Onkyo has announced that many of its 2016 and 2017 audio components will now support Chromecast audio streaming and voice control via Google Home. The addition of Chromecast allows you to stream audio wirelessly from any Cast-compatible app on your mobile app or through the Chrome Web browser. A free firmware update is now available for a selection of the company's AV receivers/processors, soundbars, HTiBs, and wireless speakers. One such product is the new NCP-302 multi-room wireless speaker shown here ($349). Other specific model numbers are listed in the press release below.
From Onkyo
Onkyo USA has released a firmware update for select home theater, hi-fi, and lifestyle audio components manufactured during or after 2016 that activates Chromecast built-in audio streaming, as well as voice control capability when used with Google Home. The company also announced that the NCP-302 Multi-room Wireless Speaker is now shipping, which features Chromecast built-in support. It is available in black and white color variants and carries an MSRP of $349 (USD) and $449 (CAD).
This firmware release further enhances a universal audio streaming and wireless multi-room ecosystem integrated within Onkyo home entertainment products, giving listeners greater choice and enriching their daily life with immersive and satisfying sound. The firmware update activates Chromecast built-in on the following Onkyo products:
TX-NR676, TX-NR575, TX-8270, PR-RZ5100, TX-RZ3100, TX-RZ1100, TX-RZ810, TX-RZ710, TX-RZ610, TX-NR757, TX-NR656, TX-NR555, HT-S7800, SBT-A500, and the aforementioned NCP-302.
Chromecast built-in allows users to share a wide selection of music, Internet radio, podcasts, and other programs from popular Chromecast-enabled apps to Onkyo home entertainment systems. Chromecast built-in is supported on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android phones and tablets, Chromebook, and Chrome browser on Mac, Windows, and Linux PCs.
The firmware update adds support for the Google Home, as well as for audio devices featuring Google Assistant to be introduced to the marketplace in the future. Users can ask Google Home to find music from supported streaming services and play it back through their Onkyo component. Operations such as volume adjustment and song selection can also be performed using voice commands.
Streaming audio from mobile device to component via Chromecast built-in is intuitive and instantaneous. Tapping or clicking on an icon built into Chromecast-enabled apps sends audio to the receiver or speaker system wirelessly, with sampling rates of up to 48 kHz supported for lossless sources.
Onkyo products with Chromecast built-in feature dual-band 5-GHz/2.4-GHz Wi-Fi for stable, interference-free streaming with less buffering and fewer dropouts.
Further, Chromecast built-in allows use of other apps while streaming music. Listeners can answer calls, send emails, or play games without interrupting audio playback. The platform also enables streaming of single or multiple audio sources to other Chromecast-enabled speakers simultaneously. No special device setup, password entry, or pairing process is required to connect and stream via Chromecast built-in, providing both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
To enjoy the Chromecast built-in on supported Onkyo products, apps must be Chromecast-enabled and the receiver and device must be connected to the same network. Discover Chromecast-enabled apps at g.co/cast/audioapps. For further information about Chromecast built-in, please visit https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/.
Please note that Onkyo cannot guarantee correct operation of streaming audio via Chromecast built-in in every wireless network environment even if the above requirements are met. Some applications supporting Chromecast built-in require a paid subscription and are subject to regional availability. Due to a policy of continuous product improvement, Onkyo reserves the right to change specifications without notice.
Additional Resources
• Visit the Onkyo website for more product information.
• New TX-NR676 and TX-NR575 AV Receivers at HomeTheaterReview.com.