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Sony STR DA5300ES

1 of 29

Full user review

  • 21 out of 26 people found this review helpful

    3.0 stars

    "Fantastic Reciever with some major HDMI Audio issues"

    by wleewillard on September 6, 2007

    Pros: If you are going to be using HDMI as an Audio Source Read This!

    Cons: Major Issues using HDMI for Audio

    Summary: I contacted sony after I hooked up my brand new unit today.. Used only hdmi to connect my PS3, My Direct TV Hr10-250 Hidef Tivo, and a Netgear eva8000 media streamer.
    After contacting sony to let them know I was having issues with getting audio from the other two units he made me work on the PS3, which I got to work fine.
    But the real issue come up with the other to companies products. They have both been used to transmit audio via another receiver, but whe I try to use this sony the video works perfect but no audio. I called sony to talk to them, went through a few things, then was instructed to call the other two companies because it was obviously working correctly because the pS3 sound was fine. Go figure no issue hdmi sony to sony. but I went ahead and called Directv and NetGear. Spent time with each of them, and did everything possible on there units. we both came to the conclusion since hdmi audio had worked with antoher receiver it must be the sony. So I called back Sony and they bascially don't me the unit was working perfectly because the ps3 sound was coming out, and it was the other units fault. So after getting frustrated with that, I chose to reach out to online support. Please read below the conversation, I am very interested in hearing what any sony customer would think of this type of solution. This is just sub par, the answer to this issue is for me to to further evaluate the unit using sony partners. There is no product support here: Please read and tell me what you think of this type of treatment and run-arounds.

    LiveAssist Chat
    Status: Analyst Wilton_ is here and your issue status is: working
    Problem: HDMI Audio issues
    End Session
    user Lee has entered room


    analyst Wilton_ has entered room

    Lee>
    i have the str-da5300es

    Lee>
    not a choice

    Wilton_>
    Hi Lee. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I'm Wilton. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.

    Lee>
    ok

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee. Could you please explain your concern in detail so that I can assist you better?

    Lee>
    so I just bought this new reciever

    Lee>
    and hooked everything up

    Lee>
    hdmi video is working fine

    Lee>
    but the audio portion is only working on my ps3

    Lee>
    not on my dvr or my media streamer

    Lee>
    i have called both manufacturers and have done everything they recommend

    Lee>
    I went online and found that there are hdmi syncing issues with this reciever

    Lee>
    i need to get the audio to work through hdmi

    Lee>
    you there?

    Lee>
    are you guys aware of this issue

    Lee>
    because it is lighting up message boards

    Lee>
    and I have to say, if I can't use the hdmi portion, I will be returning this unit

    Wilton_>
    Lee, I'm sorry that you are not getting the audio from the Receiver while playing the Recorder. I'll be glad to assist you with this.

    Lee>
    ok

    Lee>
    have you heard about this issue?

    Wilton_>
    Please give me a moment while I get this information for you.

    Lee>
    ok

    Lee>
    i have tried to reset everything, and it is not the hdmi cord

    Lee>
    becuase if have tried the one that works with the ps3

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee.

    Wilton_>
    I understand that you are getting the Audio through HDMI interface while playing the PS3 unit. Is that correct?

    Lee>
    yes

    Lee>
    i switched to audio input hdmi in the system menu

    Lee>
    and that added sound

    Lee>
    but when I choose those options on the other two units and reboot them

    Lee>
    I am still not getting any sound

    Wilton_>
    Since, you are getting the sound from the Receiver while playing PS3 unit, it seems the issue is with the other two units which you are trying to play.

    Lee>
    ?

    Lee>
    so you are passing the issue off on them?

    Lee>
    I have stated that I contacted them and done everythign required to use hdmi audio

    Lee>
    i was using hdmi audio with those units before

    Lee>
    now I hook up your receiver and suddenly they will not work

    Lee>
    that is a receiver issue

    Wilton_>
    Lee, since the PS3 unit is working normally when connected to the STR3800 Receiver, there is no issues with the Receiver.

