Recognizing the importance of music streaming to today's tech-savvy consumers, Onkyo has added streaming capabilities to its remote control apps for iPod Touch/iPhone and Android/Kindle platforms, and introduced a USB Bluetooth adaptor that provides similar capabilities through a hardware gateway.
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The upgraded Onkyo Remote 2 App for iPod and iPhone allows users to stream music stored on their iPod Touch or iPhone directly to Onkyo's 2012 model networked receivers through their wireless home network. Streaming through this app is done at CD Quality, 44.1/16bit rates and supports Track name, Album name, Artist name, Album Art and Time Data. The improved Onkyo Remote App for Android now supports streaming music directly from the Kindle Fire. In addition, these new apps were also improved to manage remote zone functions and support music playback in these zones.
Onkyo is also shipping its UBT-1 Bluetooth USB Adapter, which will allow Bluetooth enabled wireless phones, tablets and other devices to stream music to Onkyo's 2012 network receivers.
The Onkyo UBT-1 adapter is configured with CSR's aptX compression reduction codec, which allegedly restores the natural dynamic range to audio files. It reportedly provides a flat frequency response over a 10-Hz to 22-kHz bandwidth, a dynamic range of 92 dB, and algorithmic delay of less than 1.89ms. It also uses the latest Bluetooth version 3.0 with improved audio bandwidth capability to deliver sound quality approaching that of compact disc.
The Onkyo UBT-1, which is similar in size to a USB flash drive, plugs into the front USB port of a 2012 Onkyo Network receiver (models TX-NR414 and higher). Once the adapter finds a Bluetooth pairing with the wireless device, all the user has to do is hit 'play' on their music software. The adapter supports the AAC file format. Control functions include Auto Power-On and Direct Input Change function on hybrid standby status.
These free improved Remote Control Apps are available from the Apple App Store, Google Play and Amazon App Store for Android as well as via links at www.onkyousa.com.
The Onkyo UBT-1 Bluetooth USB Adapter is now available with a suggested retail price of $59.
Additional Resources
• Read more streaming, apps, and downloads news from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Explore reviews in our AV Receiver Review section.
• Learn more in our Remotes and System Control Review section.