IFA NEWS: Sony boosts its ES range with two new AV receivers
New from Sony are two AV receivers, the STR-DA5500ES and STR-DA3500ES. Both offer full decoding for all the current HD formats, an upgraded HD version of the company's Digital Cinema Sound processing and multizone capability.
In addition, the upmarket STR-DA5500ES has both internet radio capability and DLNA client functionality, allowing it to stream audio, photos and video from a home network.
The New HD Digital Cinema Sound system has been developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment, and the STR-DA5500ES combines the top version of the company's Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration with a new feature, Automatic Phase Matching.
APM removes any phase anomalies between the speakers connected to the receiver, and is said to be particularly useful where speakers of different sizes are used in a surround system.
The STR-DA5500ES has six HDMI inputs and two outputs allowing simple switchover between, or simultaneous use of, both a TV and a projector, and the receiver also offers picture-in-picture fucntionality.
Video upscaling and upconversion are provided, and the receiver can deliver sound into three zones, and video into two.
Completing the package is the company's onscreen Quick Click virtual remote control for connected components, and two Digital Media Ports for iPods, Sony Walkman players, Sony Ericsson phones and Bluetooth devices.
The lower-priced STR-DA3500ES has four HDMI inputs, loses the network connectivity and Quick Click remote, and has just one DMPort.
Both receivers go on sale next month, at prices to be announced.
Also new is the wireless-ready STR-DN1000 receiver, which we first covered in our report of Sony's US trade show back in March.
This 'designer' model, with its piano black finish, sits above the existing STR-DH800, and has four HDMI inputs, upscaling and upconversion from all analogue video inputs, decoding for all the HD audio formats and a 7x110W output.
There's also wireless multiroom capability built-in, with the addition of an optional transmitter and wireless active speakers.
The transmission system is Sony's own S-AIR, and it can drive up to ten remote zones around the home up to a maximum range of 50m.
In addition there's an icon-driven menu system, and connectivity for portable devices and home networks using the DM Port system.
Comments
khowlada - this question is much better posed on our Forums; no-one other than moderators is likely to read comments from such an old story!
hey i see Gort says that the video streaming via DLNA is only MPEG1? is there a way to verify this (ie no .mkv or h.264 HD formats)?
is there any HD receiver than can video stream HD formats?
tks
Well, HDE, they're developed running into B&W 800s...
Anyone know what speaker manufacturer/s traditionally sound the best with Sony Receivers?
You can stream video over a home network, if it's anything like the Bravia TVs i.e. W5500 then it'll be MPEG1.
Where as everyone else is using DIVX and MKV.
Finally zone 2 on the 3500ES in Europe, the US have had zone2 for years on the the 3x00 models.
The European 2400ES and 3400ES only have two differences, full XMB and an extra input.
Doubt it: that model continues.
Does this mean we may see the price of the STR-DA2400ES come down?