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.
Customer Review: Great Product but know its limitations.
I have spent about a week with the 4400es and it is without a doubt a great and versatile product. I have my cable box, pc, wii, ps3, xbox, and hd dvd all hooked up to it. It all sounds and looks great. There are however some limitations you must be aware about. For one, you cannot use a hdmi to dvi cable for output. If you use such a cable to plug into your tv the receiver WILL NOT ouput sound for any Hdmi connected devices, in any way. period. (non hdmi connected devices will still work in video and sound) If you have an old DVI TV you will have to connect the video through the component inputs/ouputs and assign the HDMI connection to component video. (you cannot assign hdmi to any other audio input!) You will still get full dolby hd, dts hd, or linear pcm, but your video will be coming through component. Got it? good! (if you have an hdtv with hdmi you dont even have to worry about this) Also there are some limitations with the GUI interface with component video. If you have resolution set to direct, meaning you are disabling the video upsaler, the gui interface will not work. It will come up but the scaler has to "turn on" while you make changes, and then turn off to resume direct connection. Furthermore, if you connect hdmi for audio and component for video, the GUI interface will have to scale to 480p to work. Basically you will see and hear flickering and clicking as the resolution changes from one format top another. Sounds confusing but you will see what I mean if you connect it this way. You can avoid all this if you just set GUI interface to OFF, and there will be no issues with the scaler kicking in on and off. Last but not least, the second zone hd connections offer no scaling or digital options. Make sure whatever you are sending the signals to can actually accept them. Furthermore, the second zone option must match your input. Component RCA output from the 2nd zone must match a Component RCA input. No mix and match with any other connections. hope this info helps future buyers out there.
Customer Review: Very versatile receiver
I bought this receiver because it covers all the bases. Almost every audio option is supported (Logic 7 would be nice but Lexicon/Harmon Karden keep that one on a tight leash). The GUI is very PS3 like which is okay with me however I find that it's integration with the remote to be less than desirable. The biggest disappointment is the lack of a switched AC outlet. I have a powered sub and the lack of the AC outlet requires me to manually turn the sub on. Oh and the calibration mic claims that my speakers are not in phase when I know for a fact that they are. I use a PS3 for blue-ray and it works well with the receiver but I can't get the multichannel audio programs to work when I stream the audio using the PS3 from my PC. I think that this is a limitation of the PS3.


Surround Sound Receiver