Onkyo TX NR709 Owners' Thread - Page 66

Conspiracy... thats whats going on. Welcome to the club


If you wanted to KEEP the 7.2 then you would be plugging and unplugging wires unless you used the zone 2 line outputs to another receiver... if you set your 709 up in a 5.2 setup then you could use the rear channels as your zone 2 outputs without having to move wires constantly. I've been considering going back to a 5.2 myself just for simplicity factor and the fact that no sources are really playing in 7.1 or 7.2 anyways. The extra sound is always "simulated" by the 709. I love the way it "simulates" but I think overkill for my 21' x 11' x 9' - H room. Some people would say no such thing when concerning home theaters. Some people hate surround sound all together and still rock 3.1 or 3.2 setups. But its simply a matter of taste. Diff. strokes for diff. folks you know... How big is your room?

No problem... glad to give feedback if its helpful at all.

Good choice on the 709. I LOVE mine... I'm trying to pick up a couple more for other rooms in my house (bedroom and bar/pool table room)

As far as difference in Audessey's... The MultiQ-XT has subwoofer adjustment vs the 2EQ does not. Biggest difference in the world. The sub distances and frequencies are one thing I dont usually mess with from the Audessey calibration and I love the difference in sound I get out of my subs with the calibration vs. w/o..

I'm should be getting my 709 from A4L on Friday - excited to upgrade the SS from my older Anthem processor, but a bit nervous about possible 709 problems. Actually feel better about an Onkyo Reconditioned, rather than new. That's actually a bit sad.

Bunch of connections to do:

HDMI
Dish 722k HDDVR
Samsung 6500 BluRay
Toshiba HDDVD (I know, but still occasionally used)
Roku box

S-VIDEO
Pioneer Laserdisc (once in a while)
Toshiba SVHS VCR (even less often)

Dual Turntable
Nakamichi Audio Cassette deck

Anthem 5 Channel Power Amp for 7.1
Parasound 2 Channel Power Amp for 7.1

Harmon Power AMp for Zone 2

Monster Power Center

Sony 70" XBR

KEF 105/3 Fronts
KEF Center (forget model - was a single of one usually sold just as pairs)
4 Paradigm Surrounds
Paradigm Sub (the model from '05 that was next to the biggest)

Any suggestions? Will need Trigger for the Monster Center (manual pre-out for Zone2), pass-thru so my wife can just watch TV easily. I'm trying to get through this entire thread first and bookmarking relevant posts.

It's time my son really learned about connections...

Looking for a little help here...the other day I turned on my stereo and the speakers sounded funky... well it turns out my speaker settings all changed...

So anyways, I hit the home button, then audio, then adjusted the speaker settings (the subwoofer was at -15 db, the most noticeable difference) and it sounds fine...well, the problem is now, every time I turn it off, they reset again, and then I have to hit home, reset and then listen.

Any ideas on what the issue is here?

Thanks

Hi gbkxbb, the "Home" Audio menu adjustment are only temporary settings. You need to go into the Setup Menu > Level Calibration for the changes to be permanent.

As I've been reviewing this whole thread before my 709 comes, this post (#362) was sort of surprisig, even shocking. So in order to be able to use my Dish 722(k) both with and without the 709, I have to use optical - the HDMI will not send the sound? Does anyone know whether this is still true?

Thanks. My 709's due here tomorrow.

I have Dish VIP722 HD DVR hook to my 709 with a hdmi cable and I get 5.1 audio and video.

I did find this post on the Satellite Guys: from Satellite Guys:


"There should be a menu setting on you Onkyo to enable/disable audio over HDMI. "
Yep, you were right. Took a while to fine, but audio for the HDMI input was off by default. Plugged HDMI out from the 722k into 1 of the 2 HDMI ins on the AVR. Had to assign things to inputs etc, but I'm getting video and audio from my AVR to the TV via the 722k.

Is that your setup?

I never had to change anything in the menu.

