Sony STR-DH800 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)
Buy Low Price From Here Now
The STR-DH800 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. This newly designed 1080p A/V Receiver features 7 HD inputs including 4 HDMI inputs with "Active Intelligence" that allow the desire for more HD content to grow. In addition, the STR-DH800 is compatible with 24p True Cinema technology video signals and decodes uncompressed audio formats (Dolby TrueHD/dts Master Audio/LPCM via HDMI) making it compatible with Blu-ray DiscPlayers , the PlayStation 3 Technology and other HD sources. Simply plug in the optional S-Air transmitter and turn on the AirStation client (sold separately) and listen to your favorite music in another room or in multiple rooms.
Readmore
Technical Details
- 7.1-channel A/V receiver- 7 HD inputs (4 active HDMI and 3 component inputs)
- Enhanced color range (Deep Color and x.v.Color technology)
- Blu-ray audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD/ DTS Master Audio/Linear PCM)
- Wireless multi-room audio (S-Air ready)
See more technical details
By P. Villamil (Dallas, Texas USA)
I know just enough about Audio to be dangerous but I'm not a true audiophile (or whatever they're called). So I don't know how an average person would figure this out when it took me an hour and a half on the phone with Sony support before THEY figured it out.
Now this is my second Sony receiver and I purchased this one specifically to go along with my brand new Sony BDP-S360 Blu Ray player. I used brand new HDMI category 2 cables into the receiver and then out to my Sony HDTV. This is suppossed to be the BEST way to get true no-loss sound decoding and picture. Well I was shocked when my receiver was NOT decoding DTS audio. All Dolby Digital tracks were playing in perfect 5.1 surround sound...the DTS tracks played back in Linear PCM stereo. So after I read the manuals, updated the firmware and set everything right then trying a few DVDs and Blu Ray discs I contacted Sony Support via email. Several exchanges later they asked me to call in to better troubleshoot my issue. First I talked to the blu ray guy (since I wasn't sure which device was causing the issue) and after resetting the player and checking all the setting I was transfered to the Audio department. Once again we reset the machine to factory setting, checked all the set ups and still nothing changed (Did I mention that I had to unhook and reconnect several cables and I even had an optical cable running to my old Sony Reciever?). Then 1 1/2 hours into the phone call he asked if I was getting audio through the TV speakers which I was and he said "oh its set to TV + Amp". So we changed that setting to just "Amp" and bingo...DTS surround sound!! I said "but that's the factory default setting". He told me where the info was in the manual but I checked an NOWHERE in the manual does it say that when using the receiver as a passthrough via HDMI inorder to decode a DTS signal the receiver must be set to "Amp" only and not the default setting of "TV + Amp". What the...??
So now the receiver works great even decoding the new DTS-HD Master Audio off my "Watchmen" Blu Ray disc. But be warned that if you use the HDMI inputs to decode your surround sound be sure to change the system to "Amp" instead of the default "TV + Amp" unless you enjoy stereo sound from your suround sound system. This may be the case for other Sony receivers so be aware when buying that factory default setting may not allow for optimum performance and the Sony guys might not be aware of this little fact if you call them.
By T. Truong (San Jose CA)
I've purchased this unit because i needed the 4 hdmi and 3 optical inputs and it was on sale at fry's for 250 bucks. MY sony STR-50ES started to die a slow death and I figured it was time to move on to a budget unit with hdmi switching. I'm overall satisfied with the unit. It runs very cool in comparason to the 50ES-it also weights about 1/3. but this isn't an ES quality unit so what can I say. The transformers inside look like toy and the tiny heatsinks are bent metal slightly thicker then aluminum cans. :)
First the good - plenty of hdmi and digital inputs. Runs Cool. Tons of the support for the newer higher quality audio format via hdmi. The microphone calibration is nice- you don't have to do measurements of your speakers for the delays and stuff.
Each source can be 'named' so if you have a PS3 connected to HDMI3, you can rename hdmi 3 to "ps 3".. a very useful feature found in many sony recievers dating back 15 years. :)
the BAD - The manual is horrible. for instance it for Bluray it says to use the component and toslink connection. WTF? why not say use HDMI? So Dumb.
Also the hdmi handshake/auto intelligence? what the heck is that? I have my PS3 connected to this receiver using the hdmi. on the PS3 it is set to linear audio out. and on the "audio" it was set for "automatic"... guess what it only outputs 2 channel LCM. took me forever to figure this out that automatic doesn't mean squat. Had to configure within the audio section on the PS3 to manual and click all the audio out that the receiver can support. Finally. I see all the sound channels show up. What a waste of time. This was my main grip.
