Sony STR-DG910 Receiver

Excellent

Strengths: 1. Build Quality 2. Number of inputs 3. Ability to change assignment of optical and coax audio inputs to different video inputs, increasing flexibility 4. Ability to process HD audio formats

Weaknesses: 1. Does not decode HD audio formats itself - requires your HD DVD or BluRay player to do so.

Summary: 2007-12-18 19:23:17 I received this receiver yesterday (purchased for 349.99 from JR.com on 12/5/07, and received on 12/6/07). I'd ordered it after also closely considering the Onkyo 605, but went with the 910 because of its greater number of HDMI and optical inputs, and because it doesn't have the HDMI handshaking or resolution conversion issues the 605 has.

Setup was very smooth, and I found the autocalibration to be effective to my ears - it correctly recognized that my rear speakers were small rather than large, and its distance measurements were accurate. The sound tests for the autocalibration were quick and relatively quiet (in comparison to the length and ferocity of the autocal for the DG510, which I set up for my parents).

Sound quality is exceptional, even with my current frankenstein speaker medley. TrueHD via my HD-A3 HD DVD player is breathtaking. This is an important note - while this receiver does not process HD audio formats in the box, as the Onkyo 605 does, this is irrelevant - it accepts uncompressed PCM via HDMI, which is what your player will put out when it decodes HD audio formats. In other words, the end result is the same.

This receiver beautifully converts all my video inputs to a single HDMI output - nice and clean. I also appreciate cool touches like custom input labeling for the receiver display (i.e. my devices read "Xbox 360", "Wii", and "HD DVD"). Additionally, the flexibility is excellent - there are truly 6 usable HD inputs. If you hook both an HDMI and a component device to the DVD input, for example, you can use both - the HDMI device will take priority when it's powered on.

I've experienced no HDMI handshaking issues at all - in fact, a handshaking issue that occurred when I connected my cable box directly to my TV seems to be corrected when I go through the receiver.

In short, this is my new favorite toy. Highly recommended - great bang for the buck.

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Excellent Receiver, streamlining the home theater

Strengths: HDMI switching and analog upconversion is great, awesome auto-calibration, great sound

Weaknesses: On-screen display a little obtrusive, LED screen could be better

Summary: I am extremely happy with this receiver. I got it to converge all my HDMI sources (Xbox 360, PS3, and cable box) into a single line into my TV so that I wouldn't have to constantly change sources on the TV (which was an annoying in-line process on my Olevia). I also use it upconvert analog signals (like my Wii) to the HDMI line, which is does beautifully, making the Wii's 480p output awesome at 1080i (much better than my TV does by itself). It seems like this receiver has some great algorithms behind it, because it makes all the sources look great.

The auto-calibration feature works much better than I thought it would, correctly detecting the size and distance (to within half a foot) of my speakers, making the audio setup extremely easy. Due to my small room size, I currently only have 6 channels set up, but it had no problem figuring that out. It's channel upconversion works great as well, mixing the 5.1 signal over the 6 wonderfully, creating a very immersive audio environment. I also don't have a sub-woofer set up, as my front speakers are very large with dual input and dedicated woofers, but this receiver can drive 4 woofers if need be. The sound is great out of this thing, really making use of my good speakers.

The few complaints I have are that on-screen display is a pain to bring up. It makes changing settings very easy, but it is buried in a menu, instead of being an "instant-on" remote button. It's not a very pretty display either, but it is very efficient and gets the job done well enough. My other complaint is that the LED screen could be better; it's a step down from the dot-matrix screen I had on my last Sony receiver (it's got the watch-like "bar" screen, with a few extra bars for k and x). One of the reasons I got this was because of the ability to name inputs on the screen, which I love and is not a feature on other similarly-featured and -priced receivers, and I was a little disappointed to find the lack of a dot matrix screen. It's not a huge deal, but I think Sony could have stepped up the screen quality on a somewhat expensive receiver.

I can't comment on the remote functionality really, because I use a Logitech Harmony remote with it, but it does work remarkably well with that remote. The Sony remote is huge, and worked well for set up, but that's the extent of my experience with it.

My last semi-complaint is that Sony did not make the silver version available to US consumers, selling it only in Europe, and I would have preferred it over the black, but it looks fine as is and I've really got no real problems with it as I've gotten used to it.

Overall, this is a great receiver, offering extra options over other competing products, such as 3 HDMI inputs, renamable input titles, and low heat output (another plus). I highly recommend it.

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A

Strengths: Always great with the name SONY

Weaknesses: None so far.

Summary: The ease of directions to follow and the set up pages made this very simple to get up and running. As I expected the sound and picture quality was great. I would recommend this product especially the quality for the dollar.

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Sony STR-DG910 Receiver

Strengths: 3 HDMI inputs, switching, upconversion all you could want.

Weaknesses: None found yet !

Summary: I would recommend this receiver, It is replacing a 15 yr old Pioneer home theater unit. With all the new features, this unit will connect to just about anything. It has all the power I need to drive some old speakers. I am very pleased with all the features of this unit.

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Excellent Value

Strengths: Receiver is very versitile; lots of settings for audio and video inputs. Connected to a Bose 5.1 system and sounds great. Fairly easy remote and menu.

Weaknesses: Remote will not control a Vizio 47" LCD HDTV.

Summary: Would recommend this receiver for its value and sound but am dissatisfied with the inability to control the TV. Sony techs were no help. Vizio was also unable to supply correct code. Unit inputs are satellite and a new Sony DVD player.

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SONY STR-DG910 7.1

Strengths: 3 HDMI inputs, output on 1 HDMI

Weaknesses: Does not support Dolby® True HD and DTS-HD® Master Audio

Summary: I have to admit, I almost chose another brand receiver (even having been with SONY for my last 3 receivers) because of the non-support of the newest "Dolby® True HD and DTS-HD® Master Audio" but... I decided to give it a shot.

Well, let me say it works BEAUTIFULY with my new SONY XBR4 52"... it all looks/sounds AWESOME!

In this price point, some receivers may have had features this one didn't (like the True HD and Master Audio", but I couldn't find one with THREE hdmi inputs, and upconverting of ALL sources through one single hdmi to the tv. (you also have an option for the sound to ALSO go to your tv, if you want to play through the TV speakers... but the receiver still needs to be ON so I am not sure if this is worth having, or AMP only)

I was troubled by some reviews that said 'bad things' about: 1) the OSD for setup... to tell you the truth, I was so familiar with the SONY setup, I did everything directly from the receiver panel and didn't realize there was a separate OSD on the tv until later. Sure it does look a little 'cheap' but I think anyone should be able to navigate everything on the receiver panel anyhow

2) that is was incorrectly billed as "upconverting all video source to HDMI"... But I found this to work just fine, so not sure what they are talking about. Everything pumps to the TV on one single hdmi (making a LOT less clutter behind the HT setup!) and couple this with one of the best upconverting engines on the market/with my XBR4 52"... it works VERY nicely, and a composite video input --> component output (on my DVD recorder) into the receiver and then to my XBR... it looks pretty nice.

Overall... price, SONY brand name, and features (3hdmi inputs), I recommend this receiver highly.

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