high-resolution recordings.

Subwoofer Adjustable Crossover: This receiver has a built-in crossover for the subwoofer output. This setting is available when you tell the receiver that there is a subwoofer being used, or when you set your main speakers to "Small". The frequencies that you can choose from are: 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120Hz.

Upsampling Mode: Upsampling processes the input digital signal, or the digital signal converted from an analog input source, and converts its digital sampling frequency to twice its current frequency for an even further detailed sound reproduction. This can be set to either "On" or "Off." 

Assignable Digital Inputs: The TX-NR900 has assignable digital inputs allowing you to tell the unit which input source is connected to which digital input jack.

Multi-Channel Input: The receiver is equipped with a 7.1 multi-channel input for compatibility with 5.1- or 7.1-channel decoders. The input consists of left front, right front, center, left surround, right surround, left surround back, right surround back and subwoofer RCA inputs. 

Direct/Pure Audio Button: 

• Direct Mode: this mode delivers pure sound with minimum sound quality adjustment and filtration. The sound recorded for the right and left front channels is output to the right and left front speakers only and not output to the subwoofer.
• Pure Audio: same as the direct mode except that the pure audio mode also turns off the display window, turns off the power supply to the video circuitry, and minimizes the sources of noise. The result is high-fidelity music playback true to the original source

Listening Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of listening modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The listening modes include:

• Dolby Digital

• Dolby Digital EX

• Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie and Music)

• DTS

• DTS-ES (Discrete 6.1 and Matrix 6.1)

• DTS Neo:6 (Cinema and Music)

• DTS 96/24

• THX Cinema

• THX Surround EX

• T-D (Theater-Dimensional)

• Mono Movie

• Enhanced 7

• Orchestra

• Unplugged

• Studio-Mix

• TV Logic

• All Ch Stereo

• Mono

• Direct

• Pure Audio

• Stereo

Academy Filter: Older monaural film mixes relied on high-frequency rolloff in presentation to sound properly balanced, so that excessive hiss from the grain structure of the film would not be heard. The high frequency loss was typically due to a combination of optical slit loss, electrical filters, loudspeaker response, and screen loss. Some films have been transferred to video without such a high-frequency rolloff, and thus sound overly bright.  The TX-NR900 includes this "Academy filter," which is based on contemporary playback practices for such films over wide-range systems. This can be set to either "On" or "Off".

Re-Equalization Circuitry: Re-EQ (re-equalization) takes the edginess or "brightness" out of your home cinema sound to compensate for the fact that sound mixed for theaters may sound too bright when played back through speakers in the home environment. This can be set to either "On" or "Off."

Front Effect: Some live recordings contain acoustic reverberation. When you play these sources, more reverberation will be applied by the DSP, creating too much reverb effects and the sound loses frame or presence. In this case, set this setting to "Off" so that no reverberation from the DSP will be applied to the sound output from the three front channels. With this setting, the sound source is played as it is without any further reverberation.

Reverb Level: This setting allows you to adjust the depth of acoustic reverberation to match the playback source material and the acoustics of your room. The reverb level may be set to Low, Mid, or High.

Reverb Time: You can adjust the reverb time to match the source being played back and the acoustics of the room. You can select a setting of Short, Mid, or Long.

Front Expander: This feature spreads out the sound from the front speakers for the feeling of a wide sound space.  This can be turned on or off.

Virtual Surround Level: This setting adjusts the level of the virtual surround signal. This can be set from -3 to +3 decibels. Lowering this setting can improve the sound when the definition is unclear or when the sound feels unnatural.

Dialog Enhance: If the dialog from the center channel is difficult to hear in the Theater-Dimensional mode, you can use this setting to improve the clarity.

"Late Night" Feature: The "Late Night" feature limits the dynamic range of Dolby Digital recordings that have been encoded with dynamic range data. Limiting the dynamic range makes it easier to find a volume control setting 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 Dolby Digital recordings encoded with dynamic range data 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.

"IntelliVolume" Setup: The "IntelliVolume" setup function allows you set a volume correction value in the range of -12dB to +12dB, in 1dB increments, for each source to prevent large jumps in volume when switching from one source to another. This feature eliminates the inconvenience of manually readjusting the volume control each time you switch from a source with a weak signal to a source with a strong signal and vice versa.

Sleep Function: 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.

Display Dimmer: The display illumination can be set to normal, dark or very dark.

Zone 2 Output: This receiver can send audio and video signals to a second room, allowing you to watch and listen to two separate input sources at the same time. For video, there is a single RCA composite video jack. For audio, you can use the Zone 2 or Surround Back/Zone 2 stereo RCA jacks to send a signal to a receiver or amplifier in the second room, or, using the Surround Back/Zone 2 speaker outputs, you can power a pair of speakers in the second room. If desired, you can control the Zone 2 output from the second room by purchasing an optional IR remote control system and locating the remote sensor in the Zone 2 room. The volume setting of the Zone 2 speakers can be set independently of the volume setting for the main zone speakers. Digital signals cannot be played in Zone 2, so the source selected as the Zone 2 source must be connected to the receiver with analog inputs.

Net-Tune

Overview: The TX-NR900 is a network audio client that is connected via a LAN to a PC and allows you to enjoy music files saved on the PC, as well as Internet radio. You can also connect the TX-NR900 to a wireless system using an Ethernet adapter.

