Customer Reviews
Pleased with system, despite questionable reviews 
2007-03-22
Bought one at Circuit City in Feb 2007. It is up and running fine. This is NOT a system for people who need everything color-coded, are in a hurry, and/or don't like to read manuals, or have never set up a component hi fi system.
I almost didn't buy it after reading the reviews here. Complaints about clicking sounds, poor hookup instructions, HDMI wiring, etc. But I thoroughly read ALL the reviews and some of the complaints smelled of people who had never before hooked up component hi-fi systems. Then, when I went on the rounds to Amazon, Cambridge Soundworks, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc I found a lot of junky stuff in this price range (speakers designed solely to look jazzy, no surround, no HDMI, no upconvert, sometimes no DVD player, integrated units vs separates, etc)
My specs were: DVD 5-unit changer that could upconvert DVD's to 1080 for my new Sony LCD TV but also hold music CD's; strong amplifier with settings for theatre, concert hall, jazz club, etc and plug for headphones; strong subwoofer; surround sound speakers; HDMI connectors to transmit HD images; inobtrusive speakers that do sound not for the looks; separate DVD and amplifier so if one breaks I don't lose everything. Oh - a low price also.
Yes, the instruction manual is confusing because it shows alternate setups on single diagrams. It would cause a novice to use perhaps 3 methods of hooking up the DVD to the Receiver. So if you are a novice get an experienced friend or don't buy it. However, the manual is not that much worse than any other component stereo system I bought in the past. And the digital coaxial cable is poorly marked and it is essential to getting highest quality sound from the DVD to the Receiver (so I don't listen to the TV speakers when watching DVD movies). I had never worked with HDMI and found those cables NOT included, bummer, and even Radio Shack charges $49 each but on the internet I found them for $10 each.
The end result is that I am getting pretty darn good surround sound, since as a test I used a Top Gun DVD that I've had for years and played a lot on my former, much larger, and much more expensive system (I just moved to a smaller place). The upconverted image was terrific. All the equipment remembers my prior settings, which is good. I did purchase a Logitech universal remote (not set up yet) for the lady of the house who hates dealing with 4 remotes (DVD, TV, TIVO, Receiver), and promises pushing buttons marked TV or Music or Movies to turn on all the necessary equipment to the right settings.
I'm happy with the system for comparison up to a $1500 range. My prior receiver (alone) cost more than this whole system. So if you want to spend a couple grand, and have a lot more space to put it in, then you can do better.
CLICKING NOISE!!! ...in all speakers 
2007-03-20
If the system worked perfectly, I'd say it's worth the money. There are plenty of inputs for analog/rca cables. A couple of component inputs and 2 HDMI pass-throughs. If you want audio in surround sound as any normal person would, you have to use either an optical or coaxial. So HDMI is not really HDMI. The DVD player works well, but slow. The up-conversion of DVD to 720p or 1080i is wonderful. Great picture. Overall sound is chinsey and missing mid's...
There is a very big problem with the amp though... there is a damn clicking noise found in ALL speakers. I am either going to try to return the amplifier to Best Buy or have it fixed under warranty as other Amazon users have done listed below by Sony.
Model Is Being Updated in March 
2007-03-01
Anyone looking at this page ought to know that on Feb 26, Sony announced 7 new home theater systems. One is the upgrade to this particular model, with the upgrade cleverly called HT-7100DH. The model is supposed to be available in March at the same price point. There's very little on the Internet about it yet besides the press release, but search for that model number and you'll get a few hits from engadget and gizmodo.
Receiver is the best part... 2007-02-27
We bought this at Best Buys and I could tell in the store the speakers are not the best. Well that is the first item needing to be replaced. I bought the fiber optic cable for the audio and the best video cable I could for my older TV. This is better than the old Kenwood system I use to have but the speakers are needing to be replaced asap. It is a decent deal but to do it over.. I would purchase the Klipsh quintet 3 and then a good receiver. May spend a bit more, but better in the long run and not doing what I am in the middle of doing now... buying more stuff.
The DVD player is ok. Changing DVDs is a bit slow but again, for the money spent, it works very well. I don't like how sometimes it will not allow you to eject the DVD in the middle of some functions. But again, look at the price. I can wait 5 more seconds and then eject the DVD.
The bass speaker is in need of replacement also. It cannot take the big bass movies. where there should be a massive BOOM from an explosion, there is some sound in the other speakers but none in the bass speaker. I just cannot perform like Polk or some other sub woofers can.
All in all, it a decent system. It seems what Sony did was give a decent receiver, decent DVD changer (love the 5 disc changer by the way, watch movies for hours) and add cheeeeep speakers. I would not purchase again though, knowing now what I know. Buy the speakers, buy good cabling, buy a good receiver.
Spend $1000 over time if needed. It will be worth it when you watch the big movies.
I am now looking to spend about $300 - $400 on speakers to replace the Sony cheapies. I am giving it two stars because the receiver is still good but the quality of the speakers is junk. Again... :-) remember the price.
You could purchase the Polk RM6800 speakers, then a good receiver and be set for some time.
Whats' that damn clicking sound? 
2007-02-22
I think I'm different, unique, or maybe favored in a way. And surely I will not experience problems the other reviewers write about. I have my Sony HT 7000DH XM out of the box 20 min., and while listening to "Sting" I begin to hear that damn clicking sound that everyone else is warning about. And what's worse, is it started faint and now has increased in volume so I can hear it even when music or movies are playing. Ahh, CRAP! With so many reviewers experiencing the "Click" it has to be a systemic manufacturing defect and I wish Sony would address the problem before shipping any more out.