    Lee>
    how can you say that?

    Lee>
    it is a sony unit connecting to a sony unit

    Lee>
    maybe that is why it is working

    Lee>
    and it is not working with the other two because they are not sony

    Lee>
    I am sorry but this answer does not fly with a 1800 dollar receiver: Wilton_> Lee, since the PS3 unit is working normally when connected to the STR3800 Receiver, there is no issues with the Receiver.





    Lee>
    and it is the str-da5300es

    Lee>
    as I stated at the top of this chat

    Lee>
    it is your brand new top of the line reciever

    Lee>
    receiver

    Wilton_>
    Since the PS# unit is working normally connected to the Receiver, it seems the issue is with some settings with the other units which you are trying to play. Please check if there is any additional settings to be made on that units.

    Lee>
    there are not, and as I stated they worked fine with an onkyo hdmi receiver

    Lee>
    but now will not work with my sony one

    Lee>
    i even called both companies that made the units to see if there was anything else I could do

    Lee>
    and after consulting two different companies for each component

    Lee>
    they both state hdmi settings for audio were correct

    Lee>
    so the issue is with compability or something with the receiver

    Lee>
    as I said earlier, there are postings on CNET, and other sites in regards to syncing issue with this sony receiver

    Lee>
    so I am not the only one with the problem

    Lee>
    is there some sort of setting or something that I am not seeing in the reciever sub menus

    Lee>
    there has to be a way to make the audio work correctly

    Lee>
    I just know for 100% sure it is not the other components.. video is working fine on both.. just no audio.. and they both worked on another receiver via hdmi prior

    Wilton_>
    Please give me a moment while I get this information for you.

    Lee>
    ok.. thanks

    Lee>
    not trying to be a pain.. but I know the issue is with the receiver

    Lee>
    I have hooked up mulitple home theaters

    Lee>
    with Sony, pioneer, onkyo, denon, etc

    Lee>
    so I am not a newbie

    Lee>
    the two other units are NETGEAR EVA-8000 and DirecTV HR 10-250

    Lee>
    both have been used via hdmi for audio

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee.

    Lee>
    yeah

    Lee>
    I am eager to hear how to fix this

    Lee>
    cause I love the video upscaling ability, and want to keep the unit

    Lee>
    i have used the work around and used optical audio cables to connect to the receiver via Video1 and Video2

    Lee>
    and that works

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu.

    Lee>
    where is that located?

    Lee>
    in the GUI interface?

    Lee>
    under settings?

    Lee>
    or do I look under HDMI1

    Lee>
    and HDMI2

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu on the Receiver.

    Lee>
    hang on

    Lee>
    i will check

    Wilton_>
    Sorry for the confusion. It's under HDMI Menu.

    Lee>
    so input>hdmi>video settins?

    Lee>
    i don't see it there

    Wilton_>
    It's under HDMI Menu.

    Wilton_>
    Would you happen to have the Manual of the Unit along with you?

    Lee>
    yes

    Lee>
    I am at the HDMI control portion

    Lee>
    it is on off

    Lee>
    put that to "on" on both

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    Please refer to page # 60 of the manual for this settings.

    Wilton_>
    Also, please set HDMI Audio to TV+AMP or AMP under HDMI Audio menu.

    Lee>
    it only says that enable turning the connected components on and off

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    Please follow the exact steps given in that page.

    Lee>
    still no sound

    Wilton_>
    Have set the HDMI Audio to TV+AMP or AMP under the Audio menu?

    Lee>
    and that only covers setting up sound coming out of the tv also on page 60

    Lee>
    not fixing the problem

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu on the Receiver.

    Lee>
    I did

    Lee>
    trust me

    Lee>
    it is not helping

    Lee>
    and page 60 doesn't say anything about that

    Lee>
    only using that to setup sound to come out of the tv and amp.. or to use the receiver to turn off selected hdmi connected components

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    In that case, I suggest that you contact a Sony Authorized Service Center to evaluate the unit.

