Penguin Audio: what your ears want to hear   In association with Amazon.com
 Location:  Home » Boom Boxes » Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)  
Departments
Album Rock
Alternative
Ambient
Arena Rock
Blues
Boom Boxes
British Invasion
Car Stereo
Classical
Classic Rock
Compact Stereos
Computer Speakers
Country
Dance
Electronica
Folk
Hard Rock
Hip Hop
Home Theatre
Jazz
Latin
MP3 Players
New Age
Pop
Psychedelic Rock
R&B
Rock
Satellite Radio
Speakers
Stereo
Techno
Trance
Trip Hop
Vocalists
Ads
Gluten Free Pretzels better than regular pretzels?

Gluten Free Cereal GF cereal we found is listed at Gluten Free Finds

Acoustic Guitars retail and auction listings at Guitar Search Now

Gluten Free Bagels from our partner site gluten-freestore.com

Ads by Steve

Other Penguins

Penguin 64

Penguin CPU

Penguin Cameras

Penguin Kitchens

Penguin Videos

Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)

Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)Brand: Sony
Category: CE

List Price: $199.99
Buy New: $157.99
as of 3/12/2010 01:13 CST details
You Save: $42.00 (21%)



Seller: Amazon.com
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars reviews
Sales Rank: 547

Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 16.4
Dimensions (in): 17 x 12.8 x 6.3
Dimensions (Approx.) : 17 x 6.25 x 12.75" (430 x 157.5 x 322mm)
Weight (Approx.) : 16.41 lbs (7.4Kg)

MPN: STR-DH500
Model: STR-DH500
UPC: 027242753556
EAN: 0027242753556
ASIN: B001TOZTCA

Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Features:
  • 100-watt 5-channel audio receiver
  • Sony unique chassis design
  • 5 HD inputs (3 passive HDMI and 2 component inputs)
  • HD film quality with 24p true cinema video signal via HDMI technology
  • Multi function audio port (digital media port)

Accessories:


Similar Items:


Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
90 watts x 5 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD * Dolby® Digital, DTS®, and Dolby Pro Logic® II decoding * Digital Cinema Sound modes * Digital Media Port for adding an optional Sony iPod® dock or wireless PC music player * HDMI digital video switching (3 in, 1 out) -- pass-through only (a separate cable connection is required for audio) *


Customer Reviews:



5 out of 5 stars Excellent Entry-Level AV Receiver   March 5, 2010
Jon651 (Saint Cloud, FL)
I ordered and received my Sony STR-DH500 A/V receiver about 2 months ago and have had plenty of opportunity to use and enjoy it. My home theater set-up is a simple Toshiba 46" flat screen HDTV, this receiver, a Sony BluRay disc (BD) player, a Sony carousel-style CD player, older Sony cube-style speakers (from my previous A/V system) and a new Sony 2500-series powered subwoofer.

First, a few drawbacks:

1. Nowhere in the advertising or literature did it ever mention that you needed to use a powered subwoofer, and I was initially frustrated trying to get my old Sony passive subwoofer (from my previous system) to work. So to make it painfully clear, you will need a powered subwoofer for this receiver.
2. I don't mind having to use Toslink (optical) audio cables, but if you hook up your BD player through this receiver you MUST have the receiver turned on and properly set to get your player to work. OK for me, but a little confusing for my less-than-techie wife.
3. I would want more optical audio inputs for other devices that you could hook up other than the two provided for a satellite receiver and a single BD player. These aren't the only two that would use optical audio (my CD player has it also) but these are the only two optical inputs provided. Oh well, I didn't spend all that much money to complain too loudly.

