Onkyo Introduces Net-Tune Ethernet Audio Components At CEDIA EXPO 2002

14-Oct-02

Onkyo introduced a line of Ethernet-compatible audio components based on the company's Net-Tuneô technology. Net-Tune provides an easy way to get music from one place to another on a computer network, using products that function much like traditional audio components. Onkyo showed these to dealers for the first time at CEDIA EXPO 2002.Up to 12 different users can use separate Net-Tune-ready audio components...or 'clients' in network jargon ...to independently access digital music stored on a networked personal computer or use a network broadband connection to play Internet radio. ""Net-Tune allows anyone to plug into and access music over Ethernet, without needing training as a LAN administrator or using complex PC software,"" said Mark Friedman, Senior Vice President, Onkyo USA. ""Dad can play jazz in the den, Mom can listen to Elvis in the living room, and junior and up to nine other brothers and sisters can each listen to different recordings, all at the same time. As more and more homes are built or retrofitted with wired and wireless networks, Net-Tune opens the door to the integration of premium audio components into home LANs. Onkyo is the first audio component manufacturer to move into this market.""""Onkyo Net-Tune systems are easy and intuitive to use, and much more capable than current, first-generation network audio products,"" Friedman continues. ""If current limited-access music servers can be thought of as narrow country roads, Net-Tune is a 12-lane highway.""Any networked personal computer that runs Onkyo's proprietary Net-Tune Centralô software can act as a server for storing and cataloging the music files. Because this software operates in the background, a dedicated computer is not required; the PC retains the ability to perform all the functions in the foreground while providing Net-Tune audio streams to clients on the local network.Net-Tune clients are advanced audio/video receivers and compact audio systems that can be connected to the network to access music files from the server. The dedicated clients look much like compact bookshelf audio systems, while Net-Tune ready receivers include all the functions of a high-end home theatre receiver, plus Net-Tune. Both can access music on the PC server by album name, artist, genre, or by user-assigned folders that can contain customized playlists. Onkyo's Net-Tune product line will consist of one high-end audio/video receiver, a LAN client receiver, and Net-Tune Central server software.Onkyo TX-NR900 AV Receiver, $1,500 MSRPOnkyo NC-500 Net-Tune Client, $500 with speakers, $400 without The company has a separate Web site for Net-Tune at www.net-tune.net. For more information about Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com.

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