    Wilton_>
    I would like to forward a link to a page where you can locate the nearest Sony Authorized Service Center.

    Wilton_>
    When you receive the link please click on it to open the page and let me know if you are able to view it.

    Wilton_>
    http://eservice.sony.com

    Lee>
    wait

    Lee>
    I just got this unit today

    Lee>
    and you want me to onhook everything I just hooked up and take it somewhere to get looked at?

    Lee>
    you have got to be kidding me

    Lee>
    brand new out of box 5 hours ago

    Lee>
    I find that completely unacceptable

    Wilton_>
    You may also check with the Sony Authorized Service Center for the availability for InHome Service.

    Lee>
    that I have to pay for???

    Wilton_>
    Also, you may contact the place of purchase and check with their return policy.

    Lee>
    i bought it from SONY!

    Lee>
    directly

    Wilton_>
    Since, the unit is under warranty it will be evaluated under warranty.

    Lee>
    what does taht mean?

    Lee>
    again you want me to on hook-it and take it back to one of your stores where I just bought it

    Wilton_>
    I suggest that you contact our SonyStyle Presales Support Team at 877-865-7669 to check for the available replacement options.

    Lee>
    so in replacement you mean another unit of the exact same model?

    Lee>
    it was just released on the market yesterday

    Wilton_>
    Their hours of operation:

    8:00AM to Midnight (ET), Monday - Friday

    10:00AM to 7:00 PM (ET), Saturday - Sunday

    Wilton_>
    Yes, hwoever, it will depend on their return policy.

    Lee>
    there return policy?

    Lee>
    their return policy?

    Lee>
    it is your company?

    Lee>
    this is really not making any sense to me at all

    Lee>
    this is the email I got from Sony Style

    Lee>
    Product: STRDA5300ES

    Quantity: 1

    Description: ES Series Home Theater A/V Receiver (7.1 channel)

    Date shipped: 09/05/2007

    Ship Mode: 1 Day Air

    Shipper: Fedex

    Package Tracking Number: 938419464709

    Lee>
    that is the unit I bought from you

    Lee>
    or from Sony

    Lee>
    and I am telling you that there is an issue that needs to be resolved with hdmi audio, and your answer is to find out about a "return policy"??

    Wilton_>
    Since, we do not have any information about their database. Hence, please contact them at the phone # I sent you for detailed information about this.

    Lee>
    so you are telling me that there is no fix for this issue, and that I need to think about returning the unit.. I just want to completely understand what you are telling me

    Lee>
    because that is what I am understanding

    Lee>
    and why are you saying about "their" database, I bought the unit directly from Sony, and you are Sony Product support?

    Wilton_>
    We are Technical Chat Support Team and we don't have any information about the SonyStyle team's Database. They handle all these quaries regarding the return policies and replacement issues of the Units purchased directly from Sony. They are our Sales Support Team.

    Wilton_>
    Hence, you should contact them for this information.

    Lee>
    but are you telling me there is no fix for this issue?

    Lee>
    because it is obviously the receiver

    Lee>
    and I don't think there is any chance that everything else is working fine via HDMI except for the audio.. so I am not sure why contacting someone to evaluate the unit is a solution

    Lee>
    especially since the ps3 hdmi audio is working perfectly

    Wilton_>
    Lee, the information provided by you indicates that there is no issue with the Unit since it is working normally with the PS3 Unit. Please understand that since the Unit is working normally with one Unit, there could not be any issue with the Device. However, since you've already tried all the possible settings on the Unit, only option is either to contact the Sony Service Center for In House Service or contacting the place of purchase (which is in this case, SonyStyle Support Team).

    Wilton_>
    These are the only information we have online for this issue.

    Lee>
    so my question is have other people brought up syncing issues with hdmi and this unit?

    Wilton_>
    Lee, we don't have any information about this being a common issue with this Unit.

    Wilton_>
    We have a very good review about this Unit.

