Power
Inputs
Remote
Dolby Digital and DTS

None so far

I upgraded from a lower model Digital Ready Sony and I was floored with the improvement to my home theatre sound after hooking this guy up! Great power and produces a nice full bodied sound. Saving Private Ryan gave our cat a seizure. Definite plus in my book.

Love the feature to set speaker distances. Lots of other small touches too numerous to outline.

I guess I will throw my two cents into the remote control debate... How can you complain about it being too complicated!? If you want a three button remote buy an Aiwa. The basic functions are all intuitive, and those of us who want to use the remaining features will just have to suffer and RTFM.

As for the shoppers buying these at Best Buy and Circuit City: WAKE UP!. Use those stores to click on the buttons and try the models out, but buy the equipment online. You will save hundreds of dollars. The hard part is waiting for the thing to arrive.

Similar Products Used:

Other Sonys and Onkyo

Great sound. Ability to accurately adjust each speaker. High quality sound. Consistent quality sound at low and medium volumes. Wide selection of sound modes. Easy to set-up and configure.

No optical or digital input to receiver from CD player. It does run warm, though not as warm as some reviews would have you believe. The remote is intimidating at first look.

I have been shopping for a high quality receiver in the mid-price range for use in my den at low and mid-range volumes. The last two weeks I have tried out, in my den, the Onkyo DS484 and DS575X, the Harmon Kardon AVR100 and the Sony 945. For two evenings last week I had the Onkyo 575X and the Sony 945 set up side by side in my den, carefully comparing their set-up, operation and sound. I had several friends and the sales people at Circuit City tell me that the Onkyo receivers were superior to others on the market in the same price range. (See my review of the Onkyo DS484 and 575X in that section.) My conclusion was that the Onkyos are very over-rated. The DS484 was very disappointing. The Onkyo DS575X had clear sound, but it lacked lower mid-range and bass response, exactly like the DS484, only with slightly improved response. The sound was unimpressive. At low volume the sound was quite flat and characteristic of an inexpensive, low-in unit. I reviewed the Onkyo manual several times to insure I was not overlooking an adjustment or setup requirement. Although I have not, in the past, been a big fan of Sony, I found the Sony 945 to be far superior in sound and versatility of speaker and sound adjustments to the three other receivers I tried. (I also tried out the Harmon Kardon AVR100. It's sound was not as good as the Sony 945 sound, but better than either of the Onkyos.) Only at quite high volumes does the Onkyo 575X begin to have good sound quality. I returned the Onkyos and HK receivers. The Sony 945, however, is not perfect. It lacks a digital or optic input from a CD. It also runs warm (but not as hot as some reviews state). I have not yet looked carefully at the remote, but at first glance, it appears to be rather complex and intimidating, but it comes with its own manual. I think that a little time spent reading the manual will clarify the remote's set-up and operation. In summary, I found the Sony 945 to be a great sounding machine with many adjustment and sound options.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo DS484, Onkyo DS575X and HK AVR100

Numerous inputs, including dual sub, remote capability, many settings, cinema sound, and power

worried about heat, but just don't set a DVD player on top of it

I shopped around a lot and read all these reviews before I purchased this receiver and it has been one of the best things I could have ever spent my money on. I usually feel bad having spent any amount of money on something, but don't regret this a bit.

I know I could have gotten one online for a little cheaper, but got an open box item at Best Buy which was pretty much brand new. I also wanted to get it there because I could get the 4 year warranty for only $40, and I can get it cleaned anytime, or replaced for any reason. I have many people over at my house and a few pets and if anything were to happen they'd replace it.

My last receiver was a Pioneer that didn't even have a sub input or a center channel input. It was about 10 years old and I didn't really bother with thinking I needed a new one until I heard a friends system and I was hooked.

I'm a quick learner and have had this thing for 3 months. I'm still finding new features to adjust and play with. It's more fun playing with it than a video game. I also like how there are two sub inputs because I plan on adding a second JBL PB-12 to my collection. I also like the Cinema Sound feature which makes your room sound like there are 10 or 20 speakers in it. In normal sound mode, even during Digital decoding you can tell the sound is coming from the front and 2 surrounds, but in the Cinema A mode, you can look at your bare wall and hear sound coming from it. It's amazing.

