Buy Used/3rdParty More product information	Sony STR-DE998 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver List Price: $499.99    Our Price: Too Low To Display Manufacturer: Sony MPN: STRDE998 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Number of Media: 1 Features: 6 digital-audio inputs, 1 digital output; includes phono input for turntable and preprogrammed/learning LCD remote control Measures 17 x 6.2 x 15.8 inches (W x H x D) 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver with 30 radio presets, HD video switching, and 110 full-range watts per channel x 7 Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES/Neo:6/96:24, and Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx 6.1-channel surround processing for lifelike, exciting audio from any source 7.1-/5.1-channel analog audio inputs accommodate high-resolution multi-channel formats like SACD and DVD-Audio
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Product Description Sony's high-powered STR-DE998 delivers dynamic, full-force home theater excitement. The receiver accommodates everything from the latest surround sound movie formats to cutting-edge high-resolution audio sources. The STR-DE998 delivers 110 watts per channel across seven main channels (left, right, center, left/right mid surround, and left/right rear surround) and has a dedicated subwoofer output for an eighth (the ".1" low-frequency effects channel). Customer Reviews Instruction book I have the receiver up and running but the instructions need reading between the lines and a little patience. For instance, programming stations leaves a lot to be desired. I have a 20 year old JVC receiver where programming stations is truly automatic for FM and AM and only takes a push of a button and the receiver does the rest. It seems Sony took a step backwards on this one in that process. The system sounds great and has lots of power to meet my needs. Come on Sony, lets really automate that preset statio programming process. Good value & performance, interface somewhat flawed I would give this 3.5 stars if I could, but I'm being generous and going with 4 due to the exceptional price. All-in-all this unit has a lot of great features. I would recommend it for people who are tech-savvy, willing to overlook a few warts, and want a great price. However, if you're looking for a unit that is easy to use, or for a fully featured 2nd zone support, look elsewhere. I reccomend my sister purchase this receiver as a present for her husband based on several requirements she listed: 1. Price 2. Multiple zones, so she can listen to music in through the garden speakers while her husband watches tv 3. Good universal remote to replace the 5 they currently use 4. Ease of use (she is technically savvy but not a home theater guru) Decoding the latest inputs and 7.1 support (for future upgrades, they currently have a 5.1 setup) were two items I knew my brother-in-law would like as well... This receiver seemed the perfect choice given her requirements. I setup and tested the system for them. While it does many things well, it isn't quite perfect and I'm afraid won't be as useful to them as it could be... Starting with the pro's: 1. Loads of inputs. Although no HDMI, it passes HDTV signals properly. As noted it upconverts signals, although that is a basic feature on most modern receivers. 2. Sound field is excellent 3. Two zone control, although flawed (see below) 4. 7.1 support for both DTS and Dolby The con's: 1. Interface can be difficult: - 2nd zone control requires an arcane series of button pushes on the remote, the process of which could easily lead the average user into leaving the remote in the wrong command mode. There is no way to control the 2nd zone volume from the unit itself, and there is no indication the 2nd zone is active if the first zone is being used (which could leave you unknowingly blaring out the 2nd zone). - Digital Cinema Sound System adds unnecessary confusion to the interface. I doubt more than 10% of the users will find these settings useful, and they get in the way of trying to perform more important functions (like getting your 5.1 field properly decoded or enabling Neo:6). 2. Setting up Zone 2 limits zone 1 to 5.1 channels, and more importantly Zone 2 can only use analog sources. Impact for the user would be if the DVD player doubles as the CD player, you would need to provide both a digital signal for 5.1 sound in zone 1 and an analog signal for zone 2. 3. While well laid out, the remote is limited in use due to small number of manufacturer codes and severe limitations on its learning ability. Trying to get it to control a Tivo unit was an exercise in frusturation... there is no appropriate manufacturer code, and the remote can't learn all the crucial commands (such as the record button or any number higher than 5). Although it can learn "up to 70 commands" in reality the memory was full by the time we gave it 25. 4. Suspect LFE support. With a subwoofer connected and properly setup, LFE test signals were being sent to the front speakers. Setting front speakers to "small" redirected the LFE to the subwoofer, but this is probably due to the test signal being below the frequency cutoff. 5. The setup is limited in strange ways. For instance, although the digital inputs are advertised as "assignable," the DVD setting can only accept coaxial digital inputs. 6. The manual is poorly laid out. With all of the above issues expect a trial and error process, even if you are experienced at home theater setups. Great Buy for this Sony It was time to get a new Reciever when the plasma arrived, my old sony did not have all the connections needed! Got this from Amazon at a great price, arrived faster than expected. The good stuff: Acts as a "hub" and sends audio and video signals to one "monitor/plasma" source. This means my kids Gamecube is easy to conect and use.i.e. Turn on gamecube, turn dial on SONY to "Video 1", voila-picture and sound! No messing with TV input-which my kids and wife never understand!! It has a ton of inputs, if this is not enough for you-you need help!! Great sound and setup. Easy on screen setup using remote. Love the "test" button. It sends a "noise" to all the speakers you have connected. This helped me correct my left and right speaker connections. It also tests a sub-woofer if connected. Got rid of my center speaker-my SONY TV has input to act as center speaker, sweet-no more ugly center speaker-works great! The not so good stuff: One of the rubber buttons fell off remote in a couple of days, need to get it fixed-a bit of a pain. It is deep man, I think it's about 18" with connectors out the back. To use another remote (I have TIVO) you need to change some inputs from AV2 to AV1 on both unit and remote, The manual sucks at telling you this, after a few hours I got online and checked some discussion forums which explained the problem. I'm still having problems powering off with my Tivo remote, volume and mute work, but I want to hit the TIVO power and have TV and Reciver power off-it worked with my old Sony-why not this one?!! Tips Get Banana connectors for speakers, otherwise you need hands of a kid to get in there and screw them in. All in all a great product. Looses a star for poor remote quality.