It's 12:30 on Saturday and FedEx just came. Unpacked, registered online, and time to get real. Have gone through the first 660 posts, cutting and pasting into an Evernote memo what seems relevant to me for now. Have gone through the manual somewhat in the last week+ and time to wake my up son!

Hi, all: I have my 709 almost a year now, and mostly have been satisfied with its performance. I use it mostly for music/audio, but also use the pass thru to upgrade the cable box TV signal to a Samsung flat panel, and from time to time, use the surround sound with a DVD or Blueray disk. Twice now, the CD player music source has dropped out. After investingating some, I found the culprit to be the HDMI cable coming loose from the receiver at the input. I re-snug the cable, and everything works fine again. The receiver and other equipment are in a cabinet, and are not moved around, etc, that would cause a cable to come loose. The cables are beefy HDMIs from Monoprice. I have to say, I'm not really so impressed with HDMI interconnects; an optical cable is a much more secure connection. With HDMI, the cable doesn't "grab" anything when connected to the female input. Anyone else experience this with HDMI cables on the 709? Next time it happens, I may try a bit of loctite on the HDMI connection to hold it in place. Also, it's my understanding that, for audio at least, the optical cable delivers a digital signal that is equal to the same signal transmitted through an HDMI cable; can someone confirm that? I have some other observations about this receiver, for another day and another post. Overall, I'm satisfied, but not thrilled, with the receiver's performance after having it for a year. Thanks to all on this forum, it's a great community.

I'm usually good at this stuff, but this is a challenge!

Connected everything (surprised that there's only one set of recorder in/outs, with both a VCR and old audio cassette deck) , plugged in my wired network and got a DNS Error when I tried updating. Did it via USB. What should the "proper" network setup be? Doesn't my Network password need to be entered? How?

After the update, I could no longer access the Setup on my TV, although it was there beforehand. Huh?

Is it possible to Custom Label inputs at will? Didn't see how. And can they be any mix of audio and video inputs (HDMI/analog/digital)?

Work surely gets in the way of spending my time on setup. More tomorrow evening.

Thanks for the help.

I've had the same experience with my 809. To remedy that loose HDMI cable issue, I purchased some Blue Echo hd EZ lock Universal HDMI locks. A loose HDMI cable can cause issues with the HDMI boards in any receiver. I installed two locks on the monitor out, and the pc HDMI cable, which has a huge and heavy connector. See attached. Best $12 I've ever spent on an A/V accessory..
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Echo-lock-Universal-HDMI/dp/B001QV2AKK/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

Not good. After much time on the phone with Onkyo, they determined that the unit (Reconditioned by Them) is defective. I'm giving it one more try with an exchange from A4L, then I'm done. Hopefully soon. The sound on my Sony 70" XBR is good for a TV, but it still is TV sound.

Anyone figure this out? I'm having this exact same thing going on. Been researching the past several days but I havent been able to find anything

Great fast response from A4L. I already have my return FedEx label. Chapter 2 to follow...

For the life of me I can't seen the charge mode for the Ipod and would really appreciate if someone could direct me to why it is located.

Having this extremely strange audio problem. At first I thought my subwoofer was failing but convinced it's something inside the Dolby Digtal audio track of the encoded HD signal.

Some Key A/V Info:

- Tivo HD Series 3 HDMI connected to receiver. Audio Setting on Tivo: Dolby Digital

- Onkyo NR-709 Receiver with 7.1 Surround speakers. Audio Setting: Dolby Digital Expanded

- Panamax 5400 filtering power and HFC cable TV Signal


With the local NBC Affiliate here outside Boston, I am receiving random audio LFE thumps from my subwoofer ONLY during Network broadcasts, NOT the local NBC affiliate broadcasts (WHDH in Boston). The problem ONLY happens during NBC Today show, NBC Nightly News, Presidential Election night. NEVER during any other local or network broadcast on any other HD Channel.

Facts:
- Thumps can be heard in same scenario with HFC cable connected directly to clear QAM Tuner TV card in my PC. This tells me it's not the Tivo.

