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7.1-channel THX Ultra2 Plus home network receiver with ISF video calibration

Multidimensional, superbly crafted, and loaded with impressive specs, Onkyo's TXNR906 A/V home network receiver is a true champion. With seemingly endless abilities like HQV Reon-VX video processing, four HDMI v1.3a inputs (and two outputs), Audyssey room correction technologies, and multiroom audio and video distribution, the TXNR906 leaves no base uncovered. Built around an isolated power block and pre-processing unit, this network receiver reveals the full potential of virtually any media, including Internet or computer-based sources accessed via its Certified for Windows Vista network apparatus and vTuner interface. There's also CD-quality HD Radio, XM (with HD surround) and SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and Internet radio. Plus, the TXNR906 is the first receiver of its kind to include ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) video calibration capability.

Fifty years ago, computer networks were science fiction

When the first integrated stereo receiver appeared in 1958, it had only three functions: tuner, preamplifier, and amplifier. These days, the word receiver seems inadequate to describe a cutting-edge component like Onkyo's TXNR906. A comprehensive, network-ready, A/V processing hub is more like it. Let's see how far things have come in 50 years. Plug this receiver into your Ethernet (wired) home network for Internet or computer-based media sources accessed via its Certified for Windows Vista network apparatus and vTuner interface. If the HDMI ouputs of your home theater components number the same as the fingers on one hand (remember the thumb is a digit, but not a finger), then this receiver is able to handle all those outputs at once. While four HDMI v1.3a repeater inputs (and two outputs) are a great convenience, it's just the beginning of this receiver's stellar features, including THX Ultra2 Plus certification, processing for the latest lossless multichannel audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD, upconversion of 480i/480p/720p/1080i signals to 1080p via Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processing, a built-in HD Radio tuner, and compatibility with both XM and SIRIUS satellite radio programming. This new model also features Onkyo's HDMI-based system control capability, 7 x 145 watts of power, enhanced compatibility with the Onkyo's optional iPod control docks (not included), and a flexible suite of multisource/multizone capabilities. The dual push-pull amplifier configuration, coupled with top-of-the-line Burr-Brown DACs, provides outstanding efficiency and high current with very low distortion. There are sturdy five-way binding posts for all seven full-range channels, and the rear surround channels can also be employed to provide a second set of Front L/R channels for speaker bi-amplification. And, the TXNR906 is one of the first receivers of its kind to employ ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) video calibration.

vTuner at your service

Connect Onkyo's network-ready TXNR906 A/V receiver to your Ethernet (wired) home computer network to enjoy the music files stored on your computer or media server; and if your network is connected to the Internet, you can listen to Internet radio too. You can also play music files stored on USB mass storage devices like flash drives and portable audio (MP3) players by connecting to the receiver's front panel USB port. The receiver is Certified for Windows Vista and supports MP3, WMA, WAV, and AAC music file formats as well as Microsoft's PlaysForSure technology. With an Internet connection, you can listen to M3U, PLS, and podcast playlists streamed from Internet radio stations by entering the appropriate URL on the receiver's remote control. The TXNR906 includes full vTuner Radio Service at no additional charge. You can select vTuner Internet Radio to search for and play radio stations and podcasts at any time. You'll use your receiver's unique MAC (Media Access Control) address to create a member account login on the onkyo.vtuner.com/portal Web site. A note of caution: this receiver's network operation was not designed for wireless networks or for Internet access at less than broadband speeds.

Video needs calibration? Who knew?

When your HDTV came out of the box, it was factory set to produce its best picture in harsh sales floor lighting; but since you normally watch TV in subdued light at home, those factory settings are far from ideal. You've probably already adjusted the settings for your viewing environment, but now that your video signal is coming from the TXNR906, you can do even better. Onkyo designed this video hub receiver to incorporate the carefully crafted, industry-recognized setup and calibration standards established by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) for exquisitely sharp video with superb color balance. This calibration capability assures that every input source can be independently calibrated for your specific HDTV. The ISF has a training program to certify technicians and installers to use these standards to obtain optimal picture quality from the receiver. While there are some video adjustments you can make as part of your Custom settings, Onkyo recommends that setup and calibration be performed by an ISF certified installation technician. Moreover, proper calibration has been shown to improve energy savings in displays and projectors by up to 50%. Here's what you can expect the technician to do. First, there needs to be a video output signal, either from a test disc in your DVD player or from the technician's signal generator. Then the display's color temperature is measured and adjusted to 6,500 degrees Kelvin, the same as midday sunlight. Next, contrast, brightness, tint, and sharpness are set. Finally, grayscale is adjusted. For video, gray is equal parts of red, green, and blue with different light intensity levels producing shades of gray from just lighter than black to peak white (gray at maximum intensity). It's not possible to have an accurately reproduced color image if the grayscale isn't correctly set. You'll see a huge difference in the picture after calibration. The total light output will be less because it's adjusted to your viewing environment. Images will appear more natural without any artificial enhancements and color will look the way the content maker intended.

Super scaling

Representing some of the most sophisticated video processing ever seen in broadcasting and home theater components, the Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processing chipset gives the TXNR906 a powerful edge. It scales all video signals to 1080p resolution without the visible inconsistencies found in less competent scalers. It also provides the ultimate support for standard and high definition deinterlacing; for filtering jaggies and artifacts; and for the reduction of random, mosquito, and block (codec) noise. HQV Reon-VX enables color region enhancement and the rendering of more than one billion colors.

