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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 25 reviews
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Product summary
The good: The Sony STR-G800 is a 7.1-channel receiver with autosetup capabilities, HDMI switching for two sources, and XM Satellite Radio compatibility. It also offers composite-video and S-Video conversion to component video, A-B speaker switching, and a turntable input.
The bad: The autosetup takes you only so far, and the manual setup logistics are a little quirky. There are no onscreen menus, and the analog video inputs can't be converted to HDMI output, though that's no surprise at this price point.
The bottom line: An impressive spread of features, including HDMI switching, autosetup, and XM Radio capability, makes Sony's STR-DG800 receiver a notable bargain in the sub-$400 category.
Specifications: Product type: AV receiver; Sound output mode: Surround Sound; Amplifier total output power: 770 Watt; See full specs
See all products in the Sony STR-DG (2006 A/V receiver) series
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 06/19/2006
- Released on: 05/16/2006
Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration autosetup, a new addition for 2006, is simple enough to use; just plug in the supplied microphone and press one button on the remote. That's way easier than Denon's autosetup routine, but Sony's system isn't as accurate; it sets only the volume levels of the speakers and measures the distances between all the speakers and the mic. By comparison, the autosetup modes of other manufacturers (such as Denon) also determine the speakers' sizes, set the subwoofer's volume and crossover point, and provide speaker-correcting equalization. The Sony's test tones and whooshes were a lot louder than we've heard with other brands' systems, so we went into another room until the tones ran their course.
Worse yet, after the Sony completes its autosetup, you still have to deal with Sony's less than intuitive menu navigation and manually enter the speaker sizes--large or small--on all the speakers and set the subwoofer/satellite crossover point (you can select between 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz, 120Hz, 140Hz, and 160Hz). That'll be useful with some speaker packages, such as the Mirage Nanosat 5.1 and the KEF KHT-3005. But it doesn't help that the STR-DG800 lacks onscreen menus, so you have to muddle through the receiver display's cryptic messages to complete the setup. Thankfully, the receiver's sleek remote is logically laid out, so it's easy to use.The Sony STR-DG800 is a seven-times-100-watt receiver, though we did note that the power rating is specified only for stereo operation--not for all channels driven, which is usually a lower number. The receiver offers a full selection of Dolby and DTS surround modes--Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES, and DTS Neo:6--plus Sony's proprietary surround options. There's also a dialogue-sync option to compensate for lagging video displays.
For a $400 receiver, the STR-DG800 offers some better-than-average connectivity options, highlighted by two HDMI inputs and one output. That means you can switch between two HDMI sources--say, a high-def cable or satellite box and--eventually--a PlayStation 3. It's important to note, however, that the STR-DG800 will not convert your analog video sources--those plugged in via composite-, component-, or S-Video connections--to the HDMI output; you'll need to step up to the recently announced $800 Sony STR-DG1000 for that feature. Because it lacks analog-to-HDMI conversion, the DG800 will need HDMI and component cables run to your HDTV--assuming, of course, that you're on the HDMI bandwagon.
Aside from HDMI, there are two component-video inputs; we prefer three, but the two HDMI ins ameliorate that somewhat. There are also a total of five A/V inputs, including three with S-Video and one on the front panel. Moreover, the STR-DG800 can convert any of those video sources to its component-video output (but not HDMI, as mentioned above). On the audio front, there are six digital audio inputs--three rear optical, one front-panel optical, and two rear coaxial--as well as an optical output. Analog audio inputs include three stereo, including a dedicated phono input, as well as a 7.1-channel analog set that will come in handy for use with Blu-ray, HD-DVD, or SACD/DVD-Audio players.
Zone 2 outputs are limited to one stereo audio set, but in order to use that, you'll a separate stereo amplifier. Otherwise, go ahead and use the STR-DG800's A-B speaker switching to run the sound directly to a second pair of speakers.
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