I have only a few minor things that may be problems. It does get warm, but so do other receivers. Just keep it well vented and I've put a small fan by it. Don't put a DVD player directly on top of it. It will trap the heat and make the DVD skip and freeze up. Other than that this is the best thing I've ever purchased as far as electronics are concerned.

Sony STR-DE 945
Sony DVPC 660 (5 disc)
JBL S-Center
JBL ND-310's
JBL N24's
JBL PB-12
Magnavox 27" MX
and a PlayStation 2!

Similar Products Used:

First Dolby Digital receiver.

great sound,plenty of power,enough inputs,great product for the money. Remote takes a little bit of time, but it works great when you figure it out. controls all of my components.

none that i have found yet.

I have only had a short period of time. As of yet
its been running great. I will do another review, as soon
as i get more time on it. Try sears if you are going to buy
they will match even the internet prices.

Similar Products Used:

kenwood.

I am making this post in efforts that someone out there with a STR-DE945 can help me out. I'm trying to get a video signal from the VCR to the TV thru the reciever, but am having ZERO luck. I have tried both video 1 & video 2 i/o's, but neither would yield a video signal. I did get audio from both.

Let me explain the setup from the VCR to the TV.
Sony SLV-740HF ('98 model I think) using the rca audio/video outs into the reciever thru the Video 1 in and out ports. the in side comes from the outs of the VCR, the outs go to the TV (Mitsibishi) ext. 2 a/v inputs.

I tried to send a video signal to the ext 1 of the TV, but that wouldn't work either. I know that both ext. 1 & 2 of the TV work, I have the DVD going to one and the Playstation going to the other. I unhooked both the DVD & the PS to try and get video feed into the tv, but I could not, for the life of me, get it to work.

The *only* thing I can figure is that the video OUT on the VCR might be bad. I will swith it with another VCR and see if that cures the problem. If not, what could this problem be?

Everything else works fine, but this has me stumped beyond belief.

Thanks to anyone who offers a suggestion.
jasonwan@sccoast.net

Glitzy, feature rich

Not enough experience yet

This review is mainly for those who want to buy this at Sears. I got the lowest 'net price, ($352)and took it to a Sears in Baltimore. The 'net printout had a shipping charge of $40. This Sears gave me a price of 352 + the 40 shipping, plus 5% Md. sales tax. They only had one left. When I went to pick it up at the Mdse. pickup, the box looked like it fell off a truck! One side squashed and ripped, and the foam inside had a big chunk off. I refused delivery, and went back to the salesman; he offered another 10% off, but I felt I was asking for trouble, if the box was that badly damaged.

Took a ride up to Delaware for business, stopped at another Sears, they *didn't* charge the $40 shipping, plus, no sales tax in Delaware. Total was $352. Box was in perfect condition.

Bottom line: Stores are different...shop around! Good luck to all. I'm surprised Sears matches the 'net prices...this saves mucho $$ if they have what you're looking for.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-507

Tons of features, highly adjustable, 4-0hm/8-Ohm switch, sounds terrific

I haven't found any yet

This was my first A/V receiver and I couldn't be more pleased. I've got it matched with JBL fronts, rears, center and sub, and Sony DVD and VHS decks. It works perfectly and sounds just great. My wife and kids love movies and having DTS decoding is great for the best surround sound. However, I'm a music nut and I think the real test of a receiver is when you're cranking up a DVD concert or a music CD.

Frankly, I think I could have gotten by with a lower powered/cheaper Sony receiver if I only wanted to watch movies. But music is the most important thing to me and I'm glad I opted for the STR-DE945. It's clean, clear and packs plenty of power, even though I'm pushing large, not-terribly-efficient speakers. And I can individually adjust the bass, mid and treble of each speaker type (rear, front, center, sub). This came in handy because the center I have is a little too bright, and I was easily able to compensate for it within the receiver itself.

Overall, a terrific receiver!

