Sony STR-DG 720 7.1 Channels Receiver
- Surround Sound: Dolby Digital® DTS® DTS ES® Dolby Pro Logic II DTS Neo:6 Dolby Pro Logic DTS 96/24 Dolby Digital® EX Dolby Pro Logic IIx DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
- Number of Channels: 7.1 Channels
- Type: Receiver
- Surround Mode Power: 735 Watt @ 8 ohm, 1 kHz, THD: 1%
- TV Resolutions: 1080p (1125p)
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Good Receiver
Pros
Multiple ports, HDMI switching, HD component sitching, cheap
Cons
Weird HDMI swithcing w/Apple TV, suspect Apple TV because of autosense on Apple TV
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I'd recommend it, but have a decent set of speakers to go with it. It has a great set of ports for the price.
I originally reviewed this receiver about 6 months ago. I couldn't update it so I deleted it and I reviewing it again.
I bought this because I have multiple HD sources, some component and some HDMI, that I wanted to connect to my TV and receiver.
I was replacing an all-in-one Sony receiver that had its own speakers. I originally decided to keep the all-in-one speakers hoping that they would be sufficient (not a good idea, cheap compromise). The problem was that my center channel had no mid-range. When I switched to a HD source, it sounded like crap. I could barely hear the announcers in sporting events or actors speaking in a movie. I eventually caved and bought a nice Polk Audio speaker set, RM85 ($500). They're 5.1 and didn't come with a sub, but that's all I needed. I bought a sub right after I bought the receiver because the new receiver did not work with my passive sub (just speaker wires); it needed a regular sub output (coax, single RCA jack) ($100). I also had to buy speaker stands too ($150).
So I ended up needing to buy a speaker set, sub, and stands but now it sounds great. I'm glad I upgraded my speakers because I feel like I bought a nice receiver and had crappy speakers. Now I have a nice set of everything and I couldn't be happier.
This receiver has multiple HDMI inputs, multiple HD component video inputs, two optical audio inputs, one digital coaxial audio input and it switches between all. It won't combine different inputs into one output. When I say that, I mean that it won't take an HDMI source and a component video source for inputs and output both to HDMI. I don't know many receivers that do. So I have an HDMI and component video output connecting my receiver and TV. It works fine; I just have to switch the TV input when changing between different kinds of input sources.
It ended up being a great receiver, just know that you'll need a real set of speakers to go with it. HD sources split up their audio outputs for 5.1 surround. This means that a lot of the vocals will be coming out of the center channel. The all-in-one speakers sounded bad, the Polk speakers work great. I don't think I was prepared when I bought the receiver so I ended up spending an extra $750 on speakers and stands. Hopefully you'll recognize this when upgrading your surround sound, or you already have nice speakers, or you buy something that comes with good speakers.
My only complaint is that when switching to my Apple TV (HDMI), it acts funny sometimes. The video doesn't show up right away. If I push a button or two on the Apple remote, it comes on. I think it's the Apple TV though because I have other unrelated problems with my Apple TV. My TiVo is also HDMI and when I switch to it, I have no problems. I think this is a problem specific to Apple TV and not related to the receiver.
Good receiver, lots of ports (what sold me on it), the remote is ok, HDMI switching with audio, and it sounds good.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to write a review of my experience. I originally thought the receiver sucked because it sounded bad, but it turned out to be my speakers. Nice receiver requires good speakers, only makes sense.
I bought this because I have multiple HD sources, some component and some HDMI, that I wanted to connect to my TV and receiver.
I was replacing an all-in-one Sony receiver that had its own speakers. I originally decided to keep the all-in-one speakers hoping that they would be sufficient (not a good idea, cheap compromise). The problem was that my center channel had no mid-range. When I switched to a HD source, it sounded like crap. I could barely hear the announcers in sporting events or actors speaking in a movie. I eventually caved and bought a nice Polk Audio speaker set, RM85 ($500). They're 5.1 and didn't come with a sub, but that's all I needed. I bought a sub right after I bought the receiver because the new receiver did not work with my passive sub (just speaker wires); it needed a regular sub output (coax, single RCA jack) ($100). I also had to buy speaker stands too ($150).
So I ended up needing to buy a speaker set, sub, and stands but now it sounds great. I'm glad I upgraded my speakers because I feel like I bought a nice receiver and had crappy speakers. Now I have a nice set of everything and I couldn't be happier.
This receiver has multiple HDMI inputs, multiple HD component video inputs, two optical audio inputs, one digital coaxial audio input and it switches between all. It won't combine different inputs into one output. When I say that, I mean that it won't take an HDMI source and a component video source for inputs and output both to HDMI. I don't know many receivers that do. So I have an HDMI and component video output connecting my receiver and TV. It works fine; I just have to switch the TV input when changing between different kinds of input sources.
It ended up being a great receiver, just know that you'll need a real set of speakers to go with it. HD sources split up their audio outputs for 5.1 surround. This means that a lot of the vocals will be coming out of the center channel. The all-in-one speakers sounded bad, the Polk speakers work great. I don't think I was prepared when I bought the receiver so I ended up spending an extra $750 on speakers and stands. Hopefully you'll recognize this when upgrading your surround sound, or you already have nice speakers, or you buy something that comes with good speakers.
My only complaint is that when switching to my Apple TV (HDMI), it acts funny sometimes. The video doesn't show up right away. If I push a button or two on the Apple remote, it comes on. I think it's the Apple TV though because I have other unrelated problems with my Apple TV. My TiVo is also HDMI and when I switch to it, I have no problems. I think this is a problem specific to Apple TV and not related to the receiver.
Good receiver, lots of ports (what sold me on it), the remote is ok, HDMI switching with audio, and it sounds good.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to write a review of my experience. I originally thought the receiver sucked because it sounded bad, but it turned out to be my speakers. Nice receiver requires good speakers, only makes sense.
