Has anyone heard of the Sherwood Netboxx A/V Receiver R-904N? - Page 7

xnappo:

There is a back door to Netflix on the R-904n. Subscribe to the Playon service. When Playon is running in the background on any PC on your local network, the R-904 will serve as a client. You add Hulu, Pandora, Netflix and many more with this operation. http://www.playon.tv/index.php

Jeff

hardballpete:

We built receivers and DVD players for that system before SLS ran into financial trouble. I think we still have a set of the Q-line Gold's here. If we do, I'll test with the NetBoxx and report back.

Jeff

Yeah, I have messed with Playon - the quality is pretty poor compared to native devices and since they don't actually have partnerships with Hulu/Netflix it is constantly breaking.

I have a TiVo I use right now, but it would be nice to have another option once I decide to move on.

Thanks,
xnappo

I agree with you. I also know my PC is not that fast so that is a problem.

The wife wanted to stream Netflix so we played around with PlayOn.. It was pretty much garbage. We just bought a cheap $89 Vizio Blu-Ray player with Netflix/Pandora/Facebook/Etc support. It streams that stuff very well and was cheaper then screwing around with buying/building a more Powerful PC just for PlayOn.

Hardly ever have the R904N plugged into the network anymore.

I did buy the R-904N for formfacter after-all so it's ok.

anyone had a chance to put the 904n on a kill-a-watt to check the power draw? Or can anyone speak to the SPL achieved by a speaker with a known sensitivity? Rating is 7x100W, but that is obviously a single channel driven, and the input power spec (if max) stated at 120W has me concerned of the 904n's ability to drive my speakers for home theater use (4 ohm and 84db/w @1m)... if the power input is limited to 120W and using the efficiency data from TI for the chip (i.e. assuming zero loss for the rest of the components), would yield roughly 14 wpc for all channels driven. I realize all channels are never driven at full power, but that 14 wpc for such inefficient speakers has me concerned for home theater use. Anyone have any thoughts or measurements? I would prefer not to build my own amp, but my space restrictions leave me with two choices: the netboxx, and building my own... and I am not going to spend $500 sight unseen/unheard without some confirmation on power specs (no help from sherwood thus far outside a polite RTFM response

thanks.

This might help..

saw that... that is how I found the efficiency specs (the TI datasheet) and backed out the wpc all channels driven from the power input spec in the Sherwood manual. If all the published data is correct, Sherwood either opted for a significantly underpowered power supply that results in 14 wpc all channels driven, or they chose to publish an 'average' power input requirement (120w) instead of maximum to make it look more efficient. I'm hoping it the latter, as the former would be kind of a waste of a really nice chip! Anyway, I sent Jeff a PM as well, so we'll see if I get any response. If not, off to that diy site to build one of the TK2050-based amps. Would cost significantly less, but not look as nice or have as much capability

Can anyone confirm the power input on the back of the receiver says 120W???

It does say 120W

Maybe the PS is starving the Chips, huh? DIY Upgrade once these get rock bottom?

Jeff told me the PS is a 400 watt PS but being switching it is hard to measure or something.. Maybe 120 is an average?
Jeff, If I am totally off base let me know and I will remove this as I don't want to put words in your mouth.

Here is someone that did put a Watt Meter On It.

http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/Sherwoo...ver_Review.htm

Thanks... interesting. even the TI reference amplifier for this chip (http://focus.ti.com/lit/ug/slou293/slou293.pdf) states it is a 600w amplifier capable of 250W continuous, 600w maximum (5min), and 1000w peak (20ms). Sooooo... depending on whether that 400w is the continuous, maximum, or peak rating, it may be just fine, or it may get into clipping at way too low a volume for me. Given that the reference power supply is presumably for a single TAS5630, I'll cross my fingers and hope the PS in the netboxx (which has 2 TAS5630s?) is 400W continuous

ok... starting to understand the TI datasheet more now... assuming there are two chips in there (minimum required for 7 channels), and that they are bridging (or parallel bridging) for stereo mode, the power goes down to 55w per channel at 1% THD+N in single ended mode which would need to occur for 7.1, and even likes like things start to go south at 45wpc. Sooo.... that would mean to reach the absolute max rated power for these chips in single ended (all channels) mode, would take roughly 480w (55wpc*7channels/.8efficiency), or 390w if they limit output to 45wpc. The 400w someone was quoted seems reasonable. Apparently, this is a chip that can be bridged or not on the same PCB to get more/less power/channels. Interesting amp chip.

