Sony A/V Receivers Go HD

Sony aims to make high definition home theater management easier by rolling out a quartet of A/V receivers that feature high definition performance, an easy set-up and control via a special icon-driven menu system. Each of these new models should simplify home theater operation, functioning as a central hub for audio and HD video home theater components by bringing together all sources to one HDMI output from the receiver to the display. Some of the shared features among all four models are 1080/24p True Cinema video pass-through, advanced audio codec support, and upscaling of all standard definition video sources to 1080p via HDMI when connected to a 1080p-capable HDTV set. The Sony STR-DG920 and STR-DG820 will be released in June and May for $600 and $400, respectively.

Both the STR-DG920 and STR-DG820 7.1 channel A/V receivers bring 110 watts of power per channel to the table and are more than able to support the latest in high-definition formats with 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema video signal pass-through. They also boast a quartet of HDMI inputs, supporting various audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio. In addition, these two models also support x.v.Color technology (xvYCC) that brings a wider spectrum of colors from source to receiver to an x.v.Color-compliant HDTV. The STR-DG920 model also has the added advantage of supporting Deep Color for greater color depth on compatible televisions and upscales standard-definition video content to 1080p via HDMI with a 1080p-capable HDTV set.

Then there is also Sony’s Digital Media Port to look forward to. This device brings networking and connectivity to the AV receivers for music playback from various sources with optional accessories, such as audio cradles compatible with certain Walkman players and iPod products, a PC client device and a Bluetooth adapter. Once an accessory is hooked up, the device will be able to be powered and controlled by the receiver for enhanced home theater experience.

As for the new STR-DG720 7.1 channel A/V receiver, you get 105 watts of power per channel, a trio of HDMI inputs that support 1080/60p and 24p video signal pass-through, plus up to eight channels of uncompressed LPCM audio. It is compatible with XM Radio and will come with a $300 price tag when it released this March. Last but not least, we have the 100 watts STR-DG520 5.1 channel A/V receiver that comes equipped with two HDMI inputs with 1080/60p and 24p video signal pass-through. Expect to see this model hit retail stores this March for around $200.

Filed in Audio..

Discover more from Ubergizmo

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading