THX Certified (THX Select), Dolby Prologic II, Neo 6:0 Matrix, more than enough power, sound clarity and good separation. Impressive multichannel performance (6.1 with pre-out for 7.1). Nice, solid remote that can learn and backlit.

Only one coaxial digital input and has problems playing so called "mcoded" THX DVD.

This is a warning to people who are (like me) looking to buy the Onkyo TX-DS797. Yesterday I want to Botman and listened to the Marantz SR-7200, Denon AVR-3802 and finally the Onkyo 797. The Onkyo beat the others hands down when it comes to sound separation and power and that's why I picked that one to listen to in multi-channel mode (so far we only listened to it in stereo).

The DVD I had brought with me was Pearl Harbour because it has THX sound. When we played it the sound would sometimes drop out, without a pop, hiss or click. The receiver also showed no indication that anything was wrong. We replaced the coaxial cable for the digital connection but the problem persevered. We tried playing it in other modes than THX but still the sound dropped and on irregural intervals and different places during the movie. I would say the sound dropped at least once a minute.

Then we tried Star Wars Phantom Menace, Gladiator and a preview of The Spy Who Shagged Me (from a special THX promotion disc) and they all performed FLAWLESSLY! So this appeared to be a problem with Pearl Harbour. I left the store a bit disappointed because I really wanted to buy the Onkyo but first wanted to do some investigating on the net. It appears more people with Onkyo (but also Denon!) receivers have this problem. Jurassic Parc III and Pearl Harbour are so far the only two DVDs (our of 12.000+) on the market that have this problem.

It does not appear to be a disc problem but an encoding problem. Denon alledgedly admitted there is a problem with the Denon 1802 and 2802 (a bad shipment of chips they say) with so called "mcoded" DVDs. Onkyo is aware of the problem but has not responded yet, instead they are looking into it.

The PH and JP movies can be watched in DTS sound so you can watch them if you want to but my fear is that there will be more DVDs just like these and the problem will remain. I hope Onkyo will fix the problem and that the new batch of 797s (and apparently also the 898 and 535) will not have this problem anymore. It means I will have to wait some time more before I can buy the receiver. But there really was no competition for the Onkyo 797... so I'll wait.

Anymore people with the same experience?

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3802, Marantz SR-7200

Clean, simple appearance.
Power (OH MY GOD...THE POWER!)
The ability to handle whatever you throw at it.
Awesome remote.
Customization menus, OSD, it has it..you tweak it!
Value.

Composite to S-Video conversion.

Okay, I know that many do not appreciate opinions given by those who have had a product less than 1 month, but I did wait 5+ years to reveiw my old Yammy, so it balances out. Here goes:

Strengths:
Power...this has it and in spades. Compared to the output of my Yammy, this thing puts out sound waves that can push my 1 year old daughter across the floor, and the sound is clear and tight. Granted, I am using relatively small and efficient speakers which even my Yammy drove quite well, but this is just awesome when cranking the DTS movies!

Appearance:
I love the simplicity of these units. The face has just the buttons it needs, and a volume knob that by appearance says "turn it up...all the way up, I DARE YOU!" None of that funny multi-color display that dims with the bass, a simple green and red display telling you what you need to know. Want to know more, touch a button and it displays what you want to see. Forget that crowded "Houston, we have a problem" type display. Besides, that big THX logo (as well as the WRAT, DD, and DTS logos) look very impressive on the black aluminum face. It shows this baby was built to win performance awards, not dazzle you with glitz and fall short in usage.

Inputs:
Okay, I will sum this up by saying I had 5+ hours in connecting the pile of cables back up after disconnecting my Yammy. Nice feature here - automatic conversion of composite to s-video for those with limited inputs on their TV's. For DVD, my player goes component through the Onk, for all other vid sources, it goes through s-vid. My Hitachi (which has just about as many inputs on it as the Onk) needs only to be left now on Vid 2 as it automatically switches between S-Vid and Component, depending on where the signal comes from. HEREIN lies the Onk's only weakness, however. When it converts the composite video from the VCR to the S-Vid out to the TV, the picture appears "grainy" (like the resolution is not adequate for the screen size). But face it, if you are stuck with only composite inputs on your tv, you need a new one of those too.

Build quality:
Hmm...all things considered, this comes in as a bargain at only $18.92 per pound. Okay folks, its heavy...38 pounds worth. Now that is some heavy metal (sorry for the pun). It's size and weight make for some initial consideration when looking at putting it into it's final location.

Remote:
Completely backlit, macro and learning capable, and preprogrammed with many codes already. ALLELUIA! I have finally found a true "universal" remote without spending another chunk of change. Right down to the finger channels on the back, this thing fits right, controls everything, and remains aesthetically pleasing.

DSP's:
Finally, the ones you want without scrolling through a list of 40+ of the ones you don't! One of the best benefits of going to the mid and hi-fi brands (A/K/A HK, Onk, Yammy, Marantz, Denon, etc.), you find that they love the K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid) philosophy. These units offer the features and performance you want without all the hype and glam you don't (saving many a "who the heck would listen to that mode?!!?" statements and headaches).

