Entered CNET Catalog: 03/01/2007
SKU: 0027242705807
Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Manufacturer description
The DAV-HDX500 BRAVIA system integrates a high-quality DVD changer with HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output with 720p/1080i video upscaling for connectivity with the latest HD digital televisions to enhance picture quality and sound. The system features BRAVIA Theater Sync, which helps integrate the operation of the system with a compatible BRAVIA television sending control signals over HDMI. With the touch of a button, users can automatically turn on and switch inputs, syncing connected devices making operation easier. Also included is Sony's Digital Media Port. This enables the addition of music options with wireless Bluetooth devices, WiFi-enabled PCs and portable digital music players, including select Network Walkman players, with a simple connection through an optional accessory. Once connected the device is powered and controlled by the system. Additionally, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) is included, simplifying multi-channel surround sound setup with the use of an included microphone for a balanced home theater experience. The DAV-HDX500 system is also XM Connect and Play ready with Neural Surround and offers height adjustable floor standing speakers designed to match the style and height of BRAVIA televisions. Optical and coaxial inputs are included for connectivity to digital audio sources. The XM Connect and Play feature requires a separate subscription and antenna for satellite radio service.Product summary
The good: Home theater in a box with five-disc DVD changer; 480p, 720p, or 1080i HDMI output; height adjustable stand for main left and right speakers; spunky subwoofer; automatic speaker-calibration system; XM Radio-ready with XM HD Surround processing; decent input selection includes component video pass-through and digital audio jacks.
The bad: Better for movies than music; does not include wireless speaker modules, unlike cheaper models in the same series.
The bottom line: The DAV-HDX500 delivers the best combination of features and value in Sony's Bravia home theater system line.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/05/2007
Sony's 2007 Bravia home theater in a box (HTIB) systems represent something of a departure from the company's popular Dream systems. The new line isn't quite as sleek--the Bravia DAV-HDX500's AV receiver/DVD changer has a bigger footprint and is a tad more generic-looking than the Dream's, and the speakers aren't as flashy. But the Bravia HTIBs are considerably more affordable than comparable Dream models. Even so, the Bravia's features roster exceeds that of previous-generation Dream systems. The DAV-HDX500 is near the top of the Bravia line and includes a five-disc DVD changer with 480p, 720p, or 1080i HDMI output and automatic speaker calibration. It doesn't include the wireless rear-speaker kit that the step-down DAV-HDX267W does, but--considering that the wireless system on that model was more trouble than it was worth--the larger, floor-standing front speakers on this model make the overall package something of a better value.
Design and setup
The DAV-HDX500 comes with a fairly compact "head unit" that combines an AV receiver and five-disc CD/DVD changer along with a six-piece (5.1) satellite/subwoofer speaker package. The main unit is a little more generic-looking than Sony's Dream systems, but the new model's black plastic design is classy in its own right. The front of the unit has five buttons corresponding to the five-disc capacity of the player. Disc loading is a 15-second process; the mechanism needs about 24 seconds to swap discs.
The front main left/right speakers' glossy black trim will complement most flat-panel TVs with similar trims. You can either wall mount the 32.6-inch speakers or place them on the adjustable height (41-inch to 52-inch) floor stands, which required about five minutes each to assemble. The ultra-low-profile center speaker is less than 2 inches high and 15 inches wide while the surrounds are 8.75 inches high. Their black-and-silver plastic cabinets have keyhole slots on their rears for easy wall mounting. The matching black subwoofer sports a medium-density fiberboard cabinet and measures about 15x8.75x13.8 inches.
Once we connected all the included speaker wires and AV cables, we next hooked up the supplied microphone and ran the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC), Sony's automatic speaker setup program. Judging by the number of tones and noises emitted by the speakers over the course of a few minutes, we expected a thorough job, and indeed, the setup was reasonably accurate. The all-manual video setup is typical of Sony DVD players and easy to accomplish.
As with most Sony HTIBs, the DAV-HDX500 doesn't offer bass and treble tone controls, nor easy access to the subwoofer volume level. Yes, it does have Dynamic Bass (on/off) to boost bass on the fly, but to raise or lower the subwoofer volume, you must first stop the disc in play and navigate the speaker setup menu to adjust the subwoofer volume. Why Sony doesn't let us adjust the subwoofer volume with the remote is beyond our understanding.
Features
The DAV-HDX500 delivers 143 watts to each of the five satellite channels and 285 watts to the subwoofer. The receiver decodes all of the standard Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround modes and its XM Connect and Play features XM HD Surround Sound.
