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Sony HT-DDW900 Complete 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System with HDMI Passthrough
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Average customer review:
Product Description
Sony 5.1CH Home Theater in a Box Package
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #59 in Home Theater
- Brand: Sony
- Model: HTDDW900
- Dimensions: 55.00 pounds
Features
- 5.1-channel home theater audio system with 900-watt receiver, 5 satellite speakers, and 8-inch subwoofer
- Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II decoding; AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets (20 FM and 10 AM)
- Digital Cinema Sound processing optimizes audio for dramas/comedies, action films, and concert films
- HDMI interface (2 inputs and 1 output) delivers uncompressed digital audio and video to HD-equipped TV
- Receiver measures 16.88 x 6.25 x 12.5 inches (W x H x D); includes remote control; 1-year warranty
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
The HT-DDW900 offers everything you need to bring out the full audio experience of your DVDs, digital cable, and other entertainment sources. The advanced A/V receiver pumps 900 watts of power (140 watts x 5, plus 200-watt sub) into its 5.1-channel configuration, while the five satellite speakers and 8-inch active subwoofer deliver authentic, immersive surround sound. And as you would expect from a modern surround product, the receiver is equipped with an array of analog and digital audio inputs and stands ready to decode Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II formats.
Perhaps the receiver's most impressive feature, however, is its High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), which delivers uncompressed digital audio and video directly to a digital TV. The input represents the current state-of-the-art in high-definition video because the information is never converted into an analog format, and thus never has the opportunity to degrade. Another benefit of HDMI is that it puts all the information into one cable and one easy-to-use connector. The HT-DDW900 also provides a handy HDMI-switching feature, with two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output.
Properly setting up a surround sound system can be a bit of a drag, as it requires you to fidget with the location for each of the system's speakers in order to create a proper sound field. Fortunately, the HT-DDW900's auto calibration function simplifies the entire ordeal. To calibrate the system, simply place the included microphone in the ideal listening position, such as the center of your couch, and the system will automatically adjust for speaker placement, distance, and delays. As a result, the system conforms to your space, not the other way around.
The receiver also offers Sony's Digital Cinema Sound processing--a technology developed in cooperation with the sound engineers at Sony Pictures Entertainment. The studio created three different sound stages, each customized for recording three different categories of audio: speech, special effects, and music. The end result was three specific digital signal processing techniques. The first is optimized for crystal-clear dialogue in dramas and comedies, the second is designed to bring out the full ground-shaking experience of action films, and the third is created for specifically for musicals, concert videos, and such.
Listeners will also dig the five bass-reflex satellite speakers--four for the front and rear channels and one for the center channel--each of which includes a 2.75-inch woofer that produces a crisp midrange. The 8-inch subwoofer, meanwhile, pumps out powerful, room-filling bass.
Additional features include an AM/FM tuner with 30 presets (20 FM and 10 AM), a digital clock with a sleep timer, and a remote control. Connectivity stems from the two component video inputs and one output, four composite video inputs and two outputs, six analog audio inputs, and the digital audio inputs (one coaxial and two optical). Finally, the entire system is magnetically shielded against video interference, so you can place the speakers near you TV without distorting the picture.
The HT-DDW900 receiver measures 16.88 by 6.25 by 12.5 inches (W x H x D), while the front, rear, and center speakers check in at 6.12 by 3.75 by 4 inches each. The HT-DDW900 is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box
Receiver, two front speakers, two rear speakers, center channel speaker, subwoofer, remote control, FM wire antenna, AM loop antenna, coaxial digital cord, monaural audio cord, two long speaker cords, three short speaker cords, two speaker footpads, four subwoofer footpads, two AA batteries, optimizer microphone, user's manual.
Customer Reviews
Terrific value on a starter HTS
This is a terrific value on an entry-level HDMI-based home theater system.
A small but telling detail: I appreciate how every knob on the front of the unit is a different shape and size, and is spaced just far enough apart so you quickly learn its role. Yes, I use a remote for the most part, but it's still good design. The knobs feel right, too.
Because this HTS is pass-through, expect to buy several optical digital or coax cables for your audio (the system inputs support two digital inputs and one optical input, along with a slew of other inputs). That said, buy those cables on Amazon through one of the better third-party vendors and you'll be fine, and I won't tell if you use cheap RCA cables scrounged from your old stereo until the new stuff arrives. Also toss the 22-gauge (or whatever it is) speaker wire and buy 16-gauge from Amazon or Radio Shack (don't bother with Monster unless you feel the need to waste money).
