Well, within the next couple of weeks I'm gonna make the plunge and upgrade from my Dolby ProLogic receiver to (most likely) the Sony STR-DE945. I've got a question for any of you out there that already own this model. Actually, I have a couple of questions.

First, does it remember your audio settings individually for different sources. For example, If I switch to my VCR source, does it automatically go in to ProLogic mode? And then if I switch to DVD, does it automatically go in to Dolby Digital/DTS mode?

Second, when I switch to my DVD input, does it automatically sense whether it's getting DD or DTS and use the proper decoding, or am I going to have to manually switch it depending on the DVD I'm watching?

Thanks in advance.

Q1: First, does it remember your audio settings individually for different sources. For example, If I switch to my VCR source, does it automatically go in to ProLogic mode? And then if I switch to DVD, does it automatically go in to Dolby Digital/DTS mode?

A1: It automatically switches surround modes based upon the signal it receives/senses. This can be overidden manually.

Q2: Second, when I switch to my DVD input, does it automatically sense whether it's getting DD or DTS and use the proper decoding, or am I going to have to manually switch it depending on the DVD I'm watching?

A2: Yes, it does the sensing automatically. Just keep in mind that you have to choose from your DVD player, what audio setting you prefer, as some discs have both DTS & DD5.1 as options.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this receiver! I have been VERY pleased with it. The only thing I do not like is the 2-way remote. The volume controls are at the bottom (not ergonomically correct) and I have to open the top to access the buttons for my satellite controls. Also, I had to learn the commands from my Philips DVD player as they did not offer mine as a pre-programmed brand. I found this to be very odd.

Go for it!

Scott

Thanks Scott! That's just what I was hoping to hear. I've heard similar complaints about the remote from several reviews I've read. Too bad too, because it's nice to have an actual learning remote included with the receiver. I'll probably be getting my hands on an RM-VL900 remote eventually anyway (christmas gifts are wonderful!!). I'll be losing the two way functionality that way, but it'll be worth it for the ergonomics of the remote.

Thanks again for the fast reply!

Well, since you're being so helpful Scott, maybe I could bother you with a couple more questions.

How's the video switching? Any loss of video quality? My TV only has one S-video input, but I have my DVD player, plus my Digital Cable that both have S-video. Currently, I'm using the S-video input on my TV for my DVD player, one of the RCA composite inputs for my VCR, another RCA input for my playstation, and the coax for my cable. I'd like to do all my video switching through the receiver.

Another question. I read somewhere that for some reason, the receiver doesn't show a volume display on the TV when you change it. Is that true? It's not really a big deal, I'd just like to know.

Thanks.

Eric,

I have the Sony STR-V444ES (very similar to your unit, at least as far as the question is concerned) and the same situation with the TV that you do. Yes you can do all your switching through the receiver. At least for now. As I understand it, no Sony receiver has the bandwidth to do switching on an HDTV signal (or progressive scan DVD?) without losing some of the definition.

My setup, (Laser Disk, digital cable, DVD, and S-VHS VCR) are all switched through the receiver and displayed on my TV's sole S-video input. Works fine. When HDTV arrives, I'll replace the TV insuring that it has sufficient video inputs to handle all my devices.

Jim L

Eric:

I own the 935 receiver and have one major complaint that makes me wish I'd bought another brand--the crossover frequency on the sub output is fixed, and there's no mention in the manual of the high frequency cutoff point, although it seems to be in the 110Hz area. This is an issue if your subwoofer doesn't have speaker-level outputs with low pass filtering. Also, I don't use the subwoofer output because it is noisy, producing a harmonic ringing that I can hear clearly when I turn the volume on my Boston PV800 all the way up. The ringing goes away when I use the the sub's speaker-level inputs. This problem might speak to poor internal shielding in the receiver.

The 945 looks to have adjustable crossover points for the rear and center channels (the 935 lacks this feature), but I didn't see any new provision for adjusting the subwoofer cutoff point.

On the plus side, there are gobs of relatively clean power, plenty of inputs, and lots of tweak potential in the soundfields. Get the VL900 remote: it's faster to use, even if its ergonomics (volume and channel keys) aren't much better than the 2-way clunker.

Good luck!

Hey Eric:
Just as a suggestion make sure that the specs are measured @ 20hz-20khz. The 925 I had said 110w @ 1khz which is an erroneous measurement of what it actually outputs in RMS. It is actually a 75w receiver. For the price and the wattage check out Yamaha or the new Denon AVR-2801. It'll blow you away with REAL clean power. Hope this helped.

Eric:

As Ed said, power ratings can be misleading. Someone over at DVD resourse forum had a list of lots of receivers and their actual power ratings as tested by one of the mags. There were only a few that met or exceeded the manufacturer's ratings. Almost all were high dollar receivers. The Marantz 7000 for example was spec'd at 100 watts and tested at 67 or 70, and this is a well thought of unit. It's not uncommon and not something to really worry about. It's not often that you would experience clipping or distortion due to lack of power.

I don't know about bass management on the 945, but the v444ES allows the cutoff bass frequency to be set in 10 HZ increments for the mains, center and rears. As far as the sub's cutoff, normally that is set on the sub itself. Sony is one of the few mid-fi receiver makers that allows any sort of bass management at all. Most $1000 MSRP receivers have a fixed crossover.

Jim L

Spencer: I had the 935 and there should be no ringing in your subwoofer when the volume is turned up. I'd check this out. Either the 935 (probably) or your sub is screwing up.

Also, the sub cutoff point on your receiver is 100 hz.

Eric: And the 2-way remotes are just a pain anyway. You can't see enough of the tuner call letters and especially the CD names to even bother with it. All it does is slow down the remote response time. You'll be VERY happy to change it to the VL-900.

... Greg :-)

Thanks for all the replies guys. All the info was very helpful. Now I'm just impatiently waiting for someplace to offer a 12 month interest free financing special.

Arrgghh...the wait is killing me! Having.......trouble.......breathing.....

Anyone know if they've improved amp quality in the DE line, or would he be better off with the DB940?

I might add a post-script to Eric's original question, which was:

"First, does it remember your audio settings individually for different sources. For example, If I switch to my VCR source, does it automatically go in to ProLogic mode? And then if I switch to DVD, does it automatically go in to Dolby Digital/DTS mode?"

In fact, the Sony also remembers the last soundfield and EQ settings related to each input device. So, for example, if you were listening to the TV through the receiver and had the sound set for "Sony Cinema", that's the setting that will kick in next time you turn it on in TV-mode. I find this very handy, especially for DVDs... ... Mike

As far as I know (talking to knowledgeable sales people), the answer to Daniel's question is NO, there is no improvement in quality. Definitely, the 940 is the way to go, but I don't know the price difference. You will however get a whole lot more bang for the buck. The wattage rating on the DE line is actually about 2/3 of what they should be.

Go for the 940, if at all possible.

Greg :-)

Well, thanks for the input everyone. Looks like the DB940 may be the way to go. There's about a $100 price difference between the DE945 and DB940. Probably worth it just to get into Sony's ES series with its better warranty, et al.

Question is, I can't seem to find really good specs for the 940 on Sony's site. Anyone else know a good source?

oops, my bad. Note to self: Just because a receiver is listed on Sony's web site under "ES Receivers" doesn't necessarily mean a receiver is an ES.