    Lee>
    one second

    Lee>
    I want to show you something

    Lee>
    this is from cnet who gave your unit a 8.7

    Lee>
    and one of the reason I bought the unit

    Lee>
    but there is a negative

    Lee>
    The bad: Expensive; some HDMI syncing issues

    Lee>
    some hdmi syncing issues

    Lee>
    that is on multiple websites

    Lee>
    so it is an issue

    Lee>
    I was hoping you had a solution or a workaround

    Lee>
    go to this page http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/sony-str-da5300es/4505-6466_7-32552105.html?tag=prod.txt.1

    Lee>
    you can see it for yourself

    Lee>
    if I am the first, I will certainly not be the last

    Wilton_>
    Lee, I'm sorry that we don't have any information on any issues described on any third party websites. However, I'll surely forward your feedback to our design Team. Customer input and response, like yours, is invaluable in the continued support and development of our products.

    Lee>
    so we are done then.. my only choice is to look at a return policy or contact sony style presales

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    Yes, that's correct.

    Lee>
    i will say this is quite aggravating for a consumer

    Wilton_>
    I really apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

    Wilton_>
    Please understand that I've provided you all the information available online.

    Lee>
    you didn't build the hardware.. my problem is that if this is a firmware issue, I don't know how I would upload the fix

    Lee>
    so I am going to be forced to do 1 of the following.. return the unit, use a workaroud via optical audio, or throw the unit in the trash(the last was just a joke)

    Wilton_>
    Lee, if any such firmware is available to resolve the issue, it should be posted on our website.

    Lee>
    ugh.. this just sucks a big one

    Lee>
    where would I find that?

    Lee>
    and How would I put it on the unit?

    Wilton_>
    Since there are no firmware updates available for the Unit, there is no such updates to resolve this.

    Wilton_>
    Hence, the options are either contact a Sony Service Center near your area for in house service or contacting the SonyStyle Support Team for replacement.

    Lee>
    alright.. this is not going anywhere at this point, you pointed me in another Sony direction, and I can understand that is all you can do

    Lee>
    but I don't want to have to pay for sony to come to my house to fix this

    Lee>
    that seems ridiculous to me

    Lee>
    and thus not an option

    Wilton_>
    Since the Unit is new, it will be fixed under warranty.

    Lee>
    I would rather return the unit and go with another company

    Wilton_>
    you may contact the Sony Service center to check for the option of free In House Service since the Unit is only 1 day old.

    Lee>
    what is that number again?

    Lee>
    and what should I tell them.. that I have done everything support has told me, and the issue is not being resolved

    Lee>
    by the way, you are the second person I have talked to at Sony

    Lee>
    I was on the phone with someone for an hour

    Lee>
    and they basically said it wasn't sony's problem, it was the other components

    Wilton_>
    Yes, that's correct. Please let them know the issue.

    Lee>
    which I know can't be the issue

    Wilton_>
    You may contact our SonyStyle Presales Support Team at 877-865-7669.

    Wilton_>
    Their hours of operation:

    8:00AM to Midnight (ET), Monday - Friday

    10:00AM to 7:00 PM (ET), Saturday - Sunday




    LiveAssist Chat
    Status: Analyst Wilton_ is here and your issue status is: working
    Problem: HDMI Audio issues
    End Session
    user Lee has entered room


    analyst Wilton_ has entered room

    Lee>
    i have the str-da5300es

    Lee>
    not a choice

    Wilton_>
    Hi Lee. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I'm Wilton. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.

    Lee>
    ok

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee. Could you please explain your concern in detail so that I can assist you better?

    Lee>
    so I just bought this new reciever

    Lee>
    and hooked everything up

    Lee>
    hdmi video is working fine

    Lee>
    but the audio portion is only working on my ps3

    Lee>
    not on my dvr or my media streamer

    Lee>
    i have called both manufacturers and have done everything they recommend

    Lee>
    I went online and found that there are hdmi syncing issues with this reciever

    Lee>
    i need to get the audio to work through hdmi

    Lee>
    you there?

