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Audio Features
Video Features
USB/iPod Functions
Multi-Zone Capability
Convenience Features
Remote Control

Audio Features

7.2ch AV Receiver: The Sony STR-DH820 AV receiver is equipped with a 7-channel amplifier rated at 100 watts (into 8-ohms, at 20-20khz, with 0.09% THD, driving 2 channels) and dual subwoofer preamp outputs for a Dolby Digital/DTS home theater application. The receiver is equipped with binding post speaker terminals for all speaker outputs - Front A, Center Channel,  Surround, Surround Back/Front Height/Front B. The Surround Back/Front Height/Front B speaker terminals provide various amplifier configurations to suit your home AV application.

• 7.2-Channel: Allows you to enjoy high-fidelity reproduction of Dolby Digital TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD (High-Resolution Audio or Master Audio) with 7.1 channel surround, using the Surround Back speaker channels.
• Dolby Pro Logic IIz: You can enjoy vertical sound effects if you connect two additional Front-Height speakers in Dolby Pro Logic IIz mode.
• B-Speakers: If you are only connecting a 5.1ch speaker system, you can use the Surround Back/Front Height/Front B channels as a Speaker B output, allowing you to place a pair of speakers in another room of the house.
• Bi-Amp: If you are not using the Surround Back/Front Height/Front B channels at all, you can connect them to your front speakers using a bi-amplifier connection (provides better sound quality for front speakers).

ARC (Audio Return Channel): This feature allows audio to be sent from your compatible HDTV to your receiver through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your HDTV. This eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your television.

Digital Inputs: The receiver has two optical digital inputs and one coaxial digital inputs (all assignable). You can choose auto decoding or PCM for the digital audio inputs. Auto will decode the signal in its original form (Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM, etc), PCM decodes the signal to 2-channel.

Audio Formats: This receiver supports the following audio formats when connected to a Blu-ray disc player, DVD player, or Satellite receiver/Cable box via HDMI or coaxial/optical digital connection.

Auto Format Direct (A.F.D.) Mode: The Auto Format Direct (A.F.D.) mode allows you to listen to high fidelity sound and select the decoding mode for listening to a 2-channel stereo sound as multi-channel. You can set the A.F.D. mode to Auto or Multi Stereo.

• A.F.D. Auto: Presets the sound as it was recorded/encoded without adding any surround effects.
• Multi Stereo: Outputs 2-channel left/right signals from all speakers.

Music/Movie Modes: You can take advantage of surround sound simply be selecting one of the receiver's preprogrammed sound fields to bring the exciting and powerful sound of movie theaters and concert halls into your home.

Two Channel Modes: The Sony receiver offers the following two-channel audio modes:

Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC): The Sony STR-DH820 is equipped with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration Technology which uses the included microphone to automatically check the speaker connections, adjust the speaker output levels, calculate the distance from each speaker to the listening position, and distinguish frequency characteristics of each speaker. The microphone has an 15' cord attached that plugs into the microphone input on front of the receiver.

Speaker Setup: The Manual Speaker Setup menu allows you to set the size, distance from your seating position, and location of the speakers connected to the receiver. The following adjustments are available:

• Speaker Pattern: 2/0 to 5/2.1
• Speaker Size: Front, Center, Surround, and Surround-Back (Large or Small)
• Speaker Distance: Front, Center, Surround, Surround-Back, and Subwoofer (3'3" to 32'9", in 1' intervals)
• Crossover Frequency: Sets crossover point for speakers set to small (40-200 Hz, in 10 Hz steps).
• Level Adjustment: The receiver employs a test tone with a frequency centered at 800Hz which allows you to adjust the speaker levels and balance while listening to the audible tone from your listening position. You can adjust the level of all the connected speakers and subwoofer from -10 dB to +10 dB, in 0.5 dB steps.

Sound Optimizer: The Sound Optimizer lets you enjoy clear and dynamic sound at low volume levels. It automatically calibrates the sound which cannot be heard well when you turn down the volume level. After Auto Calibration is performed, the sound level is optimized to suit your environment.

D.L.L. (Digital Legato Linear): The Digital Legato Linear function is a Sony proprietary technology that allows low quality digital audio signals and analog audio signal to be played back with high quality sound.

Equalizer: You can adjust the tonal quality (bass and treble level) of the front speakers from -6dB to +6dB, in 1dB steps.

Auto Volume: Auto Volume adjust the volume automatically depending on the input signal or content from the connected equipment. This function is useful, for example, when the sound of a commercial is louder than the TV programs.

Dynamic Range Compressor: This feature allows you to compress the dynamic range of the sound track. You can select standard or maximum compression, or off (only works with Dolby Digital sources).

