Features
Remote Control
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

Overview: The STR-DG1200 7.1 channel A/V receiver creates an entertainment hub for the most demanding HD experience. It integrates the latest audio and video technologies while making operations simple to command and easy to follow using the receiver On-screen display menu. Inside its chassis is a video processor that can upscale all video sources (less than 1080p) up to 1080p. The STR-DG1200 also features HDMI with "Active Intelligence", plus x.v.Color. Deep Color and 1080/24p signal capability. In addition to decoding uncompressed audio (LPCM via HDMI), the STR-DG1200 decodes the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs and DTS making this model fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc. The STR-DG1200 features four HDMI inputs that allow for future expansion. BRAVIA Sync provides a one button operation (via HDMI) of your entire A/V experience with a select number of BRAVIA televisions. Because no room is perfect, Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (and its supplied microphone) simplifies speaker set up and optimizes speaker performance with the push of one button in just 30 seconds. This full featured A/V Receiver expands its ability to playback music from various audio sources (iPod, Walkman, or PC) with the DIGITAL MEDIA PORT and one of the various accessories (sold separately). The Satellite Radio Connect-and-Play Ready feature of the STR-DG1200 provides the ability to access XM or Sirius satellite radio programming in surround sound via an optional XM or Sirius home tuner kit (both sold separately).

1080p HDMI Video Upscaling: The Sony STR-DG1200 receiver features a built-in Faroudja DCDI Cinema 1080p video upscaler. This chipset reduces image jaggedness and block noise, while reproducing colors that are closer to the original. The end result is a beautiful and smooth high definition image. The Sony STR-DG1200 is able to convert composite video and component video signals to HDMI video at resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i or 1080p. You can also convert analog composite video signals to component video at resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i. The receiver will not down-convert video signals.

Surround Modes: The Sony STR-DG1200 home theater receiver incorporates a wide variety of surround modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The receiver supports Linear PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master formats which allow you a more precise audio experience. The surround modes include:

• Dolby Digital (5.1): Dolby Digital is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround format which consists of front (left/right), center, surround (left/right) and sub-woofer channels.
• Dolby Digital EX: Dolby Digital EX is a 6.1 multi-channel digital surround format. Surround back information is matrixed into regular left and right surround channels so that the sound can be reproduced in 6.1 channel.
• Dolby Digital Plus: Dolby Digital Plus is an improved Dolby Digital surround format that is compatible with up to 7.1-channels of discrete digital sound and also improves sound quality due to extra data bit rate performance.
• Dolby TrueHD: Dolby TrueHD is a high definition audio technology, using lossless coding technology to faithfully reproduce the sound of the studio masters.
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Dolby Pro Logic II technology processes any high quality stereo (two-channel) movie and music audio into five playback channels of full-bandwidth surround sound. A matrix surround decoding technology, Dolby Pro Logic II detects the directional cues that occur naturally in stereo content and uses these elements to create a five-channel surround sound playback experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic II formats - Movie, Game or Music.
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Pro Logic IIx expands any existing stereo- or 5.1-channel audio for a 6.1- or 7.1- channel playback, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic IIx formats - Movie, Game or Music.
• DTS: DTS Digital Surround is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround sound format used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications.
• DTS-ES Extended Surround: DTS-ES features two 6.1 multi-channel formats.
  • DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: DTS-ES Discrete 6.1-channel is a 6.1-channel discrete digital audio format adding a surround back channel to the DTS digital surround sound.
  • DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: DTS-ES Matrix 6.1-channel is a discrete 6.1 channel digital audio format inserting a surround back channel to the DTS surround sound through matrix encoding.
• DTS-HD High Resolution Audio: DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is an improved version of the conventional DTS, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 signal formats that is compatible with sampling frequencies of 96 or 48 kHz and up to 7.1-channels of discrete digital sound. High data bit rate performance provides high quality sound.
• DTS-HD Master Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio is a lossless audio format compatible with up to 96 kHz and up to 7.1-channels. The lossless audio coding technology faithfully reproduces the sound of the studio master.
• DTS Neo:6 Surround: DTS Neo:6 is a matrix decoding technology for achieving 6.1-channel surround playback with 2-channel sources. You can choose from two DTS Neo: 6 Surround formats - Neo: 6 Cinema and Neo: 6 Music.
• DTS 96/24: DTS 96/24 is a digital audio format enabling high sound quality playback in 5.1-channels with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz and 24 bit quantization of DVD-video.
• Neural THX: 360-degree 7.1 surround sound playback from neural-THX surround encoded content such as certain programming on XM satellite radio.
• 8ch Linear PCM Audio: Compatible with Blu-ray Disc format linear PCM (uncompressed) output, producing up to eight channels of high quality audio reproduction.
• Digital Cinema Sound (DCS): Digital Cinema Sound is the concept name of the surround technology for home theater developed by Sony. DCS uses the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) technology to reproduce the sound characteristics of an actual cinema cutting studio in Hollywood. When played at home, DCS will create a powerful theater effect that mimics the artistic combination of sound and action as envisioned by the movie director. The DCS soundfields used in this receiver include:
  • Cinema Studio EX A: reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Cary Grant Theater" cinema production studio, great for watching most any type of movie
  • Cinema Studio EX B: reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Kim Novak Theater" cinema production studio, ideal for watching science fiction or action movies with lots of sound effects
  • Cinema Studio EX C: reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment scoring stage, ideal for watching musicals or films where orchestra music is featured in the soundtrack
  • V.Multi Dimension: creates virtual surround sound from a single pair of actual surround speakers
  • Hall: reproduces the acoustics of a classical concert hall
  • Jazz Club: reproduces the acoustics of a jazz club
  • Live Concert: reproduces the acoustics of a 300-seat live concert house
  • Stadium: reproduces the feeling of a large open-air stadium
  • Sports: reproduces the feeling of sports broadcasting
  • Portable Audio: reproduces a clearer sound image from your portable audio device; ideal for MP3 and other compressed music
• Headphone Sound Fields: When headphones are connected, you can select the following sound fields:
  • Headphone 2CH: outputs the sound in stereo, 2-channel sources bypass the sound field processing, multi-channel surround formats are downmixed to 2 channels
  • Headphone Direct: outputs analog signals with no sound field or tone processing
  • Headphone Multi: select automatically if you use headphones when the multichannel input is selected
  • Headphone Theater (Digital Cinema Sound): allows you to experience a theater-like environment
• Multi-Channel Stereo: Outputs 2-channel left/right signals from all speakers.
• Analog Direct: The direct feature amplifies the source without any processing, only the volume and front speaker balance adjustments are active.
• Two Channel Stereo Mode: The 2 channel button sets the receiver to power only the front left and right speakers, no surround and no subwoofer. Two-channel sources bypass the sound field processing and multi-channel sources are down-mixed to 2 channels.