I thought the system was fine but not remarkable (sturdy, nice-looking, squarish but not overly huge) until I got digital coax cables for the audio with my new upconverting Sony HDMI DVD player and got a digital optical cable connected with my older Yamaha CD player (CDC-575). On the latter, because I had initially connected with RCA, I had to fiddle with the HTS settings, and was sitting inches from the front speakers with the volume cranked up when I found the magic toggle that set input to digital. The resulting sound blew me away bottom over teakettle, but when I recovered, I could not believe how clear and rich the sound was. The same is true of the coax audio from the DVD player, which had us thoroughly enjoying "Little Miss Sunshine" as if we were in a theater.
Honestly, because it is pass-through, I'm probably experiencing the original equipment more than I am the HTS. That said, the HTS does a great job of coordinating all those parts, and does so without creating interference for the audio while passing it on to speakers that are remarkably buff for their small size. (I have larger, theoretically much nicer speakers that I'm going to attach as front speaker Bs and see if I can tell any difference.)
My attached devices include a Comcast setbox with DVR, a DVD player, a 5-disc CD player, and a HDTV. If I had another HDMI or digital optical/coax unit in the mix I might find myself a bit challenged, but this worked out perfectly. (If that were the case, I'd use RCA for the CD player, but having heard it play for the first time over digital optical, I am glad I don't have to go back to the farm.) I also listen to National Public Radio quite a bit, and another tip of the hat for the decent FM tuner that sounds terrific pumped through the unit's speakers--a nontrivial detail for some of us.
If nothing else, this unit could be the solution if you have an HDTV with one HDMI and are now scratching your head trying to decide if you need a switch or some other method to use a setbox and a DVD player without manually swapping out HDMI cables. You'd get the solution for your problem plus whipped cream and a cherry on top, at a price that isn't that much more than some switches.
Minor gripes: The speaker wire, as noted, is a joke (so between speaker wire and cables, factor in another $30-$75, though if you read the reviews for other units you'll see you would have to do that with most systems). As with all theater equipment these days, I seem to have ended up with yet one more not-quite-right remote, and will need to bribe a 12-year-old to come over to our house and program a universal remote. The subwoofer is awfully big for its woof, and comes with a ridiculously short cable. The documentation is coy and poorly organized. But for the price and the satisfaction of this purchase, these are minor issues.
Awsome ( Free Shipping from Amazon Didn't Hurt Either!)
Excellent product. It even comes with a calibration microphone that tests and calibrates all the speakers and lets you know if any of them is misplaced/out of range for optimum performance.
I read the other buyer's review about the remote. Mine does not appear to be defective, although at first I did have trouble using it properly; they have somewhat of a strange design for the COntrol Button with up and down arrows that won't work unless you hit them at exactly the right place. Overall the sound is excellent, everything seems in proper working form, and Amazon gave me free shipping (almost one hundred dollars in extra savings considerng the weight of the box these things come in). I had previously purchased a comparable RCA, that I gave a good review to, but this unit is by far better, both in features and in performance.
GREAT
I just received this last week. From the reviews, I gathered enough information to make the purchase. Everyone was saying it's the best bargain for the price. It IS.
I hooked it up today and was ASTOUNDED at how nice it sounds. This thing compares to my father's Bose setup. The only difference is how high you can turn it up. For mid-sized rooms, this system goes PLENTY loud enough to fill your insatiable appetite for sound. The system has plenty of inputs and outputs, including 2 fiber optic inputs, component inputs, many RCA inputs, and even HDMI pass-through.
One thing that needs to be mentioned: this system doesn't actually decode or process HDMI audio, it only through-puts the audio and video signal. It's great for cutting down cable use (use HDMI for video and audio instead of clunky component tri-cables and RCA audio). You can find HDMI cables on the CHEAP if you look around. Then just use digital coaxial or fiber optic for sound.
*EDIT* To clear up some confusion. HDMI Pass-through means all this system does is "pass-through" the signal to your TV. It DOES pass-through the audio and video signal BOTH; however, the receiver doesn't interpret it. The sound will not play through the receiver (via 5.1 setup) but the audio WILL play through your TV. Simply passes the cable through the receiver into the TV. Why is it even on the receiver if it doesn't provide audio support, you ask? It provides two inputs and one output. Cuts down on cables. You can switch between the two.
The bass is superb. It's not "rattle your guts and make you think something is wrong" loud, similar to competition subwoofers or Bose systems, but it's AMPLE for a mid-sized room.
I can't recommend this system enough. For $250 (or less if you look hard enough), this is one of the best bargains online. Great sound, great quality, great value.
Minor complaints: speaker cable is thin, subwoofer cable isn't long enough for rear-mounted subwoofers, receiver itself is kind of big. Nothing that hinders this great deal, though.
