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Sony STR-DG720

The Sony STR-DG720 is a 7.1 channel A/V receiver released on April 8th, 2008 for $299. It features 3 x HDMI inputs with Sony's "Active Intelligence" technology, that will process and decode uncompressed LPCM audio signals from sources like Blu-ray players. The DG-720 also has 3 component video inputs, but will not transcode or upscale to HDMI from component or analog video sources. The step-down model STR-DG520 retails for $199 and drops audio decoding and 1 HDMI inputs, and the STR-DG820 ($479) adds a fourth HDMI input and supports HD audio decoding of dts HD-MA and Dolby TrueHD.

Where to Buy

Sony STR-DG720
MSRP $299.00
Release date April, 2008
Brand Sony
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Pros & Cons10
Reviews6
Details
Buy It
Competitors4
Comments4
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
68
negative
mixed
positive
3 positive
1 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
+5agreedisagree

•
3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video
+5agreedisagree

•
Simple automatic calibration
+4agreedisagree

•
Excellent value receiver
+4agreedisagree

•
Perfectly pairs up with the PS3
+4agreedisagree

•
7.1 channels - competitors at this price point are typically 5.1
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI or component
+3agreedisagree

•
Only has 2 x 5-way binding posts used for the Front L/R speakers in zone A
+2agreedisagree

•
Cheap, generic included remote - Harmony or bust.
0agreedisagree

•
Front display is rudimentary and something from 1999 ... the manual writing is just as archaic.
0agreedisagree


6 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 7.1 channel A/V receiver
  • power: 105 Watts RMS x 7 @ 8 Ohms
  • HDMI: 3 inputs, 1 output with uncompressed audio decoding (no HD audio, however)
  • 3 x component video inputs, but doesn't transcode to HDMI
  • release date: April 8th, 2008
  • price: $299

Submit a link

This report was started April 7, 2008 at 12:00 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring April 27, 2009 at 11:28 pm by ashsidd
This page has been viewed 19887 times, with 108 edits by 7 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Sony STR-DG720

• Sony STRDG720 7.1 Audio Video Receiver - Black

• STR-DG720 Receiver

UPC: 027242727472

EAN: 027242727472

MPN: STRDG720

Competitors

Sony STR-DG720 is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Yamaha RX-V661

Yamaha RX-V661

MSRP  $500.00    Released  March, 2007
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony STR-DG720 0% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V661 100%
Pioneer VSX-918V-K

Pioneer VSX-918V-K

MSRP  $349.00    Released  April, 2008

The Pioneer VSX-818V-K is a 5.1 a/v receiver retailing for $349. It features 2 x HDMI (pass-through) inputs and one HDMI output. It is one of three receivers released in April 2008 along with the step-down VSX-818 (drops HDMI PCM audio processing) for $349 and the VSX-518 that drops HDMI altogether support for $199....

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG720 50% vs. vote Pioneer VSX-918V-K 50%
Onkyo TX-SR506

Onkyo TX-SR506

MSRP  $379.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • 3 HDMI inputs supporting 1080p
  • Second zone of audio
  • Bi-ampable front speakers
Cons
  • HDMI pass-thru only - no audio
  • No analog video upconversion
  • Only 2 component video inputs
ProSCORE
3 reviews
58
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG720 50% vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR506 50%
Yamaha HTR-6140

Yamaha HTR-6140

MSRP  $379.99    Released  February, 2008
Pros
  • On-Screen Display for setup and customization
  • Cheapest Yamaha to support HDMI audio decoding.
  • Renamable inputs.
Cons
  • Does not support Dolby HD audio.
  • No S-video inputs or outputs.
  • Doesn't do upconversion of video signals.
ProSCORE
4 reviews
62
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Sony STR-DG720 100% vs. vote Yamaha HTR-6140 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar raygendreau said:

Very good value. I replaced a STR-DG800 7.1 HDMI passthrough receiver with this unit. It's a good buy for PS3 owner's. While it doesn't decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio ,it doesn't matter since the PS3 decodes both and sends the LPCM to the receiver. The DTS-HD MA decoding capability was added with PS3 firmware update 2.30 on 15 April. Since I was already familiar with the Sony Receiver setup procedure initial setup was a breeze.

