Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I like this receiver a lot., October 9, 2009
I have had this receiver since Aug. 1, 2009, and am very happy with it. It is missing some features like S-VHS inputs but none that I care about. I purchased it to use with HDMI devices in a 5.1 setup in one room. It works great for me and I highly recommend it.
PLUSES:
* Excellent audio.
* Good GUI that is easy to use, but you must read the manual first and consult it as you go (at least I had to).
* Good readable front and on-screen display with options for what is displayed while unit is operating (device, sound field, etc) and nameable inputs.
* Four HDMI inputs.
* Attractive design.
* Exceptional Auto Format Decoding that produces very good sound from 2-channel sources with clear centered dialogue and some LFE output. I use this setting exclusively for all devices and it unfailingly detects the proper format.
* Very easy and very accurate auto speaker setup using included microphone. It set my front speakers to large instead of small but other than that I didn't have to change any of the settings.
MINUSES
* Poor manual. Too small in size, not well-written. This seems like a common problem with electronics these days, but maybe it is just because devices are more complicated.
* You must purchase a separate device to use with iPod/iPhone.
* No S-VHS inputs (not at all important to me, but might be to some users).
* Somewhat confusing speaker input placement on back of receiver. (I would have put the front speaker inputs above the surround back inputs and next to the center channel input.)
I use the receiver with a Sony LCD TV, Samsung Blu-ray player, Cox Cable DVR, Tivo HD, Energy Classic speakers and Infinity subwoofer. No compatibility problems encountered. I use it is a smallish room (11 x 13) and hardly ever set the volume above 35, so it seems to have plenty of power.
Before I bought this receiver, I tried a Pioneer VSX-919, which is a good receiver that gets excellent reviews. However, I could never get it to sound right to me. The Sony sounded good to me from the get go. That doesn't mean one is better than the other, but for me the Sony was the better-sounding receiver. One feature I really liked on the Pioneer was iPod/iPhone support without having to buy add-on devices. Sony and other manufacturers should do that!
I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to others who want a mid-range receiver with good sound, good features and nice appearance.
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29 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great product, WORST customer service ever (from Sony), September 8, 2009
Sony STR-DN1000 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)
I purchased this on August 4 as an upgrade to a receiver that was not capable 1080p pass through. I received it and hooked it up on Friday August 14. I connected a Sony PS3 and a TiVo HD using Philips HDMI Gold cables Version 1.3a. I used the same type cable to connect to a Vizio 1080p True HD TV. I got sound but no picture.
I checked the settings on the TV and the receiver to make sure it was on all the right settings. I even tested the same cable by connecting it directly to the PS3 and I got picture immediately. I contacted Sony online customer support and went through the power reset and unplug hard reset--nothing. I was told to call the customer service line because I would have to send it in for repair. I called, and went through the procedures again, and they told me to ship the entire thing, box and all, to Texas for repair. At least they sent me a shipping label so I didn't have to pay for that, but that was because I asked for it.
They called me a week and a half later and said that they could not duplicate the problem and asked for the exact components and models that were hooked up. They said they would attempt to duplicate my configuration as best as possible and call me back. They didn't. Instead, I received it back 4 days later (Friday September 4).
Due to poor packaging (they put the remote and book directly against the top of the receiver without any bubble wrap in between, so when any pressure was put on the top of the box...) the entire top of the receiver is dented in. Plus they didn't send back my original box. Oh, and to make matters worse. The batteries they sent it back with were dead. And of course it was a Friday night that I discovered all of this and had to wait until Tuesday morning to call them back (Labor day weekend).
Over the weekend I looked through the instructions and saw that it specified HDMI 1.3a Category 2. I did some research and I even called Phillips, the cable manufacturer, to confirm that the cables were indeed HDMI 1.3a Category 2. But they didn't know because it isn't printed on the wire. So I did some more online searching and discovered the two different category specifications didn't come out until October last year, and that if the cable is not specified as Category 2, it is a standard Category 1. Well, I had purchased my cables last May, 2008. However, the HDMI website has stated that many HDMI cables under 5 meters of length that were made before the HDMI 1.3 specification can work as Category 2 cables, but this is not guaranteed ("HDMI Knowledge Base[...]
So out of a hunch that it would only work with a Category 2 cable, I went and purchased a Sony HDMI 1.3a Category 2 cable at Walmart. I hooked it all up and it WORKED. It is interesting that it works with HDMI 1.3a Category 1 cables hooked up from the components (PS3 and TiVo HD), but requires the Category 2 for the output signal to the HDTV. But now, I have a physically damaged unit...
Today I called the Sony Service Center in Laredo, Texas and he said, "It had nicks and scratches all over it when we received it from you." That's patently false, because it doesn't have any nicks or scratches on it NOW, just the dent.
I also asked about my box, and he said that I SHOULD have been told not to send my original packaging box if I wanted to keep it, because they recycle them. I asked if I could get another one and he said they don't have them there.
To save time and trouble, I asked if I could simply get a new housing or cover sent to me to fix it myself, instead. But I was told that it's against policy and I would have to ship the whole thing back again and they would "repair" the damage. However, the CSR also told me he could give me the parts catalog and I could purchase one myself. Really, you mean I could spend even more money for this receiver buying a part and paying for shipping to fix something that they caused?! Awesome! Thanks for that.
Frustrated, I asked him to go ahead and send me another shipping label, but then he said that they would have to see pictures of the damaged unit as well as the undamaged box so they can investigate it first. And he also warned that if they don't have the part, they would have to get it from Sony and it could take a long time!
So now, at best, I will get to start USING my new receiver on the 28th of September? Almost 60 days after purchasing it? That's 2 months of my warranty gone as well...
And now, I checked online today; and the current price for the receiver is a full $100 LESS than what I paid. Heck, if I ordered another one today, I would probably get it SOONER!
This was my first Sony receiver... I will probably never purchase a Sony stereo or TV product ever again. PS3 is awesome, but I just hope It doesn't ever need repairs.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWSOME RECEIVER, October 22, 2009
This SONY is easy to set up use Bannana plugs for your speaker connections.
I was up and enjoying in 20 minutes.
Good clear sound and makes you think someone else is in room it keeps you looking over your shoulder.
Auto Calibration is a excellent plus.
The GUI is in black and white but is excellent
I just enjoyed TRANSFORMERS and it was FANTASTIC.
My Setup:
52 inch SAMSUNG LCD (HDMI)
SONY STR-DN 1000 (HDMI)
SONY bdp x1 (HDMI)
FIOS BOX (HDMI)
B&W CENTER
BOSTON FLOOR STANDING FRONTS
BOSE 601 SURROUNDS
JBL 10" WOOFER
The black piano finish matched TV and BLU RAY player
Set it up correctly and you have a awesome receiver.
I hopes this helps buy from amazon.com and save.
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