Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 16.9 x 6.8 inches ; 33 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 42 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001CSCCNM
• Item model number: STRDA4400ES
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,280 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver: Top Shelf AV Receiver

The new Sony STR-DA4400ES receiver feature sophisticated A/V technology supporting 1080/24p video signals, the latest audio codecs (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio) and Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology for upscaling all video sources to 1080p when connected via HDMI to a compatible high-definition television. The STR-DA3400ES utilizes Sony's xross media bar inspired GUI with Faroudja DCDi Cinema(R) Technology, the STR-DA3400ES can upscale all video sources to 1080p2 in an intuitive environment for even the most novice of AV enthusiast. Plus, the STR-DA3400ES can expand AV to multiple rooms. This model features 2nd Room capabilities which allows for audio and video distribution in the home.

Seamless Integration Throughout the Home

The STR-DA4400ES offers 6 HDMI inputs and DSD decoding.

Now, you can start a movie in the living room and finish it in the bedroom or listen to your favorites songs from your iPod player or Walkman player (accessory sold separately) located in the living room, on the patio in the backyard. Also, it's fully equipped with custom control connections (i.e. RS-232C, 12 volt triggers and IR In/Out) necessary for full home integration. The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel ES A/V Receiver will be able to reproduce the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs (Dolby Digital +/Dolby TrueHD) and dts (dts HD/dts High Resolution Audio).

Connectivity is King

Connectivity is abundant. This new model features 6 HDMI inputs compatible with 1080 60p/24p2, Deep Color and x.v.Color3 video signals. Also, the STR-DA4400ES will feature BRAVIA Sync for Theatre4 with "One Touch" control, DIGITAL MEDIA PORT5 input for use with MP3 portable players or personal computers and compatible with XM and Sirius Satellite Radio making this unit completely SAT Ready Radio6

Easy to Use, Easy to Enjoy

With the rapid evolution of audio and video component technology, there is an increased demand for connectivity and high-performance components. The new Sony line of ES receivers delivers the high fidelity, build-in quality and connectivity expected for an outstanding cinematic experience in the home theater with a "One Touch" control. The new ES Series A/V receivers, and the xross media bar, create an inspired graphical user interface for easy content navigation. Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration technology is included for simple surround sound setup. The BRAVIA Sync for Theatre technology makes for easy synchronization of compatible home theater components and are also Sirius and XM Connect-and-Play Ready.

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Technical Specifications

• Power Output: 120W x 7 (8 Ohm 20-20kHz 0.09%THD)
• Display: xross media bar Inspired GUI
• A/V: Multi-Room Audio (up to 2) and Standard Definition Video (up to 2)
• Custom Control Connections: RS-232C, 12V Triggers, IR Repeaters
• Inputs/Outputs: 6 HDMI Inputs with Active Intelligence (1 Output), DITIGAL MEDIA PORT Input
• Upscale: Faroudja DCDi Cinema 1080p Upscaling Technology
• Video: Supports x.v.Color and Deep Color Video Signals, BRAVIA Sync for Theatre
• Video Compatibility: Compatible with 1080/60p and 24p HD Video Signals2
• Decoders: Decodes Latest Audio Formats: Linear PCM, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD
• Audio Technology: Master Audio and dts-HD High Resolution Audio
• Remote Control: Supplied Learning remote
• Tuners: SAT Ready: XM and Sirius Satellite Radio
• Width: 17 inches
• Height: 6.88 inches
• Depth: 17 inches
• Unit: 35 lbs
• Shipping: 42 lbs

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Choosing a Sony 7.1 Channel AV Receiver For Your Home

Sony offers couple models 7.1 channel AV receivers to enhance your entertainment systems. Which AV receiver you choose depends on how much you're willing to spend and which features you prioritize in a home theater environment. Here's a quick breakdown of the Sony ES 7.1 channel AV receivers.

	Sony STR-DA2400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver is an entry-level high-performance home theater receiver and features sophisticated A/V technology that reproduces the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs (Dolby Digital +/Dolby TrueHD) and dts (dts HD/DTS High Resolution Audio). Expand your listening options via the Digital Media Port input and enjoy music on your MP3 player, PC or XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. You'll also see the difference with Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology which upscales all your video sources to 1080p when connected through HDMI to a compatible HDTV. Additional features include a 100-watt power amplifier (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), BRAVIA Theater Sync, an easy-to-use graphical interface and four HDMI inputs that are compatible with 1080 60p/24p, Deep Color and x.v.Color video signals.
	Sony STR-DA3400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver is the mid-level 7.1 channel AV receiver and has a 100-watt power amplifier (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), four HDMI inputs, a 12-volt trigger, IR repeater and high-definition video distribution to a second zone (composite). It also feature sophisticated A/V technology supporting 1080/24p video signals, the latest audio codecs (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio) and Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology for upscaling all video sources to 1080p when connected via HDMI to a compatible high-definition television.
	Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver is the top of the line 7.1 AV channel receiver and has a 120-watt amplifier (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs and DSD decoding through HDMI. It offers high-definition video distribution to a second zone, audio distribution to three zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output or an external video source. It also feature sophisticated A/V technology supporting 1080/24p video signals, the latest audio codecs (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio) and Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology for upscaling all video sources to 1080p when connected via HDMI to a compatible high-definition television.

