Sony today announced the STR-DA3600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver priced at $1,100. It's the lowest priced receiver from Sony's 2010 Elevated Standard (ES) product line, which includes the STR-DA5600ES and the STR-DA4600ES Networked AV Receivers. All ES models are designed with custom installers in mind to seamlessly integrate with multi-room, third-party control systems.
AV Receivers with Custom Control
Sony's 2010 ES AV receivers feature IR input jacks and two-way serial control. They also offer control over IP which allows installers to easily integrate the receivers into the leading home automation systems including Control4®, Crestron, AMX®, Savant, Ultimate Remote Control, RTI, and others. Sony has worked closely with leading control companies and is a Control4 Certified Partner, an AMX Device Discovery Partner, Crestron Integration Partner, and a Savant Excellence in Audio and Video Partner.
The new models offer 3D pass-through and flexible multi-room features. They can connect to a home broadband network through an Ethernet port offering easy access to digital photos, music and videos from Digital Life Network Alliance (DLNA®) sources. They also function as an Ethernet hub featuring four ports that connect other network devices.
Additionally, the Ethernet connection provides access to both Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service, and offers easy access to firmware upgrades via the Internet. The STR-DA5600ES model also functions as a DLNA Live Audio Server that can stream music to other DLNA clients.
Users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch device can control the models using a free app that transforms your mobile device into a full ES receiver remote. The app features zone control, full GUI menu, and Sony's Quick Click remote function which allows users to control source components (such as Blu-Ray player, set-top box) in the main home theater room to be controlled from a second zone.
The STR-DA5600ES and the STR-DA4600ES offer the ability to distribute audio and video to multiple rooms via the second HDMI output and video to a second zone via CAT5 output. They can both also up-scale all sources to 1080p in the main zone and 1080i in a second zone via the Faroudja chip® ensuring a consistent, sharp picture. The connected video zones feature a high-grade, icon-driven menu system that allows for simple device and content navigation.
All three models feature Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) with Automatic Phase Matching (APM). Without changing the front reference speakers, APM corrects for phase differentiation between front, center, and surround speakers, ensuring an ideal sound stage regardless of speaker type. The STR-DA5600ES also offers DCAC EX which includes speaker relocation, not only adjusting for the distance but also the angle of the listening position to create an optimal listening environment.
The receivers also feature Sony's innovative new HD Digital Cinema Sound® that was developed together with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Incorporating high-mounted front speaker placement, HD DCS was designed to transform and replicate both the sound quality and acoustics of a movie theater in the home environment creating an unmatched home theater experience.
All of the models support 1080/24p video signals and x.v.Color and Deep Color video codecs, as well as all advanced audio formats (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, dts® Master HD, dts® ES, Dolby® Digital EX, Dolby® Pro Logic IIx and 8 channel Linear PCM). They also feature audio return channel allowing network content originating from the television to be played through the receiver without additional cables.
The models feature Sony's Digital Media Port for simple connection to an iPod and other digital music players, and are both XM® and Sirius® ready.
STR-DA3600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver
Available in August for about $1,100
- 100 watt x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD
- Four HDMI 1.4 outputs
- 3D pass-through
- Integrated four port Ethernet switch
- DLNA Client
- iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application
- Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)
- On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)
- Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
- Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR
- PC set up manager
- Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable
- Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service
- Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs
Sony's ES products will only available through authorized Sony ES dealers and custom installers across the country. All Sony ES products are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty, a ninety-day advanced exchange program (2-3 day expedited replacement unit), and a dedicated installer support line to San Diego-based CEDIA trained product experts.
