Sherwood Launches the R-904N NetBoxx – Internet A/V Receiver
Written on Sep 9, 2009 by Brian and filed under News, Sherwood
Before you start the “another day, another media box” routine – take a minute to check out what Sherwood has to offer with the NetBoxx. The R-904N is a 7.1 channel receiver that connects to the Internet to stream content from several sources including: PlayOn (Hulu, Netflix, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Amazon Video On Demand), You Tube, Cinema Now, Shoutcast and more. It also offers streaming from networked hardware or connected devices (USB) and offers three HDMI inputs, along with an HDMI output.
The biggest difference between the Sherwood NetBoxx and other media boxes is that the Sherwwod is a true receiver. That means it can act as a central unit, where other devices get plugged in – as evidenced by the three HDMI inputs, two component video inputs (and one output), one Toslink optical and two coaxial digital audio inputs. Traditional media players are more or less dumb boxes that can stream content or playback content from USB or networked devices, but they don’t offer much in the way of inputs or other features.
The NetBoxx offers high-end audio and video support too, with Dolby Volume, Dolby TruHD and DTS-HD Master high-resolution audio, DTS 96/24, Neo 6 Cinema and Music, Dolby Digital and Dolby ProLogic IIx, as well as most popular audio and video codecs.
If you still need more, the NetBoxx also uses VuNow’s technology to bring a web browser to the box. Users can navigate the web by using the included remote control.
Sherwood is hitting all the right buttons here, including the environmental message. They claim the NetBoxx uses a third less power than it could have, due to better design and help from the Class D amplifiers from Texas Instruments that offer integrated feedback.
For easy setup, Sherwood has included a calibration microphone to measure the distance of the speakers and adjust power accordingly. Network setup is also automated, using the VuNow module, which locates and sets up access to the user’s network. For wireless networks, a plug-in 802.11g wireless adaptor is provided.
Sherwood certainly has a lot going on here and it kind of needs all those moving parts to justify the $649.95 retail price. With media streamers running much less, Sherwood will have to prove that the extra features and the 7.1 channel receiver can be the difference. If it does all Sherwood claims, and does it well, they can probably find a niche for the NetBoxx. We’ll report back on their success in a full review.
The Sherwood R-904N NetBoxx is due out this month.