System Requirements: To have access to Internet radio stations and music files saved on your PC, you must have the following:

• Modem: cable modem, xDSL modem, or terminal adapter
• Router: a device that enables multiple PCs or devices to connect to the Internet simultaneously (an IP address can be obtained automatically by using the router's DHCP function)
• Ethernet CAT-5 cable
• Minimum Internet Connections Requirements:
  • Broadband Internet connection
  • DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) based network (requires a DHCP-enabled router)
  • 100Base-TX switch built-in broadband router (recommended)
• Minimum PC System Requirements:
  • CPU: 600 MHz Intel Pentium III or better
  • Operating System: Windows 98 (Second Edition), Me, XP, or 2000 (not compatible with Macintosh)
  • Free Hard Disk Space: more than 20 MB
  • RAM: Windows 98 (Second Edition), Me, and 2000 requires 128 MB; Windows XP requires 256 MB
  • Ethernet Port

Note: If you only want to play MP3 and WMA files that are stored on your computer, you simply need an Ethernet CAT-5 cable to connect your computer to the TX-NR900, and the Net-Tune Central software. Access to Internet radio requires a broadband Internet connection.

Internet Radio Features: The TX-NR900 provides enhanced support for Internet radio and allows you to listen to both WMA and MP3 audio streamed from Internet radio stations, select stations by genre, location, or language, and preset up to 30 Internet radio stations.

MP3 and WMA Bit-rate Compatibility: The Net-Tune protocol supports constant and variable MP3 bit-rates from 8-320 kbps, as well as the following WMA bit-rates: 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 64, 80, 96, 128, 160, and 192 kbps.

Net-Tune Central: Net-Tune Central is software that distributes music files stored on a PC through the LAN to the TX-NR900. In addition to the music distribution server function, Net-Tune Central can automatically retrieve the music files stored on a PC to register them easily with the Net-Tune Central database. Net-Tune Central supports WAVE (PCM), MP3 and WMA formats.

Note: The Net-Tune Central software can be downloaded from Onkyo's website.

Editable Music Library: With the Net-Tune Central software, you can edit music titles, artist names and genre names. You can also create new genre names for all music files saved on the PC's hard drive.

Track Lists: You can use the music file data saved on your PC to select which tracks to play. Tracks can be stored under the following: album name, artist name, genre name, and play list.

Random Play: This feature allows you to play the tracks in the current list in random order.

Repeat Play: You can repeat the current track or all the tracks in a track list.

Wireless System Compatibility: Using the TX-NR900 with a wireless system requires a wireless access point/router and a wireless receiver with an Ethernet output. Onkyo recommends using an 802.11g wireless access point/router over an 802.11b. The 802.11g wireless access point/router has a much higher bandwidth than the 802.11b, resulting in less drop out while you are streaming real-time audio.

Power Line Ethernet Adapter Compatibility: The TX-NR900 can also be connected to a power line network, which uses your home's existing 120-volt power lines to transmit data. Using a power line Ethernet adapter, you can plug into any outlet in your home and have access to the network.

Remote Control

Multibrand/Learning Remote with Joy Stick Button: The supplied wireless remote is an illuminated multibrand/learning remote. The remote is pre-programmed to operate Onkyo CD, DVD, MD, and cassette players. In addition, the remote is pre-programmed to operate other popular brands of equipment, including DVD players, satellite receivers, cable boxes, VCRs, and televisions. Also, the remote can learn up to a total of 408 commands from infrared remotes of other brands of equipment. A joystick button simplifies menu navigation and doubles as an "enter" button.

Macros: Two macros, each consisting of as many as 16 button operations each, can be programmed into this remote. With the press of a single button, the macros will perform a series of up to 16 button operations in sequence.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Ethernet (Net-Tune): Using the Ethernet port, you can connect the TX-NR900 to an Ethernet network, allowing you to enjoy music files saved on your PC, as well as Internet radio.

Note: To have access to Internet radio stations and music files saved on your PC, you must have everything listed under "System Requirements" in the "Net-Tune" section. If you only want to play MP3 and WMA files that are stored on your computer, you simply need an Ethernet CAT-5 cable to connect your computer to the TX-NR900, and the Net-Tune Central software.

On-screen Display: The on-screen display is not passed through the component video monitor output, only the S-video and composite video monitor outputs.

Headphone Output: This receiver has a standard headphone output on the front panel.

Speaker Outputs: There are binding post connectors for the left front, right front, center, left surround, right surround, left surround back/zone 2 and right surround back/zone 2 speakers. The binding posts are not 5-way because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs.

Impedance Note: Using the Speaker Impedance sub-menu, you can set the impedance level of the TX-NR900 to match the specifications of the speakers you are using. If the impedances of all speakers are between 6 and 16, you can select a setting of 6 ohms. If the impedance of even one speaker is between 4 and 6, you can select a setting of 4 ohms.

IR In/Out: The IR in/out jacks allow you to control the Zone 2 output from the second room by purchasing an optional IR remote control system and locating the remote sensor in the Zone 2 room.

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

12V Trigger Out (Zone 2): When the TX-NR900 is in the Zone 2 mode, this terminal outputs at 12 V and 100 mA. If a component in the remote zone has a 12V Trigger In terminal, connect it to this jack so that it is turned on automatically when the Zone 2 mode is selected.