Conclusion:
If you are reading this review, you have already made a giant step in the right direction by saying "NO" to the marketing pizazz and lies of the mass production sony's, kenwoods, jvc's, and numerous other basic brands. When I started in HTR, I chose a DD ready Yammy instead of the DD Kenwood that came with my speaker package. I have never regreted that move (now, when you start to have no regrets in HTR purchases, you know you did something right!) Suck it up, spend the few dollars more (and accept a few less glitzy features) and listen to the quality, definition, and power that these units offer. Would I have gone with Yammy again, probably, but I won a contest at vanns.com and I got this with the account credit I had there. Since they are not authorized Yammy dealers, I looked around. So far, I again have no regrets with this purchase. It has all the features I could ever use, and the quality of its more expensive siblings that I could never afford. Besides, when you tell the significant other that you only spent $719 on a $1,000 receiver (yes, that is the best price at vanns before a price match), that it has a remote they can actually use, and they hear the power of the sound, well, they tend to agree that it was money well spent. Now that, my friends, is truly priceless.

For reference, my system is:
36" Hitachi 36UX59B Television
Onkyo TX-DS797 Receiver
Samsung HiFi VCR (Hey, highly rated and what more do you need?)
JVC XV-FA90BK 7 disc progressive DVD/CD player
Sears LXi Professional Series Vinyl Spinner
Echostar Dishnet Satellite Receiver
Infinity RS-3 fronts
Infinity RS-1 rear center
JBL Music 2 Sats for rear left and right
Infinity CC-1 center channel
Infinity BU-1 subwoofer
(I mentioned it earlier, the Infinity's came packaged with my original receiver...those speakers plus my Yammy were $1400 back in 1995, and I really am impressed by their small footprint and rich sound. The wife likes that fact that they blend in to the decor...again, priceless!)

"If we must wait until tomorrow, then we must also realize that today was tomorrow...yesterday."

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V592

Powerful & Great Sounding unit for a mid price range

NONE

The TXDS 797 unit by far blows away Denon's poor excuse for a quality receiver. From the first setup this receiver has proven to be one of my best purchases ever. The sound quality is superb with my small satellite speakers. Although I do wish that this unit came with the CHAD remote I really can't complain about the one that was supplied. It has the dual feature of entering codes and the learning feature just in case the codes don't work. I have yet to find another manufacturer with such a remote.

My advice to you is if you can find this unit and are willing to indulge a little, go and buy this receiver. You will not be dissappointed!!

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801

Extremely crisp and clean, but also very warm and full sound. Amazing amount of features.

None as of yet.

This reciever has more power than I can even fathom. I turn it up till I can't stand it anymore and I'm still 5 points from reference level. The sound in 5.1 is... perfection, that's all I can think of is perfection. Now in 6.1, EX, ES whatever you want to call it, the reciever rocks, but the formats well, the formats suck. First up, EX. My impression of Dolby Digital EX: Hi, I sound great in 5.1 discrete, but why don't we send half of my rear channels back to the rear center. Yeah, that's a great idea, other than the fact that it kinda sucks. I just think EX just dilutes the sound in the rear. It takes too much off the L/R rears. Up next, ES Matrix: Hi, I'm not much better than EX, but my big brother kicks everyone's ass. His big brother, DTS ES 6.1 Discrete. The single best way to watch a movie. Pop in Gladiator and see if you don't think Russell Crowe just threw a sword through your head. Reciever: A+++ Audio Formats: D-

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS787, HK AVR-510

100 x 6 continuous watts per channel.
More surround sound options than you can use.
RCA to s-video conversion.
Component video inputs and output (switchable).
Absolutely unbelievable sound quality in all modes.
Very easy to use, intuitive on-sceen menus for setup process and system maintenance.
Backlit remote that remembers the component you're using and reminds you by lighting up the function key for that component.
Optical and S-video front panel inputs.

None so far.

I'm by no means an expert, but this receiver seems close to perfect. It has more power than you know what to do with (or your neighbors will put up with). It has every kind of surround format available with the exception of 7.1. The RCA to s-video conversion is the best, especially if you're digital cable box doesn't come equiped with an s-video out (no more hasseling with changing the video mode on the TV). I upgraded from the 676, and the picture quality seemed to get much better. Even my roommates (who know nothing at all about audio/video) noticed an improvement. The remote is the same as the 676, but the function key of the component you're operating remains backlight (this feature is great for technologically challenged girlfriends/wives/etc.)

So far it has sounded great with everything I've tested on it. As has been noted by others on this review board, Star Wars does sound amazing...in fact it's the best DD soundtrack I've heard yet. My litmus test, however, is the Matrix...the helicopter crashing into the building scene. The 797 really gave this scene the punch it needed. I'm not knocking the 676, but the 797 pushed the audio in this scene to where it really needs to be...when Trinity crashes into the glass, it really feels like she just crashed into your own window...I thought she was going to pop right out of the TV screen it was so realistic.

