Onkyo TX-NR818 "official" owner's thread discussion

Originally Posted by jmpage2

I am not an owner of this unit (yet) but considering the volume of interest I think that this modl needs its own thread,

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (3/26/12) --- Onkyo, widely regarded as the most innovative manufacturer of home theater technology, has introduced two new feature-packed mid-line audio-video receivers. The Onkyo TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 are 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receivers that offer an exciting mix of advanced networking technology, high performance video and THX®-certified sound quality.

For the home theater enthusiast who sees no need to compromise, the TX-NR818 offers the audio calibration capabilities of Audyssey MultEQ® XT32, three surround processing modes including DTS Neo:X, and the unmatched picture quality provided by Onkyo's Dual Core Video Engine.

The Dual Core Video Engine combines the power of an HQV® Vida™ VHD 1900 video processor core to generate smooth, accurate 1080p upscaling and enhancement of lower-quality content, with the performance of the Marvel Qdeo™ processor, which can upscale 1080p content to four times that resolution. Additionally, the TX-NR818's Dual Core Video Engine offers video calibration to ISF standards, so the user can enjoy breathtaking TV color accuracy. On the TX-NR717, the Marvel Qdeo™ provides upscaling of all sources to 1080p and 4K.

This year, Onkyo is the first AVR brand to offer the new InstaPrevue™ and MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) technologies, and both are available on these new receivers. InstaPrevue displays video thumbnails representing available content on devices connected via HDMI, which greatly simplifies the process of switching HDMI sources. The front-panel MHL HDMI® port allows users to easily connect and play high-resolution media stored on compatible smart phones with seven channels of surround sound.

The Onkyo TX-NR818 includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 that adjusts the listening room with data gathered from more than 10,000 control points across eight listening positions. This receiver also includes three surround ambience expansion systems, DTS Neo:X™, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz and Audyssey DSX®. As found on Onkyo’s high-end models, DTS Neo:X incorporates Front Wide or Front Height channels along with incredibly realistic listening modes to maximize the game, music, and movie experience. The TX-NR717 features Audyssey DSX for Wide Channels and Dolby Pro Logic IIz for Heights, as well as multi-channel expansion of stereo sources and uses Audyssey 2EQ for room calibration.

Both receivers earn THX® Select 2 Plus™ certification with enhancements to Onkyo’s exclusive WRAT concept. Distortion is all but eliminated by the use of three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry, with power supplied by a massive high-power transformer. Both units feature Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs on all seven channels while the TX-NR818 adds PLL jitter-cleaning circuits to further improve signal quality, as well as isolated power amp and pre-amp blocks.

The TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 lead the field in connectivity, with eight HDMI inputs (one front, and seven rear) and two outputs. HDMI implementation enables 3D video support, as well as DTS-HD Master Audio™ and Dolby® TrueHD audio decoding. These receivers feature an Audio Return Channel over HDMI, allowing the playback of broadcast TV with surround sound. New 1080p, high-resolution GUI (Graphical User Interface) offers an overlaid ‘Quick Setup’ menu that provides access to frequently used settings—ideal for quick mid-program adjustments.
Onkyo’s home networking execution is beyond compare, with online sources that are easy to set up and fast to access. Users can connect using a LAN cable, or add an optional UWF-1 Wireless LAN Adapter to the rear-side USB port, leaving the front-panel USB free for an iPod®, iPhone®, or flash memory device.

In addition to a vast selection of internet radio channels, and music streaming from Spotify and AUPEO!, users can enjoy their personal cloud-based music collections via MP3tunes with powerful home theater sound. Ethernet connectivity also enables playback of music from PC or media server, and simplifies periodic firmware updates.

With the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818, integrated house-wide entertainment is a reality, with three-room audio distribution via dedicated line-outs, or by allocating surround channel outputs designed for the purpose. Amplification of audio signals is easily switched to either of two zones equipped with stereo speakers. Playback control across multiple rooms—along with access to all major home theater settings—is available from anywhere in the house using the Remote App 2 for iPhone, or Onkyo Remote App for Android phone.

In the coming months, Onkyo will introduce its UBT-1 USB Bluetooth Adapter to significantly upgrade the ability of its network receivers to interact with a wide variety of hand-held electronic devices. There will also be a new iPhone remote control app that will enable music streaming from a handset to an Onkyo network receiver, and also the company's first remote app for the Kindle Fire.