I wonder if the Sherwood just passes the remote IR signals onto the VuNow Board. ie: does it share the same codes as a discreet VuNow box.

I ask because there is a QWERTY remote for VuNow.

Still no definitive word on the power of the netboxx. Talked to CS tech support on the phone and they reiterated the spec sheet... once we were on the same page understanding my concern, he took my number and said he would have to call back. That was a week ago. Also last week, Jeff assured me that the netboxx had enough power to drive my speakers (reiterating the spec sheet again and saying they were running in BTL mode), but has not (yet) provided more details on the power supply. The TI chips used in the r-904n are indeed capable class D amps, but they do need power, and for my application (outdoor theater with low efficiency 4 ohm speakers) they will go into clipping at low volumes without adequate supply voltage and peak power from the power supply. Single channel driven specs do not mean much during some movie scenes, and if 120w is the peak continuous power for the netboxx, that gets maybe 15w per channel (all channels driven) without clipping. Would be really nice to know more about the power supply... anyone feel like pulling the cover and taking some pics?

I wish someone's was out of warranty that could pop the sucker open and take a look at the PSU.

It sounds really nice in my environment, but the powered sub offloads some of the work from the Netboxx's amplifiers.

I tried to do a little test for you and operate the Netboxx in Stereo mode, but it still uses the sub-woofer so this is not a valid test. Maybe if I feel like it, I will disable the sub-woofer and tell the Netboxx to let my main speakers handle the whole spectrum. Then I will put it in stereo mode and give it a listen at loud volumes.

I have one problem with my Netboxx and think it is a fluke with my TV/Netboxx Combination.. VuNow does not resort to HDMI unless I power cycle the Netboxx. You would think that it would just remember that it was hooked up to my TV Via HDMI from the last time I used VuNow. It is a little Annoying, but I am living with it. I know that it is not a problem with mine because I have tried another one and had the same reults.

I also wish I could rename the inputs like how my Harmon Kardon lets me.. It is a little annoying that HDMI V2 Shows up as IPOD on the LCD. Not a huge deal really. Just something for me to complain about.

Other than that, I have been extremely Happy!!

That would be much appreciated... what is the sensitivity of your speakers?

KLH L853B (Don't Laugh)
87db

I plan on getting different speakers because these KLHs are not that great, but they were already in the living room.

I have a bic center channel speaker that I really enjoy with this receiver, so I am tempted to go bic all the way around with the R904N.

Jeff

Jeff-
Can you tell me if Sherwood has any intention to provide more detailed data/specifications on the r-904n power supply to inform my buying decision. It has been three weeks since Sherwood technical support told me they would call me back with an answer, and two weeks since I last PM'd with you on the topic. Please let me know if Sherwood has either a) made a conscious decision to withhold further information, or b) is having difficulty tracking down the requested information. Aside from the published power input specs, the netboxx looks like a perfect match for my needs... it would give me great confidence in the CS side of Sherwood if I could get a concrete answer on the power supply ratings. Thanks.

Jeff,

While you are at it, can I get the UPnP specs on this? Specifically what kind of format it asks a media server to encode the audio in.

I tried a couple different servers and I think it likes to ask for the Music encoded as a MP3. My files are all Flac files. I would think that it would ask for LPCM.

Thanks,
Jeff

dougri:

During development the SMPS was referred to in correspondence with our factory development engineers as being "400 watts". I may have the schematic in my office and will look again on Monday.

