Entered CNET Catalog: 04/11/2002
SKU: 0027242603646
Manufacturer: Sony Electronics, Inc.
Manufacturer description
Sony's DAV-C450 DVD Dream System will make impressive entertainment a reality in your home. This system includes a 5-disk DVD/SACD/CD changer, a 6-speaker system, 5 satellite speakers, and a subwoofer. Features like the S-Master digital amplifier, Dolby Digital, dts and Dolby Pro-Logic Decoding, 500 Watts of total system power, and Digital Cinema Sound will dazzle you with the results they produce. Also featuring CD-R/RW & Super Audio CD playback, a tuner with 20 FM + 10 AM station presets, a digital input for satellite TV, etc., color coded speaker connections, and 2 A/V inputs - 1 A/V output, this system is easy to set up and a dream to listen to. Utilize the pre-programmed A/V Remote Commander Remote Control as you fast forward into entertainment overload with the DAV-C450.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/20/2002
Sony kept this kit petite--the sats are just 4.5 inches tall, and the sub is also on the compact side at just 6.25 inches wide by 14 inches high. The sleek, aluminum receiver/DVD changer is only 14 inches wide by 15.5 inches deep. The C450 is built around the aforementioned receiver-cum-five-disc-changer, which supports DVDs, CDs, and Super Audio CDs (SACD); five one-way satellites with 3.25-inch drivers; and a sub that sports a 7.75-inch woofer. Processing modes are standard: Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic (not Pro Logic II). The C450's digital amplifier is capable of delivering 80 watts to each of the sats and 100 watts to the sub.
Like most elevator-style disc-changing mechanisms, the C450 makes a bit of noise as it goes about its business, which it does pretty slowly, requiring 20 seconds to swap discs. On a more positive note, the efficient disc-management system makes it easy to keep track of each of the five discs. The C450 refused to play any of our MP3 CDs but handled our DVD-Rs and DVD+Rs without a problem.
On the connectivity front, the high point is the component-video output. The other audio/video connections are sparse, though they are adequate for small systems.
We found the C450 online for about $300. This little unit doesn't give up much compared to the more expensive DAV-770, a cooler-looking, upmarket model that features Dolby Pro Logic II surround and progressive-scan outputs but has the same mediocre sound quality. Then again, if you already have a DVD player and are more interested in audio fidelity than style, we recommend checking out another Sony kit, the SC-DM3. To start our auditions, we took advantage of the C450's ability to play SACDs. First up was Big Brother and the Holding Company's classic, Cheap Thrills. This live recording benefited from the SACD's surround mix, which put us right in the middle of the hall. But this Sony's innate sound quality was a downer: the sub's definition was soft and boomy; Janis Joplin's big, powerful voice was reined in; and the sats' treble response was coarse.
We next loaded up the new Star Wars--Episode II, Attack of the Clones DVD, but the C450 refused to play it. The changer would spin the disc for 30 seconds, flash the word prohibited on our TV, and eject the disc. The C450 didn't have any such problem with the Apocalypse Now Redux DVD but instantly rejected Frailty. We assumed that the C450's parental control was somehow engaged, but that wasn't the cause of the problems. After much head scratching and manual reading, we eventually got Star Wars to play by hitting the Clear button on the remote before the system spit the disc out.
Once we got going, we headed straight to the gladiator scene where the giant crab and the rhinoceros battle it out, but the C450's bland sound muted the fun. Dynamics were flattened, treble detail and air were nonexistent, and the sub was missing in action. Even when we cranked the kit to its maximum volume, it wouldn't play all that loud. We experienced the same problem with the other Dream systems that we've tested. The loudness shortfall varied from disc to disc, and CDs could play louder than DVDs, although the sound grew even less attractive at higher levels. The little cube speakers sound awfully small.
User opinions
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User Rating: 
6/10
Error message says PROTECT
Pros: It was good for the price
Cons: sometimes Error message says Protect and DVD stops playing
User Rating: 
3/10
wont play some dvds
Pros: small .......
Cons: tempramental when it comes to newer dvds, plays NO mp3 discs, audio tweeks limited to sound fields .. no EQ??
Is this thing really a Sony?? It should be able to play ALL dvds ..'specially for the money i spent on it!!
I've had mine going on 4 years, so i guess i cant complain (much) .. but its consistant when it comes to not playing newer dvds ..maybe it has something to do with the coding of the discs, but thats bull IMHO..
User Rating: 6/10
Good Entry-Level System but DVD's Get Stuck
Pros: This system is good for a small room. I have mine in my bedroom and it sounds great. I've had no problems playing DVD's or mp3 CD's. My computer is hooked up to the system and the mp3's sound good.
Cons: My DVD's got stuck inside once so hopefully it won't happen again. The changer is also somewhat slow and noisy but that's typical for this type. Remember, you get what you pay for so don't expect the system to blow you away if you set it up in a big roo
User Rating: 
8/10
Good System for Small Home Theater - Good Value for Your Money
Pros: Easy to install. Sony name backs up their product. Had some scrathiness with one speaker. Mailed it back and they replaced it.
Cons: Sometimes Difficult to get the sound exactly the way you want it with the remote.
User Rating: 
4/10
looks great - keeps jamming up
Pros: looks great - nice design - adequate sound and features
Cons: dvd keep getting jammed in this thing and you cant get it to open-- it had to be serviced 3 times in the first 3 months - (with rented dvd's stuck in it!)until they gave me a new one-- now it happened again--I'll find something better...
User Rating: 
7/10
Its new to me!
Pros: I just bought my husband this system today as a birthday gift. He has been dreaming about this system for a long time. I can't wait to see his face once he see's it. There have been good and bad remarks about this product and now i'm skeptical. I for
Cons: dunno yet!
User Rating: 8/10
Best for this price! ! !
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User Rating: 3/10
SONYS'S NIGHTMARE SYSTEM
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User Rating: 3/10
Awfully cute, but too flimsy
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User Rating: 
2/10
Sounds like crap
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User Rating: 
5/10
Lemon!
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