AM/FM Tuner: The STR-DH820 has 30 presets each for AM and FM for a total of 60. In addition to preset and auto tuning, stations can be tuned directly by frequency. Each preset station can be given an 8 character name.

Headphones: When headphones are plugged into the full-size 1/4" jack on the front panel, all the speakers are automatically muted.

Video Features

6 HD Inputs: The Sony STR-DH820 is equipped with four HD inputs. Four HDMI 1.4 inputs (up to 1080/24p capable) let you connect a high-definition satellite receiver, Blu-ray Disc player, and game system for high definition video and audio. Two component inputs (1080/60i capable) provide added HD-capable connectivity and versatility.

• HDMI: The receiver is equipped with four HDMI (v.1.4) inputs for connecting HDMI-equipped audio/video components. All four HDMI inputs are capable of carrying uncompressed digital audio and 3D 1080p video There is also an HDMI (v.1.4) output which supports the ARC function that feeds audio/video signals to an HDTV.
• HD Component Video: This unit features 2 component video inputs and a component video monitor output. These jacks feature an 80 MHz bandwidth, making them capable of passing high-definition video signals.

HDMI Upconvert/Upscale (1080p): The Sony AV receiver's HDMI upconvert/upscale function improves image quality of analog connected devices to near HD. Analog connected device signals (component/composite: 480i) are converted to digital, upscaled, and output via HDMI (up to 1080p), making one cable connection from the receiver to your TV possible.

Note: Requires connection via HDMI cable (sold separately) to equivalent HDTV. Upconverted image and sound quality will vary depending on source.

3D-Ready: The Sony STR-DH820 is compatible with 3D-ready Blu-ray disc movies, video games, and other 3D content through its HDMI (v.1.4) connections.

Note: 3D viewing requires 3D-ready source with 3D content, 3D-ready HDTV, 3D glasses, and high-speed HDMI cable. Other 3D accessories may also be needed.

HDMI Standby Pass-Through: The HDMI Standby Pass-Through feature conveniently allows you to access all your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver .

24p True Cinema Mode: The 24p True Cinema Mode allows you to watch movies at their native frame rate 24p format (24 frames per second) when paired with a 24p playback device like a Blu-ray Disc Player.

x.v.Color: The AV receiver supports x.v.Color, offering a wider color range than the current broadcast standard. For the x.v.Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Deep Color: The Sony receiver also supports Deep Color which allows the color depth of video signals passing through HDMI to be raised. The number of colors that could be expressed by 1 pixel was 24 bits (16,777,216 colors) with a standard HDMI jack. However, the number of colors which can be expressed by 1 pixel is 36 bits with a Deep Color enabled HDMI jack. Since the gradation of the depth of a color can be expressed more finely with more bits, continuous color changes can be more smoothly expressed.  For the Deep Color feature to be useful, the entire video production chain must be compatible (camera-editing-format-player-display).

Note: x.v. Color and Deep Color technology are supported only when source product, HDMI cable, media and HDTV all support those features.

A/V Sync: The audio output can be delayed so that the time gap between the audio output and the visual display is minimized. This is especially helpful when you are using a large LCD or plasma TV or a projection TV. A/V Sync can be done automatically or manually.

• HDMI Auto: The time gap between audio output and visual display for the TV connected via HDMI will be adjusted automatically based on the information from the TV. This feature is available only when the TV supports the A/V Sync function.
• Manual: The delay can be adjusted from 0 to 300ms (in 10 ms increments), manually.

Front A/V Input: The Sony STR-DH-720 is equipped with a front-panel A/V input which consists of a composite video input and stereo audio RCA jacks.

USB/iPod Functions

Sony Compatible USB Port: You can enjoy music from select Sony USB devices (Walkman/MicroVault/NWZ-series) by connecting the device to the receiver's front-panel USB (type-A) port. The Sony USB device must be formatted with  FAT16 or FAT32. You can playback the following music files - MP3 (32-320 kbps), WMA (48-192 kbps), and AAC (48-320 kbps). The receiver can recognize up to 100 folders and 100 audio files in each folder, per device. You are able to control Play/Pause, Stop, Fast Forward/Rewind, Skip (previous/next), and Folder (up/down) functions of your connected Sony USB device.

Note: See page 46 of the AV receiver's Operating Instructions for compatible Sony USB devices (Walkman/MicroVault/NWZ-series). Other USB devices cannot be used on this receiver.

iPod/iPhone AV Dock: The Sony STR-DH820 includes an iPod/iPhone dock (TDM-iP30) which allows you to playback music and videos stored on your iPod/iPhone through the Sony AV receiver. The iPod/iPhone dock connects to the receiver's front-panel USB port and front-panel composite video input. The iPod/iPhone is controlled by the receiver's remote, or you can continue to control your iPod/iPhone from its clickwheel or touchscreen. Your iPod/iPhone's battery will be charged while docked (when receiver is On).

