Sony STR-DH790 Manual: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to the comprehensive guide for your Sony STR-DH790 AV receiver! This manual will walk you through everything from initial setup and connecting devices to advanced features and troubleshooting. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your home theater system!
The Sony STR-DH790 is a 7.2 channel AV receiver designed to elevate your home entertainment experience. This receiver boasts a user-friendly interface‚ making setup and operation a breeze‚ even for those new to home theater systems. Its compact design allows it to fit seamlessly into various entertainment setups without sacrificing power or performance.
This guide provides detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure you get the most out of your STR-DH790. We’ll explore everything from connecting your favorite devices and navigating the intuitive home menu to optimizing sound fields and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a casual viewer‚ this manual will empower you to create a truly immersive and personalized audio-visual experience. Get ready to transform your living room into a cinematic paradise with the Sony STR-DH790!
STR-DH790: Key Features and Specifications
The Sony STR-DH790 is packed with features designed to deliver exceptional audio and video performance. At its core‚ it’s a 7.2 channel surround receiver‚ meaning it supports a wide range of speaker configurations for immersive sound. It delivers 145W per channel at 1KHz with a low 0.9% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)‚ ensuring clean and powerful audio.
Key features include 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output with support for 4K HDR pass-through‚ ensuring compatibility with the latest video technologies. Bluetooth connectivity allows for seamless wireless streaming from smartphones‚ tablets‚ and other devices. The receiver also includes an FM tuner for enjoying your favorite radio stations. Furthermore‚ the STR-DH790 boasts advanced sound field options‚ and a user-friendly on-screen display simplifies setup and operation‚ making it easier than ever to customize your listening experience.
Unboxing and Initial Setup
Excited to get started? Let’s walk through the unboxing and initial setup of your Sony STR-DH790. Carefully unpack the receiver and ensure all included components are present. You should find the receiver itself‚ a remote control (RMT-AA401U)‚ FM antenna‚ and startup guide; Inspect the receiver for any visible damage before proceeding.
Place the STR-DH790 on a stable surface with adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. Connect the FM antenna to the appropriate terminal on the rear panel. Next‚ connect the power cord to a grounded outlet. For the initial setup‚ it’s recommended to temporarily connect the receiver to your TV using an HDMI cable. This will allow you to easily navigate the on-screen setup menus. Power on the receiver and TV‚ and select the correct HDMI input on your TV to view the receiver’s home menu.
Connecting Devices to the STR-DH790
Connecting your devices to the Sony STR-DH790 is crucial for enjoying your home theater experience. The receiver boasts multiple HDMI inputs‚ allowing you to connect devices like Blu-ray players‚ gaming consoles‚ and streaming devices. Ensure all devices are powered off before making any connections.
For optimal video and audio quality‚ use HDMI cables to connect your devices to the HDMI inputs on the rear panel of the receiver; If you have older devices without HDMI‚ you can use the available analog audio inputs. Connect the audio output of your device to the corresponding audio input on the receiver. Label your connections for easy identification later. Don’t forget to connect your speakers to the appropriate speaker terminals‚ ensuring correct polarity (positive and negative). A phono equalizer is needed between the turntable and receiver if your turntable has only a PHONO output jack.
Navigating the Home Menu
The Sony STR-DH790 features a user-friendly home menu‚ accessible via the on-screen display on your TV. This menu allows you to control various receiver functions and settings. To access the home menu‚ first ensure that the receiver is connected to your TV and the TV input is set correctly.
Press the “HOME” button on the remote control. The home menu will then appear on your TV screen. Use the arrow keys on the remote to navigate through the menu options. The main categories include “Watch” and “Listen.” Under “Watch‚” you can select inputs for video sources like Blu-ray players or gaming consoles. The “Listen” category allows you to select audio sources such as the built-in FM tuner or connected audio devices. Select the desired setting menu to suit your needs.
Playing Back Video and Sound from Connected AV Devices
The STR-DH790 makes playing back video and sound from your connected AV devices simple. First‚ ensure your devices are properly connected to the receiver using HDMI cables for optimal audio and video quality. Verify that the HDMI cables are securely plugged into both the source device and the corresponding HDMI input on the receiver. Switch the input of the TV to the input to which the receiver is connected.
Once connected‚ power on both the receiver and your AV device. On the receiver‚ select the appropriate input source that corresponds to the connected device. This can be done using the “INPUT” button on the remote or the receiver’s front panel. Navigate to the “Watch” section of the home menu to select the device. The video and audio from your selected device should now be routed through the receiver and displayed on your TV. You can then use the receiver’s volume controls to adjust the audio level.
Listening to FM Radio
The Sony STR-DH790 allows you to enjoy FM radio broadcasts with ease. To begin‚ ensure that the FM antenna is properly connected to the FM antenna terminal on the rear panel of the receiver. Extend the antenna fully for optimal reception. Next‚ power on the receiver and select “Listen” from the home menu‚ then choose “FM.” The FM radio screen will appear on your TV.
You can tune to your desired radio station manually by using the “TUNING +” and “TUNING -” buttons on the remote control or the receiver itself. Alternatively‚ you can directly enter the frequency of the station using the numeric keypad on the remote. Once you’ve found a station‚ adjust the volume to your preference. The frequency of the selected station will be displayed on the screen.