    Lee>
    are you guys aware of this issue

    Lee>
    because it is lighting up message boards

    Lee>
    and I have to say, if I can't use the hdmi portion, I will be returning this unit

    Wilton_>
    Lee, I'm sorry that you are not getting the audio from the Receiver while playing the Recorder. I'll be glad to assist you with this.

    Lee>
    ok

    Lee>
    have you heard about this issue?

    Wilton_>
    Please give me a moment while I get this information for you.

    Lee>
    ok

    Lee>
    i have tried to reset everything, and it is not the hdmi cord

    Lee>
    becuase if have tried the one that works with the ps3

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee.

    Wilton_>
    I understand that you are getting the Audio through HDMI interface while playing the PS3 unit. Is that correct?

    Lee>
    yes

    Lee>
    i switched to audio input hdmi in the system menu

    Lee>
    and that added sound

    Lee>
    but when I choose those options on the other two units and reboot them

    Lee>
    I am still not getting any sound

    Wilton_>
    Since, you are getting the sound from the Receiver while playing PS3 unit, it seems the issue is with the other two units which you are trying to play.

    Lee>
    ?

    Lee>
    so you are passing the issue off on them?

    Lee>
    I have stated that I contacted them and done everythign required to use hdmi audio

    Lee>
    i was using hdmi audio with those units before

    Lee>
    now I hook up your receiver and suddenly they will not work

    Lee>
    that is a receiver issue

    Wilton_>
    Lee, since the PS3 unit is working normally when connected to the STR3800 Receiver, there is no issues with the Receiver.

    Lee>
    how can you say that?

    Lee>
    it is a sony unit connecting to a sony unit

    Lee>
    maybe that is why it is working

    Lee>
    and it is not working with the other two because they are not sony

    Lee>
    I am sorry but this answer does not fly with a 1800 dollar receiver: Wilton_> Lee, since the PS3 unit is working normally when connected to the STR3800 Receiver, there is no issues with the Receiver.





    Lee>
    and it is the str-da5300es

    Lee>
    as I stated at the top of this chat

    Lee>
    it is your brand new top of the line reciever

    Lee>
    receiver

    Wilton_>
    Since the PS# unit is working normally connected to the Receiver, it seems the issue is with some settings with the other units which you are trying to play. Please check if there is any additional settings to be made on that units.

    Lee>
    there are not, and as I stated they worked fine with an onkyo hdmi receiver

    Lee>
    but now will not work with my sony one

    Lee>
    i even called both companies that made the units to see if there was anything else I could do

    Lee>
    and after consulting two different companies for each component

    Lee>
    they both state hdmi settings for audio were correct

    Lee>
    so the issue is with compability or something with the receiver

    Lee>
    as I said earlier, there are postings on CNET, and other sites in regards to syncing issue with this sony receiver

    Lee>
    so I am not the only one with the problem

    Lee>
    is there some sort of setting or something that I am not seeing in the reciever sub menus

    Lee>
    there has to be a way to make the audio work correctly

    Lee>
    I just know for 100% sure it is not the other components.. video is working fine on both.. just no audio.. and they both worked on another receiver via hdmi prior

    Wilton_>
    Please give me a moment while I get this information for you.

    Lee>
    ok.. thanks

    Lee>
    not trying to be a pain.. but I know the issue is with the receiver

    Lee>
    I have hooked up mulitple home theaters

    Lee>
    with Sony, pioneer, onkyo, denon, etc

    Lee>
    so I am not a newbie

    Lee>
    the two other units are NETGEAR EVA-8000 and DirecTV HR 10-250

    Lee>
    both have been used via hdmi for audio

    Wilton_>
    Thanks for waiting, Lee.

    Lee>
    yeah

    Lee>
    I am eager to hear how to fix this

    Lee>
    cause I love the video upscaling ability, and want to keep the unit

    Lee>
    i have used the work around and used optical audio cables to connect to the receiver via Video1 and Video2

    Lee>
    and that works

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu.

    Lee>
    where is that located?

