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7.7 out of 10

Sony STR-DG820

First seen: 13 march 2008

Information found in: from 40 sources in 20 countries.

Great Deal: $375.00

  • User Score (140)
    8.5 8.5 from 140 reviewers
  • Expert Score (4)
    8.6 8.6 from 4 reviewers
  • Ease of use (2)
    7.7 7.7 from 2 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • receive when promised, sattelite and music, 1 hdmi output, if a little bulky, good with stereo music
  • slightly fiddly set up, remote control angle, remote a bit cumbersome, eq is limited, multichannel inputs are lacking

The STR-DG820 7.1 channel A/V receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. This new 1080p A/V Receiver features HDMI® with "Active Intelligence", plus x.v.Color® and 1080/24p signal capability. In addition to decoding uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI®), the STR-DG820 decodes the latest audio formats from Dolby® Labs and DTS® making this model fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc®. Now, you can hear the original mix of your favorite BD titles r.

Specifications

  • features
    Speaker
  • features
    Speaker Terminal Type : Screw Binding Posts (A); Spring Lever (B)
  • features
    Convenience
  • features
    AM/FM Memory Presets : 30 FM - 30 AM
  • features
    XM® Connect and Play® Compatible : Yes
  • features
    XM® Memory Presets : 30
  • features
    Audio Features
  • features
    Dolby® Digital Decoding : Yes
  • features
    Dolby® Pro Logic® II Decoding : Yes
  • features
    dts® 96/24 Decoding : Yes

Release Date

  • First seen
    13 March 2008

Sony STR-DG820 is a 7.1 channel Home Theater A/V Receiver which provider users a full HD 1080p experience. This  A/V Receiver uses HDMI combined with "Active Intelligence" and its 1080/24p capability makes it compatible with Blu-ray Disc Players.

The STR-DG820 is also equipped with a DIGITAL MEDIA PORT (DMP) connection which allows users to play music directly from iPods, PC and other music players like Walkman which may require additional accessories(sold separately).  Its Digital Cinema Auto Cali…

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Sony STR-DG820 is a 7.1 channel Home Theater A/V Receiver which provider users a full HD 1080p experience. This  A/V Receiver uses HDMI combined with "Active Intelligence" and its 1080/24p capability makes it compatible with Blu-ray Disc Players.

The STR-DG820 is also equipped with a DIGITAL MEDIA PORT (DMP) connection which allows users to play music directly from iPods, PC and other music players like Walkman which may require additional accessories(sold separately).  Its Digital Cinema Auto Calibration technology automatically calibrates speaker placements, distance, and delays. The XM® Connect and Play Ready with 5.1 Neural Decoding feature allows users to listen to several digital radio channels upon connecting an optional Connect-and-Play antenna and signing up for XM service. BRAVIA® Sync option provides a one button operation (via HDMI) with a select number of BRAVIA televisions.   Sony STR-DG820 also features Digital Cinema Sound technology which uses exclusive DSP technology in order to recreate the precise environment of three Hollywood Dubbing Stages where movies are created. This device measures (W x D x H) : 16 15/16 x 6 1/4 x 12 1/4" (430 x 157.5 x 310mm) (Approx.) and weighs 17 lbs 10 oz. Sony STR-DG820 has AM/FM Memory Presets from 30 FM - 30 AM.

The Sony STR-DG820 comes with several audio features such as Digital Cinema Sound Technology,Dolby® Digital Decoding, Dolby® Digital EX Decoding, Dolby Pro Logic Decoding, Dolby Pro Logic II Decoding, Dolby Pro Logic IIX Decoding, dts 96/24 Decoding, dts Decoding, dts NEO:6 Decoding and dts-ES Decoding. This AV Receiver also consists of a remote control and has power requirements of : AC120V, 60 Hz. It provides users with 3 HD Component Video Input(s), 1 HD Component Video Output, 4 HDMI Connection Input(s), 1 HDMI Connection Output, 4 Composite Video Input(s), 1 Composite Video Output, 1 Headphone Output and 1 Subwoofer Output. The Sony STR-DG820 has a 7.1 Channel Power Rating: 110W x 7 Amp Power (8 ohms, THD 1.0%) and consists of tuner types such as Auto Tuning, Direct Tuning, and Station Name. It provides its users with several accessories and softwares such as Instruction Manual, FM Wire Antenna, AM Loop Antenna, Size AA Batteries: 2 and a Remote Commander® Remote Control.

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  • Reviews of Sony STR-DG820

  1. Reviews: Sony STR-DG820 7.1 channel HDMI Home Theatre Receiver review

    Reviewer: Electronics Made Easy
    6 January 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    In conclusion, the Sony STR-DG820 may not be the most expensive receiver of the bunch, but it does give you the best bang for your buck. If you are looking for a quality performance without breaking the bank then the Sony STR-DG820 is the way to go. Read more

  2. Review of the Sony STR-DG820 AV Receiver

    Reviewer: DVD Home Cinema
    21 April 2009
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    Every once in a while an amplifier comes along that achieves a legendary status in their market place. The Sony STR-DB940 and more recently the Onkyo 605 are great examples. The Sony STR-DG820 has a performance and set of features that initially makes you look twice at the price – does this mean the Sony DG820 is a legend in the making? Read more

  3. Reviewer: What Hi-Fi?
    28 December 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Brilliant all-rounder – this receiver will take some beating Read more

  4. Sony STRDG820 Review

    Reviewer: Digitaltrends
    16 February 2009

    The STR-DG820 7.1 Ch. A/V Receiver delivers the Full HD 1080 experience to a home theater system. This new 1080p A/V Receiver features HDMI with Active Intelligence¿, plus x.v.Color and 1080/24p signal capability. In addition to decoding uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI), the STR-DG820 decodes the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs and DTS making this model fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc. Now, you can hear the original mix of your favorite BD titles regardless of... Read more

  1. Plain Jane, but functional.

    Reviewer: B&H Photo
    27 November 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    The product drives my surround system. The quality is excellent, the the display is a little misleading when the speaker systems are identified. System connection to multiple components is limited. Read more

  2. 3 strikes

    Reviewer: Brian "BTW", Amazon
    4 December 2009
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    This is the third strike. I purchased an Harmon Kardon AVR 154, which caused problems with pops in the speakers. I asked for a replacement, and they sent another defective one which looked to be refurbished. I gave up on the AVR and bought the Sony for a few more dollars. Another mistake. Problems playing CD's with the beginning portions of songs being cut off. Problems with the switching of TV channels from HD to SD TV via the HDMI switching. I replaced all the other... Read more

  3. It works, but...

    Reviewer: OneCall
    10 February 2009
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    The operational menus are confusing and non-intuitive. I would like a simple way of controlling individual speaker volume, but that is not part of the control set. Also, the format in and out has to be indentical to operate; you can't have composite in and HDMI out. The whole arrangment has to be the same, so if you have HDMI in from the Blu-Ray and HDMI out to the TV (which does look great by the way), then you can't hook up the Wii (which is composite). Read more

  4. A great receiver

    Reviewer: Lionel, J&R
    13 February 2009
    Overall 10
    10
     

    The fastest way to set up your receiver with other devices is to use wirewize Read more

  5. Flexible Inputs Galore, TrueHD Decoding, and a Good Price

    Reviewer: Shopping.com
    29 December 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    After winning a raffle that allowed me to pick anything from CDW's site at work (under $350), I deci Read more

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