Sony STR-DA5400ES Owner's Thread - Page 2

Interesting...a quick search reveals that 2006 seems to be the last year when switched AC outlets were pretty common - both the STR-DGx00 and STR-DAx200ES lines had them. Seems like they completely disappeared in 2007 - I was surprised that not even the top-of-the-line STR-DA5300ES had one.

[quote=wilme2;14892676]I see an HDMI output button on the remote in the manual, so that works. I really want a receiver that can do an HDMI out as Zone 2, but I know this sony will only do one HDMI output at a time.

I am really disapointed that sony did this, they should both be able active at the same time. I have a home theater room that has a bar in it and I want the main 73" and the 40" behind the bar, to have same source at same time via hdmi. I am ready to return this and get the dennon unit that will do this.
chris

What is H.A.T.S. and is it really worth 500 dollars more?

If you do some searches for H.A.T.S. you can find some detailed info, but from my limited knowledge it allows the receiver to function as sort of a master clock when playing from certain SACD players. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but unless you're into SACD audio, H.A.T.S. doesn't mean anything, right?

From a Sony press release on the SCD-XA5400ES SACD Player (please note they're referring to the EU version of the 5400ES receiver which DOES support H.A.T.S, while the US version does not):
"This is Sony's first Super Audio CD player to allow the transfer of Super
Audio CD's native Direct Stream Digital audio format over HDMI, and
ensures a perfect transfer to its matching AV receiver, the STR-DA5400ES
via Sony's H.A.T.S., or High-quality digital Audio Transfer
System. This allows the AV receiver to control the flow of data from the
player, and this, in association with buffering in the AV receiver,
ensures the smoothest possible transfer between the two -- and the best
possible sound." (link to press release on Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+MW20080828)

-IM Fletcher

I too have been drooling over this unit in AUS and have noticed on the SONY site that the unit can downconvert HDMI signals to component as i still have a CRT HD set with component inputs only. Could someone please confirm that feature and if the unit can output HDMI and component signals simultaneously in zone 1 as I want to hook up component to my crt set and hdmi to a lcd panel in a second zone via the Belkin Flywire wireless 1080p transmitter.
If not can the unit output the same video source to both hdmi zone 1 and component zone 2.

Thanks
Tony

I have a STR-DA5300ES and my biggest gripe is that it dos not have a volume overlay (on screen) when using HDMI. Does this new model?

-Mark

Does the 5400ES have separate controls to adjust the level of Low Frequency Effects (LFE) and other bass signals going to the sub? (the manual only mentions one set of controls)

I've got the US model, so I can't tell you the Euro specs. For the United States, the manual says that it cannot convert HDMI to component video. I'm curious to know if the EU model can do this. To your second question, I don't have a Zone 2 setup, but I believe that you can indeed output the same video source to HDMI Zone1 and Component Zone2. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken (it doesn't specifically state in the manual).

-IM Fletcher

Yessir!

The manual says you can set the level of the sub to 0dB or +10dB when PCM signals are input via HDMI. Is that what you're referring to in the manual? Other than that, the receiver settings of "LARGE" or "SMALL" affect the crossover but I think that's about all the customizing you can do.

-IM Fletcher

The point of HATS (or PQLS for that matter) is that when implemented on either HMDI or i-link, the amplifier generates the timing info that is required by the DACs to generate the analogue audio. This timing info is sent from the amp to the layer to maintain synchronisation. This is the opposite of the usual digital audio configuration, where timing info flows from the player to the amp.

Since jitter is an attribute of the timing info only (and is nothing to do with the amplitude info/data) this means the player cannot contirbute to the overall jitter of the playback system. Jitter is not eliminated this way, but its greatly reduced, and this is more effective than any re-clocking.

Nick

The setting I'm referring to is called 'Subwoofer level' (listed in category 'Level settings' of the Menu list overview of the 5400ES manual) and allows adjustment of -20.0dB to +10.0dB in 0.5dB steps.

My current receiver (one of the first QS models from Sony) has a similar setting but it also has something called 'Low Frequency Effect mix level'. This allows me to adjust the LFE level without affecting the level of bass frequencies which are redirected from the other speakers to the sub.
A pretty important feature because it allows me to enjoy movies at a decent volume level with rich overall sound and still be friends with my neighbors!

Could be a deal breaker if the 5400ES is missing this option...

Ah, didn't fully understand your question, my apologies. I don't think there's an option to do this, although it seems like a good idea. Not sure if it's an acceptable substitue for you but the night mode allows me to do the same thing...it allows for clear dialogue and bass, treble, and effect level boost at low volume levels while I believe decreasing the lfe effect. All this is stated in the manual except the reduced lfe levels, but from my subjective observations I believe this is the case FWIW.

-IM Fletcher

No problem!


I've also read about this night mode option; I'm afraid it will do more bad than good to the overall sound because I can play all the other speakers at reasonably high volume levels.