The main front left and right speakers sport two 2.6-inch woofers and a 2-inch tweeter; the center speaker has a single 1.3-inch by 2.5-inch full range driver; and the surround speakers each have a single 2.6-inch full range driver. The speakers and subwoofer use spring clip connectors to grip the speaker wire; at the other end of the wire is a proprietary jack that plugs into the receiver/DVD changer. The sub has a front-mounted 6.3-inch woofer.
If you prefer a wireless link to the rear speakers, the Sony WAHTSD1 will handle the job for an additional $130. But if that's important to you, the Sony DAV-HDX267W may be a better choice--that system lacks the better connectivity, larger speakers, and XM Radio compatibility of the HDX500, but it includes the wireless kit for $100 less.
Connectivity ranks the highest among the most desirable features of HTIBs, and the DAV-HDX500 has a decent jack pack--albeit with some frustrations. Video output is identical to what you'll find on a good DVD player--in addition to composite, S-Video, and component jacks, the HDMI output will upscale DVDs to 720p and 1080i resolution when connected to compatible HDTVs. There are no audio outputs--you'll be using the attached speakers or the front 3.5mm headphone jack. There is a video input marked "satellite/cable" that can accept standard (composite) and high-def video (component) from a set-top box or DVR; it also offers stereo analog or digital audio (coaxial or optical) inputs as well. A set of rear analog audio RCA inputs (dubbed "TV") is also provided. The XM satellite jack allows for connection of a Connect and Play satellite tuner, such as the XM Mini-Tuner--which, along with the monthly XM subscription, needs to be purchased separately. On the front panel, a 3.5mm jack does double duty as a microphone jack (for the autocalibration routine) and as an input for portable devices such as iPods and MP3 players.
Even if you pass on Digital Media Port accessories, you can still have a total of three other devices attached to the DAV-HDX500--one video (with stereo or surround sound), and two analog audio sources (including the front panel)--and that doesn't count the built-in DVD/CD playback, AM/FM tuner, or (if you choose) XM Radio. Unfortunately, the video inputs aren't as useful as they appear. They're pass-through only, so unless you're using the same outputs for DVD playback (composite for composite, component for component), you'll get nothing but a blank screen when you toggle to the input (such as when watching via HDMI). As a result, you might as well just use your TV for video input switching duties anyway.
DVD and CD media playback
Like the models below it in the same series, the DAV-HDX500 can upscale DVDs to 720p and 1080i resolutions. That won't equal the native high-def images found on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, but it can make for better-looking DVD picture quality when connected to HDTVs with subpar video processors. Additionally, you can switch between 480p and 720p and 1080i, all on the fly. We tested the DAV-HDX500 using the HQ benchmarking DVD and like the DAV-HDX267W, we were generally impressed with the results. The DAV-HDX500's player delivered good detail, and was able to smooth out the jaggies on a variety of test patterns. We had hoped this higher-end model in the Bravia series would be able to handle film detection, but unfortunately the system faltered on the 2:3 pulldown test and didn't kick into film mode on cue. Of course, there's a marked difference between test patterns and real movies, and the HDX500 performed perfectly well on the latter. The opening black-and-white stills of Seabiscuit looked great, as did the action-filled scenes in King Kong.
The DAV-HDX500 supports MP3 and JPEG playback via data CD or data DVD. The functionality worked as advertised, but the onscreen interface was severely lacking--another feature we wish would have been improved on over the DAV-HDX267W. Instead of a user-friendly environment, you'll find yourself often consulting the manual in order to perform certain operations (such as creating a slide show or pulling up MP3 metadata).
Audio performance
The DAV-HDX500 conducted itself with honors when we played the House of Flying Daggers DVD. The skinny tower speakers and subwoofer belted out the sound of our favorite circle of drums scene in Chapter Four (The Echo Game) with real gusto. Each thwack of the drums was clear and distinct, though we could feel a gust of air belching out of the subwoofer's front-mounted port, which was about 10 feet away! It's a gutsy little beast. Much later in the film, in the Bamboo Forest battle, the sounds of splintering wood, the whoosh of fighters flying through the air, and the thud of wood hitting bodies were all presented with above-average detail. The metallic clang of sword against sword was also surprisingly detailed. Dialogue emerged from the skinny center-channel speaker on the anemic side of neutral; on some DVDs we sometimes wished for a little more warmth on dialogue.
Music tends to be more revealing of speaker quality, so we next checked out the One Night With Blue Note concert DVD. Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" sounded decent; the pianist and trumpet player Freddie Hubbard came off best, but Tony Williams' drums sounded a little crude--especially the cymbals, which were on the edge of sounding tizzy and harsh; easing back on the volume to a more moderate level helped matters.