• Music Playback: Using the included iPod/iPhone dock, you can listen to music stored on your Apple iPod/iPhone through the Sony AV receiver. The USB connection bypasses your iPod/iPhone's DAC and uses the receiver's built-in DACs for better sound quality. Song/artist information and elapsed time are displayed on the receiver's front-panel LCD or your connected TV screen (via HDMI). You can navigate your iPod/iPhone's music using the on-screen menu and remote control by Playlist, Artist, Album Genre, Song, Composer, Podcast, or Audiobook. You also have access to Repeat (One/All/Off) and Shuffle (Songs/Albums/Off) functions.
• Video Playback: The included iPod/iPhone dock also lets you watch videos stored on your iPod/iPhone through the AV receiver and your connected TV (via HDMI). Your iPod/iPhone's video will be upconverted from the receiver's front-panel composite video input to the receiver HDMI output to your connected TV. You can access Movies, Music Videos, TV Shows, Video Podcasts, and Rented Movies stored on your iPod/iPhone using the receiver's on-screen menu and IR remote control

iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: Using the included iPod/iPhone dock, the Sony STR-DH820 AV receiver supports the following iPod/iPhone models and functions (as of 1/11/2012).

Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the receiver and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert to the older software version or wait until a newer software update is available.

Multi-Zone Capability

Dual Zone: In addition to the main listening room, you can also enjoy audio playback from a different source in another room (Zone 2) of your home using the receiver's Zone 2 Line Output.

Zone 2 Line Output: By using the Zone 2 line-level outputs on the Sony STR-DH820, you can connect an external receiver or integrated amplifier in a second room, allowing you to listen to 5.1ch surround in the main room and 2ch stereo playback of a different audio source in another room of your home. The volume of the secondary zone is controlled by your Zone 2's integrated amplifier.

Compatible Zone Sources: Only Tuner and analog (audio/video)input sources are processed through Zone 2.

Note: You cannot select different AM/FM radio stations for your main room and Zone 2.

Incompatible Zone Sources: Optical/coaxial digital, HDMI, Network, and USB audio sources are not output to Zone 2. Video cannot be streamed to Zone 2.

Convenience Features

On-Screen Menu: You can display the receiver's on-screen menu on your HDMI connected TV screen and select the function you want to use from the on-screen menu using the included IR remote control.

Input Naming: You can enter a name of up to 8 characters for each of the receiver's inputs (except Tuner) and display the name on its display. This is convenient for labeling the jacks with the names of your connected components.

Input Mode: When you connect components to both digital and analog audio input jacks on the receiver, you can fix the audio input mode to either of them, or switch from one to the other, depending on the type of material you intend to watch.

Sleep Timer: The unit may be set to automatically turn off after 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes.

Dimmer: You can adjust the brightness of the display in 3 steps - Dim Max, Dim Mid, and Dim Off.

Auto Standby: Auto Standby lets you set the receiver switch to standby mode automatically after 30 minutes when you do not operate the receiver or when there is no signal input to the receiver.

Remote Control

Multibrand Remote: The supplied remote (RM-AAP061) is pre-coded to control this Sony receiver, Sony TVs, Sony CD players, Sony DVD players and recorders, and Sony Blu-ray disc players and recorders. You can also program this remote to control non-Sony audio/video components. You can also change the initial settings of the input buttons on the remote control to suit the components in your system.

Bravia Theater Sync: Sony's Bravia Theater Sync feature allows you to easily manage select BRAVIA televisions and Sony HDMI audio and video components with a single remote. By connecting Sony components that are compatible with the HDMI Control function with a HDMI cable, operation is simplified in the following ways.

• One-Touch-Play: When you playback a component such as a DVD/Blu-ray Disc Player, the receiver and the TV are turned on automatically and switch to the appropriate HDMI input.
• System Audio Control: While watching TV, you can select to output the sound from the TV speaker or the speakers connected to the receiver.
• System Power Off: When you turn off the TV, the receiver and connected components are also turned off simultaneously.
• Theater Mode Sync: Allows you to switch the AV receiver's Theater mode from the receiver's, TV, or connected Blu-ray disc player's remote control, while pointing the remote toward your television.

IR In/Out: The Sony AV receiver is equipped with a 3.5mm IR input/output which accepts IR repeater systems, enabling you to operate components connected to the receiver behind a closed door or controlling the receiver's Zone 2.

Bravia Widget Control: You can connect the Sony STR-DH820 to select Sony 2011 televisions and experience an integrated user interface on-screen; enabling on-screen feedback and control function.

Note: Can be used only when receiver is connected to a Sony EX620, EX630, EX720, EX820, EX830, NX830, HX820, HX830, or HX930 series Bravia HDTV via HDMI cable (sold separately).