Sony STR-DN1000 7.1-Channel Audio Video Receiver (Black)

So far everything is okay. I have only used it for a half dozen movies so far. I got this to go with a Sony blu-ray player and because it had 7.1 sound. I am still figuring out how to adjust all the settings. The unit sounds good with my home theater setup.

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.

the optical audio is only assignable to composite video inputs, they can't be assigned to any hdmi ports, which sucks. The HDMI video quality is great though, blue is sharp.the best video quality i have seen to date. the piano black color is still cheap plastic, can't they design something with aluminum or something like apple?

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.

I love this receiver! It sounds great and looks great. My only complaint is hooking up the speakers is a little bit of a pain but that is all.