- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 4 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
-
21 out of 23 people found this review helpful
0.5 stars
"HDMI not ready for primetime"
Pros: Conceptually a great idea. I have two HDMI sources a DVD player and a TiVo HD DirecTV Receiver. The stereo conceptually should work.
Cons: This is a $2000 doorstop. Problem 1 - HDMI Audio doesn't work when Screen is on. Problem 2 HDMI throughput for DVD activates the DVD's copyright protection and stops the DVD player.
Summary: I was in love with the unit from the moment I saw it because it was the first affordable unit ($2000) with HDMI switching available, but now I JUST WANT TO DIVORCE IT. The problem appears to be with the monitor out HDMI port. When you turn your viewing source (your LCD Screen or Plasma unit) on it loses the HDMI Audio signal. Okay, so I was able to connect Toslink Cables and use Optical Audio instead with video from the HDMI Cable. Second problem, when you turn on your viewing source while watching a DVD it activates your DVD's HDCP (Copyright Protection) and it stops the DVD because the DVD believes you are trying to pirate it. So, now I try to get Sony to the rescue (BAD IDEA). Sony's first layer of technical support is a modern marvel - they can guide you through any labrynth of known issues with individuals who are pleasant. But God forbid your problem goes beyond that curtain. I have seen behind the curtain and it is UGLY ... plagued with incompetence, poor customer service, and individuals who believe customers are twerps. I thought I was on an episode of Crank Yankers with a product specialist named ANDY (employee ID CV1Z). He actually told me to shutup a couple of times. I have spoken to Customer Service at least a dozen times. I have tried service centers in my hometown of Corpus Christi with no luck, then driven 150 miles away to San Antonio to leave it with an authorized Sony Service Center who couldn't help because get this "they didn't have an HDMI cable." ( Soundcom in San Antonio). Sent it to Sony's Laredo Service Center (where they sent it back to me with no notice claiming they found nothing wrong). Now this week, I am being asked to send it to Laredo again. Wish me luck, but I fear the worst, I have had the unit 90 days now without one day where it was working. BE AFRAID OF THIS UNIT... VERY AFRAID. And buy a brand other than Sony.
- 2 replies to this review
-
I had a damaged unit (UPS ultimately accepted blame) spent 6 months tracking down the problem & getting a replacement. Support (incl. doc. & website) from Sony is deplorable -- still haven't configured 5-1 speakers yet -- don't want to go through another 6 mo. ordeal so I don't know for sure if it is a config problem -- highly likely because of the wide range of choices and no doc on what to select for a SIMPLE BASIC CONFIGURATION. It is also possible my replacement unit is defective.
-
Just to let you know; the DVD does not belive you are trying to pirate it.
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), comes standard in any HDMI connection. I ts provided by LLC (a subsidiary of Intel) and it's mandatory. If you do some research you will find out that the problem is not the brand, so you don't have to disparage this excellent unit (visit http://www.pacificcable.com/HDMI_Tutorial.htm).
Try connecting the DVD to the unit through component cables, that way you should not have copy protection issues. The HDMI cable that goes to the TV will upconvert the signal, so there will be almost no difference in quality.
Regarding the problem with the audio comming from the TV, check the end of the cable that goes to the TV; if it is not transporting sound there is a chance that it is DVI (Digital Video Interactive) that only transports VIDEO signals, not sound.
%20user%20review%20and%20rating%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/sony-str-da7100es-silver/4864-6466_7-31304875-1.html){kind=small}