The HDMI you've been waiting for

The TXNR906's four 1080p and Deep Color capable HDMI v1.3a repeater inputs provide the most advanced interface for transporting both uncompressed high definition (HD) video and uncompressed multichannel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The receiver includes decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master multichannel audio formats from Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players. In addition to its HDMI inputs, the Onkyo TXNR906 has three HD (100MHz) bandwidth component video, six S-Video, and six composite video inputs to accommodate other sources. There is upconversion of all composite and S-video inputs to both HDMI and HD-quality component video to eliminate the need for multiple redundant video connections to modern video displays. For displays that are not compatible with 480i video, the receiver also provides HQV Reon-VX video processing to convert 480i signals to 1080p progressive scan. There are six digital audio inputs, a phono input, as well as seven A/V and two audio-only analog inputs. Front panel A/V inputs, including an optical digital audio jack, allow easy connection of A/V or audio devices such as a camcorder or portable MP3 player.

THX performance designed in

From early design concepts to product rollout, THX and Onkyo worked together to assure every detail of this receiver was mapped to the THX performance standards. And THX engineers spent countless hours testing and analyzing for sound quality, usability, and interoperability. Awarded THX Ultra2 Plus certification, the TXNR906 demonstrates that it has met the rigorous design and performance standards set by THX. Every certified receiver includes a number of proprietary THX technologies, designed to compensate for the acoustical errors that occur when movies, music, and games are translated from the professional studio to the home environment. For the end user, the THX standards enhance the overall system's ability to present movies exactly the way they were mixed by the filmmaker on the dubbing stage, and the additional listening modes enhance playback performance of music, movies, and video games. Furthermore, THX Adaptive Speaker Array (ASA) technology optimizes playback of multichannel movies, music, and video games. THX Ultra2 Plus also includes the THX Surround EX decoder, which enables sound mixers to encircle the audience with 360-degree pans, more realistic fly-overs, and ambient sound effects.

Get in the zone

This Onkyo A/V receiver includes the company's RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) communication protocol that allows for automatic integration of many system control functions between compatible components via the HDMI connection. RIHD is also compatible with Toshiba's CE-Link enabled Regza LCD TV line and Panasonic's EZ-Sync TV line, as well as similar protocols from other manufacturers. Common functions include one-button system on/standby control, volume control punch-through from display remote control to the A/V receiver, and a direct change function that automatically selects the correct receiver input and begins playback for RIHD source components. The TXNR906 features Onkyo's Powered Zone 2 capability, which can be used to power stereo speakers in a second room while listening to 5.1-channel sound in the main zone thanks to a dedicated set of zone 2 L/R speaker terminals. The receiver is capable of processing separate multichannel and stereo sources simultaneously for the main and second zone, or processing a single source for both. There's also a zone 2 video out and zone 2/3 pre-outs that can be used in conjunction with a dedicated zone amplifier or receiver.

Iliad and Audyssey MultEQ XT

With unquestionably no relation to Homer's epic poems of the Trojan War, Audyssey MultEQ XT automatic speaker calibration provides remarkable improvements in performance by calibrating the home theater system to its acoustical environment. With this system, the included calibration microphone is used to analyze the system's acoustical output at up to eight unique positions in the listening area. By taking readings in different locations in the theater room, with the microphone placed at the listening positions, the receiver sends test signals to each speaker in turn, then uses the input from the microphone to adjust both frequency response and time domain corrections for each speaker throughout the entire listening area, rather than just at a single position.

More radio choices than ever

Time was when A/V receiver manufacturers selected either XM or SIRIUS Satellite Radio compatibility for their products, but no more. Onkyo's TXNR906 makes it easier than ever to bring satellite radio into the living room, featuring compatibility with both XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio programming. The addition of an optional antenna/tuner system for either service enables you to subscribe to and receive hundreds of channels of commercial-free music, news, talk, and entertainment programming. (Satellite radio hardware, subscription, and activation are not included; service and activation fees apply.) The TXNR906 receiver even includes onboard Neural-THX Surround processing for decoding of multichannel XM HD surround programming. This new surround sound technology allows for broadcast content to be transmitted in a two-channel format, and later decoded for up to 7.1 discrete audio channels, as well as enabling 7.1-channel audio support for many modern video gaming consoles. And now Onkyo gives you yet another choice with a built-in HD Radio tuner. HD Radio technology enables AM and FM radio stations to broadcast their programs digitally, a tremendous technological leap from the analog broadcasts of the past. On HD Radio you get crystal-clear reception with no audio distortion. FM stations have CD-quality sound; AM stations have FM-quality sound. And HD Radio is free! No subscription or activation fees. Finally, there's a high quality traditional terrestrial radio tuner built-into the TXNR906 with 40 station presets.

Get big sound from your little iPod

Onkyo designed this receiver to take complete advantage of the company's optional Remote Interactive iPod dock/charger units (not included). With the iPod placed in the dock, it becomes a source component for not only audio playback, but also for photography stored in iPod photo units. Basic iPod controls such as play, pause, stop, skip, and random/repeat functions can all be operated via the TXNR906's preprogrammed learning back-lit remote control.

Included with purchase

Remote control with batteries, Audyssey MultiEQ XT calibration microphone, FM antenna, speaker cable labels, Quick Guide, Instruction Manual.

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