Sony STR-DA4400ES Owner's Thread - Page 3

Originally Posted by MordredKLB

Well miraculously the hissing sound I was hearing on (at least the PS3) HDMI connections disappeared last night. I don't know what changed, but I couldn't reproduce it last night on any of the 3 HDMI inputs I was using... even at max volume and my ear pressed against the speaker.

Originally Posted by bwb134

I have a str 4300es and have the hiss. I only get the hiss when listening to blu-ray in high def sound(uncompressed ,true hd, and dts master audio) when I switch the soundtrack to dolby digital or dts the hiss goes away. I never hear it on my cable box or 2 channel stereo. It also seems to get louder and lower when switching the speaker pattern from 5.1 channel to 7.1,louder being the 5.1. I believe the receiver has trouble decoding the high def formats. Sony Tech Support says they have not been able to reproduce the hiss when they checked it out. I was curious if you tried this on your 4400es.

Originally Posted by Gort1951

HDMI Gui Blending - 5400es
Component GUI Blending - 4400es

I posted some pictures of the 5400es, rear, front, remotes but they have been deleted from this thread. Why?

Originally Posted by imacericg

What exactly does this mean? One big feature about this receiver is the GUI interface, what does blending mean?

Originally Posted by matthewcorso

I too am having the "unsupported signal error" with a PS3, 4400ES, and a W3000 series LCD. I called Sony support and they sent me a replacement because they said mine didn't have the latest firmware.

After I sent back my "old" 4400 unit for the "new" 4400 unit I received a call saying the unit I sent back worked just fine and they couldn't replicate the issue. After insisting that there was an issue and staying on the phone with one of their actual engineers it finally happened and acknowledged that this was an actual problem and said they would see how to fix it.

When I called and first spoke to the engineers they said they had a couple of other reports of this issue but that it could never be reproduced after they received the units back in the engineering group.

I will post what the fix is but I can say if you have a Sony Bravia TV don't let them say it needs a new firmware because I tried that too and was still S.O.L..

I expect a response from Sony on Monday and will post their reply once received.


Matt

Originally Posted by mchinsky

Hi,

Just got my unit. Upgrading to digital (i.e. ps3, HDMI output on a PC etc. ) I have an existing Niles multiroom setup but based on what I read, you can't output audio from a digital source like HDMI to zone 2 output which is analog.

Is there a way for me to connect the analog sound output of say, my PC and Sat receiver somewhere on unused ports and route them to the zone 2 output in an intelligent manner that makes sense?

Thanks

Originally Posted by jdgping

I've been doing an in home demo with the STR-DA2400es (which has the exact same video section as the 3400 and 4400). I now believe that the video section has a slight problem with 1080p/24. I have a Mitsubishi HC5500 and have a PS3 for blu-ray, and had similar issues to the ones posted above. I, however, tried a few things are got the signal to work everytime (not that I suggest there isn't a problem), but a solid workaround. When you first switch to the PS3 (in 1080p/24) you don't have a picture, but if you hit the gui button, then turn it off, you should have picture. The other option is to go into the HDMI settings menu and select "AUTO", with this I no longer have a problem at all. I could only repeat the problems when I had the HDMI set to Direct. I know that makes no sense, but those are my finding. Hope this helps someone.

Originally Posted by jdgping

HDMI Settings on the 4400, the HDMI settings on the ps3 should be set to 1080p max resolution.

Originally Posted by MordredKLB

All I have under HDMI settings on the 4400 is:

Control for HDMI
Audio Out
Subwoofer Settings

The only one that has an Auto Setting is Subwoofer Settings, and mine's already set to Auto. I also have no idea what you mean by the HDMI set to "Direct". I don't see that option in any menus anywhere.

Originally Posted by jdgping

Sorry guys! it is under "Video Settings" in the GUI. Switch it from direct to auto and problem should be solved.

Originally Posted by Mr_Mod

Sony have for about the last 8 years since introducing the TA-E9000Es have had a serial connection on the rear of the units to allow for firmware upgrades. This RS-232 port also alows the receiver to be controlled from an external application and/ or the Home integration systems.
Firmware used to be publically available but they have in the past few years only allowed there service people and agents to perform this for you.
What they are telling you is utter crap, they can post a firmware disc out to you if you insist.

Originally Posted by Aloe Vera

Hey all and thanks for all the info, although I'm a bit upset now after reading of all the troubles with this receiver. I had my heart set on it previously. I'm hoping you all can give me some advice at this point. I'm looking to hook my HTPC, PS3, Xbox 360, and DirecTV HD DVR up via HDMI, as well as a couple other components via component. I had been really excited about cleaning up the mess of wires behind the entertainment center. I had also been pretty enthused about the 1080p upconversion. I had been under the impression that this model upconverted the HDMI inputs as well. I guess after reading this that this is not the case. I was also disappointed to hear the GUI didn't do the transparency thing on the HDMI inputs. All this plus the hiss is starting to sound like a deralbreaker.

Anyway, I was hoping you guys that own this model can advise me on whether to stay away or not. Previously to settling on this model, I had also been considering the Sony STR-DA5300ES, the Sony STR-DA5400ES, and the Pioneer SC-05 Elite. Any suggestions from those experienced with the Sony? The Pioneer only has 4 HDMI (which is all I currently need), but I'd rather give up a couple HDMI inputs than struggle with dealbreaking problems. And trust me, with our luck, any glitch, no matter how rare, will most certainly crop up on us.

Thanks a bunch all for any advice and clarification you can provide. I've always been a big time HTPC fanatic and videophile, but was never too concerned with the receiver side of things as long as I had a functional unit. I'm looking to change that and am a bit confused. Thanks so much.......