This unit relies heavily on the remote control, if you look on the front panels there's no way to adjust any settings at all -lose or damage your remote and you're unit is not adjustable. -lame. they just need maybe 4 arrow buttons and two more buttons for setting. I mean how much does that cost?
The remote isn't that great. it's got some "Preprogrammed" codes but you can't really teach it remotes it doesn't already know.
Front panel waste a nice adjuster for TONE control... Why bother??? why not use that for adjustments for setting. Kind of useless. While I'm at it why can't these engineers make all the buttons LARGE. most of us who watch movies are doing so in the dark room. It would be useful if the buttons where BIGGer and maybe backlight.
One feature I found interesting is the Bi-AMP which you can use if you're speakers support this. it's a nice touch, but anyone paying 250 dollars for a receiver probably doesn't have fancy bi-amp supported speakers. Instead of bi-amp, why not let the user assign the 2 non-used channels(if you're only doing 5.1 instead of 7.1) to power a passive SUB. I have some old HSU passive subs being powered by an external power amp. it would be nice to get rid of the extra amp if I could. consolidate. :)
I wasn't expecting high build quality or anything but I was disappointed with how difficult it is to adjust any of the settings via remote. Technologies has changed greatly from my 12 year old receiver to this one, but they could have made it easier simply by adding a few more bottons to the receiver and making the process simplier by having a larger lcd or even on screen..
As far as the quality of the amplifier section, I won't judge that. I do find it good enough for home theater purpose.
Honestly not sure if I'd recommend this to anyone or not... Maybe it depends on who is buying this. I was comparing the Onkyo SR607 and was close to purchasing that, My only hesitation was that I read it ran hot. This wouldn't have worked for me because it's placement is inside a TV Stand below my 50inch Plasma. So I settled with a unit I knew ran cooler.
By D_reason (Illinois)
I purchased this STR-DH800 amplifier and the 5 disc SONY NC800 DVD/CD player and am VERY DISAPPOINTED. The $300 amplifier does not have on screen menus and is very complex; the $120 DVD/CD player can ONLY be adjusted through the TV and does have 1080P upscaling. No 1080p upconversion on the amp so you cannot connect older components to the amp and expect the HDMI out cable to handle them. Why have composite video in on the amp if you cannot output??
When I try to play CD's on the new player (connected by HDMI to the amp) it keeps losing sound every 10 seconds! Sony tells me that this is because the amp has
"ACTIVE INTELLIGENCE" (a real oxymoron...really meaning NO THOUGHT WHATSOEVER WENT INTO THE DESIGN) and the TV must stay on to play only MUSIC CD's since the player is connected in by HDMI and the out is to the TV! WOW??
I had SONY audio and video products before...but never again after this experience.
By J. Davis (Columbus, GA)
I searched for several months before pulling the trigger & buying the STR-DH800. Despite Sony bashing by many, I am very satisfied with my purchase. All of my other toys are HDMI equipped & up conversion was not a consideration. It has a decent amount of power & plenty of connections for virtually any device the average consumer will own. My suggestion would be to invest in banana plugs & save yourself a headache when connecting speaker wires, they saved me quite a bit of time. [....] has them pretty cheap.
The auto cal. does a great job at setting up speaker levels & distances. Night mode is also nice. The manual & menu may not be friendly to a newbie. An onscreen menu function would have been nice. If your seat is more than 10 ft. away, as mine is, you will end up standing or straining your eyes to make small adjustments. The receiver is relatively tall, but it is not very deep. It has a nice & simple layout. The buttons & knobs have smooth action & the display is not distracting while watching movies. It does not generate very much heat.
It has been a long time since I purchased home theater equipment & I am very satisfied with my purchase. My system includes: a Sony STR-DH800, Samsung BD-P1600, Sony DVPNS710H, Xbox 360 Elite (Resident Evil LE), Dayton HTS 1200 surrounds, Sony bookshelves, Logitech Harmony 550 remote, Dayton SUB-80, & Vizio 47XVT. Been busy since Christmas.
At it's current price, this receiver is definitely worth a look. I am sure you will not be disappointed. It has helped me save over [...] based on the HTIB I was considering.
By crb 1274 (Indianapolis, IN)
If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg or can't on a high end receiver then this unit will work just fine for you. I have had great luck with Sony products over the years and this seems to be right on line with the rest. The sound is amazing when paired with a blu ray disc that spits out DTS-Master HD or Dolby True HD. Very crisp and clear. The remote is user friendly and the speaker calibration is a blessing. Best Buy had this unit for $399.99, but I got it on Amazon for $285(plus no tax and free shipping!). I hope others check out Amazon before Best Buy pulls the wool over their eyes like they have mine for so many years.
Images Product
Buy Sony STR-DH800 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black) Now
Post a Comment