I can tell you that Mark Fleischmann is reviewing the R-904n for Home Theater Magazine. I have not seen the review and do not know what month it is scheduled to run but I'm sure they they will print their independent power findings when the review is published.

Jeff

Many thanks Jeff. Please do post here again with any more information you find in your docs. Thanks!

Jeff:

Here's a list of codecs supported in the R-904n:


Container: AVI, DivX 3.x/4.x/5.x, Xvid, MOV,
MP4, MPEG 2 PS & TS, FLV, Matroska, ASF,
M4V, VOB, M2TS/MTS, TRP, TP/TS, DVR-MS,
M4A (audio only), MP4A (audio only),
WMV, .mkv, .ifo
Video: WMV9, VC1, MPEG1/2/4, H.264, Microsoft
MPEG4, ON2 VP6, Sorenson H.263
Audio: MP1/2/3 (2.0), MP2.5, WMA9 2.0, AAC
LC 5.1, AAC HE 5.1 (aacPlus), WMAPro 5.1,
ATRAC3 2.0, MPEG4 BSAC 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1
(AC3), WAV/LPCM/PCM, DTS, Ogg Vorbis
Image: JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, TIFF
Playlists: PLS, M3U, WPL
Subtitles: SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB, SMI
DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1

Jeff

Jeff,

You are alright!! Thanks for the information and thanks for posting it to this forum.. I am sure that it will benefit more than just myself.

Thanks,
Jeff

In trying to find the cure to sibilance on many of my Directv channels, I bought a Denon 591 to see if it made any diff.
The sibilance was still there and the sound quality of the Denon was significantly worse that The Sherwood 904N-couldn't hold it's jock, LOL! Returning it asap.
Don't know if it's my speakers, Q line Gold SLS, or Directv to blame. Maybe it's my hearing,,,which I hope not.

I'll try to find an alternative center channel speaker to test out and see if it's that.

Can really be annoying, Some channels worse than others like CBS, NBC

For the UPnP GetProtocolInfo() command, could I get a list of what the R904N uses and if there is an order of priority?

Example:

Other VuNow powered machines got a firmware upgrade I believe.. Browser and Keyboard Support. I have a feeling it has to do with the contract they have going with VuNow.

New to the forum and I've been reading the great information in this thread, thanks. I was curious if anyone has it hooked up to their PC's sound card through SPDIF (like a Creative XFI card or something similar) and how does it sound? I am mostly interested in quality and not all the streaming features. All my audio movies, streaming, digital audio will be sent to the receiver. I currently have the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra setup and another Klipsch sub (SWS). I also replaced the speakers all around to Klipsch RSX4's (4) and the RCX Center Channel. My hope is to move away from the all in one Bash amp of the ProMedia Ultra's to the R-904N. I figure it should be night and day difference but I'm not sure. I've never connected out of my soundcard through the SPDIF connection.

Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated

thanks

sullysnet:

While I haven't run my HTPC through the R-904n, I have lots of experience running SPDIF (and now HDMI) from several iterations of the PC to a half dozen different Sherwood receivers including the Newcastle R-965, R-872 and now the R-972. You should be able to get wonderful sound from your new system and will appreciate NetBoxx amplifier quality, automatic setup with Room EQ and its inclusion of Dolby Volume.

jeff

thanks for the reply. I figure it will be a great upgrade but I feel it is always better to get the experience of others. I plan on buying it at a place that has a great return policy so if I didn't think it was that much of an improvement I could return it. I would rather not return it. The one place that has a great return charges tax so I have to rethink where I purchase at or see if a friend can receive it in another state. Also see if it is worth all that trouble to ship like that.

Hopefully others with experience will chime in but you seem to have tried many setups, thanks again

I know this is not SPDIF, but I have hooked it up to my PC via HDMI a couple of times and the sound came through very nicely.

My TV is actually connected to it via SPDIF so that OTA sounds comes through the receiver. That is also working just fine. I read the new HDMI standard allows the sound to travel both ways on the cable. Always something new and interesting.