    Lee>
    in the GUI interface?

    Lee>
    under settings?

    Lee>
    or do I look under HDMI1

    Lee>
    and HDMI2

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu on the Receiver.

    Lee>
    hang on

    Lee>
    i will check

    Wilton_>
    Sorry for the confusion. It's under HDMI Menu.

    Lee>
    so input>hdmi>video settins?

    Lee>
    i don't see it there

    Wilton_>
    It's under HDMI Menu.

    Wilton_>
    Would you happen to have the Manual of the Unit along with you?

    Lee>
    yes

    Lee>
    I am at the HDMI control portion

    Lee>
    it is on off

    Lee>
    put that to "on" on both

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    Please refer to page # 60 of the manual for this settings.

    Wilton_>
    Also, please set HDMI Audio to TV+AMP or AMP under HDMI Audio menu.

    Lee>
    it only says that enable turning the connected components on and off

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    Please follow the exact steps given in that page.

    Lee>
    still no sound

    Wilton_>
    Have set the HDMI Audio to TV+AMP or AMP under the Audio menu?

    Lee>
    and that only covers setting up sound coming out of the tv also on page 60

    Lee>
    not fixing the problem

    Wilton_>
    Please make sure that you have set HDMI Control to ON under Video Settings Menu on the Receiver.

    Lee>
    I did

    Lee>
    trust me

    Lee>
    it is not helping

    Lee>
    and page 60 doesn't say anything about that

    Lee>
    only using that to setup sound to come out of the tv and amp.. or to use the receiver to turn off selected hdmi connected components

    Lee>
    ?

    Wilton_>
    In that case, I suggest that you contact a Sony Authorized Service Center to evaluate the unit.

    Wilton_>
    I would like to forward a link to a page where you can locate the nearest Sony Authorized Service Center.

    Wilton_>
    When you receive the link please click on it to open the page and let me know if you are able to view it.

    Wilton_>
    http://eservice.sony.com

    Lee>
    wait

    Lee>
    I just got this unit today

    Lee>
    and you want me to onhook everything I just hooked up and take it somewhere to get looked at?

    Lee>
    you have got to be kidding me

    Lee>
    brand new out of box 5 hours ago

    Lee>
    I find that completely unacceptable

    Wilton_>
    You may also check with the Sony Authorized Service Center for the availability for InHome Service.

    Lee>
    that I have to pay for???

    Wilton_>
    Also, you may contact the place of purchase and check with their return policy.

    Lee>
    i bought it from SONY!

    Lee>
    directly

    Wilton_>
    Since, the unit is under warranty it will be evaluated under warranty.

    Lee>
    what does taht mean?

    Lee>
    again you want me to on hook-it and take it back to one of your stores where I just bought it

    Wilton_>
    I suggest that you contact our SonyStyle Presales Support Team at 877-865-7669 to check for the available replacement options.

    Lee>
    so in replacement you mean another unit of the exact same model?

    Lee>
    it was just released on the market yesterday

    Wilton_>
    Their hours of operation:

    8:00AM to Midnight (ET), Monday - Friday

    10:00AM to 7:00 PM (ET), Saturday - Sunday

    Wilton_>
    Yes, hwoever, it will depend on their return policy.

    Lee>
    there return policy?

    Lee>
    their return policy?

    Lee>
    it is your company?

    Lee>
    this is really not making any sense to me at all

    Lee>
    this is the email I got from Sony Style

    Lee>
    Product: STRDA5300ES

    Quantity: 1

    Description: ES Series Home Theater A/V Receiver (
    Updated
    So after much work and heartache, I have decided to keep this av receiver. Sony customer support is poo though. But after consulting many different sources, I am going to give this receiver the benefit of the doubt. It is possible that the issue may be arising from the other devices I am attaching to it. Hope I am making a good decision, or this is going to be one disappointed videophile

    Was this review helpful? YES | NO

    Reply to this review

  • 8 replies to this review
  • reply by: mazzy26 on August 23, 2008

    I should have read these web posts before buying the STR5300ES. The unit appears incompatible with the Scientific Atlanta HD cable box. Using HDMI ports, the audio and video cuts-out every 20 seconds.

