Product Description

Sony DAV-FX500 DVD Dream System

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39029 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DAV-FX500
• Dimensions: 20.00 pounds

Features

• 5 Disc DVD/CD/SA-CD Player with HDMI Output
• 1000 Watts (1kHz Rating)
• XM Connect and Play Ready
• Portable Audio Enhancer with Front Audio Input
• Enhanced Auto Calibration (Stereo Mic Included)

Amazon.com Product Description
The Sony DAV-FX500 DVD Dream System is one of the most affordable home-theater-in-a-box systems you will find anywhere that includes a five-disc DVD changer and XM-ready satellite radio connectivity. A 5.1-speaker system, with an automatic speaker setup program and a microphone to assist with proper speaker placement and optimizing sound quality, along with an HDMI output, means that you can quickly convert your living room into a full-fledged digital and high-definition theater in no time.

To go along with its sophisticated, contemporary design, the Sony DAV-FX500 incorporates the latest audio and video technologies, including an HDMI interface to ensure compatibility with the latest in HD digital television. The system's HDMI output, with 720P/1080i upscaling of DVD Media, reads the data on a standard DVD at 480P and maximizes the video resolution to best fit your HDMI compatible TV. This allows for you to enjoy the best in video performance while delivering digital video and audio over one simple cable.

When it's time to calibrate the system to your room, Sony couldn't have made it easier. The DAV-FX500 features Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, which lets you simply place the included microphone in your listening position while Sony's Digital Signal Processing takes over. Speaker placement, distance, and delays are all adjusted automatically to ensure a worry free listening experience. It couldn't be any easier than this. And with the system's Multi-Speaker Formation Select feature, you can use the on-screen display to configure the system for different speaker layouts.

The receiver features Digital Cinema Sound Technology, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, dts Decoding and Digital Cinema Sound technology for optimum sound quality. You'll experience a full 1000 watts of power from the receiver (143 watts x 5 speakers plus 285 watts for the subwoofer). The receiver also includes one S-video input, two analog audio inputs, a coaxial audio digital input, one rear component video input, one component video output, two composite video inputs and one composite video output, as well as an HDMI output.

The 5-disc, carousel-style DVD player offers CD, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 audio playback, as well as DVD/DVD-RW and JPEG video compatibility. The player also features both Precision Cinema Progressive Technology and Progressive Scan ability. With XM Connect-and-Play, the DAV-FX500 is ready to start streaming hundreds of XM satellite radio programs directly to your home. All you need is the optional Connect-and-Play antenna and an XM Radio subscription (both sold separately), and the world of digital radio will be at your fingertips.

What's in the Box
Receiver, 5-disc CD/DVD player, subwoofer, five speakers, and cables.

Customer Reviews

At this price, it's amazing!
We first bought a Panasonic system, but were very disappointed with the picture quality of the DVD player and the overall sound. At Amazon.com this Sony system was only $[...] more than the Panasonic, and the difference in quality is much greater than the difference in price. The picture is beautiful. We had a Toshiba DVD player that gave a great picture, but this one is even more crisp and the colors are great. We have an older HDTV that doesn't have an HDMI-in connection, so we can't enjoy the best quality the player has to give, but even with component cables in progressive mode, the picture is excellent.

As far as the sound is concerned, this is our first surround-sound system, so I'm not an expert on what they should sound like. To my ears, however, the quality is more than I expected. The setup with the auto-calibration microphone is extremely easy, and for our town home, the volume is more than adequate.

The one con that has been mentioned by others is the slowness of the disc-changer. This is a bit annoying, but the positive aspects of the system and the low price more than make up for it if you have a bit of patience.

I would recommend this system to anyone looking for a starter surround-sound system.

Super sound, picture and price
For under $400 you have a system that is worth every penny. The other three writers captured every aspect of the FX500 well. While I rated it 5 our of 5 it is a reserved 5. Yes, the changer is slow but not to the point that you should care too much. I just stopped using a full blown Onkyo system with Boston and Cerwin Vega speakers; however, they are no match for this system especially on the surround sound aspect. This system is easy to install except it takes time and patience. Give your speaker wires time to "relax" to eliminate the bends in all of them. I installed everything without final hidden placement so that I could be sure everything worked perfectly. It did. Then I hid a whole bunch of wire. It was suggested that this FX500 was a better deal than the 375 and I agree wholeheartedly. I am fully impressed with the auto calibration. It works fantastically. Missing from Sony's instructions are: a parts list in case you need or want something additional (for example, I want two additional speaker bases and brackets; however, I cannot find how to get them; a logical order on the instruction book; a sensible location for the serial number (write your number down BEFORE installing it).
Please keep in mind you are looking at a $400 to $500 unit that does most of it and you can spend a whole lot more for much of the same.

Good performance for the price
Good:
For under 400 bucks, this product is real value for money. The sound is great, bass adequate, and surround sound is impressive. Auto-calibration works like a charm, automaitcally adjusting power levels based on the listening position of the viewer. It has Digital/optical inputs, HDMI, component, Composite, S-video, and a nice front audio-in for MP3 players like the iPod. Comes with AM and FM antenna, and is XM ready.

Bad:
5-DVD carousel is really slow in loading, changing and reading discs. Only 2 FF speeds. Speaker wires can really use a upgrade - the sound will be so much better once you buy Monster wires. Control on the sub-woofer's power is hidden way inside the menu tree. Rear speakers a tad bulky.

After researching and listening to Panasonic and Samsung models of the same range, I have no hesitation in recommending this one.