Sony just announced the company's new AV receiver line including a model that offers a digital home experience with easy access and control of streaming digital music.
The 3D compatible models, which are now available for pre-sale at www.sonystyle.com, include the STR-DN1020, STR-DH820, STR-DH720, and STR-DH520 AV receivers. Starting under $500, all models will be available this spring.
The flagship STR-DN1020 receiver is a gateway to streaming music with access to
Internet audio services including Slacker and vTuner when connected to an existing broadband home network through the model's Ethernet port.
The device is Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified allowing it to play digital music from your
home PC or other connected DLNA device. It can also stream audio to Sony's HomeShare
wireless network speakers and features Sony's PartyStreaming mode with synchronized playback on multiple speakers.
The 7.2 channel, 110 watt (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD) receiver is compatible with the Sony "Media Remote" app that turns an
iPhone,
iPod touch or Android mobile device into a remote control. The app, which can be downloaded from the
Apple App Store or the Android Marketplace, functions as a full remote with a keyboard controlling the receiver.
The model features a Faroudja DCDi Edge video processing chip that up converts and upscales analog signals to near
1080p HD quality via HDMI, while its Digital Legato Linear (D.L.L.) advanced sound processing technology also improves audio fidelity. D.L.L. analyzes standard definition (compressed) audio signals such as
Dolby Digital and
dts format sound and upscales them to 192 KHz resulting in higher quality audio.
Audio from the receiver is also fine tuned with the help of Sony's advanced Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (D.C.A.C.) with Automatic Phase Matching and Sound Optimizer technologies.
Utilizing the included microphone, D.C.A.C. measures and analyzes room acoustics, adjusting the receiver's output to deliver audio, while allowing all of the speakers to use the same phase as the front channels.
The model will be available this May for about $500. A full list of features includes:
110 watt x7 (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD)
Access to streaming Internet audio services
Synchronized playback on Sony HomeShare wireless network speakers
iPhone/iPod touch remote control app
iPhone/iPod video and music playback via included dock
Upconvert/upscale from analog to 1080p video via HDMI (Faroudja DCDi Edge)
HDMI 3D pass-through
Seven HD inputs (four HDMI, three component)
D.L.L. advanced sound processing
Sony's Advanced D.C.A.C. with Automatic Phase Matching
Sound Optimizer
Advanced on-screen graphic user interface
Second zone audio and video
Dual subwoofer pre-outs
IR in and out
Audio return channel
Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
BRAVIA Sync
Read about the other receivers on Page 2.
Also new to the Sony AV receiver lines are:
STR-DH820 7.2 Channel AV ReceiverAvailable in March for about $400
110 watt x7 (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD)
iPhone/iPod video and music playback via included dock
Upconvert/upscale from analog to 1080p video via HDMI (Faroudja DCDi Edge)
Seven HD inputs (four HDMI, three component)
Digital Legato Linear (D.L.L.) advanced sound processing
Sony's Advanced D.C.A.C. with Automatic Phase Matching
BRAVIA Widget unified TV on-screen interface
Advanced on-screen graphic user interface
Second zone audio and video
IR in and out
Audio return channel
Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
BRAVIA Sync
STR-DH720 7.1 Channel AV ReceiverAvailable in March for about $300
105 watt x7 (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD)
HDMI 3D pass-through
Audio return channel
HD Digital Cinema Sound (HD D.C.S.)
Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
Upconvert/upscale from analog to 1080i video via HDMI (Faroudja DCDi Edge)
iPhone/
iPod video and music playback via USB
Advanced Auto Volume
On-screen graphic user interface
BRAVIA Widget unified TV on-screen interface
Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
BRAVIA Sync
STR-DH520 7.1 Channel AV ReceiverAvailable in March for about $230
100 watt x7 (8ohms 1kHz 1% THD)
HDMI 3D pass-through
Audio return channel
Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
Six HD inputs (four HDMI, two component)
Advanced Auto Volume
BRAVIA Widget unified TV on-screen interface
HD Digital Cinema Sound (HD D.C.S.)
BRAVIA Sync
