Picking a networked AV receiver

[blin100]

Hiya all, consider me essentially new to the world of A/V.
I've done my homework...a lot of it, and I've essentially hit a roadblock.

My goal is to be able to hook up a system where I can play music and hd movies (with dts hd ma, etc) through a receiver to my speakers.

My problem right now, is that I would like this to be networked. I've searched high and low for networked receivers, and I'm starting to hate how companies state a receiver is "networked" when all it can do is stream radio online.

Can anyone recommend me a *truly* networked receiver that will let me stream mp3s from a networked shared windows 7 drive? What I have found have been:
Yamaha RX-V2700
Onkyo TX-NR5007

First, will these work? And second, are there cheaper solutions than these two?

Thanks a ton for any help or advice!

 

[highfigh]

Hiya all, consider me essentially new to the world of A/V.
I've done my homework...a lot of it, and I've essentially hit a roadblock.

My goal is to be able to hook up a system where I can play music and hd movies (with dts hd ma, etc) through a receiver to my speakers.

My problem right now, is that I would like this to be networked. I've searched high and low for networked receivers, and I'm starting to hate how companies state a receiver is "networked" when all it can do is stream radio online.

Can anyone recommend me a *truly* networked receiver that will let me stream mp3s from a networked shared windows 7 drive? What I have found have been:
Yamaha RX-V2700
Onkyo TX-NR5007

First, will these work? And second, are there cheaper solutions than these two?

Thanks a ton for any help or advice!

Denon makes several models. You can connect a NAS and use that as a server for audio or video, stream internet radio, control it using your computer including initial and ongoing setup, save your configuration/reinstall it if needed and if you pay the fee, you can use Rhapsody or Napster. I don't have a NAS yet but I just got a Denon AVR-990 and it works very well. If you prefer, you can use the on-screen display.

 

[blin100]

mm, I looked at the denon avr 990, seems like it does what the yamaha and onkyo do as well, and cheaper as well.

For someone who does not have a couple thousand invested in speakers, do you think it's simply not worth it to buy the yamaha/onkyo? Looks like the 990 has got decent reviews and the features (dts hdma/dolby, network capability) that I really need it.

Cheers

--follow up question. Sorry for the deluge of questions, theres just far too many choices
I saw that 4308 has 2 hdmi outputs...I was thinking that in the near future there is the possibility that I would want to expand it into 2 rooms...Why would the 990 which is the flagship of the consumer denons have only 1 output? Is there a cheaper alternative that upgrading all the way up to the 4308 which is almost double the price?
Thanks a ton!

 

[selden]

For local network connectivity, you should consider looking at AVRs (or pre/pros) which support DLNA. They may be more expensive than you'd like, though.

HDMI switches are readily available, so you might investigate them for driving more than one display. Monoprice has a selection for reasonable prices.

 

[highfigh]

mm, I looked at the denon avr 990, seems like it does what the yamaha and onkyo do as well, and cheaper as well.

For someone who does not have a couple thousand invested in speakers, do you think it's simply not worth it to buy the yamaha/onkyo? Looks like the 990 has got decent reviews and the features (dts hdma/dolby, network capability) that I really need it.

Cheers

--follow up question. Sorry for the deluge of questions, theres just far too many choices
I saw that 4308 has 2 hdmi outputs...I was thinking that in the near future there is the possibility that I would want to expand it into 2 rooms...Why would the 990 which is the flagship of the consumer denons have only 1 output? Is there a cheaper alternative that upgrading all the way up to the 4308 which is almost double the price?
Thanks a ton!

Do you want to watch the same program on both? If you do, you can buy HDMI distribution devices for that.

 

[blin100]

Mmm, in terms of a dlna compliant streaming device, I had in mind the popcorn hour or the popbox whenever that comes out (not too worried as it is irght now) I think I wrote it wrong on my op about streaming video as well, as the dlna device would do that.

And, yep to both Selden and Highfish, I totally forgot about hdmi splitters/amplifiers. That would definitely be the way to go, as opposed to the extra 600-700 bucks

With regards to the onkyos,
The NR receivers which I had looked at before looked awesome, but the denon which has the same feature set is much cheaper. (I understand that there actual hardware differences which are explained ad nauseum in most avr reviews. My idea is that, well, I probably can't hear the difference, sad as that may be)

In any case, thanks for all the replies and help! As it stands, the 990 looks like the one I'm getting..along with a popcorn hour

 

[highfigh]

Mmm, in terms of a dlna compliant streaming device, I had in mind the popcorn hour or the popbox whenever that comes out (not too worried as it is irght now) I think I wrote it wrong on my op about streaming video as well, as the dlna device would do that.

And, yep to both Selden and Highfish, I totally forgot about hdmi splitters/amplifiers. That would definitely be the way to go, as opposed to the extra 600-700 bucks

With regards to the onkyos,
The NR receivers which I had looked at before looked awesome, but the denon which has the same feature set is much cheaper. (I understand that there actual hardware differences which are explained ad nauseum in most avr reviews. My idea is that, well, I probably can't hear the difference, sad as that may be)

In any case, thanks for all the replies and help! As it stands, the 990 looks like the one I'm getting..along with a popcorn hour

If it comes down to the need to watch several independent sources at multiple locations, you could almost get a 4x4 matrix for the $600-$700 you save. It may be a bit more but it's in the ballpark.

 

[blin100]

Interesting...didn't even know 4x4s existed
Well, I guess it's as future proof as this can get with a less than optimal budget. Off to dock my bank account for 800 bucks.
Cheers