Denon Unveils Apple AirPlay and iPhone/iPad Control App for A/V Receivers: BigPictureBigSound

Published: 2010-09-24 - 16:21:06

Denon Unveils Apple AirPlay and iPhone/iPad Control App for A/V Receivers

By Rachel Cericola

At the CEDIA Expo in Atlanta today, Denon was showing a fully functional AirPlay implementation on the company's 2010 networked A/V receivers. That means that soon Denon customers will be able to access their iTunes libraries from their receivers, as well as synch playback from multiple devices.

Yes, you heard me: iTunes! AirPlay is Apple's newly announced open front-end for iTunes, which allows users to stream music through the house wirelessly with a computer running iTunes (PC or Mac) as the source and an AirPlay-capable device as the playback component.

AirPlay will be integrated into many of Denon's networkable receivers in the 2010 model year (models ending with "11"), such as Denon's AVR-4311CI. Apple says that the technology will go into other products as well, such as speaker docks and stereo systems. Aside from Denon, Apple also lists Marantz, B&W, JBL and iHome as its preliminary AirPlay partners.

Earlier today, we reported on another one of Denon's AirPlay-compatible products, the N7 System, which includes the newly announced RCD-N7 CD Receiver (MSRP: $599) and the SC-N7 Stereo Loudspeakers ($199 per pair). This, along with Denon's receiver products, will be among the first to support Apple AirPlay for direct access to iTunes.

Apple AirPlay in action on a Denon receiver.

Denon will be one of the first manufacturers to offer AirPlay in an A/V receiver... and this is what it looks like.

Denon's new Control app on the iPad.

Denon has not released any official word on when the AirPlay feature will be available, as well as exactly which products will get the goodies. However, a rep has confirmed that the feature will cost users $49 to upgrade via the internet. That said, there will be a promotional period where users can get the new AirPlay-enabled firmware as a freebie. That will run between October 15 and November 7, 2010.

Denon also demonstrated their new control app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, which allows customers to control their receivers from their favorite portable device or tablet. Denon's Remote App will work with the company's existing AVR-4311CI (MSRP: $1999), AVR-3311CI ($1199) and AVR-991 ($999), as well as the new 100th Anniversary Product Collection Model AVR-A100 ($2,499).

With four separate screen modes, users can control everything from audio tuning to networking to switching. Some screens allow for basic functions, such as volume. Others delve deeper into the Denon's products, with options for radio presets, content streaming, balancing the audio soundfield for specific room parameters, and more.

The new Remote App is now available for demo purposes at Apple's App Store. A firmware update for owners for the AVR-3311CI and AVR-991 will be coming by the end of September. The AVR-4311CI and the AVR-A100 will have the firmware built right into the equipment. Denon also says that an Android version is in the works.