Both receivers include a comprehensive selection of digital and analog A/V connections, and offer front-channel bi-amping. Furthermore, the TX-NR818 boasts an onboard Digital Crossover Processing Network to cancel frequency interference when bi-amping loudspeakers. This model also has 9.2-channel pre-outs if the user wishes to use the receiver as a nine-channel processor.

These receivers are well suited to powering an existing home theater setup, or as a centerpiece around which a magnificent new system can be built. With the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818, Onkyo delivers the kind of features and performance that keeps the everyday user at the cutting edge of home theater technology.

The Onkyo TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 will be available in May with suggested retail prices of $ 999.00 and $1,199.00, respectively.

Digital Crossover provides a separate routing system by splitting the audio signal into separate frequency bands optimized for each speaker driver. It provides a fine, three- dimensional sound field that extend each driver’s performance to the uppermost.

With its built-in time alignment function, this system also adjusts the sound shifting that occurs when there is a physical offset between sound drivers. At a digital processing level, it corrects this offset by delaying the related audio signal.

Although this function is meant for speakers without crossover network, it can also be used with bi-amped speakers.

In this case, set the crossover network on the AV receiver as the speakers’ built-in network frequency is not used.

Crossover
“250Hz”, “320Hz”, “400Hz”, “500Hz, “630Hz”, “800Hz”, “1000Hz”, “1250Hz”, “1600Hz”, “2000Hz”, “2500Hz”, “3200Hz”, “4000Hz”, “5000Hz”

Output Band for Test
High + Low, High, Low:
Select the output for the audio signal.

Overlap
No
Yes

With this setting, a frequency band near the specified crossover frequency is output by both tweeters and woofers. Based on the frequency selected for “Crossover”, the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter (LPF) will be set to 1/3 octave up and that of the high-pass filter (HPF) to 1/3 octave down. Example: With a “Crossover” of “3200Hz”, the cutoff frequency of the woofers’ LPF will be “4000Hz”, and the tweeters’ HPF will be “2500Hz”.

High Level, Low Level
–6.0dB to 0.0dB to +6.0dB in 0.5 dB steps

With this setting, you can set the volume of tweeters and woofers.

High Phase, Low Phase
0o
180o:

With this setting, you can adjust the phase of tweeters and woofers.

High Distance, Low Distance
0inch(0.0cm) to 12inch(30.0cm) in 1 inch(2.5 cm)
Audio Adjust
Note
steps
With this setting, you can adjust the virtual position of tweeter and woofer units.
Adjusting “High Distance” virtually shifts woofers behind tweeters. Adjusting “Low Distance” virtually shifts tweeters behind woofers.

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

Do you need the Onkyo UWF-1 Wireless LAN Adapter for the 818?

Originally Posted by FilmMixer

It is not included.. so if you don't have ethernet, and want streaming functionality, the answer is yes..

Originally Posted by FilmMixer

The 818 also includes a unique feature not found on many AVR's, and certainly none at this price point...

An Active Digital Crossover system, for active bi-amping.

From the manual....

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

My unit is expected to be delivered tomorrow.

Originally Posted by jmpage2

Hopefully some pre-orders will show up in the next couple of days and we will get a lot of new information as well as questions answered by the early adopters.

Joerods review should also be out soon, and hopefully he will drop in and put a link to it in this thread.

Originally Posted by djPerfectTrip

girls in bikini pics or it didn't happen

Originally Posted by jmpage2

Are there any glitches/concerns you can summarize here for any fence sitters (like myself)?

Originally Posted by bluestang

+1

...and it will tidy us over until your review shows up. I think its the only fair way!

Originally Posted by jmpage2

Joe,

You are making it extremely hard to resist pulling the trigger on one of these sooner rather than later. Are there any glitches/concerns you can summarize here for any fence sitters (like myself)?

Originally Posted by GoldenBoy

I have a question for owners of the 818: is the Apple Lossless file support quoted in the manual ACTUALLY built-in, or is it dependent on AirPlay or direct playback from a USB drive or iPod plugged in? Meaning, if I used this as a streaming media playback device, would it access ALAC files from my networked HDD and play them back?

I hope that question was clear.