Product Description

The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel AV receiver continues Sony's heritage in providing an ES AV receiver that will distribute high definition content to a 2nd room of the home. Its multi-room capabilities don't stop with HD; this model also can distribute audio to multiple rooms (up to 3). These multi-room features are accompanied by custom control connections (i.e. RS-232C, 12 volt triggers and IR in/out) necessary for full home integration. Now, you can start a HD movie in the living room and finish it in the bedroom or listen to your favorites songs from your iPod player, Walkman player or PC (accessories sold separately), located in the living room, on the patio in the backyard. The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel AV receiver utilizes Sony's xross media bar inspired GUI with Faroudja DCDi cinema technology that can upscale all video sources to 1080p in an intuitive environment for even novice AV enthusiasts. This new model will be able to reproduce the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs (Dolby Digital +/Dolby TrueHD) and dts (dts HD/dts high resolution audio). In true ES fashion, this model incorporates new audio technology by having the ability to decode direct stream digital (DSD) audio sources. So, the abundant HDMI connections (6 Inputs) provide ample room to incorporate a SACD Player with a HDMI output (SACD Player sold separately). This new model is compatible with 1080 60p/24p, deep color and x.v.color video signals. Finally, the STR-DA4400ES features BRAVIA sync for theater with one touch control, digital media port input for use with MP3 portable players or personal computer (accessories sold separately) and is XM and Sirius Satellite Radio ready.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Could be better, December 3, 2008

By 

Sphynx "The man!" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver (Electronics)

There is not another brand on the market that can do what this one can, but it still has a lot of limitations and notes on every page of the manual. The manuals are available on the Sony web page under support.

This can convert component/composite into 1080P HDMI, but it can't convert any HDMI video into component or composite. I was using Zone 2 component output for my old HDTV and HDMI for the new one. It worked okay for the satalite receiver, but I had to connent both HDMI and component video inputs to get it to work for both zones. Unfortunately, the Sony DB is a pain to switch between HDMI output and component and it can't do both at the same time. So it is a real pain that zone 2 only supports component output with the receiver and you have to connect all your components twice to really use both zones. Many you could live with only component inputs, but TrueHD and DTS Master Audio require HDMI input require HDMI inputs. If you want to utilize deep color and 1080P from the DB, you have to use an HDMI input too. It can't upscale to deep color, connecting the Wii with the component input looks great in 1080P though.

It is pretty awsome with allowing different video and audio sources being configured to work together. From the different options available (DB, DVD, CD,...) there are some limitiations of want video and audio sources can be configured, but I was able to do everything combination I needed.

I couldn't find anyway to tell if Deep Color was actually passing through the receiver other then watching the change in the picture. It says you have to use direct video for Deep Color, so some configuration can actually loose deep color from the signal. I also was not able to upscale 1080i to 1080P.

It supports two channel audio out the HDMI port but will not pass DD, DTS etc. If you turn this functin on though, you only get 2 channel audio from the receiver speakers too. So, you can't really use the TV speakers via the HDMI input, but you can connect separate analog audio cables to do it. You can use the preouts to connect the TV as center channel, but it you are spending this much you should really invest in a quality center channel speaker.

The mircophone supplied for automatic speaker calibration is not very good. It said my speakers were out of phase when they were not. The stereo microphone with the STR-DA5400ES worked much better.

Control for HDMI may not work if you have a cheap HDMI cable like I started with.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Product but know its limitations., April 20, 2009

By 

Juan Manuel De Anda Jr. "jmdajr" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver (Electronics)

I have spent about a week with the 4400es and it is without a doubt a great and versatile product. I have my cable box, pc, wii, ps3, xbox, and hd dvd all hooked up to it. It all sounds and looks great.

There are however some limitations you must be aware about. For one, you cannot use a hdmi to dvi cable for output. If you use such a cable to plug into your tv the receiver WILL NOT ouput sound for any Hdmi connected devices, in any way. period.
(non hdmi connected devices will still work in video and sound)

If you have an old DVI TV you will have to connect the video through the component inputs/ouputs and assign the HDMI connection to component video.
(you cannot assign hdmi video to any other audio input when using component connections) You will still get full dolby hd, dts hd, or linear pcm, but your video will be coming through component. Got it? good! (if you have an hdtv with hdmi you dont even have to worry about this)

Also there are some limitations with the GUI interface with component video. If you have resolution set to direct, meaning you are disabling the video upsaler, the gui interface will not work. It will come up but the scaler has to "turn on" while you make changes, and then turn off to resume direct connection. Furthermore, if you connect hdmi for audio and component for video, the GUI interface will have to scale to 480p to work. Basically you will see and hear flickering and clicking as the resolution changes from one format top another. Sounds confusing but you will see what I mean if you connect it this way. You can avoid all this if you just set GUI interface to OFF, and there will be no issues with the scaler kicking in on and off.

Last but not least, the second zone hd connections offer no scaling or digital options. Make sure whatever you are sending the signals to can actually accept them. Furthermore, the second zone option must match your input. Component RCA output from the 2nd zone must match a Component RCA input. No mix and match with any other connections.

hope this info helps future buyers out there.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very versatile receiver, March 15, 2009

By 

Howard Ostrow (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony STR-DA4400ES 7.1 Channel AV Receiver (Electronics)

I bought this receiver because it covers all the bases. Almost every audio option is supported (Logic 7 would be nice but Lexicon/Harmon Karden keep that one on a tight leash). The GUI is very PS3 like which is okay with me however I find that it's integration with the remote to be less than desirable. The biggest disappointment is the lack of a switched AC outlet. I have a powered sub and the lack of the AC outlet requires me to manually turn the sub on. Oh and the calibration mic claims that my speakers are not in phase when I know for a fact that they are. I use a PS3 for blue-ray and it works well with the receiver but I can't get the multichannel audio programs to work when I stream the audio using the PS3 from my PC. I think that this is a limitation of the PS3.