±1±: Now is the time Sony STRDG820 7.1 Audio Video Receiver - Black Order Today!
Nice Design by :
Sony
Over All Rating Reviews :
Great Deal :
Date Created :
Jul 25, 2010 00:42:07
Sony
Over All Rating Reviews :
Great Deal :
Date Created :
Jul 25, 2010 00:42:07
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±1±: Best Buy I would not call myself a super-sophisticated audiophile but we do listen to music, play games, watch HD TV and Blu-ray movies and, occasionally, we listen to the radio. Our new acquisition - this Sony STRDG820 - we credit with enhancing all of the above and it does it (with some help - see below) for a VERY low price, considering the features, half of which I will probably never use.
QUICK EVALUATION
This is my quick evaluation, on Amazon's 1-5 stars scale. I will enter the 'star value' first for the sake of a better alignment:
- 5.0 - Packaging. Nothing to complain, really. All was there (batteries included), well cushioned and protected and easy to get at.
- 3.0 - Physical design and ergonomics. It's boxy and the buttons aren't that intuitive either on the receiver's face or on the remote. This in contrast to the nicely done I/O ports layout on the back.
- 5.0 - Physical setup. Easy. All inputs and outputs, and there are many, are logically grouped and easy to locate.
- 4.0 - Logical setup. Relatively easy. Auto calibration is available for the speakers, for example, but coming back later and customizing everything manually is HIGHLY recommended. The receiver doesn't know whether speakers are attached and it must be 'told' and, as I am currently waiting for a new set of speakers, it doesn't know that I don't have a woofer (the one that I have is not compatible with this receiver).
- 3.0 - Operation. This is where 'help' came from a Logitech Harmony Universal Remote. The supplied remote control does the job but, with so many functions and jammed onto that little magic wand, almost everything requires several button pushes, and they had to be the 'right' buttons in the right sequences - see the manual.
- 4.5 - Versatility. This is based on my limited experience. I am trying to be 'all-HDMI' but my satellite receiver had a port problem and, until it was replaced, I had to output it to the receiver through component video and a Toslink cable for sound. Easier done than said, literally. When the Satellite box was replaced, changing the configuration was as easy as unplugging the component/Toslink cables and plugging in the HDMI. Certain options such as XM radio or iPod interfacing may require additional hardware. Speakers can be configured in many different ways.
- 5.0 - Video output. It's simply superb - 1080p without breaking a sweat. I only tested input through component and HDMI and it's perfect, including the lip sync part.
- 5.0 - Audio output. Meets and exceeds expectations. There are many bells and whistles (read the specs) and careful, manual calibration and setup can produce one's dream sound system, for less.
- 4.5 - Power. It's adequate for our large room.
- 4.0 - Value. Competition is tough in the field and there are alternatives priced within Sony's ballpark.
Overall rating: 4 stars.
WHAT YOU GET
- The STRDG820 AV receiver body itself
- Remote control (with batteries)
- AM and FM antennas
- Manual in English (100+ pages)
- Manual in Spanish (100+ pages)
- Warranty papers, disclaimers, warnings, etc.
PRACTICAL CONCERNS
As I mentioned above, the remote is not exactly the best layout, most intuitive control device once can think of. Pre-setting a radio station, for example, can't be done unless one studies the manual and this is true for many operations and functions. I understand that the initial setup, calibration and fine-tuning should be done with a manual nearby but most of us don't expect to need it when we want to listen to the radio or to switch from TV to DVD. In my case, all it was made VERY easy because we already had a Logitech Harmony 900 Remote Control (Black) (and most other Harmony models should do the job) but, considering that the Harmony costs more than the receiver itself, this may not be a good option for everybody.
Another issue was the woofer. The one we had attached to our pre-existing Bravia system was the kind that was powered by the receiver and was connecting through 'normal' speaker wires. It is not supported by the 820. We were ordering new speakers anyway - an Onkyo set, actually :) - so this is not a big concern to us but it's worth mentioning.
There's not much to say at this time other than READ THE MANUAL. As inexpensive as it is, relatively speaking, this is a very complex piece of entertainment hardware and it just can't be 'winged'. It is possible to have it output some decent sound just by connecting speaker, running the auto-calibration and plugging in a couple of wires but that would only give you a 'good' system and it would be a shame since this can be fine-tuned into a GREAT system. on Sale!
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