100 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000Hz) at 0.09% THD * Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, and Dolby Pro Logic¨ II processing * Digital Cinema Sound modes * 32-bit processor * dual-room/dual-source audio (fixed line-level stereo output for 2nd room) *
Sony's amazingly powerful and affordable STR-DE897 delivers rich, clear sound for your movies and music--from the latest surround-sound movie formats to the latest high-resolution audio sources. The receiver pumps out 110 watts per channel across 7 main channels (left, right, center, left/right mid surround, and left/right rear surround) and has a dedicated subwoofer output for an eighth (the ".1" low-frequency effects channel). The receiver performs everything from Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES/Neo:6 surround decoding to Dolby Pro Logic II processing (creating 5.1 channels from 2), also offering 5.1/7.1-channel analog inputs to handle music from Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio.
You get conveniences, too, like multi-room outputs that come with independent source switching, so you can listen to a DVD in the living room while someone else is listening to a CD in the kitchen. The supplied Remote Commander remote control comes preprogrammed for a range of devices, and it also learns new commands and has the ability to perform limited macro commands.
The receiver includes an FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets (20 FM, 10 AM) and a host of video inputs--5 composite-video, 3 S-video, and 2 component-video--to simplify switching between components and your television. The component-video inputs accommodate wide-bandwidth (80 MHz) high-definition signals and work well with 480p signals such as those from progressive-scan DVD players, while composite-video inputs are upconverted to S-video quality. A set of front-panel audio/video inputs includes an optical digital-audio input and facilitates spontaneous hookups with camcorders, gaming consoles, MP3 players, and minidisc player/recorders.
There's even a phono input for your once or future turntable--yes, they still make 'em and, yes, your vinyl will sound as good or better than ever. The unit's 3 stereo and 1 set of multichannel analog audio inputs simplify hookup of, for instance, a cassette deck, a VCR, and a high-resolution audio device that decodes formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. A total of 6 assignable digital-audio inputs (4 optical and 2 coaxial) accept bitstream feeds from DVD players, CD players, and other digital devices, while a single optical digital-audio out channels sound to a CD or minidisc recorder.
Digital Cinema Sound System is a group of exclusive Sony algorithms (the receiver offers 13 total) that represent a total re-thinking of home theater sound based on careful measurements of movie-production dubbing stages in Hollywood. Cinema Studio EX modes offer greater apparent distance from listener to screen and a full array of 10 additional virtual surround speakers.
Sound Field Link applies the last-selected sound field to an input whenever you select the input. For example, if you select STADIUM for the CD input, change to a different input, then return to CD, the receiver will automatically apply the STADIUM sound field.
Finally, Auto Channel Grouping helps integrate 5.1- and 6.1-channel programs with your 7.1-channel system. When a 5.1-channel mix is present, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right outputs while adding a new surround back left/right channel. When 6.1-channel mix is detected, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right output while the sixth channel is duplicated by both surround back channels (left/right).
What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control (model RM-PG413), remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.
1 SONY makes great TVs and that's it
My best friend has this receiver and every time we're at his house watching a movie I can barely keep from cringing during any musical peaks, this receiver is so unpleasant.
For the same or just a tiny bit more you would be much better off getting an Onkyo or best of all, Harman Kardon receiver. In fact if you go to eBay you can buy refurb HK receivers direct from them with full original warranty and for the price of this Sony POS you can get an HK AVR-135 or 235 which would blow this out of the water.
About the only thing Sony still makes well nowadays is their TVs, with everything else they're just cashing in on their huge brand name recognition. Visit any audio newsgroup/forum like ecoustics dot com, avsforum dot com or home theater forum dot com and you'll get much better suggestions.
2 Despite the remote, this receiver is a gem.
Yes the remote is difficult to use for things other than the most basic functions. But, once you get the receiver hooked up, select the modes and sound fields you like, and enter your local radio stations, it's just fine.
For such a great price, how can you go wrong? I have my unit hooked up in Dolby 6.1 mode with DCM front speakers, and BOSE center channel, surround and subwoofer. Put in a DTS encoded movie and you living room is transformed into the theatre. Nothing really can match the excellence in sound quality from this reciever. At 100 watts per channel, everything is crisp. And what a difference from my former Dolby Surround system! Low frequency effects to the subwoofer are great. When I recently watched "Saving Private Ryan" it was as if I was really in the landing craft at Omaha Beach. Amazing.
Needed a special digital audio coaxial cable to route the audio signal from the DVD player to the receiver. There is a way to send a digital optical signal to the receiver, but no input for this when input is set to DVD. Must route this cable to Video 1, 2 or TV input. (a minor gripe)
The reciever has a blue indicating light that shows you when input signal is Dolby Digital--nice feature.
Money well spent. Took only five days to reach me in Hawaii after I placed my order--free shipping, too.
3 The remote is difficult to program
My main issue so far is programming in other components. I have a combination VCR/DVD. There are no codes provided for this, and Sony provides only the helpful suggestion, just try some other combinations if the few codes we provide don't work. That's nice...but 900 plus codes with a remote that you try to get into program mode and it takes 4 to 5 attempts just to get it to accept a code.....horrible. And Sony support in this matter....nonexistant.
4 This Package Will Never Arrive!
This is really more of a criticism of Amazon's deplorable customer service than anything to do with this product. I orded the product, they charged my credit card, and then the package for whatever reason was never shipped. Three weeks later they said my address (at which I receive all my mail and UPS shipments) was incorrect and credited my account. I tried to explain to them that the problem was not my address. They offered to let me re-order. Some deal. I would suggest you find a legitimate supplier of this product and have it sent directly. Do not deal through Amazon.
5 Remote Blues
This reciever is great but the remote is awful. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.
The Jump button (used for jumping back and forth between 2 channels) never worked.
It often just stops working, remedied by either re-selecting your video mode or turning off and on again the receiver
Burns through batteries
Have to hit "Alt" before you can input a channel number because for some reason the primary function of the buttons for channel numbers is not for inputing your channel numbers. "Alt" doesn't stay on long so a minute later if you want to change channels you have to hit "Alt" again (sometimes 2 or 3 times before it's activated).
The manual is very poor, as well.
I find it really incredible that such a great reciever would ship with such an awful remote that is so bad I'm looking online now for a 3rd party remote to buy so I can use this receiver!
Because of only the remote, I would not recommend buying this receiver.
6 Nice sound. Controls are terrible
This unit looks nice and the sound is very good. Setup is not easy at all. The manual is terrible, and the user interface is very poor. For example, you cannot search for radio stations from the remote; you must enter the frequency or use the main unit dials. The remote is very poorly designed in general.
7 Love the Sony
I recently replaced my JVC surround receiver with this one. I love it, now I have all the inputs I need for VCR, DVD, Sattelite, Etc.. It also lets me connect composit video devices and send them to my monitor through the s-video jack. With my JVC receiver I could never get a good balance between my surround speakers and my center and front speakers. With the new receiver it sounds great. The only problem is now I'm tempted to add side surrounds to get 7.1 surround.