1. Use Speaker auto-cal.
2. On the PS3 select HDMI LPCM in the Audio menu
and in sound settings in HDMI select Automatic and the receiver will automatically select the optimum sound. You can verify this by hitting the select button on the PS3 controller while watching the movie.

I just watched 'I Am Legend' with Dolby TrueHD and 'Xmen, The Last Stand' with DTS-HD MA. SPECTACULAR!!!
Also, check out the Uncharted Drake's Fortune video game if you have it. Set the audio in Game Options to LPCM 7.1 WHOO HOO!!!

Apr 16, 2008 11:25am
2.  avatar krazyfiend said:

ray , erik or anyone ...

I've been playing with my ps3 'sound' settings

HDMI of course

Manual mode

What are you allowing ? I want to force the best, but not cripple a movie or game or streamed video file if it only has DD 5.1 or DTS as it's 'best'

I have currently

Dolby Digital 5.1Ch. (manually selected)
DTS 5.1 Ch. (manually selected)
AAC (manually selected)

Linear PCM 2 Ch. 44.1 kHz (system forced/defaulted on)
Linear PCM 2 Ch. 48 kHz (system forced/defaulted on)

Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. 48 kHz (manually selected)
Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. 96 kHz (manually selected)

...I feel like I'm missing something and scouring the internet, AVS, and the manual...I see no real definitive info on what is optimum for the PS3 to be set at with this DG720

Is PCM 7.1 192kHz out of the question ? DOes having none of the LPCM 5.1's selected cripple my setup?

After 'forcing' the ps3 to always output 1080p or 480p in settings, I was sorta under the same impression that these audio settings were similar and that one would need to 'force' the ps3 to go for the best option instead of having them all selected and letting the PS3 sort it out.

Thanks for any input or light you can shed on this...just trying to help others as well as tune this combo in to it's full potential.
Apr 23, 2008 6:11pm
3.  avatar Erik said:

It's my understanding that in the PS3, you should select all of the audio formats that your receiver can play (DD/dts 5.1, LPCM 7.1) and the PS3 will automatically use the best format available depending on game, Blu-ray, DVD or other media.

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/audiooutput.html

192kHz sampling rates are only found on stereo DVD-Audio and SACD, as most movies use 48 kHz or 96 kHz (concerts, mostly).
Apr 25, 2008 3:19pm
4.  avatar raygendreau said:

krazyfiend
I have decided, after trying different hdmi audio combinations, there is no need to force the codec selection. With the hdmi set to automatic, the optimum codec is in fact automatically selected.

As for the video display, the only time I have forced 1080P is for the video game Call of Duty 4 which plays at 720P if not forced.
Apr 26, 2008 10:31am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

krazyfiend

avatar
April 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
56
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
4 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
  • 3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video
  • Simple automatic calibration
  • Excellent value receiver
  • Perfectly pairs up with the PS3

Cons

  • Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI or component
  • Only has 2 x 5-way binding posts used for the Front L/R speakers in zone A
  • Cheap, generic included remote - Harmony or bust.
  • Front display is rudimentary and something from 1999 ... the manual writing is just as archaic.

Comments

"ray , erik or anyone ...

I've been playing with my ps3 'sound' settings

HDMI of course

Manual mode

What are you allowing ? I want to force the best, but not cripple a movie or game or streamed video file if it only has DD 5.1 or DTS as it's 'best'

I have currently

Dolby Digital 5.1Ch. (manually selected)
DTS 5.1 Ch. (manually selected)
AAC (manually selected)

Linear PCM 2 Ch. 44.1 kHz (system forced/defaulted on)
Linear PCM 2 Ch. 48 kHz (system forced/defaulted on)

Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. 48 kHz (manually selected)
Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. 96 kHz (manually selected)

...I feel like I'm missing something and scouring the internet, AVS, and the manual...I see no real definitive info on what is optimum for the PS3 to be set at with this DG720

Is PCM 7.1 192kHz out of the question ? DOes having none of the LPCM 5.1's selected cripple my setup?

