AV Receiver with Network Capabilities

[ahender]

Hi:

I'm just learning about music streaming via a computer.

I have a basic question on what a network-enabled AV receiver will allow me to do.

Will I be able to control all the functions of the receiver via a computer?

Mainly I am thinking along the lines of changing zones, volume, etc.

If two computers are involved in music streaming (one for storage and one for playback), does actual "server" software have to be installed on each computer?

I work at home so I am envisioning storing the music on my computer and having my wife access both the music and AV receiver from her computer.

I have spent the last hour reading various forum threads but have not found anything dumbed down enough for me to completely understand the whole concept of computers and networked AV receivers.

thanks...alan

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Alan,

You will not be able to control the receiver via the computer...I do not know of any AVRs that allow you to do this...but some other members here might be able to advise you better on this sort of capability. The main purpose of the network thing is to be able to stream music files from your computer to the AVR as well as being able to receive firmware updates...

What you are looking for might only be the capabilities of more expensive and complex full home automation type systems...

 

[bandphan]

well depending on the software, control over a rs232 enabled receiver is very "doable". There are many home automation software vendors that allow for complete control and remote control intergration.

http://www.myhometheaterpc.com/downloads/Intro_To_HA.pdf a cool read by an avs members journey to home automation

 

[highfigh]

Hi:

I'm just learning about music streaming via a computer.

I have a basic question on what a network-enabled AV receiver will allow me to do.

Will I be able to control all the functions of the receiver via a computer?

Mainly I am thinking along the lines of changing zones, volume, etc.

If two computers are involved in music streaming (one for storage and one for playback), does actual "server" software have to be installed on each computer?

I work at home so I am envisioning storing the music on my computer and having my wife access both the music and AV receiver from her computer.

I have spent the last hour reading various forum threads but have not found anything dumbed down enough for me to completely understand the whole concept of computers and networked AV receivers.

thanks...alan

I don't know if you want to buy another piece of equipment but some music servers can stream as well as play lossless music through a stereo/whole house system. I haven't used the Escient, but Russound has a server that can be streamed from more than one computer in the same location. You may be able to use a network drive, which can have Wimdows Media Player or some other system installed, then you could go to an icon on the computer's desktop and play. I haven't done that. Yet. I do want to find out if/how it works.

ParadigmDog may be here soon enough- he has a Denon AVR-3808CI and he does use an external drive to store his music. He can post or send a shot of the GUI.

If you want to stream from any computer, anywhere, ReQuest does that. I have one and when I'm at home, I can use the remote that came with it, my Universal Remote Control, a Harmony (or any other), my desktop or laptop. If I'm away, I would log onto a website that requires my user name and password, I click on my server (which is the only one I would have access to and I can create playlists, play what's there, etc. The ReQuest stores .wav and MP3 files, so the full bandwidth can be heard through the main system and streaming can happen at the same time, completely independent of each other.

 

[ahender]

I have an Onkyo 705.

It doesn't have ethernet but does have an RS-232 jack.

Also, from what I have read, music streaming can be done even without networking.

Correct?

alan

 

[strube]

Someone else can correct me if I am wrong, but I was researching AVRs extensively a while back and found that the Denon 2809CI and 3808CI could actually be controlled via a GUI from a web browser connected to the same network.

 

[rgray]

Web browser Control

I recently bought a Denon Avr 4308 and YES i can control all functions from my lap tops web browser. I am using an ethernet connectiion form the router to the 4308 becuase i was having lots of problemes with the wirelss. Denon was little or no help solving the issue

 

[wstandis]

Looks like it has been discussed 1000 times but apples aiport express & airfoil are hard to beat for about $100 you can steam all sorts of cool things to your AVR. I absolutely love mine (with the optical out analog is horrible)

 

[Audiguy3]

Hi:

I'm just learning about music streaming via a computer.

I have a basic question on what a network-enabled AV receiver will allow me to do.

Will I be able to control all the functions of the receiver via a computer?

Mainly I am thinking along the lines of changing zones, volume, etc.

If two computers are involved in music streaming (one for storage and one for playback), does actual "server" software have to be installed on each computer?

I work at home so I am envisioning storing the music on my computer and having my wife access both the music and AV receiver from her computer.

I have spent the last hour reading various forum threads but have not found anything dumbed down enough for me to completely understand the whole concept of computers and networked AV receivers.

thanks...alan

You may not need a receiver for this. The PS3 and Directv DVRs allow streaming of music from your PC. Using Windows Media Center, Nero, or PS2 Media Center
Reggie

 

[bigred7078]

Someone else can correct me if I am wrong, but I was researching AVRs extensively a while back and found that the Denon 2809CI and 3808CI could actually be controlled via a GUI from a web browser connected to the same network.

pretty sure the 2809 cannot be.

 

[bigred7078]

i have a PS3 and i was pretty unimpressed with its networking abilities. Although i have heard a new program that was released that works amazingly well, but has some bugs.

All my music is in itunes as Apple Loss-less, so i decided to try out an appleTV for its streaming capabilities and awesome GUI. Its been by far an awesome experience. Extremely easy to use, and my music that i store on the internal harddrive sounds awesome! I can also stream music from my computers itunes to the appleTV. An added bonus is the fact that i have an iTouch and can also use it to control the appleTV, which is pretty slick because i can walk from room to room use the coverflow feature and just flip through all my albums. It also gives you mutli-room functionality if you use multiple appleTV's or apple's airport, so you can choose what room is playing what. Its pretty advanced and very easy to setup and use.

I also have a Yamaha V3900 which has some pretty slick networking features, i just prefer the appleTV.