Sony STR-DG820 - Disadvantages

[admin_exported]

Hello all. I'm a regular reader of WHF and 'trying' to gain an understanding of how amplifiers work. Obviously the Sony is a great entry level amp but in 'laymans' terms what are its disadvantages. Basically I'm looking to feed the Sony a Blu-ray signal and Sky HD and sent it to 2 screens. Is this possible ??? What about if I want to connect a PS3 at a later date ??? I'm just not savvy enough to know if this is suitable or if I just need to spend the extra on say a Onkyo 606. I do know that you can get a Denon 2808 for around £400 but that's only got 2 HDMI inputs so may not be an option. As you can see I need some help please.

 

[Anonymous]

You need to be more specific about sending the Sky output to two screens. Do you require to send the same image at the same time to two different screens? Or two different programmes to two different screens? From one sky box?

Or do you want to be able to use the receiver to be able to access two screens but only actually use one of them at any given time?

Some of the above may be possible, and some may not be.

KP

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, as I said its all a bit new to me. I want to output Sky HD to both screens but NOT at the same time (Eg :- One screen playing say a Blu-ray and the other screen displaying Sky HD). Thinking about this its probably common sense that if inputting Blu-ray through the Amplifier it can only be used for one thing at the time. But thats why I've posted this, it may be possible.

 

[Anonymous]

You can get 2 way hdmi splitters that output the same hdmi signal to two different screens, but what you're considering would involve some sort of crossover or distribution unit. These can get pretty expensive. However surround sound decoded by say a Sony STR-DG820 amp would only be one source at a time. Some amps (not the STR-DG820) do have the provision of a separate zone for secondary audio, but it tends to be 5.1 on one source and stereo on the other. The reason being is that otherwise it would require two separate dolby digital and DTS surround decoders potentially, plus a 12 channel amp (i.e. 2 lots of 5.1). The amps with separate zones work on the basis of being normally a 7.1 (i.e. 8 channel amp), but either being able to run in that way or as 5.1 + 2.0.

Robert

 

[Frank Harvey]

A few of the decent AV amps can output 2 different sources to 2 different screens at the same time, but not through 2 HDMI's. Using one HDMI to feed one screen, most amps will have to use either component or composite to feed the second zone. Also bare in mind that most amps cannot 'downscale' the signal. Unless any soon to be released amps have any tricks up their sleeves, you'll not find much below £1,000.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not a complete technophile so my knowledge is incomplete; however I know of no domestic receiver which will process two video signals and send them to two different displays at the same time. It's possible to send one signal between two different displays, but what you are trying to do is to have one receiver do two lots of signal processing simulataneously. There may be commercial/industrial units which can do this but the cost will probably be horrendous. It would be cheaper to buy two complete systems.

However your local specialist supplier may be more knowledgeable.

KP

 

[Anonymous]

I guess the only way to do this is maybe get Sky Multi-room. This would mean that I can feed HD through the Amp and into the main screen and then feed the signal from the other Sky box into the second screen, but wouldn't be able to take adavantage of the HD or surround sound ( unless I purchase another amp for the spare room ). Going off on another angle what are the disadvantages with the Sony DG820 not being able to upconvert over say the Onkyo 606, in basic terms please anyone.

 

[Anonymous]

The Sony doesn't upscale a signal so, for example if you have a 1080p TV the Sony couldn't take a 720p signal from SKy HD and upscale it to 1080p, the TV would have to do it.

Also, the Sony can't convert non-HDMI signals and output them through HDMI, whereas the Onkyo can. Basically this would mean if, for example, you had a Wii connected to the amp via component then you'd need to also run a component from the amp to the TV, whereas with the Onkyo you'd only need the one HDMI to the TV.