Auto Format Direct: The Auto Format Direct (A.F.D.) mode presents the sound as it was recorded or encoded without adding any surround effects. When you select A.F.D. Auto, the receiver automatically detects the type of audio signal being input (Dolby Digital, DTS, or standard 2-channel stereo) and performs the proper decoding if necessary. You can also select Pro Logic II Movie, Pro Logic II Music, Noe:6 Music, Neo:6 Cinema, or Multi Stereo to apply the appropriate decoding for movies or normal stereo sources such as CDs. The receiver will generate a low frequency signal for output to the subwoofer when there is no LFE signal.

Auto Calibration: The STR-DG1200 is equipped with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration Technology which uses the included microphone to automatically check the speaker connections, adjust the speaker output levels, and calculate the distance from each speaker to the listening position. The microphone has an 18' cord attached that plugs into the microphone input on front of the receiver and has a threaded insert on the bottom so it can be mounted to a tripod.

Test Tone Level Adjustment: The receiver also employs a test tone with a frequency centered at 800Hz which allows you to adjust the speaker levels and balance manually while listening to the audible tone from your listening position. You can adjust speaker and the subwoofer level and the balance of just the front speakers from left to right.

• Front Level: -10dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Center Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Surround Left Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Surround Right Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Surround Back Left Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Surround Back Right Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments
• Subwoofer Level: -20dB to +10dB in 0.5dB increments

Speaker Setup: The 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 Configuration: 3/4.1, 3/4, 3/3.1, 3/3, 2/4.1, 2/4, 4/2.1, 3/2, 2/3.1, 2/3, 2/2.1, 2/2, 3/0.1, 3/0, 2/0.1, 2/0
• Speaker Sizes: Large or Small
• Speaker and Subwoofer Distance: 3'3" to 32'9" in 1" steps
• Crossover Frequency: set crossover point for speakers set to small, choose 40 to 200 Hz in 10 Hz increments.

Equalizer: You can adjust the tonal quality (bass and treble level) of all the speakers from -10dB to +10dB in 1dB steps.

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

Effect Level: The Effect Level feature lets you adjust the presence of the surround effect for soundfields selected with the Movie or Music mode or Headphone Theater mode. You can choose from 50%, 80%, 100% or 150% effect level.

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. When activated, the delay can be adjusted from 0 to 300 milliseconds in 10 millisecond increments.