    I bought tyhe unit on-line and because I waited three weeks before setting it up, the online retailer would not take it back. Now I am in Sony support hell.

    The only option offered was to send it to the Laredo, TX repair facility. That was three weeks ago so now I am 5 weeks sinces originally trying to set-up this unit.

    I am afraid that they have a fundamental problem in the HDMI circuit or related firmware and it cannot be repaired.

    Anyone else gone through this and have suggestions?

  • reply by: porscheguy on July 26, 2008

    If you did, whew!!. For all the time that took you could have returned it for another one or another brand.

    I hope......

  • reply by: swiggins on June 27, 2008

    So what happened!?!?!?......I am dying to know if you got it working, or is it an HDMI 1.3 compatibility issue? I have heard that some HDMI 1.3 doesn't work properly with older HDMI, . . that's crazy. . . I'm afraid to get the Onkyo because of lip-synch issues, and now this with HDMI compatibility with the Sony............Please update! I want to buy a receiver already...lol
    Thanks.

  • reply by: cey613 on June 11, 2008

    Do you happen to have HDMI 1.3 cables? I'm no audiophile, but from my understanding, older standards of HDMI cables do not transmit compressed audio streams to the A/V receiver, whereas HDMI 1.3 does. Since Blu-ray transmits lossless, uncompressed audio, you don't need an HDMI 1.3 cable in order to have audio work through HDMI when using a receiver. Since the PS3 uses Blu-ray technology, it will work regardless of the HDMI standard. Your other players may not work if you are using an older HDMI standard for cables as the compressed audio will not be transmitted to your receiver.

  • reply by: tppinheiro on June 6, 2008

    Hi,
    I read that Sony recalled some units (or provided a firmware update) to solve these issues. Is that the case? If yes, for both of the devices (EVA 8000 and DirecTV)?

    Thanks.

  • reply by: Deathbringer on October 26, 2007

    Not many people would take the time to do this. I am in the market for a new receiver and I am going to stay far away from this one. Yes, it is likely that a brand new unit like this...well few people will know the promblem or the fix. Plus those guys at support are only reading from an online tech support manual...they dont actually know about the unit itself. I have dealt with horrible support in the past and what you have here is horrible. Its time to show these companys they can not turn or tripe because people arent going to buy it. SOrry Sony, you have to do better, looks like I am going for the Denon 4306 now.

  • reply by: BuddAdams on September 21, 2007

    Lee is persistent-good, but not listening-bad. Neither he, nor I, nor Wilton knows exactly what CNET means by a "syncing problem", except that CNET says the GUI flickers or is inoperative on occasion. I'd say, call again and try to get another Sony Rep, or ask for the supervisor. Be prepared, however, to return/get home repair of the receiver. I had a comparable Microsoft Vista problem: "unacceptable response", and after three calls got "Advanced Service", a totally different outfit that handled harder problems. They immediately understood my case and fixed it! Understand that these are huge companies; in my MS case, the supervisor of the level 1 service didn't even know there was a level 2 service for tougher problems. Good Luck, but remember life on the Frontier has always been hard.

  • reply by: ddomini1 on September 8, 2007

    Thanks for the detail. I've experienced similar issues every time I've contacted online or phone support. Your experience backs up argument for consumers to treat Sony equipment with a policy of "if it doesn't work flawlessley out of the box, take it back immediately".

    I'm having a similar issue ATM with a new 52"XBR4 lcd panel. The set won't accept audio from my XL1's hdmi output. Support is no help; "must be the XL1" and vice versa from the pc division. Oddly, it worked with my previous 40" sony lcd panel... perhaps Sony's changed the hdmi audio frequencies it supports on its new products?

    Anyway, thanks for the warning- I've been prepping to buy this receiver and will certainly keep this in mind when dealing with the salespeople and determining return policies.

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