After 'forcing' the ps3 to always output 1080p or 480p in settings, I was sorta under the same impression that these audio settings were similar and that one would need to 'force' the ps3 to go for the best option instead of having them all selected and letting the PS3 sort it out.

Thanks for any input or light you can shed on this...just trying to help others as well as tune this combo in to it's full potential."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
December 29, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons

Pros

  • Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
  • 3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video
  • Simple automatic calibration
  • Excellent value receiver
  • Perfectly pairs up with the PS3
  • 7.1 channels - competitors at this price point are typically 5.1

Cons

  • Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI or component
  • Only has 2 x 5-way binding posts used for the Front L/R speakers in zone A

Comments

"It's my understanding that in the PS3, you should select all of the audio formats that your receiver can play (DD/dts 5.1, LPCM 7.1) and the PS3 will automatically use the best format available depending on game, Blu-ray, DVD or other media.

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/audiooutput.html

192kHz sampling rates are only found on stereo DVD-Audio and SACD, as most movies use 48 kHz or 96 kHz (concerts, mostly)."

Competitors

Erik prefers Sony STR-DG720 over Onkyo TX-SR506, Pioneer VSX-918V-K, Yamaha HTR-6140
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

seanpoly

avatar
May 31, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
4 cons

Pros

  • Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
  • 3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video

Cons

  • Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI or component
  • Only has 2 x 5-way binding posts used for the Front L/R speakers in zone A
  • Cheap, generic included remote - Harmony or bust.
  • Front display is rudimentary and something from 1999 ... the manual writing is just as archaic.

Competitors

seanpoly prefers Onkyo TX-SR506, Pioneer VSX-918V-K, Yamaha RX-V661 over Sony STR-DG720
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

dope

avatar
August 18, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
  • 3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video
  • Simple automatic calibration
  • Excellent value receiver
  • Perfectly pairs up with the PS3

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

lowbimmer

avatar
December 26, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • Simple automatic calibration
  • Excellent value receiver
  • Perfectly pairs up with the PS3

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

raygendreau

avatar
January 5, 2009
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • Processes uncompressed LPCM audio signals over HDMI
  • 3 in 1 out HDMI capability with streamed audio/video
  • Simple automatic calibration
  • Excellent value receiver
  • Perfectly pairs up with the PS3
  • 7.1 channels - competitors at this price point are typically 5.1

Cons

  • Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI or component
  • Only has 2 x 5-way binding posts used for the Front L/R speakers in zone A

Comments

"

Very good value. I replaced a STR-DG800 7.1 HDMI passthrough receiver with this unit. It's a good buy for PS3 owner's. While it doesn't decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio ,it doesn't matter since the PS3 decodes both and sends the LPCM to the receiver. The DTS-HD MA decoding capability was added with PS3 firmware update 2.30 on 15 April. Since I was already familiar with the Sony Receiver setup procedure initial setup was a breeze.

1. Use Speaker auto-cal.
2. On the PS3 select HDMI LPCM in the Audio menu
and in sound settings in HDMI select Automatic and the receiver will automatically select the optimum sound. You can verify this by hitting the select button on the PS3 controller while watching the movie.

I just watched 'I Am Legend' with Dolby TrueHD and 'Xmen, The Last Stand' with DTS-HD MA. SPECTACULAR!!!
Also, check out the Uncharted Drake's Fortune video game if you have it. Set the audio in Game Options to LPCM 7.1 WHOO HOO!!!

"
"krazyfiend
I have decided, after trying different hdmi audio combinations, there is no need to force the codec selection. With the hdmi set to automatic, the optimum codec is in fact automatically selected.

As for the video display, the only time I have forced 1080P is for the video game Call of Duty 4 which plays at 720P if not forced."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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This product is also known as:

STR, DG, 720, STRDG, DG720, STRDG720