New Sony HD AV receivers - the definitive guide!

[Anonymous]

I have just rung Sony as stated on this thread - THEY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE UNHELPFUL !!!!!!!

They said -(after repeating everything several times and reading all this information to them ) .

THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS INFORMATION -AS IT IS NOT ON THEIR WEBSITE !!!

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY THE PITS TO DEAL WITH -NOT INTERESTED AT ALL !!!

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE AND STAFF TO DEAL WITH - DONT BOTHER -SEND IT BACK AND BUY FROM ANOTHER COMPANY -THEY TREAT THE CUSTOMERS LIKE EDITED BY MODS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

What about the STR-KG800 (as supplied with the HT-DDWG800 package); that appears to suffer from the same issue.

Robert

 

[Anonymous]

According to Sony - its not their issue -its Skys Fault !!!

I can tell Sony exactly what they can do with their EDITED and it wont be polite -they are really patronising to customers -a load of EDITED.

If you don't stop using foul language, your posts will be deleted and you will be banned. You have already said that you have returned the product - why are you now calling Sony Customer Service asking for a solution for a product you no longer have? - MODS

 

[professorhat]

Hmmm, I'd calm down a little. It'd be a shame if Sony got you banned from these forums as well. I can understand you're upset, but swearing here won't help. If you put your complaint in a well constructed, thought out manner, the WHF team might be able to follow this up for you or put you in contact with someone in Sony who can help.
If you shout and swear, Andrew will just likely click the "Ban" button.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Oh fear not, we're following it up - we're not going to rest until we've had a satisfactory explanation from Sony on this.

The latest we've heard from them is that they've put a block on further UK distribution of both the 820 and 2400ES until a fix is in place.

We're also considering whether or not to publish a review of the 2400ES we have in our test rooms until the situation is clarified.

We'll continue to keep you updated as we get more information/insight into the issues.

 

[Anonymous]

This is why I wouldn't pre-order stuff like AV equipment.

 

[Anonymous]

Credit where credit is due to the whathifi team for hounding Sony to get a statement on the HDMI/Optical in sound issue since it was first noticed 3 weeks ago on the DG820's, and since confirmed to be also on the 2400ES. I saw your posting of the Sony statement at 3:50pm, by 3:55pm I had rung Sony CIC, got the (...silence...) while enquiries made, and 10 minutes later transferred through to Customer relations where my DG820 upgrade was booked. Not scheduled you understand. I got the impression at least they knew about the issue, just not how it was going to be fixed. The best I got was we'll call you back in a couple of days, probably an on-site engineer visit to do the firmware upgrade. At the least the guy gave me his name and number without me even even asking, so I'll be onto him if I don't hear by the weekend.

And finally, a begrudging credit to Sony, who initially would not give me a release date for the DG820, even when I found and bought it in my local Sony Centre late July. It's taken a few weeks, but at last they've admitted that a major source of Home Theatre in the UK, SkyHD with DD 5.1 surround, cannot be heard on their amp unless you connect the SkyHD video direct to the TV and only the audio to the DG820, or use composite video.

 

[Andrew Everard]

I can't help thinking a couple of days is pushing it - Kanai-san and the engineering team in Japan are working on the problem, but I assume there'll have to be some considerable testing involved to ensure solving this problem doesn'r create others.

But we'll keep the pressure up, and report back when we have any developments.

 

[Gort1951]

Sony will not release the 2400 until they've reprogrammed the firmware but some machines have already been sold.

How will you know if the retailer is selling a dud one or an updated one?

I know they are complicated machines but if you are selling an amp in the UK you would check what sources buyers will be using and $ky HD is one. Also they should look at the competition like Denon and Onkyo who don't have this bug.

Bit of a let down from Sony, this could put back the new Sony amps for months.

Last year if you wanted an HD audio decoding amp from Sony you had to spend a grand on the 5300 which was also had loads of problems and that took a while to fix. (For N. America at least.)

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:
I can't help thinking a couple of days is pushing it - Kanai-san and the engineering team in Japan are working on the problem, but I assume there'll have to be some considerable testing involved to ensure solving this problem doesn'r create others.

But we'll keep the pressure up, and report back when we have any developments.

It may only be a couple of days since you reported it to them but many others have been trying to tell Sony of the problem for the last 3 weeks on the DG820 which has the same problem. Let's hope the fix is not too long in coming. I personally think it is down to your fantastic team pushing Sony for a resolution. Well done.

 

[Anonymous]

To find out if i could have the cost of returning it refunded -we are not all well off/ made of money and by the way rubbish isnt swearing !

Sony were rude to the extreme in every question i ask them regarding issues and guarantees and why the USA gets better guarantees etc etc.

They were RUDE and Ignorant and couldn''t care less -their attitude stinks !

This issue has been ongoing - also when i read out the statement on here -THEY said its not relevant as its not on their website and to take no notice of what is on other websites !!!!!

If it isn''t on SONYS official website -then they won''t acknowledge it !

That looks really good on this site then -as what they are saying is they are not going to take any notice of whats on here !