Now for the positives:

1. Even though my TV is Toshiba and everything else is Sony, switching is still automatic and when I drop a disc into the BD player my receiver and TV automatically switch to the appropriate inputs so there is nothing I have to do except lower the TV's volume so I can listen to the movie from the receiver's speakers.
2. Sound quality is very good for the money I paid. There are enough adjustments to keep you entertained and once you figure out the menu system it's not hard to work with it (get a neighborhood 12-year-old to help you the first time around), but once you get it set to the way you like it you don't ever have to mess with it again.
3. There are illuminated icons on the front panel that display what speakers are in use. This is a very good feature because not all the speakers are used for the many different sound settings, so it's good info to know when you are cycling through the different ones.
4. There are more than enough inputs of all types on the back to comfortably accommodate a basic or middle-level home A/V system, even if some of your equipment is a few generations old and other stuff is brand-new. No, the HDMI inputs and outputs don't carry the audio signals (unfortunately), but a few bucks spent on a Toslink optical cable or two will take care of the issue for your newer equipment such as a Bluray disc player or satellite TV box.
5. Even though the remote is classic Sony style (confusing button layout, non-programmable, and with teeny-tiny lettering that I can barely read) it does control both my new Sony BD player and my older Sony carousel-style CD player allowing me to eliminate those separate remotes.

It is inexpensive and does what it should while sounding great. I would buy it again without question and would recommend it to a friend without hesitation.

Jon651



5 out of 5 stars Great 5.1 Receiver For The Price   March 5, 2010
B. Cortes (Miami, Florida)
This 5.1 Receiver Is Very Easy To Set Up & Use. Great Sound Quality Thru The Optical Audio & HDMI Support 1080P 24p But Not Support For Dolby True HD Bitstream.


5 out of 5 stars Excellent product   March 3, 2010
Bruce A. Carter
I had an older Sony receiver/amplifier and had some doubts that a new unit would make a significant difference in sound quality but the price was right and I ordered this unit. I am very glad that I did. The sound is superb. I gave the unit one less star because we had to purchse optical cables for each HDMI connection. They are expensive and we did not understand that they would be needed. A buyer of this unit needs to factor in the cost of these cables ($40) into the decision to purchase.


3 out of 5 stars A separate cable connection is required for audio!   February 26, 2010
Joshua Dunbar
READ THIS FOR ACCURATE DESCRIPTION!!!


Details:

* 90 watts x 5 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD
* Dolby® Digital, DTS®, and Dolby Pro Logic® II decoding
* Digital Cinema Sound modes
* A/V Sync helps align out-of-sync audio and video with digital sources
* Digital Media Port for adding an optional Sony iPod® dock or wireless PC music player
* built-in AM/FM tuner
* A/V remote control
* 16-15/16"W x 6-3/16"H x 12-13/16"D
* warranty: 2 years
* Want more peace of mind? Extended Service Plans Available

Connections:

* HDMI digital video switching (3 in, 1 out) -- pass-through only (a separate cable connection is required for audio)
* component video switching: 2 in, 1 out
* 2 audio/video inputs with composite video connections
* 2 audio-only inputs
* no phono input
* digital inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial
* iPod® integration (requires optional dock)

I got this receiver because it was cheap with HDMI switching. The sound was pronominal. I've been a sound nut for 20 years now and I know a bad design when I see one. I cose the same brand and higher quality unit. I bought the STR-DH800 from Sony which is far better than this "ill" unit. Same great sound without the hassle of a separate cable connection for audio. If you don't mind this hassle, great buy. This unit has great sound!



5 out of 5 stars Excellent product at a reasonable price.   February 17, 2010
ozark86
My technical skills are limited, but I had litle problem in setting up the system.



CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Apple iTunes

1. Breakeven (Falling to Pieces) - The Script

The Script
The Script

Release Date: November 04, 2008
Total Songs: 11
Genre: Rock
Price: $7.99
Copyright 2008 Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Limited
2. All the Right Moves - OneRepublic

Waking Up (Deluxe Version)
OneRepublic

Release Date: November 17, 2009
Total Songs: 15
Genre: Rock
Price: $12.99
Copyright 2009 Mosley Music/Interscope Records