Sony unveils 2008 ES receiver lineup
by Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 26th 2008 at 2:32PM
Say hello to this year's warmed-over line of Sony's ES 7.1 channel audio/video receivers. Now-standard features in the line include a PS3/PSP-style xross media bar interface, 1080p Faroudja DCDi upconversion, a slew of audio codec support (Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio) plus Digital Media Port connectivity to hook up iPod or Bluetooth adapters or satellite radio. The higher end STR-DA4400ES (above) packs a 120-watt amplifier, six HDMI inputs, HD video output to two zones and audio to three zones for $1,500 when it debuts this August. The STR-DA3400ES and STR-DA2400ES both include a 100-watt amp, four HDMI jacks, the 3400 includes an IR repeater and support for a second video zone with its $1,000 price tag, while the 2400 drops those features and includes a basic interface for $800 next month. Take a peek at both after the break, then check your wallet to see where you fit in.
STR-DA2400ES:
STR-DA3400ES:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jimmy @ Jun 26th 2008 2:47PM
The ES line is good but you have a typo, neither the 2400 or 3400 have a 1,000 watt amp! That should be 100 watts.
If last years 5300 is any indication of the quality of these then I might have to buy. However, I would love to know what the 5400 is going to have.
Richard Lawler @ Jun 26th 2008 2:53PM
Thanks, fixed
Wonder Boy @ Jun 27th 2008 10:33AM
Uh.... 2 remotes?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 27th 2008 2:43PM
It has 3 zones. With an IR repeater (included with some models), you can use the 2nd remote for the 2nd or 3rd zone (zone being another room). If you only use one zone, you can ignore one of the remotes.
Mike @ Jun 29th 2008 10:11AM
Most ES receivers I've owned over the past few years all had two remotes.
S4Rs @ Jun 26th 2008 4:48PM
I was planning on getting a 5300ES, and of course this post makes no mention to the 5400ES which would be its successor. DOH
Mr. E @ Jun 26th 2008 5:30PM
I wonder if the 4400 ES has two HDMI outputs? They are pretty cagey with the "high-definition video distribution to a second zone" comment. Methinks it's one HDMI output and the second zone would have to go component. Dang it.
And when are they going to incorporate some decent video processing? Faroudja DCDi is weak--they might as well leave video processing off completely if that's the best they can do.
Video Master @ Jun 26th 2008 8:46PM
What receivers would your recommend in the sub-$1000 price range then?
I like how the Sony receivers integrate with my PS 3 and soon to be Sony LCD.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 26th 2008 11:27PM
I got my 5300 for $870 from Butterfly Photo (plus 2.5% cash back through fatwallet). I got it a few weeks ago. I had no problems with them.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 26th 2008 11:27PM
Video processing is useless. First of all, I had the CEO of Anchor Bay (DVDO) demo their primo upconversion to me and others in hopes of selling it to us for use in a product, and it's useless. Upconversion doesn't add any useful info to the video signal.
Second of all, virtually any HDMI input you use will have HDCP on it, and thus cannot be modified in any way in the amp (except stripping the audio) and thus cannot be upconverted, downconverted or superimposed over.
So you can pretty much ignore all upconversion between resolution in amps, HDCP makes it useless. Conversion from component to HDMI is useful (and this does it fine).
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 26th 2008 11:33PM
Oh no, here I go again.
I'm sure the 4400 is like the 5300, in that the 2nd zone can only use component, s-video or composite plus audio. You can configure the rear surround amps (the ones only used for 7.1 audio, not 5.1) to output the 2nd zone audio amplified. The 3rd zone is audio only.
The 2nd zone does no video conversion, so if you are inputting HDMI you will get nothing out the 2nd zone video. If you are inputting composite you will get nothing out the 2nd zone component video jacks.
Basically, think of the additional zones as audio only.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 26th 2008 11:45PM
Excuse me, I paid $988 shipped from butterflyphoto. Where did I get that other price from?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jun 27th 2008 2:40PM
HDCP provides end-to-end encryption. It is not allowed for a device in the middle to decode the signal and reencode it. This goes for HK as well as Sony.
This Sony upscales everything to 1080p that isn't HDCP protected and converts component input to HDMI output. It also superimposes its GUI (even at 1080p) as long as the input isn't HDCP encoded (as this isn't allowed). The manual for the HK AVR 354 that I just downloaded mentions repeatedly that it upscales analog sources to HDMI, but does not say it upscales HDMI inputs at all (regardless of HDCP).
It appears you are perhaps mistaken about the HK being better than this on conversions.
Bizmaster @ Jul 12th 2008 9:27AM
I have a noob question regarding HDMI
Will these revievers downscale?
My plasma only have component input. If I hook up my DTV, apple TV, PS3 and XBOX 360 via HDMI will it output to a plasma connected via component cables?