As i had already bought speakers and cables and sat waiting for weeks /months for this amp -to say it was a disappointment over this was an understatemnt - first av receiver too !

Thats why i sent it back as it will be ages before they fixed it and i have waited all this time and still can''t us it properly when i received it .

I only had 7 days to return it -which was before this statement was issued !

Also as Sony are disregarding whats said on here - who know what you can believe from them !!!!!

 

[professorhat]

gib1357:by the way rubbish isnt swearing !
There were a number of other words that I won't repeat that you used to describe them before the mods removed them!

 

[Gort1951]

I know where your coming from mate about North America getting a better deal but the amps we buy in Europe are made for the larger USA market and more profit - that is what companies do.

By the time we get them features are removed and not added. North America has satellite radio and more recently they now have hi-def sat. radio.

We do not have satellite radio. i.e. You can pick it up in your car as well as home.

But they don't add DAB radio as standard to receivers thus saving more money.

Call Sony in the UK and it's a premium no. In The USA it's free and ES gets a 5yr warranty.

Nothing can be done about it since the UK and USA operate as independant companies.

Although there is 300 million people in the USA, if you count all of Europe there is more people so really amps should be cheaper over here and that's not including taxes and vat.

Plus we are nearer to Japan but it's the import duties are governments charge and they recap it on the costs.

Nothing you can do about it, you've just unlucky to be born in the UK, Americans don't put up with BS.

Don't forget we have the national health.

 

[professorhat]

Gort1951:Nothing you can do about it, you've just unlucky to be born in the UK
Hmmm, I can think of plenty of worse places to be born. Put it this way, if a problem with a Sony product not giving you the right sound is the worst of your problems then...

 

[Andrew Everard]

gib1357:
To find out if i could have the cost of returning it refunded -we are not all well off/ made of money and by the way rubbish isnt swearing !

The fact that our filters changed the word you originally used to 'rubbish' should be indicative that we consider the language you used to be offensive.

And please do not question moderation - this is your second house rules violation. If you do it again you will be banned.

 

[Andrew Everard]

srnightingale:
It may only be a couple of days since you reported it to them

Not what I said - I suggested that a couple of days to get a fix might be pushing it.

 

[Anonymous]

Sony UK have related the issue to CIC and mentioned the statement issued on this site...so customer services should be fully aware of the issue...

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Clare Newsome:
Oh fear not, we're following it up - we're not going to rest until we've had a satisfactory explanation from Sony on this.

The latest we've heard from them is that they've put a block on further UK distribution of both the 820 and 2400ES until a fix is in place.

We're also considering whether or not to publish a review of the 2400ES we have in our test rooms until the situation is clarified.

We'll continue to keep you updated as we get more information/insight into the issues.

Wow, I just got back from France and was expecting to hear the team waxing lyrically over the 2400 and I read this! Amazing. Very unlike Sony as well. My 1200es is brilliant and I was expecting the same again with the added extras I now require. Not being able to overide hdmi for sound is, well, complacent to say the least. EVERYONE knows that both Sky HD and Virgin boxes do not allow 5.1 through hdmi and that most people with a decent receiver would have one or the other. I suppose it gives me more time to save up!

 

[Clare Newsome]

It's even more surprising when you consider Sony has been Sky's technology partner

Anyhow, update from our end: we've decided not to review the 2400ES until we're satisfied Sony has both resolved the issue and that sufficient stocks of fully functioning models are in the shops.

The major Group Test of receivers at that price point has also been postponed, though we will run First Test/mini-comparative reviews of the other new receivers we've had in (from Pioneer, Yamaha and Panasonic) in the next issue as planned.

 

[Gort1951]

Meaning tomorrows issue?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Not humanly possible, i'm afraid - those issues printed last week and have been with subscribers since the weekend!

No, the new receiver reviews will appear in the 18th September issue - and quite possibly up here online even earlier.

 

[Anonymous]

EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.
Only came on here for a review of some items -but heard a few things about how some of the companies get these "good" reviews !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andy Grange]

EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.

If you're alluding to the fact the magazine and website are in some way biased, why come on here? I find that this is a really food resource for obtaining and sharing information. I don't pretend to be completely savvy on all aspects relating to this site, but if I can give someone impartial advice I will. Much as the large propotion of users and reviewers on here do.

 

[Anonymous]

EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.

Anyway, back to the receivers. Given Clare rose the issue of the new Pioneer I was keen to find out whether it would be the not too exciting looking Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K or the more expensive but more appealing VSX-LX51 that's in the next issue.

 

[Anonymous]

EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.its the real world i live in -not a cosy well off existance , Big house, in a lovely overpaid cushy job, doing something you love- not everyone is that lucky !!

EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.-my god theres worse things in life !

Maybe you are some perfect people -EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.

Some of us work our guts out for a pittance and struggle and save to buy things -we don''t all have it handed on a plate !

UK used to mean freedom of speech - EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.- for actually being a normal human being with an opinion ! EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please. - wouldn''t like to be up for anything bad before you lot - guilty before had a chance to speak !

Try picking on a real criminal ! EDITED: Do not discuss moderation please.- its called LIFE - and ----- happens in real life !