The limitations of the DAV-HDX500 were much more apparent when we played R.E.M.'s And I Feel Fine greatest hits CD, especially when we cranked up the volume. The skinny speakers started to sound thin and hollow, and the little subwoofer's definition headed south. Acoustic music from Rosanne Cash's 10 Song Demo CD faired better, her vocals and guitar were nicely balanced. Still, the DAV-HDX500 is easier to recommend for home theater-oriented buyers. If you're interested in a more musically oriented HTIB, check out the Onkyo HT-SR800--that model doesn't include a DVD player or the stand-mounted front speakers, but it offers improved connectivity options and better overall sound quality.
Assistant Editor Jeff Bakalar contributed to this review.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8out of 8 user reviews
superior product
Pros: video through the HDMI output is excellent the sound is too. I have the iPod dmport and don't really see why the audio for this system is getting a bad rap. I do admit it is not the best i have heard,i am turning the volume on max either
Cons: i haven't really found any cons in this product i am pretty well satisfied with this product and would recommend it to anyone.
out of 8 user reviews
great value,great sound!
Pros: I like the simplicity of it,its very easy to hook up and to disconect when rearanging the living room. the sound is very good,especially when watching dvd's. the intro to transformers comes to mind when in multi speaker mode & at volume 24.
Cons: my only problem is the sound when listening to a cd or in my case using the bluetooth accesory to hear music files of of my sprint samsung instinct. i guess its just missing trebble and bass adjustments,if you ask me.the highs just arent clear enough
out of 8 user reviews
ALMOST BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN!
Pros: good sound
Cons: ALMOST BURNED MY HOUSE DOWN
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING A SONY SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM, PLEASE CONSIDER YOU'RE FAMILY'S SAFETY AND BUY A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER.
If I hadn't been in the room when it started arching and smoking, there is no doubt in my mind that my family and I would be out on the street...or even DEAD!
My wife and I were simply watching a DVD using the surround sound when we began to smell the distinct stench of melting metals/plastics. We were then startled by a few quick sparks, by then the system was smoking, so I made the decision to unplug it and place it in a safe area away from anything flammable. The stench stuck around for a few days too!
The system had plenty of ventilation, and this situation was not a result of consumer stupidity, as many times we find in the consumer world. I am an electronic engineer, and understand that these modules need proper airflow to keep them cool. This is simply a matter of poor manufacturing, and an issue that needs to be addressed before SOMEONE DIES!
The worst part of this story is that SONY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE AT ALL!!!! After going around in circles with them for about a week they told me that they would send a package for us to ship them the damaged product, BUT COULDN'T ENSURE THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITHOUT A CHARGE. Let's keep in mind that if someone had fallen asleep in that room, while watching the same movie on the same night, they could have BURNED TO DEATH....and so could have the rest of our family.
After a bout a month we still hadn't received any box to ship our component back to Sony in. So I reluctantly made another call to customer support, only to find out that THEY NEVER SENT US A BOX, AND NO ONE HAD EVER ENTERED OUR COMPLAINT INTO THEIR SYSTEM. TALK ABOUT POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE! YOU WOULD THINK THAT SUCH A BIG COMPANY WITH HIGH STANDARDS WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS BURNING DOWN PEOPLE'S HOMES. BUT APPARENTLY NOT!
SO ANYONE WHO OWNS A SONY SURROUND SOUND/DVD PLAYER, YOU MAY WANT TO GET RID OF IT BEFORE IT BURNS DOWN YOUR HOUSE! WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO BE THERE AND BE AWAKE WHEN IT JUST ABOUT CAUGHT FIRE, YOU MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY.
out of 8 user reviews
Great home theatre in a box system.
Pros: Great Sound, Easy Set Up, HDMI, Great Look
Cons: Odd Remote (It's a Sony thing), Slow Disc Change
out of 8 user reviews
Good sound and videofor the money
Pros: sound and video Quality
Cons: lack of inputs
1.Sound and video quality I would give an 9.
2.The look of the system I would give an 9.
3.Number of inputs I would give an 7.5.
out of 8 user reviews
Disappointing
Pros: Great sound for 5 discs
Cons: Lack of inputs
out of 8 user reviews
Speaker popped
Pros: HMDI quality is good
Cons: Bass is not highest quality
out of 8 user reviews
Awesome system
Pros: Amazing sound quality
Cons: Need to purchase seperate wireless module
