This is a follow up to my previous post. The problem with the video was in the way I was connecting the receiver to the TV. I basically wanted to use all the connection on both the receiver and the TV. When video 1 input is selected the receiver outputs the signal to video2 and turns off the video 1 output. I had connected my TV video 1 in to the out, and did not get a picture. The receiver is basically assuming that a VCR will be input to Video1 and Video2. As I have other devices that have video out/in I wanted to be able to have PIP on my TV. But that is not possible as only the Monitor out is available (unless I connect a cross over to the Video 1/2 ports, but then I can not record on VCR). Anyway, problem was fixed with a less then desirable outcome. Still like the receiver though

Just recently bought the Sony 945, returned the first unit due to the surround sound not working (no sound from the rear). I am currently returning the second unit as the Video 1 and Video 2 jacks are swapped. When receiver is set to Video 1 and all jacks are plugged in correctly no video only sound, when I move the video 1 jack into video 2 then I get picture. A minor problem, but I could not get any signal to the VCR the way the instructions stated to hook up the connections (even after swapping jacks). I believe that the first unit had this same problem but I assumed I connected it wrong and swapped the jacks. Now in looking back I think that there is a problem with these lots. I still like the system but not sure what Circuit City can do, they have two remaining units but they might be from the same lot. I will follow up with details.

DTS and DD capable

No five channel stereo

I would like to address a number of issues that have been mentioned in other reviews.

1. Hiss. The only time that I have ever heard a hiss from this unit is when it is in Prologic. Even when this hiss is present it is not very pronounced. This seems to be a common problem with Sony Prologic receivers. When in Stereo, DD, or DTS I have only been able to hear a hiss at high volumes with my ear pressed up against a speaker. Now I have found that after I have been testing for the hiss that I also notice a loud ringing. I have been unable to determine which speaker this ringing is coming from and it seems to persist even when I shut the receiver off.

2. The difficulty of the remote. This is not the easiest remote to get use to, but once you do you may find it very useful. This is a two way learning remote, so there is a slight delay before it does what you want it to do. This delay is less than two seconds and I find that it does not bother me. This is a learning remote so you can program it to run virtually all of your remote controlled products.

3. Ability of the remote to download the titles for more than 200 discs from a 300 or 400 Sony disc player. It will download more than 200 titles from a Sony 300 or 400 disc player if you are using the control A1 cord. If it will only download the titles for 200 discs than you either have a 200 disc player or you need to change the setting on your Sony CDP from control A1 II to control A1. This should fix the problem.

4. Heat. My unit does not run hot. I can leave it on all day and it is only warm. If your unit is hot enough to "fry an egg on", as another reviewer put it, than you need to take it back and get a new one. A receiver should never be hot enough to burn you.

5. There is not an optical input for the CD player. This is true, but there is a solution. Simply connect your CDP to another optical connection such as MD/DAT. Now you can rename the option for MD/DAT to CDP. This will also rename it on the remote, so that when you want the select the CDP you select CDP.

To sum it all up. I really like this unit. I even like the remote. I love being able to scan through my 400 CD's and pick which one I want. I find myself listening to a lot more music now. The DD and DTS sound is great. I have watched and re-watched all of my DVD's since purchasing this unit. I think that my neighbors my be getting a little annoyed at the earth shattering sounds coming from my apartment when I am watching movies like "Gladiator", but they will get over it. This is not the best receiver out there, but at this price it is a very good one. If you have less than $500 dollars to spend and you are thinking about buying this, I don't think that you will be dissappointed.

hisssssssssss

what a piece. first of all this thing hisses like a cobra in heat. anyone who doesn't hear this needs to tell me where they get their drugs. it's awful!!
i guess it has all the new features on the market (dts, optical input, etc) but for that price, it's not worth it compared to what you can get for the money.
oh god, that remote! what a pain in the neck. really high tech i suppose, but uterly impractical. i won't even use it.
i was using a jvc rx8000 and it is so infinitely better a piece of equipment. go with that for sure

Similar Products Used:

jvc rx8000

Great layout. Easy to understand and learn.

Lacks a digital volume control readout in decibals, only has a rotating knob. HATE the remote. NOT user friendly, and is horrible slow.