- Thumps occur in the same scenario with HFC cable connected directly to my Samsung LED TV using clear QAM tuner inside TV Set. This tells me it's NOT the Tivo.

- Random thumps ARE recorded on the Tivo. I can play them back to the cable company when they are here to diagnose the problem.

- Cable company came in and tested the QAM frequency (607) and it's clear and almost error free.


I contacted the NBC affiliate in Boston regarding this problem but they weren't aware of the problem. Had the local cable company out here and inquired if the "Network" broadcast feed was coming in via satellite and being re-encoded and spliced locally with the Boston affiliate station. Nope, they only have one signal off the satellite and they do no encoding or re-modulation.

What I DID find: Whatever is encoded in the original Audio track coming into my Tivo is "filtered out" when I set the Tivo to down convert to PCM. In this mode, I can't run Dolby Digital Expanded, audio sounds OK but I am stuck on THX Cinema.

This problem doesn't happen on ANY other HD channel that I might watch. FOX, CBS, ABC etc...ONLY NBC and ONLY during Network originating broadcasts.

Suggestions Anyone? Grasping at straws here.

I apologise in advance as I'm sure this question has already been asked somewhere in the previous 66 pages. I am using powered zone 2 to run some bookshelf speakers in the kitchen. Is there a way to adjust the 'tone control' for these speakers connected in a powered zone configuration?

Sorry, but no, rather you would have to upgrade to the 809 for that feature.

Thanks. Appreciate the confirmation

So, my second brand new 709 is at Onkyo after the HDMI board failed, and I emailed the person I've been dealing with about a replacement unit. This is part of the response:

Wouldn't my components be frying other things like my TV etc. that they are hooked up to when the receiver isn't in the chain if it was an electrical charge problem? Is there any way to check to see if anything is emitting a charge that may harm my receiver? More importantly, can Onkyo deny warranty on defective equipment within the two years based solely on a "concern"?

In the 8 months since I purchased the initial unit, the two have functioned for a little less than 3 months. I very seriously doubt I will ever purchase an Onkyo again, it's just not worth it.

Hello,

I am a newbie and interested in a 709. Given the HDMI problems people have experienced with this model, I am wondering if I might have a better chance of long term success by buying a reconditioned unit. Would anyone have an opinion on this.

Thank you.

I can't possibly see how a reconditioned unit can be better than a new one.

Reconditioned by whom? Returned by whom? And for what reason? Extra transportation etc...

I have far more faith in a standard factory built and tested unit than when someone else has opened it up and prodded about.

just had the infamous hdmi board failure, and to think about irony i just ordered an 818 today. one more chance onkyo and that's it for me.

Originally, given the problems I've read about (and budget), I opted for a Reconditioned, as long as it was by Onkyo. However, my first one was faulty and has been replaced. Now while starting to setup, I can't access my home network (wired). Posting separately about that. If it's a bad unit, rather than me, I'll be following my 2-strike rule and writing Onkyo off forever.

I'm setting my new (reconditioned) 709. I have a wired network and other components are accessing the network from that router. If I go into the 709's menu, I don't see any way of accessing my network or entering my network key. What am I doing wrong? And I do hope it's me...

Another hour on with Onkyo. Had to unplug everything, carry to the cable modem and determined the networking is bad. I'm done with the 709 and Onkyo. Requested a refund from A4L. They were good through the problems, at least so far.

So what suggestions as to an alternative now? Thanks.

Yep, just unplug the AVR for an hour and plug back the Ethernet cable.
Works everytime.

BTW I'm tired with an issue:

When listening to music through my HDI Dune, plugged with HDMI to AVR (and won't change, I need and want Hi Res surround); when I shut down the TV, sound goes off, HDMI search for signal.
3 seconds later, HDMI finds back the signal and sound goes on again.

What the heck is that? Why would the TV have any influence on the Dune <-> AVR connection ?

Be sure to turn of the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) feature on your tv. For example Panasonic calls theirs Viera Link and Samsung calls theirs Anynet+.
Edited by MandM - 11/27/12 at 12:28am