Night Mode: This function allows you to retain a theater like environment at low volume levels. This function can be used with other soundfields. When watching a movie late at night, you will be able to hear the dialogue clearly even at a low volume level.

Bi-Amplifier Connection: If you are not using the surround back speaker, you can use the Surround Back Speaker terminals for the front speakers in a bi-amplifier connection along with the receiver's Front Speaker terminals. You are limited to 5.1ch when using this connection.

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 recover 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.

Tuner: The STR-DG1200 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.

Station and Source Naming: Each preset station and program source may be given an index name of up to 8 characters.

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.

On-Screen Menu: The STR-DG1200 provides an on-screen menu when connected to your television through its HDMI or component video connections.

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: 0% dim, 60% dim, or 100% dim.

Remote Control

Learning Remote: The supplied remote (RM-AAL019) 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 the remote to control non-Sony audio/video components using preset codes or learning commands. Two programmable Macro buttons allow you to perform up to 20 sequential commands by pressing only one button.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

x.v. Color 1080/24p HDMI: The Sony receiver features four 1080p HDMI inputs and one 1080p HDMI output. The receiver transmits both audio and video through the HDMI monitor output to your TV or you can choose for the HDMI monitor out terminal to only output video to your television. Video signal that is input through HDMI input can only be output through the HDMI monitor output terminal. The receiver's HDMI inputs and output also support x.v.Color which is a new color standard that can express a wider color range than the currently used broadcast standard. The unit's HDMI inputs and output also support 1080/24p video signals.

HD Component Video: This unit features three 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. The unit's component video connections support up to 1080p.

Digital Inputs: The receiver has four optical digital inputs (3 rear/1 front), one rear-panel optical digital output and three rear-panel coaxial digital inputs. 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. All the digital audio jacks will support 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and 96 kHz sampling frequencies. These digital inputs are assignable.

Multi-Channel Inputs: The receiver's 7.1-channel multi-channel inputs allow you to connect an external multi-channel decoder as well as a DVD or Super Audio CD player equipped with multi-channel output jacks.

Satellite Ready: The STR-DG1200 features proprietary ports on the rear panel for XM and Sirius Satellite Radio connection. In addition to the following optional satellite tuners needed (sold separately), you will need a subscription to XM and/or Sirius Satellite radio:

• XM: the optional XM Home Mini-Tuner and Home Dock (item number 700XMTUNPK, sold separately) allows you to receive XM Satellite Radio through the receiver, you can search XM stations by channel, category, or direct tuning; you can also choose to display the channel name, channel number, category, artist name, or song title
• Sirius: the optional SiriusConnect Home Tuner kit (item number 607SCH1 or 607SCH1P1, sold separately) allows you to receive Sirius Satellite Radio through the receiver, you can search Sirius radio stations by channel number, category, or direct tuning; you can also choose to display the channel name, channel number, category, artist name, song title, or composer

Digital Media Port: Sony's proprietary DMP allows you to integrate a wide variety of music into your home theater system. The Digital Media Port allows you to connect optional DMP accessories to play music from a PC, Bluetooth devices, Network Walkman music players or iPod music players. You can connect the following adapters (sold separately).

• DMP iPod Dock (TDM-IP1): Allows you to dock and play your iPod through the DMP compatible BRAVIA audio receiver. For added convenience, the dock also charges your iPod's battery. The DMP iPod dock is compatible with iPod nano (1st and 2nd generation), iPod (4th and 5th generation) and iPod mini.
• DMP Media Port Wi-Fi client (TDM-NC1): Allows you to stream digital music from your PC to the DMP compatible BRAVIA audio receiver and view song information on your connected television or monitor. Requires PC with Microsoft Window XP SP2 operating system or newer.
• DMP Bluetooth Interface (TDM-BT1): Allows you to wirelessly receive and play music through the DMP compatible BRAVIA audio receiver from your Bluetooth compatible notebook, MP3 player or mobile phone. The Bluetooth interface has a range up to 30 feet.
• DMP Walkman Cradle (TDM-NW1): Allows you to dock and play your Sony NW-S705F or NW-S703F Network Walkman through the DMP compatible BRAVIA audio receiver. For added convenience the cradle also charge your Walkman's battery.

Speaker Outputs: The receiver is equipped with binding post speaker terminals for the front channel A and B speakers, the surround, surround back, and center channel speakers.

Front Panel AV Inputs: The STR-DG1200 features a set of front panel AV inputs with left and right RCA audio jacks and a RCA composite video jack. The Front Panel AV input also contains an optical digital input.

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