Sony Sony STRDG820 Home Theater Receiver
Sony - STRDG820Release Date: May 2008
The STR-DG820 7.1 channel A/V receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. This 1080p A/V Receiver features HDMI with "Active Intelligence", plus x.v.Color and 1080/24p signal capability. In addition to decoding uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI), the STR-DG820 decodes the... Read Moreaudio formats from Dolby Labs and DTS making this model fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc. Now, you can hear the original mix of your favorite BD titles regardless of audio format. Because no room is perfect, Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (and its supplied microphone) simplifies speaker set up and optimizes speaker performance with the push of one button in just 30 seconds. Would you like to listen to satellite radio? The XM Connect-and-Play Ready feature provides the ability to access XM satellite radio programming in surround sound. Minimize
Average Expert Rating
Summary of User Reviews
Number of Reviews: 2Positive Reviews: 100%
Negative Reviews: 0%
Positive Review
Reviewed by: Bullettime on 03-Oct-08
Strengths: Plentiful features; good sound quality; great value
Weaknesses: Won't fulfill everyone's A/V needs
Summary: This is a competitively priced 7.1 receiver that capably handles the latest audio formats. It pairs well with a Blu-ray player, HD cable box, and high-end gaming consoles, providing an array of audio options and crisp, clear audio. While it may lack the video-scaling features of its bigger brother (the 920), it still provides terrific sound quality and a host of connections and audio options.
Positive Review
Reviewed by: pitaandfreddy on 24-Jul-08
Strengths: Impressive feature set including 1080p support plus HD audio decoding and screw binding post speaker terminals, all for about $350.
Weaknesses: Doesn't upconvert analog signals to HDMI output (you have to move up to the 920 for that). Doesn't have a switched power outlet. Remote is clunky and absurdly large and uncomfortable.
Summary: I've got it paired with a Sony KDL-46Z4100 LCD display, a PS3 (as the Blue-Ray player), a DirecTV HD DVR, a Wii, and a set of Harmon/Kardon HTKS-11 speakers. The receiver is a great match for a PS3 and the Sony TV. Sound seems good to me, but I'm admittedly not an audiophile. The HDMI Sync feature is great when paired with the TV for everything but the Wii. One button push and both the receiver and TV inputs are set appropriately. Set up was fairly straight forward. Lack of analog transcoding to HDMI output is very annoying for the Wii (which doesn't have digital outputs). If the Wii is connected to the receiver (say on Video 1), you have to connect to the TV using another set of component cables. No problem, right? Wrong. If you have the HDMI sync feature enabled, and why wouldn't you, as soon as you switch to Video 1, the TV switches to the HDMI input. Basically, you can either get video or sound. Solution was to not use the receiver with the Wii (connect the Wii directly to the TV and then use an optical audio cable back to the receiver). The 920 wouldn't have had this problem, but at $200+ more, it isn't worth it when I have a workable solution. The lack of a switched power outlet is actually my biggest annoyance. This receiver (like all receivers) gets HOT. I have all the above components (including the searing PS3) in an enclosed tv stand. I'm using a set of computer case fans to circulate air in the back to keep everything cool. It would have been a lot nicer to have the fans connected to a switched outlet on the receiver so they only come on when the receiver is on. The reality, though, is that a switched power outlet seems to be a feature only seen on much, much more expensive receivers. Given the price though, the features far outweigh the relatively limiteations and I'm very happy with my choice.