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"Great A/V receiver for the price" on by Dan Dautrich
Pros: Plenty of inputs, easy auto-calibration, decodes HD audio formats, XM Satellite Radio ready
Cons: Awkward remote, no analog-digital video transcoding, standby mode accessible by remote only
Summary: Pros:
+ 4 HDMI v1.3a inputs with support for 1080p/24, Deep Color, and xvYCC
+ Up to 7.1 channel output (110Wx7, 8 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD) with A/B speaker zones (7.1/2.0)
+ Lots of inputs: 3 optical audio, 1 coaxial digital audio, 4 HDMI v1.3a video/audio, 3 component video, 2 RCA stereo audio, 3 RCA stereo video/audio, 1 additional RCA stereo video/audio on front panel
+ Easy auto-calibration
+ Re-assignable digital audio inputs
+ Customizable display names for each input
+ Decodes Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS High-Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio
+ XM Satellite Radio ready
+ Supports Sony BRAVIA Theater Sync and Sony Digital Media Port
Cons:
- Awkward remote
- Cannot send analog video signals (e.g., component) through HDMI output, or digital inputs through the analog outputs
- Only has LFE subwoofer (RCA jack) output, no speaker-level (spring-loaded terminal) output
- Multi-channel and DSD signals from SA-CDs are not supported
- Standby power mode can only be activated by the remote
- No S-Video inputs
If you're looking for a solid receiver with plenty of inputs, including four (yes, 4!) HDMI v1.3a audio/video inputs, the Sony STR-DG820 is a great buy. This is one of Sony's new line of receivers for 2008 along with the STR-DG520, STR-DG720, and STR-DG920. This is a very compelling receiver for its price as it packs in a lot of great features when compared to other popular receivers including the Denon AVR988 and Onkyo TX-SR606.
Both the 820 and the 920 model have on-board decoding of the high-definition audio tracks found on HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs, along with Linear PCM support (up to 8 channels, 192 kHz). A note to fellow PS3 owners: you'll need to use LPCM output to let the PS3 internally decode the audio because it currently lacks the ability to output all of the HD audio formats natively using bitstream through the HDMI connection. SA-CD owners will be disappointed to find out that this receiver doesn't support any of the advanced audio tracks of the discs, so we're stuck with plain stereo CD output.
Any standard speaker arrangements between stereo (2.0) and the full 7.1 surround sound can be attached and configured individually for optimal performance, or let the quick and easy auto-calibration feature work its magic. I was caught off-guard by the fact that the only connection available for a subwoofer is an LFE (RCA) connector, so my previous passive sub from the old receiver couldn't be connected using bare speaker wires and had to be replaced.
A wide variety of electronics can be hooked up through the different named inputs: Video 1 (analog and digital video/audio), Video 2 (analog video/audio, front panel), BD (digital video/audio), DVD (analog and digital video/audio), Satellite (analog and digital video/audio), TV (analog and digital audio), and SA-CD/CD (analog audio). Digital audio sources can be reassigned to other input modes to match your connections (e.g., you can use the optical audio input labeled Video 1 with the component video input labeled DVD). The only catch is that analog inputs must exit through the analog outputs rather than being transcoded and output digitally through HDMI, and digital inputs cannot be sent through analog outputs. For about an extra $200, analog-to-digital transcoding will be available only on the higher-end 920 model due out soon, but I don't really have a problem with having two different cables connecting from my receiver to my LCD TV instead of just a single HDMI cable.
The included remote is a bit difficult to use with lots of functionality trying to be packed into a minimal amount of buttons. Yellow, silver, and purple labels and dots attempt to organize buttons based on which mode the remote currently is operating, and it takes a while to make any sense of it all. Even after some use, some buttons still make no sense, like why there separate buttons labeled Amp Menu, Options, Menu, BD/DVD Top Menu, and BD/DVD Menu when one or more of these could have been consolidated into a single button. Also, there are two buttons labeled TV--one switches the input to TV mode and one activates buttons marked with a yellow dot on the remote. Basically, whoever designed the remote needs fired. Do yourself a favor and get something like a Logitech Harmony One universal remote to replace this kludgy beast.
All in all, the convenience and flexibility of this receiver combined with the great features for a relatively low price made this product an easy decision for me. If it weren't for the clumsy remote and lack of analog-digital transcoding, I'd give this receiver a higher rating. -
"Was good while it worked" on by burningedge
Pros: Easy to setup and use
Cons: Reliability
Summary: This unit was great while it worked, but after about a month the digital display broke and that was where the real problems began: dealing with Sony.
I've been trying to get this fixed and have wasted countless hours on the phone. I began by bringing the unit to a Sony recommended repair place, Electronic Design and Service in Glendale, CA. They tried repeatedly to fix it and couldn't and then recommended a replacement because the final part they wanted to try to repair the unit was on back order. Sony did not respond, so I had to get involved and called Sony. Even though one of Sony's own Techs recommended replacing he unit, Sony said they would have to call back within 3 days and never did. I had to call back, and some guy named John in the Tech department said that the part was no longer on back order and wanted to send it to EDS (So John seemingly overruled the tech guy who wanted to replace the unit). EDS got the part and it still couldn't fix the problem. Again, they emailed Sony asking for a replacement. Sony did not respond. I called Sony again, and they said they would check into and call me back in three days. They never did. Today, I called again. Now, John tells me they will respond within two days.
Each time I've had to call, I've had to go through three call transfers. Sony has done a terrible job communicating with me, its own internal departments, and EDS. Whoever John is in the Tech. Department, he should be fired. Sony does not stand behind its product, it cares very little about honoring it own warranty, and about providing for its customers.
I would recommend that nobody buy this product unless you have a pact with God and are damn sure nothing will go wrong with it. -
"Very basic low cost entry level A/V Receiver" on by msgt99
Pros: Low price, good mix of input connections
Cons: Video output handling
Summary: I was unimpressed with with the audio performance and the video handling of the unit.
The fact that it requires multiple video connections to the TV is not clearly explained in the manual. For example the HDMI output port will only output video from an input HDMI video source. A composite video output connection is required for any composite video inputs. And if you have an RGB input it will also require a RGB output connection to the TV as well. So potentially you may have to have 3 video connections to the TV ? HDMI, composite, & RGB.
Also audio to the TV will only go over the HDMI connection. No audio from a composite connection will go to the TV.
Working thru these limitations and connection requirements took several chat sessions and a phone call with Sony support.
Audio performance was also unimpressive. Despite using the auto calibration process I could not get the rear speakers to perform well enough to give me a good surround sound output. I used Sony brand speakers (granted not the best) but should have been able to get OK sound, but didn't. -
"Good while it works" on by cmlsufan1
Pros: Lots of HDMI inputs, 7.1 capable
Cons: Had to send back for rework (overheating and buzzing after only 4 months). Got it back and worked fine for a period, now it's starting the same problem over again. Probably out of warranty now (purchased in Sept 08).
Summary: I would have expected this item to last longer.
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"Superb sound quality" on by Didernes
Pros: Good quality for that price
Cons: Don't have
Summary: It's a Sony
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