Denon And Marantz A/V Receivers To Get AirPlay Support For A Fee
Have you heard of AirPlay? Chances are you have, but not much about it. Apple recently talked about the new technology when talking about the
forthcoming iOS 4.x update for the iPad. Basically, AirPlay is an
Apple-branded wireless streaming service that will allow users to stream
their iTunes music remotely from their PCs and Macs across their home
networks without any extra setup. If you buy an AirPlay-certified
device, you'll be able to stream iTunes music directly to it without
buying any extra hardware so long as you already have a Wi-Fi network
setup.
Denon and Marantz are two high-end names in the home entertainment business, and Apple announced that both of these guys were partners from the start. This week, they have announced a new firmware update for four Denon A/V receivers, the N7 mini-system and four Marantz network-capable A/V components. After the update, that will make these devices the first A/V receivers in the world to receive AirPlay compatibility. The upgrade will be available for purchase through the Denon website to owners of four Denon A/V receivers, including the AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199) and AVR-991 (SRP: $999), as well as the company’s new 100th Anniversary Product Collection Model AVR-A100 (SRP: $2,499) and its N7 Networked CD Receiver and 2.0 Channel Speaker System, consisting of the new RCD-N7 CD Receiver (SRP: $599) and SC-N7 Stereo Loudspeakers (SRP: $199/pair). In addition, all of the new, IP-based Marantz products, including the Model SR7005 A/V Receiver (SRP: $1,599), AV7005 A/V Preamplifier (SRP: $1,499), NA7004 Network Audio Player (SRP: $799) and M-CR603 Networked CD Receiver (SRP: $699) will work with the new AirPlay feature, which may be purchased via the Marantz website. In the U.S., the upgrade is expected to be available beginning November 25th for $49.
That last part is most interesting. This isn't a free update. It's one of the only updates we know of that isn't free. We suspect it's because Apple charges a fee to every partner company for using their AirPlay technology, but it's a painful pill to swallow. So even though you may not have to buy extra hardware, you'll still be paying for wireless iTunes streaming.
Denon and Marantz are two high-end names in the home entertainment business, and Apple announced that both of these guys were partners from the start. This week, they have announced a new firmware update for four Denon A/V receivers, the N7 mini-system and four Marantz network-capable A/V components. After the update, that will make these devices the first A/V receivers in the world to receive AirPlay compatibility. The upgrade will be available for purchase through the Denon website to owners of four Denon A/V receivers, including the AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199) and AVR-991 (SRP: $999), as well as the company’s new 100th Anniversary Product Collection Model AVR-A100 (SRP: $2,499) and its N7 Networked CD Receiver and 2.0 Channel Speaker System, consisting of the new RCD-N7 CD Receiver (SRP: $599) and SC-N7 Stereo Loudspeakers (SRP: $199/pair). In addition, all of the new, IP-based Marantz products, including the Model SR7005 A/V Receiver (SRP: $1,599), AV7005 A/V Preamplifier (SRP: $1,499), NA7004 Network Audio Player (SRP: $799) and M-CR603 Networked CD Receiver (SRP: $699) will work with the new AirPlay feature, which may be purchased via the Marantz website. In the U.S., the upgrade is expected to be available beginning November 25th for $49.
That last part is most interesting. This isn't a free update. It's one of the only updates we know of that isn't free. We suspect it's because Apple charges a fee to every partner company for using their AirPlay technology, but it's a painful pill to swallow. So even though you may not have to buy extra hardware, you'll still be paying for wireless iTunes streaming.
DENON AND MARANTZ WILL OFFER A/V COMPONENTS WITH
AIRPLAY MUSIC STREAMING
-- New Firmware Upgrade for Four Denon A/V Receivers, the N7 Mini-System and Four Marantz Network-Capable A/V Components Will Let Users Stream iTunes Music Remotely from Their PC/Macs Across Their Home Networks --
MAHWAH, NJ – October 8, 2010 - Denon Electronics, a premier manufacturer of high-quality home entertainment components celebrating 100 years of innovation and technology leadership, and Marantz America, a world leader of advanced home entertainment solutions, today announced they will each offer AirPlay music streaming capability via feature upgrade on nine network-capable audio/video components in their respective lineups, making the A/V receivers the world's first to include AirPlay capability. The feature upgrade, which allows users to easily stream music from their iTunes collections to selected Denon® and Marantz® components with just the tap of a finger, will be available via firmware upgrade. The upgrade will be available for purchase through the Denon website to owners of four Denon A/V receivers, including the AVR-4311CI (SRP: $1,999), AVR-3311CI (SRP: $1,199) and AVR-991 (SRP: $999), as well as the company’s new 100th Anniversary Product Collection Model AVR-A100 (SRP: $2,499) and its N7 Networked CD Receiver and 2.0 Channel Speaker System, consisting of the new RCD-N7 CD Receiver (SRP: $599) and SC-N7 Stereo Loudspeakers (SRP: $199/pair). In addition, all of the new, IP-based Marantz products, including the Model SR7005 A/V Receiver (SRP: $1,599), AV7005 A/V Preamplifier (SRP: $1,499), NA7004 Network Audio Player (SRP: $799) and M-CR603 Networked CD Receiver (SRP: $699) will work with the new AirPlay feature, which may be purchased via the Marantz website. In the U.S., the upgrade is expected to be available beginning November 25th for $49.
Stream iTunes Music from PC or Mac to Home Entertainment Networks
With the incorporation of AirPlay in selected Denon and Marantz products via the upgrade, users can open up their iTunes to a whole new experience, enjoying not only the ability to stream iTunes music from their PC or Mac on their home network, but also to access artist information, album art and elapsed and remaining time.
Bob Weissburg, President of D&M Holdings NA noted: “Our brands are at the forefront of home entertainment technology and both Denon and Marantz have established reputations for enhancing the entertainment experience for discriminating consumers. Maximum compatibility with all of today’s home entertainment content and source components is a priority in the receivers offered from both these D&M companies, including the iPod and iPhone, and now AirPlay capability as well. AirPlay adds yet another great dimension to content enjoyment through Denon and Marantz’s commitment to providing our customers the best music experience possible. Our consumers, as well as valued retail partners, have always depended on both the Denon and Marantz brands for the most advanced innovations and leading-edge technologies that take the home entertainment experience to the next level and provide creative solutions for maximum enjoyment and flexibility.”
For more information on Denon, visit http://usa.denon.com. For Denon 100th Anniversary and other news, visit http://www.denon100.com and http://usblog.denon.com. Become a fan of Denon on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/denonusa or follow Denon on Twitter at http://twitter.com/denonus.
For more information on Marantz, visit http://us.marantz.com. Become a fan of Marantz on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/marantzamerica or follow Marantz on Twitter at http://twitter.com/marantzamerica.
