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| Date Reviewed: 07/28/2006 |
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 SONY HTIB ddw-900 Strengths: good price, easy installation, powerful subwofer
Weaknesses: weak HDMI function
Summary: I was attracted by its HDMI functions, but it is way below my expectation at the end. It is really a HDMI "pass through" as it was described, which means the receiver just can't intercept audio from the either HDMI in port. You have to use another audio cable(like optical) to input audio signal from you DVD or HDTV box to the receiver to get the 5.1 effect. So what's the point here to use HDMI? You didn't save any cable at all. Digital video? Common, a much cheaper DVI can do that. Please correct me if I am wrong. BTW, you can't pass component in video to HDMI out neither. These video switch didn't make any sense to me at all. Except this major defect, I am satisfied with other things. It deserves $230 I paid for.
 79% of People (27/34) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/22/2006 |
- JNPT49
from CA
- Member Since:
Apr 2005
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: Great Sound, Quality Product, Rock Your House !!!
Weaknesses: None
Summary: I purchase this item cause of the HDMI Interface Ready and Great rating of this product in Circuit City. Great deal for a first time buyer who would like to have a cheap home theater. I guaranteed that this sony will satisfy you when it comes to watching movie or just listening to your CDs. Best of the BEST !!!
75% of People (12/16) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/14/2007 |
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Strengths: Great sound and features, HDMI, low price
Weaknesses: Could use better cables, no speaker stands included
Summary: I think the complaints about the "pass-thru" HDMI are completely out of context. Sure, it doesn't carry audio or upconvert analog signals over HDMI, but come on people - what else in this price range does?
I've got this system connected to a Panasonic TH-42PH9UK plasma display a Dishnet VIP622 receiver and a new Philips DVP5982 upconverting DVD player. This HT setup gives us ALL the features we wanted, performs wonderfully doing it and didn't force us into the poorhouse.
PROS: inexpensive, sounds great, powerful active subwoofer, black color, easy install, lots of inputs (including 2 HDMI!), lets you use your own DVD player, small footprint speakers, AM/FM radio, auto-calibration, decodes Dolby-Digital/DTS/PL2, headphone output, doesn't use proprietary speaker wire connectors.
CONS: no speaker stands included, cheap speaker wire, manual could explain things a little better.
BTW, I bought this system from Vanns and got EXCELLENT service. In fact, a few days after receiving it, I found it advertised on their website for a bit less than what I paid. After speaking to one of their customer service reps, they arranged to pricematch themselves and refund me the difference!
All in all, I'm VERY pleased with this purchase. It's almost identical to it's replacement, the HT-7000DH, but costs MUCH less $$$ and doesn't lock you into a DVD player you may not want . Don't pass up on this deal!
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/23/2007 |
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Strengths: Comes with decent speakers, speaker cable, and the auto setup microphone.
Weaknesses: HDMI port is on Video 2, I'd prefer it be on Video 1
Summary: A really nice unit for the price. I paid $245.00 at Circuit City in Nov. 06. I liked the fact that it came with speakers and Sub woofer and was just a receiver. Other Sony systems come with a DVD player and I already have a DVD changer so I didn't need the DVD piece. This unit setup easily once I ran the rear and front cables, thanks to the included configuration microphone. This unit replaced an old Sony Dolby 5.0 system that was 10 years old so I like that it has better input/outputs and the fact that the speaker connections use either screw tight or banana plug. I would recommend this unit to someone wanting a decent preforming, easy to use, all in one home theater speaker system.
60% of People (3/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/14/2007 |
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Strengths: Video/audio all in one, 2HDMI in 1HDMI out
Weaknesses: its kindof big, you cannot use the audio feed from HDMI device so need additional digital/coax cable
Summary: I wanted this set because I only have one DVI input on my LCD and I wanted to connect both DVD and cable via HDMI/DVI. I was able to do this with the HT-DDW900 and label the inputs cable and DVD which I thought was pretty cool. Also my ipod sounds great with a cheap stereo input plug hooked into the MD input. (it has alot of audio inputs) I had a little problem reassigning audio inputs to the various video devices but this was mostly b/c I had it hooked up incorrectly. It is a little pain to access the back because it takes up a lot of space in my cabinet. I haven't had any problems with overheating however. The sound is great and I like the different audio modes which let me really crank my iPod for parties, etc. taking advantage of all speakers. The autocal is also pretty cool, this is definitely worth the $80 more I paid over the lower model Sony HTIB. A good buy
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/03/2007 |
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Strange product
Strengths: Excellent sound for the money, very good decoding.
Weaknesses: Bogus HDMI functions, unbelievable obtuse manual, VERY limited codes to program the remote
Summary: As stated by others, the HDMI functions are pointless unless you have 2 components with HDMI outputs.
I was led to believe by one of Sony's technical people (pre-purchase) that I could use the HDMI output for a DVD player with component video and have it go through the same output as the cable box>receiver HDMI input. Not true. There is no HDMI upgrade in this receiver. So I just use my cable digital output to my HDMI input on my monitor, the component outs on my DVD player to the component inputs on the monitor, and use this box for audio only.
Be aware that if you get a DVD player with an HDMI out, the switching fuction will work. But that means buying yet another component.
As for the codes to program the remote, none in the manual work, and Sony's tech staff had nothing beyond that (nor did the website). Net result: I'm still dealing with 4 remotes (cable box, monitor, DVD player, surround receiver).
This is less than a great deal, and the info, even on Sony's website, is misleading at best.
44% of People (4/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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