Similar Products Used:

none

Dishes out plenty of power to handle even the hardest to satisy loudspeakers and surrounds, 4-8 selector, and remote kicks assss!!! its a plus for lazy people like me its the nifftiest gadget i own!

doesn't display db of volume when changed(no biggie)

This receiver is truly the best, in fact i don't see why you'd wanna buy any other brand quite frankly i think that oynoko and yamaha and all those other crappy a/v recievers can't compare. At one time the 945 power my Mission 765 fronts(which are 4 ohms!), Bose VC-10 cntr, and Mission 760 rears and handled all of them with out a problem. But i then switched to using 2 Conrad Johnson Premier 12's to power my mission and the sony to power every thing else and now my system smokes ass! The receiver fed enough power to my in-efficient rear missions and at high volume levels there was no problem as far as continuous power. It all really boils down to what components you use to compliment your 945, i suggest using Transparent Reference 200 speaker cables and interconnects. Transparent is the absolute best there simply is no substitute they're worth the arm and leg that they cost and especially when you're using a high quality amp,i was advised to use the Transparent Music Wave XL's which cost $25,000(us dollars) and thats way out of my budget right now so no way! but the 945 is best for its many useful sound fields that no other brand can offer i am truly a sony freak, i plan on getting the $9,000 sony amp to power my front mission and either the Klipsch KLF20's or Sony M-ss7.

My Theater:
Sony 32" Wega XBR trinitron
Mission 765<----(the best damn towers, very rare like all mission they have very tight bass and sweet highs very hard to find though and mine are even in exotic rosewood which is harder to find because the north america models were black)
2-Conrad Johnson Premier 12's<--they speak for themselves!)
Bose Vc-10 center
Mission 760 rear surrounds-also very rare
Sony STR-DE945
Transparent speaker cables and interconnects
Sony DVP-S7000 dvd player<--i love this dvd player
Seakay liner Rover AC filter

best sounding dvd to play on the 945

-gone in 60 seconds
-scary movie
-final destination(my favorite!)
-austin powers the spy who shagged me

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE345, Sony STR-DE545, Sony STR-DE845

Feature set, sound quality

I have a lot of experience setting up and configuring different home theater systems but for myself the lack of money limits the extent of what I can purchase for myself. So, I set out to find a feature rich receiver for a good price. In my opinion, this receiver is an excellant buy for the price. It's Sony's top end of it's entry level receivers. This receiver does many of the functions you see at the Marantz/Dennon level and in some cases a little more. The sound quality of this unit is excellant. The many sound field options are a plus. It fully supports s-video and multiple digital ports for future upgrades to other components.

To comment on things mentioned by other reviewers.
* Heat - I have not had a heat problem with this unit. Reviewers that describe the heat being enough to cook an egg need to return the receiver. Something is wrong. Warm is expected, hot is not normal.

* Hiss - I have not yet noticed a hiss from any of my speakers at low or high levels although I have heard the complaint from others(my brother has a lower model in the DE series and he says he's noticed a his in the past). I wonder if it has to do with the speakers being used. Not that it's right, but maybe that's the difference.

* Remote - I didn't find the remote difficult to use and when I had questions I didn't have a problem finding it in the manual. There can be a delay when you first pick up the remote after it's gone in to stanby because it tries to talk to the receiver. If you aren't in a position for it to talk to the receiver it doesn't come on right away.

* Manual - I've seen many manuals in the past and I find Sony's to be among the most informative. That doesn't mean there great but relative to the rest they are.

Over all this is an excellant buy for $352. I took advantage of Sears meeting any Internet price. Be carefull, some will try to charge shipping. They tried on me but I asked to speak to the manager. They in the end didn't. It seems Sears does not have a general consesus on whether to charge for shipping or not. It's not really worth it if they charge shipping because you also have to pay taxes, generally you don't off the internet.

If you have a limited budget, this is the receiver for you. Of course, if you have the money to jump up to a Sony SE series or a brand like Marantz or Dennon, by all means go for it.

My system,
Sony STR-DE945
Sony DVD
Klipsch 101 Bookshelf in the front,
Klipsch 10" Sub
Klipsch QUINTET Satellite In Rear
Bost Acoustic Center

Similar Products Used:

Aiwa DD Ready, Sony ES, Marantz

Good Bang for the BUCK!!

Not enough testing done on it yet

It is a good system still learning how to use it. I was wondering if anyone out there could email exactly how many amps does this recievers (SONY STRDE945)have.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Dolby Prologic