Sony HT-DDW740 Theater System
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- Front Speaker: 2 Way
- Main Speakers Power Output: 90 Watts
- Included Components: DVD Player
- Number Of Speakers: 5 Speakers and Subwoofer
- Subwoofer Power Output: 100 Watts
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Almost satisfied, but not quite
Pros
good performance all around, best features you can get today
Cons
poor sub design, prevalent glitches with subtitles
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
At first, I was impressed and so would you be. But after discovering the faults with this system, you may return it as I have done.
In general, if one is on a budget, but still would like to get the best features available from today?s technology, I MAY recommend this home theater package. The things you are going to find fault with is the sub (that can be fixed), and a subtitle glitch (read towards the bottom). The later was annoying enough for me to return the system.
Video:
My comments on video will be limited. Most of what anyone will see will depend on their television. Unfortunately, I do not have an HDTV so I was not able to utilize the progressive scan. However, I?m using component video, so my comments will be based on such a setup. As compared to my previous system, the colors are very accurate once configured with a THX optimizer. The best example is that black is finally black, as opposed to dark grey. In general, I cannot say anything negative about sharpness, color, accuracy, etc.
Audio:
Acoustically, this small system is impressive. The satellites were well balanced and the bass was adequate. The satellites performed just as well as or better than the satellites of other Sony Dream Systems. I have no complaints regarding these small speakers. However, there are some negative characteristics about the sub. Out of the box, the sub?s casing comes with extra aesthetic panels. Unfortunately, my particular system?s sub panels would vibrate horrendously, particularly the top panel. This happens on the very low frequencies. To remedy this problem, I had to weight down the top panel by placing reams of printing paper on top. We estimated that anything from 7-10lbs should eliminate the vibrations. This all was tolerable, but disappointing to witness. Sound-wise the sub was ?OK?, but acceptable for what I paid. Sometimes I felt as if the sub would bottom-out, of course, this only occurred on the lowest bass notes.
Changer:
I?ve never had a DVD changer before, but I feel that it is very slow. My friend said the speed of changing is typical of systems imitating the Nakamichi Disc changer platform.
Remote:
Looks beautiful, but logistically flawed. The buttons are too small and placed awkwardly. The glow in the dark back light is cool, but pretty useless since the text on the buttons is so small. But because of these flaws, you receive a decently sized remote that is slim.
Packaging:
Sony has really changed up it packing. I know this is odd to comment on, but the box is so small that it can fit in the tiny trunk of my sports car.
The Subtitle Glitch:
As previously mentioned, this bug in the dvd player?s firmware resulted in my returning this system. There are three glitches in total.
1)By default, any disc plays with subtitles ? usually English.
2)If you decide to deactivate the subtitles using the DVD disc?s menu, it will remerge as the player reads the next layer. Specifically, it will play the last subtitle in the list. For example, in Harry Potter, as the player reads the next layer it switches to Spanish subtitles as it plays the next chapter. The subtitle order in Harry Potter is 1: off, 2: English, 3: Spanish. You can avoid this by NOT deactivating the subtitles using the DVD disc?s menu, but by using the remote. I have gotten this to work successfully on all my dvds as a work around.
3)Even if you turn off the subtitles as explained above with a remote, on certain movies that display text on the screen, the dvd player will translate that text into Spanish subtitles. For example, in the movie ?High Crimes? the words ?Hot Chestnuts? are seen on a cart that passes by? the player will then translate that too ?Chestnuts Calientes?, and displays that on the tv as subtitles. (my Spanish is weak, I don?t know the right word for ?Chestnut?)
Video:
My comments on video will be limited. Most of what anyone will see will depend on their television. Unfortunately, I do not have an HDTV so I was not able to utilize the progressive scan. However, I?m using component video, so my comments will be based on such a setup. As compared to my previous system, the colors are very accurate once configured with a THX optimizer. The best example is that black is finally black, as opposed to dark grey. In general, I cannot say anything negative about sharpness, color, accuracy, etc.
Audio:
Acoustically, this small system is impressive. The satellites were well balanced and the bass was adequate. The satellites performed just as well as or better than the satellites of other Sony Dream Systems. I have no complaints regarding these small speakers. However, there are some negative characteristics about the sub. Out of the box, the sub?s casing comes with extra aesthetic panels. Unfortunately, my particular system?s sub panels would vibrate horrendously, particularly the top panel. This happens on the very low frequencies. To remedy this problem, I had to weight down the top panel by placing reams of printing paper on top. We estimated that anything from 7-10lbs should eliminate the vibrations. This all was tolerable, but disappointing to witness. Sound-wise the sub was ?OK?, but acceptable for what I paid. Sometimes I felt as if the sub would bottom-out, of course, this only occurred on the lowest bass notes.
Changer:
I?ve never had a DVD changer before, but I feel that it is very slow. My friend said the speed of changing is typical of systems imitating the Nakamichi Disc changer platform.
Remote:
Looks beautiful, but logistically flawed. The buttons are too small and placed awkwardly. The glow in the dark back light is cool, but pretty useless since the text on the buttons is so small. But because of these flaws, you receive a decently sized remote that is slim.
Packaging:
Sony has really changed up it packing. I know this is odd to comment on, but the box is so small that it can fit in the tiny trunk of my sports car.
The Subtitle Glitch:
As previously mentioned, this bug in the dvd player?s firmware resulted in my returning this system. There are three glitches in total.
1)By default, any disc plays with subtitles ? usually English.
2)If you decide to deactivate the subtitles using the DVD disc?s menu, it will remerge as the player reads the next layer. Specifically, it will play the last subtitle in the list. For example, in Harry Potter, as the player reads the next layer it switches to Spanish subtitles as it plays the next chapter. The subtitle order in Harry Potter is 1: off, 2: English, 3: Spanish. You can avoid this by NOT deactivating the subtitles using the DVD disc?s menu, but by using the remote. I have gotten this to work successfully on all my dvds as a work around.
3)Even if you turn off the subtitles as explained above with a remote, on certain movies that display text on the screen, the dvd player will translate that text into Spanish subtitles. For example, in the movie ?High Crimes? the words ?Hot Chestnuts? are seen on a cart that passes by? the player will then translate that too ?Chestnuts Calientes?, and displays that on the tv as subtitles. (my Spanish is weak, I don?t know the right word for ?Chestnut?)
