Sony STR-DG820

The Sony STR-DG820 is one of five value-priced a/v receivers to be released in 2008. The DG820 has many of the same features and specs as the step-up model Sony STR-DG920 ($600), but notably lacks analog transcoding the HDMI output. At $400, the STR-DG820 has quite a few features and impressive specifications including decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio.

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Sony STR-DG820
MSRP $400.00
Release date May, 2007
Brand Sony
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
3 reviews
75
negative
mixed
positive
3 positive
0 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
1080p video support as pass-through
+3agreedisagree

•
High-definition audio decoding including DTS HD-MA and TrueHD
+3agreedisagree

•
4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
+3agreedisagree

•
Fantastic price for the feature-set
+2agreedisagree

•
XM Satellite Radio ready
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
No transcoding of analog video sources to the HDMI output
+2agreedisagree

•
Clunky remote
+1agreedisagree

•
Manual says you can't use an HDMI-to-DVI cable to your TV.
0agreedisagree


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

Details

Features

  • 7.1 channels, 110 watts of power
  • four HDMI inputs
  • Onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio
  • Supports x.v.Color
  • XM-ready with Neural Surround Sound
  • Includes a Sony Digital Media Port
  • Doesn't transcode analog source to HDMI like the STR-DG920
  • price: $400
  • release date: May 2008

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This report was started March 13, 2008 at 8:38 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring May 28, 2009 at 7:40 pm by Yale
This page has been viewed 20541 times, with 38 edits by 6 contributors.
See the full report history »

Competitors

Sony STR-DG820 is ranked 5th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Yamaha RX-V663

Yamaha RX-V663

MSRP  $550.00    Released  February, 2008
Pros
  • Excellent price - look for it for less than $500
  • High-definition audio decoding/processing: TrueHD, HD-MA, raw LPCM
  • Video transcoding/upconversion to HDMI and component
Cons
  • Only 2 HDMI inputs - competition has 4
  • Does not pass BTB or WTW. However this is the case w/ all Yammie receivers currently out & hoped to be fixed w/ a firmware update.
  • there is not firewire ability...
ProSCORE
15 reviews
77
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820 0% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V663 100%
Onkyo TX-SR576

Onkyo TX-SR576

MSRP  $479.00    Released  April, 2008
Pros
  • Dual-source Powered Zone 2 capability - 5.1 in one zone, stereo in the other
  • Has Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness correction
  • Front channels can be set up to do biamplification
Cons
  • Doesn't decode Dolby TrueHD or dts HD-MA
  • Doesn't transcode or upscale analog sources to HDMI
  • Spring terminal connections for second zone speakers
ProSCORE
2 reviews
67
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820 50% vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR576 50%
Onkyo TX-SR605

Onkyo TX-SR605

MSRP  $499.00    Released  May, 2007
Pros
  • Great price for its specs/feature (MSRP $499, JR.com listed at $399)
  • HDMI switching and transcoding
  • High-def audio support - both TrueHD and DTS-HD MA
Cons
  • Could use more than 2 HDMI inputs
  • 1080i component video gets downconverted to 720p when transcoded to HDMI
  • No video upconversion (only transcoding to HDMI/component)
ProSCORE
6 reviews
70
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820   vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR605  
Onkyo TX-SR606

Onkyo TX-SR606

MSRP  $500.00    Released  March, 2008
Pros
  • 4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • High definition audio format decoding
  • Video transcoding and upconversion to HDMI
Cons
  • Doesn't upconvert to 1080p, only 1080i
  • Hudson II video processor is a 2D comb filter as compared to 3D comb filter with adaptive motion
  • Does not upscale HDMI inputs, only passes them through.
ProSCORE
19 reviews
64
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820   vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR606  
Denon AVR-1508

Denon AVR-1508

MSRP  $349.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • affordable price
  • 7.1 channel
  • many features
Cons
  • iPod compatibility requires an addon
  • no video processing, simply pass-through
  • poor manual
ProSCORE
1 review
60
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820   vs. vote Denon AVR-1508  
Onkyo TX-SR60 6

Onkyo TX-SR60 6

MSRP  --    Released  --
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Sony STR-DG820   vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR60 6  

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Comments

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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Erik

avatar
March 13, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • 1080p video support as pass-through
  • High-definition audio decoding including DTS HD-MA and TrueHD
  • 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Fantastic price for the feature-set

Cons

  • No transcoding of analog video sources to the HDMI output

Competitors

Erik prefers Sony STR-DG820 over Onkyo TX-SR576
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

dandrayan

avatar
July 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
71
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
2 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • 1080p video support as pass-through
  • High-definition audio decoding including DTS HD-MA and TrueHD
  • 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Fantastic price for the feature-set
  • XM Satellite Radio ready

Cons

  • No transcoding of analog video sources to the HDMI output
  • Clunky remote

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Syzygy

avatar
October 24, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
1 con

Pros

  • 1080p video support as pass-through
  • High-definition audio decoding including DTS HD-MA and TrueHD
  • 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs

Cons

  • Manual says you can't use an HDMI-to-DVI cable to your TV.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

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This product is also known as:

STR, DG, 820, STRDG, DG820, STRDG820