Overall, very pleased. I bought the Sony RM-VL900 learning remote, which is incredible, and that took care of the stupid remote problem. This unit has an A/B switch for speaker control. Several top units I looked at didn't. I would definetly recommend this unit, especially for the moderate price and great reputation.

Similar Products Used:

JVC and Onkyo

Excellent sound, easy remote use, makes any speakers sound great, power can handle even my psb 6t's, many digital imputs, etc.

it gets warm, but what reciever doesn't.

This is an excellent reciever. It's power blows any other reciever's for the price range. The only problem that you might encounter is that there is too much power for smaller speakers. I have a pair of psb 6t's which this drives to full capacity. I also have psb 1b's which i use as my surround speakers and there is no risk of blowing them because this reciever can adjust the power outage to each channel. It also drives my 8c (center channel) and 10s's (side surround) with ease. This is a great buy for anyone looking to spend under $1000. I have used a number of other recievers and non of those brands even come close.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, kenwood, panasonic.

This is an excellent product for the money. No regrets.

COAX INPUT ONLY AVAILABLE FOR DVD.

I am putting this review so that I can pass on how to set up a COAX source that is non-DVD (Sat receiver, digital cable box, etc). You can manually select the COAX DVD input with another video source, but it won't remember the next time you switch back. The best solution I found is a COAX-optical converter. It is available through www.Audioauthority.com or Smarthome at http://www.smarthome.com/77709.html.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE925, DA-50ES

# of Inputs, Power, Being able to customize, features, sound quality

remote is slow, gets a little warm, no volume light

I did alot of research before deciding on this receiver, from reading multiple reviews on the net to listening to a wide selection of receivers at all different stores and settings. The Sony STR-DE945 was the most impressive receiver in the under $700.00 range. The number of stengths this receiver has far out numbers its few weaknesses.

The last receiver I had was a Pioneer with Dolby Pro-logic and decided to upgrade. The sound difference between the two is night and day. It takes alittle time to setup the proper settings, to get the most out of your speakers but its worth it. Movies like T-2, Days of Thunder, The Wall, etc sound as good if not better than the local theater. Its amazing the clearity and sound that this receiver has for money. It pushes my Infinties alot harder but with cleaner sound than my old Pioneer Elite receiver ever did.

The weaknesses are more minor than anything. The remote is slower than I would like. But it does have the ability of controlling my entire system without leaving the chair. This unit does get alittle warm but nothing a small computer fan wasn,t able to corect for $5.00. The biggest annoying factor is no light on the volume knob for easy reference. This is one feature I miss from my Pioneer.

All in all, Sony did a great job putting this receiver together except for a couple of minor factors. But, every receiver I looked at had some problems, some more than others.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite

Easy to set up. Tons of pre-settings. Able to customize each speaker. Good power and sound for price.

Call me Mr. ADD but I'd like the remote to be faster and little easier to navigate. Not enough digital in/outs.

This is a great receiver for the money. Combined with a new Energy Take 5 system, my cat runs under the bed every time I walk near the receiver. AMAZING sound from movies like Fight Club and Seven. Good things: ability to customize speakers (distance, etc), easy front jacks for PS2, good power. Fun things: tons of pre-settings that you'll never use.

***** Question though. I've got digital cable from Time Warner that comes with a coax digital out and the Sony DVP-c650D 5 CD/DVD player (hey, it's a NYC apartment, you need to combine). The 945 has one DVD coax in, one optical DVD in, one optical TV/Sat in, and an MD in and out (each optical). I've got the DVD/CD player connected to the 945 via an optical cable. I want to get the digial cable audio into the receiver to enjoy the broadcast 5.1 of some of the movie channels.

Here's the problem. The digial cable box only has a coax digital audio out and the receiver only has optical in for the tv/sat. I've tried to put the cable digital audio out into the DVD coax in and see if it would work. It didn't. Anyone have any ideas on how I can get the digital sound signal into my receiver? Anyone know other places to post this question so that I can get help? Please email to Slukas@nyc.rr.com. Thanks.

Several reviewers are puzzled about where to stick input from digital audio via cable. I'm delaying my purchase until I find out the answer. However, a knowledgeable salesperson told me that the COAX input labelled DVD/LD is a generic input for any non-optical digital audio source.

Can any owner confirm this? Thanks.