Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)There is not another brand on the market that can do what this one can, but it still has a lot of limitations and notes on every page of the manual. The manuals are available on the Sony web page under support.
This can convert component/composite into 1080P HDMI, but it can't convert any HDMI video into component or composite. I was using Zone 2 component output for my old HDTV and HDMI for the new one. It worked okay for the satalite receiver, but I had to connent both HDMI and component video inputs to get it to work for both zones. Unfortunately, the Sony DB is a pain to switch between HDMI output and component and it can't do both at the same time. So it is a real pain that zone 2 only supports component output with the receiver and you have to connect all your components twice to really use both zones. Many you could live with only component inputs, but TrueHD and DTS Master Audio require HDMI input require HDMI inputs. If you want to utilize deep color and 1080P from the DB, you have to use an HDMI input too. It can't upscale to deep color, connecting the Wii with the component input looks great in 1080P though.
It is pretty awsome with allowing different video and audio sources being configured to work together. From the different options available (DB, DVD, CD,...) there are some limitiations of want video and audio sources can be configured, but I was able to do everything combination I needed.
I couldn't find anyway to tell if Deep Color was actually passing through the receiver other then watching the change in the picture. It says you have to use direct video for Deep Color, so some configuration can actually loose deep color from the signal. I also was not able to upscale 1080i to 1080P.
It supports two channel audio out the HDMI port but will not pass DD, DTS etc. If you turn this functin on though, you only get 2 channel audio from the receiver speakers too. So, you can't really use the TV speakers via the HDMI input, but you can connect separate analog audio cables to do it. You can use the preouts to connect the TV as center channel, but it you are spending this much you should really invest in a quality center channel speaker.
The mircophone supplied for automatic speaker calibration is not very good. It said my speakers were out of phase when they were not. The stereo microphone with the STR-DA5400ES worked much better.
Control for HDMI may not work if you have a cheap HDMI cable like I started with.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver
The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel AV receiver continues Sony's heritage in providing an ES AV receiver that will distribute high definition content to a 2nd room of the home. Its multi-room capabilities don't stop with HD; this model also can distribute audio to multiple rooms (up to 3). These multi-room features are accompanied by custom control connections (i.e. RS-232C, 12 volt triggers and IR in/out) necessary for full home integration. Now, you can start a HD movie in the living room and finish it in the bedroom or listen to your favorites songs from your iPod player, Walkman player or PC (accessories sold separately), located in the living room, on the patio in the backyard. The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel AV receiver utilizes Sony's xross media bar inspired GUI with Faroudja DCDi cinema technology that can upscale all video sources to 1080p in an intuitive environment for even novice AV enthusiasts. This new model will be able to reproduce the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs (Dolby Digital +/Dolby TrueHD) and dts (dts HD/dts high resolution audio). In true ES fashion, this model incorporates new audio technology by having the ability to decode direct stream digital (DSD) audio sources. So, the abundant HDMI connections (6 Inputs) provide ample room to incorporate a SACD Player with a HDMI output (SACD Player sold separately). This new model is compatible with 1080 60p/24p, deep color and x.v.color video signals. Finally, the STR-DA4400ES features BRAVIA sync for theater with one touch control, digital media port input for use with MP3 portable players or personal computer (accessories sold separately) and is XM and Sirius Satellite Radio ready.
Click here for more information about Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver
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