Sony STR-DG720 or 820?

[junglalien]

Help!
TV = Sony KDF-46E3000 ( I don't think I need that x.v.z Color,Deep Color,right?)

PS3 (any advantage for audio using 820 over 720?)

Toshiba HD-A30 HD DVD player. The A30 will decode HD audio codecs and send them as PCM to your receiver. Can not bitstream str8 to reciever to let reciever do decoding.(I think)

I'm going to use HDMI cables.

Should I get 720 or 820?
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665361526

[junglalien]

STR-DG820 specs
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665364791

[junglalien]

Step-up features on the STR-DG720:

7.1 channels, 105 watts of power
Three HDMI inputs
Can handle eight channels of LPCM audio
XM-ready
Available in March for about $300

Step-up features on the STR-DG820:

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
Available in May for about $400

[crazzeto]

If it was me, between the two I would go 820. Frankely the receiver is likely to last you longer than the 720. My guess is that much like with DVD, blu players will gradually start losing the ability to internally decode lossless codecs, if/when this happens and you find your self upgrading blu players you'll probably end up having to buy a new receiver with your new player.

[thedude]

i'm thinking about getting the 820 myself

[SLARITY]

Has sony recievers gotten better since the 90s? I'm still 99.9% sure Im going to buy the Onkyo 606 but these are cheaper for some of the same stuff.

[rizzlehd]

In my opinion, I'm convinced Sony receivers have NOT gotten better since the 90's (excluding the high end receivers). Purchased the STR-DG810 for lossless PCM, wasn't satisfied w/ the sound quality, returned it for a Yamaha RX-V463 and it was a night and day difference. My parents have a STR-DE925, which is probably around 10-12 years old, now that was Sony quality!

But hopefully Sony will redeem themselves w/ this year's line of receivers.

To junglalien: If money is tight get the 720 as it will be more than enough for you to get lossless audio from your PS3 and A30. But if you have an extra $100 to spend, might as well opt for the 820 as the on board decoding of DTS-MA and Dolby TrueHD might come in handy in the long run.

[Cochise]

Step-up features on the STR-DG720:

7.1 channels, 105 watts of power
Three HDMI inputs
Can handle eight channels of LPCM audio
XM-ready
Available in March for about $300

Where did you see the "handle eight channels of LPCM audio"? I don't see in the specs in your link. 'Cause in last year's models, the DG710 was "gimped" and could only handle 2 channel PCM, you had to go with the 810 for multi-channel PCM. These Sony receivers also won't work with a DVI connection to the TV, even though it's HDCP compliant. I bought a DG710 for my PS3, wasted half a day trying to figure out why I couldn't get video to my TV; finally had to run component video to the TV & HDMI to the receiver. Then I wasted another half day trying to figure out why I was only getting 2 channel audio until I finally called Sony tech support. The guy acted like I was an idiot with the DVi issue, saying "Well of course it won't work with DVI - that only carried video, not audio!" I tried to explain I wasn't paying several hundred buck for a receiver to process & amplify audio to the shitty, tinny speakers in my TV, I just need audio to my surround speaker system & video to my TV. Finally when the rep told me I needed to go with the 810 to get multi-channel PCM, I took it straight back to Best Buy, then went over to CC & got the Onkyo 605.

The 9 yr. old receiver it replaced was Sony I was very happy with, but I'm steering clear of Sony receivers.

[junglalien]

I just ordered the 720. This is Sony's new line. The 820 doesn't come out till the end of the month. People on the AVS forums are very pleased and say its everything u need with a PS3. A big improvement over the old 710 models. Its not stuck with 2 channels pcm this time. All the issues you guys brought up they seem to have corrected. I just ordered it from Sony Style and got instant approval for the Sony CC. $100 off your first purchase. Soon as I get the bill I'm paying it off and canceling the credit card. I think its a good deal for $200.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000208

[chipvideo]

I just ordered the 720. This is Sony's new line. The 820 doesn't come out till the end of the month. People on the AVS forums are very pleased and say its everything u need with a PS3. A big improvement over the old 710 models. Its not stuck with 2 channels pcm this time. All the issues you guys brought up they seem to have corrected. I just ordered it from Sony Style and got instant approval for the Sony CC. $100 off your first purchase. Soon as I get the bill I'm paying it off and canceling the credit card. I think its a good deal for $200.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000208

I just came back from C.C. with one. Have it hooked up, but I am waiting for my center channel to arrrive today. Wife is finally going to be able to have some better sound in her living room. The selling point to me was 3 hdmi inputs. Now she doesn't have to toggle back and forth on the tv.

[crazy05]

I ordered the DG720 earlier today, I decided to pass on the internal coding because of the ps3's capabilities. Also i read some good thing on the avs forum regarding the 720, so hopefully it works out.

[junglalien]

I've had the 720 for about a week now. I'm happy with it for $200.