I'm more of an home theater guy than a pure audio guy, so I won't say anything about its musical performance other than you get out of this receiver what you would expect to get out of a $1000 receiver -- excellent sound quality. You have to be the judge whether the DSPs and surround formats it offers meet your listening habbit's standards. They met mine more than adequately.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS676; Onkyo Tx-DS555

I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN READING REVIEWS FOR WEEKS ON END ON THE ONKYO TX-DS 797 AND THE HARMAN KARDON AVR 520. I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFO COMPARING THE TWO DIRECTLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, HK SOUND MORE "WARM AND FULL" WHILE THE ONKYO 797 HAS THE FEATURES LIKE "TXH". THE HK IS CHEAPER, HOWEVER, I HAVE OWNED A ONLYO FOR 11 YEARS WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?????????????????????

DTS es Descrete/THX Select

No sound untill you reach 50 on the volume level. Picture seems blurred?? This might just be my TV settings.

Ditto to all reviews. Very nice receiver. Except I can not get any sound out of the speakers untill 50 on the dial. Is this the ohms setting? REq or upsampling? I wish that it did a better job at detecting what type of decoding is taking place. Example....Gladiator 6.1 DTS descrete on DVD player, but I had to change the settings on the receiver to get dts es descrete sound. Shouldnt it be able to identify what type of sound is comming out of the DVD player? Maybe someone can tell me why I am watching Star Wars in THX mode and still have the DTS symbol on the facr highlighted?

I love the receiver but would like to better understand the little things.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood

AMAZING CLEAR SOUND ESPECIALLY WITH DVD AUDIO DISCS

None

What More Can i say that hasnt already been stated.

I had doubts about buying it this last week, but now that i own it, im definately happy. ths sound is so clear, no matter how loud i play this thing. i turned it up to reference level and literally shook my freakin house.


If your a high end user on a sorta small budget, go buy this thing. it putd all other recievers, even ones higher priced, to shame.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha High End A/V reciever, Onkyo 777, onkyo 787, onkyo 898, HK avr 520

Many Inputs and Outputs, Awesome Remote Control, Easy programming radio stations

I personally could of used a few more Component input connections having 3 devices already (Gamecube, HDTV Cable, and DVD)

At first I was having a bit of difficulty hearing audio out of the DVD player (Toshiba 4700) until I resorted to reading the manual (go figure). There I found out it was very easy to change the default audio input from coaxial to optical (I connected component video and optical audio). Also I learned that the remote beats out all others hands down that come with the receivers. I successfully programeed my TV (Panasonic Tau HDTV 36", Digital Cable Box (Motorola Comcast), DVD Player(Toshiba SD-4700), and VCR (Hitachi) to work with the remote with almost all functionality working.

I have Boston Accoustic VRM 60s in front and shopping around for the rest of the VRM series (Center, surround). Using Bose 301s in back for now.

Overall I heard great sound and performance

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Karden AV25, Denon 2802, Denon 3802

Assignable digital inputs. Automatic switching between analog and digital (for things like a digital cable receiver that switches from analog to digital depending on the station). Absolutley phenomenal sound. On screen display. 192KHz decoder. (Updated from 96KHz from the ds787). 2 sets of component inputs. Programmable backlit remote control. THX! Supports PCM and bitstream digital inputs. SVIDEO inputs galore!

None.

I love this receiver! (You might love it more than your wife) The Star Wars DVD sounds awesome with this. My jaw dropped with a big grin and knew I made the right choice!

It's nice that the reciever automatically detects the surround format. (THX, Pro Logic 2, etc...) It also automatically switches from analog to digital signals. This is very handy with digital cable receivers!
The clarity of this receiver is definitely one of its strong features. I can crank it up without hearing distortions. 100Wx6 @ 0.08%THD, 20Hz-20KHz.

The on screen menu is pretty easy to use. I didn't have to look in the users' guide. The only thing I used the user guide for are the codes to program the remote. Speaker levels and assigning the digital inputs are all done through the on screen display. You can still use the receiver display to change these as well.

It packs all the surround decoders you'll need into this powerhouse. The price is unbeatable for a receiver of this quality and feature spec. Right now they're selling like hotcakes, so you might have to backorder one. Well worth the wait though! If you go to ecost.com, you might not see the 797 there, just because they're hard to keep in stock right now. Just give them a call though and they'll backorder it for you. It's the cheapest place I found. They don't charge you for ground shipping, just like a $20 handling fee. No, I don't work ecost, just letting people know you can save some money there.

I almost got its predecessor, the DS787. For a few extra bucks, I got this that has an optical input in the front and the 192KHz decoder. Plus there are some other major improvements on this model as well.

If you're looking to update your home theatre and don't want to spend the $$ on a 7.1 system, this model is it!
6.1 is plenty good enough! I don't you'll find a better bang for the buck.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic PL-888 CD
Panasonic RP91N DVD (24 bit 192KHz Output)
Scientific Atlanta digital cable receiver