So, I therefore acknowledge I am no longer different, unique or favored in any way and the fact that I too got the damn "clicking sound" on my system just ticks me off. Anyway, I wish I would have listened to the warnings and chose another system. If you are thinking about this Sony system, I advise you against it. You may think you are different and it won't happen to you, but the odds are you too will end up with the damn "click". Thank you.
Soft Popping Noise Fixed / Test Your Receiver 2007-07-24
I also had sound problems. The sound I was experiencing was a soft rhythmatic popping noise thru the speakers while on mute. I could also hear the same soft rhythmatic popping noise on soft music and quiet TV scenes. The sound was like the consistent pop on a scratched phonograph record.
I took it in for warranty work and got it back in a week. The problem has been fixed.
This is from the work order:
Replaced IC1101 on Digital Board.
Part Number: 680614401.
Part Description: IC MB90488BPF-G-175E1
To test your unit is easy. Turn your volume up and place on mute. If you hear a sound (through the speakers) like the consistent pop on a scratched phonograph record your unit is defective. Just unplug your receiver and take it and a copy of your sales receipt to the Sony repair center. Even though I registered the unit with Sony, they still wanted to see proof of purchase.
Other than this inconvenience, I like the unit very much.
Do not buy 2007-07-12
It's that darn clicking noise. Every 10 seconds. It would be great except for that problem. However I am encouraged by the reviewer who said his went away without doing anything. If you are listening to quiet music it will drive you nuts!
Nice Little Budget System 
2007-07-06
This is a decent starter system for someone who has never had surround sound before. The sound is quite good & the speakers have plenty of power, especially the powered sub (which has an independent volume control, which is key). Part of the reason we chose this system is the speaker power to price ratio. If you live in an apartment or condo, there's no reason you need any more power than this. The setup was fairly complicated for a consumer system, as most systems are nowadays; if you're not familiar with audio/video you may want some help installing (or at least read the manual very carefully). We're pretty tech-savvy people & it took us an hour or two to get it going. The receiver is very versatile & has a decent number of I/O's which enables us to connect lots of external devices such as VCR, turntable, playstation, etc. This is key, because the HDMI pass through feature is pretty much pointless. Also, some of the audio configurations have cryptic menu names & I still have yet to figure out whether or not the receiver reproduces true 2.0 mono. But then again, I have yet to revisit the manual after the initial set up. Some of the reviews I read mentioned that the speakers occasionally emit small pops and they in fact do. They are audible only if you are within a few feet; they don't do it all the time & I haven't yet figured out the pattern, but because the pops are cyclical I suspect they have something to do w/ the power supply (we're not supplying clean power, just regular 60Hz AC). The pops do drive me insane though when I hear them, but then again I work in the audio field so I suspect an average person wouldn't be bothered, and you can't hear them over most program material. I have not delved a great deal into this issue, as it seems to come & go. Lately, we've noticed a ground buzz, just all the sudden out of nowhere. We've had the system 8 months now & just started having this issue. A ground lift helped; it could just be the power in our building that's causing these issues. Honestly we haven't looked into it, so I can't confidently blame it on the system.
I know we're likely to be more critical than the average consumer in this department, so take that with a grain of salt. Overall, it's a good deal for the money. It was such an upgrade over our old setup that we're really just glad to have it. Next time we will definitely go for a high end system, since we're likely to be pickier than the average consumer about the audio. This is a nice little budget system.
Nice system, best around here for the money 2007-06-04
I just purchased this item yesterday, it's a nice system with powerful sound. This unit replaced my five year old Sony DAV-C450 so it was a nice upgrade with almost twice the wattage. The subwoofer on this system creates deep, rich, rumble and the speakers themselves create an immersively rich sound field.
The addition of the auto speaker setup via the microphone is fantastic, it works exactly as it should.
But like many have said, I immediately discovered the HDMI passthrough issue when hooking up my PS3 via HDMI cable then HDMI out to my HDTV.
Here are the pros and con's of the unit as I see them:
PROs:
+ Sharp looking unit, looks great in an entertainment system.
+ Powerful sound, sounds like you are at the movie theatre.
+ Multiple inputs and input types adequate for many different input devices.
+ HDMI Pass through for Video mostly. I say mostly because if you have a Projector you will have both Video and Audio. If your TV will play audio, it will be passed to the TV and you will not be able to play it on the surround system.
+ DVD unit upscales 480i/p to 720p or 1080i. Unit works and looks great when hooked up via HDMI.
+ Most of all, it's alot of surround sound and system for the price. I shopped around and this is the most comprehensive system I could find in this price range. Most of the systems out there in this range are the dream-type systems that don't fully support HDMI and usually are at least a third less powerful.
CONs:
- HDMI is passed through to the TV rather than being able to select the Surround system to play it. (if hooked to a TV).
- What ever means the video comes in to the receiver it has to go out via the same means. By this I mean if you use a Composite cable to bring video in, it will not go out via HDMI or another means. Same with component. However it comes in it has to go out, it's like these are all separate units inside the box.
- Difficult to set up, no color coded connectors or plug-in connectors, came with basic cables.
I have quite a bit of experience setting up surround sound systems and I had trouble getting it set up. I can see many mainstream consumers not being able to set this up at all. And you've got to have a myriad of types of cables to get it set up, fortunately I do, but many consumers wouldn't have optical, composite, etc... just sitting around to hook this baby up.
All in all I would recommend this item for the price. I give it four stars based on the HDMI issue and convenience of setup mostly.
Do not buy this item. 2007-03-29
I too experienced the dreaded clicking noise in all the speakers. I thought it was a connection issue with the speaker cables so I hooked up another receiver to the speakers and the clicking noise went away. So the problem is definitely with the audio receiver. I took it into a Sony authorized repair center and they could not fix the problem. I'm just going to return this and get a different system.