Would that be what Sony is claiming as hdmi down conversion to component output on the AUS Sony website?

I just did some quick poking around on the AUS Sony site, and if you mouse over the link for HDMI down conversion it indicates that it's HDMI to composite (http://www.sony.com.au/homecinema/ca...tegoryId=23688). Which isn't the 3 colored video plugs, it's the single yellow plug (which is at the bottom of the "quality" spectrum). You might try finding the manual to see if it down converts for component as well.

-IM Fletcher

I just bought an 5300 and hooked up cable and PS3 via HDMI. I am using HDMI out to DVI on the TV. I get the video, but I do not get the GUI menu.

Is there any way I can get the GUI using HDMI - DVI to the TV?

I have had this unit for a while now but when l recently upgrade my Satelite Boc to FOXTEL IQ 1 it seems not to sync properly with my amp through the HDMI cable. I get a good picture but the sound keeps dropping out. I have read the manual but l am unable to solve this issue. Would any maybe have an answer to this problem?

interested in getting one I have had a 777ES since 2000 it just crashed on me powers up but gives no sound?Do these things only last for that long any help? can anybody recommend this receiver and a good place to purchase cheers!

I just got one from Ultimate Electronics. It was the demo, the only one they had left. Sony had a firmware problem with S/N below 8806528 You can call Sony support at 800-222-7669

looking to get this receiver am from Canada and will be buying from US online, should I make sure I get one with a S/N above 8806528 (from the post above}?how hard is it to upgrade firmware I would hate to have to ship it back to the US! do you recommend this receiver have had the 777ES since 2000 just died on me powers up but no sound thanks for any help!

I think the post about S/N above was for the 5300ES, no? Just wanting to clarify as I skimmed the thread and got a little confused.

-IM Fletcher

I have a STR-DA5400es, with a BDP-S550 and a PS3, DVDs light up DOLBY or DTS, but the PS3 and BDP-S550 when playing Blu-Rays LPCM 48kHz.

Has only got it to light up TureHD or DTS-HD, its probley some sort of setup issule.
All connected via HDMI..

thx

This application is for my secondary (non dedicated theater) set-up. This for family room (Samsung 67" DLP) and whole-house audio control. Just purchased Sony S-550 DVD and have older Sony 200 CD/DVD player, and PS3 to be used as media server. Currently two older receivers (one slaved for pool area) driving TV and slaved to eight additional amps for whole house audio.

Using URC MX-980 remote control, so it will handle any combo of equipment.
Denon appears to be more sophisticated in network and wireless apps, but I wonder if I will lose any features contol/integration of PS3 and 550 DVD.

5400 ES is about a $1000 cheaper - wondering about price/performence trade-offs to replace old receivers?

I've got a Panasonic DMP-BD50 and I'm bitstreaming out via HDMI with no problems (I get TrueHD and DTS-MA when selecting "AFD Auto" on discs that have those formats). If the receiver is set to AFD Auto I'd check two things: 1) Oddly enough, a lot of Blu-Ray movies have the default option set to Dolby Digital and you have to go to the movie's pop-up menu to select True-HD or DTS-MA. So check the menu of the movie you're trying out. 2) You may need to select what you bitstream out of the S550 in the hardware setup menu. I know my Panny has some settings I had to tweak.

Some popular movies don't have True-HD or DTS-MA, their best sound being uncompressed 5.1. I know this is the case with Pirates of the Caribbean and some others. So that will def display LPCM 48kHz.

-IM Fletcher

Thank you, made a few settings and i am getting Dolby TURE HD, and DTS-MA from BDP-S550, which is cool. But still LPCM from the PS3, well i can live with that.

Thx
Red

A caution re running Zone 2 audio out the RCA jacks: That's what I've been hoping/attempting to do and it seems you need the IR Repeater to do that, as per Sony Canada Support.

I now have to decide whether to run my Zone 2 audio via the back surround or to get the IR Repeater, which is really hard to find any info on. Will check with Sony Store later today. No real problem to run the speakers via the back surround as I'm not really using 7.1 yet but I don't like the limitation.

My temporary work-around is to fed the analog audio from the cable-box to zone 2 directly but it certainly was a disappointment and setback re being happy making the change. Oh well, only on my third day setting things up. It's a struggle mainly because I have to do my "upgrading" with minimum impact on family, I.e. can't introduce new remotes, have to make the cable-box remotes work for my wife and of course the older ones (Millenium 4) that Shaw used don't know anything about the newer codes and don't have enough in their library.

hi, looking at the Pioneer SC-05 or the Sony STR-DA5400ES for movie watching mainly any advice? cheers

Well being that this is the STR-DA5400ES owner's thread, and that I have one and love it, I'd say pick you up one!

What is the main improvements of the new SONY STR-DA6400ES vs 5400?

Is it worth to jump up with extra $500?