Presetting FM Radio Stations
The Sony STR-DH790 lets you save your favorite FM radio stations as presets for quick and easy access. First‚ tune to the FM station you wish to save. Once the station is playing clearly‚ press the “AMP MENU” button on the receiver. Use the navigation buttons to select “Tuner Setup‚” then choose “Preset Memory.”
Select the preset number you want to assign to the station. A prompt will appear‚ asking you to confirm the preset. Select “OK” to store the station. Repeat this process for all your favorite stations‚ up to a maximum of 30 presets. You can then access your saved stations by pressing the “PRESET +” or “PRESET -” buttons on the remote‚ or by navigating through the preset list in the Tuner Setup menu.
Selecting a Sound Field
The STR-DH790 offers a variety of sound fields to enhance your listening experience‚ tailoring the audio output to match the content you’re enjoying. To select a sound field‚ press the “SOUND FIELD” button on the remote control or the “2CH/MULTI‚” “MOVIE‚” or “MUSIC” buttons on the receiver itself. Each sound field is designed to optimize audio playback for different types of content.
Experiment with the different options to find the best match for your preferences. Some common sound fields include “Multi Ch Stereo” for immersive surround sound‚ “Dolby Surround” for movies‚ and “2ch Stereo” for a traditional stereo experience. You can also select “A.F.D. (Auto Format Decoding)” to let the receiver automatically choose the optimal sound field based on the input signal.
Sound Field Options and Their Effects
The Sony STR-DH790 boasts a diverse range of sound field options‚ each meticulously crafted to enhance your audio experience based on the content you’re enjoying. Understanding these options allows you to fine-tune the receiver’s output‚ creating the perfect ambiance for movies‚ music‚ or gaming.
Multi Ch Stereo: Expands stereo signals to all speakers‚ creating an immersive‚ room-filling sound; Dolby Surround: Optimizes audio for Dolby-encoded content‚ delivering a cinematic experience. A.F.D. (Auto Format Decoding): Automatically selects the best sound field based on the input signal. 2ch Stereo: Outputs sound from the front left and right speakers‚ ideal for traditional stereo recordings.
Front Surround: Emulates surround sound using only the front speakers‚ perfect for smaller spaces. Experiment with these and other options to discover your preferred audio settings.
Speaker Output Relations by Sound Field
Understanding how each sound field option utilizes your connected speakers is crucial for optimizing your listening experience with the Sony STR-DH790. Different sound fields activate various speaker combinations to create specific audio effects and spatial arrangements. Knowing these relationships ensures you’re getting the most out of your speaker setup.
For instance‚ the “Multi Ch Stereo” option typically engages all connected speakers to create a widespread‚ enveloping sound. In contrast‚ “2ch Stereo” primarily utilizes the front left and right speakers for a more focused‚ traditional stereo output. The “Dolby Surround” setting intelligently distributes audio across all speakers to recreate the immersive experience intended by Dolby-encoded content.
Consult the detailed speaker output matrix in the full manual to learn precisely which speakers are active for each sound field‚ allowing you to tailor your audio to your preferences and content.
Using Night Mode
The Night Mode on your Sony STR-DH790 is designed for comfortable listening at low volumes‚ perfect for late-night enjoyment without disturbing others. When activated‚ Night Mode subtly enhances quieter sounds and dynamically compresses the overall audio range‚ ensuring dialogue remains clear and audible even at reduced volume levels.
This feature is particularly useful when watching movies or TV shows with significant dynamic range‚ where loud action sequences might be jarring at night. Night Mode effectively reduces the difference between the loudest and quietest parts of the audio‚ creating a more balanced and pleasant listening experience.
Furthermore‚ activating Night Mode automatically adjusts bass‚ treble‚ and effect levels‚ while also setting D. RANGE to COMP. ON‚ further optimizing the sound for low-volume listening. You can easily toggle Night Mode on or off using the dedicated button on the receiver or remote.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Encountering issues with your Sony STR-DH790 is frustrating‚ but many problems have simple solutions. Start by checking all cable connections‚ ensuring they are secure and properly inserted. If there’s no sound‚ verify the input selection on both the receiver and your TV. Also‚ confirm that the speaker wires are correctly connected to the appropriate terminals.
For video problems‚ ensure the HDMI cables are functioning correctly and connected to the correct HDMI inputs. If the remote control isn’t working‚ replace the batteries. Should the Control for HDMI function fail‚ double-check the settings on both the receiver and connected devices.
If sound is unbalanced‚ adjust speaker levels in the receiver’s menu. If these steps don’t resolve the issue‚ refer to the full help guide‚ available online‚ for more detailed troubleshooting steps‚ or consider resetting the receiver to its factory default settings.
Factory Reset and Default Settings
Performing a factory reset on your Sony STR-DH790 can resolve persistent issues by reverting all settings to their original state. This process erases your custom configurations‚ including speaker settings‚ input assignments‚ and sound field preferences. Before initiating a reset‚ note down any specific settings you want to retain.
To perform a factory reset‚ consult the receiver’s operating instructions or help guide for the specific button combination or menu option. Typically‚ this involves accessing the settings menu on the display panel or using a combination of buttons on the receiver itself.
After the reset‚ the receiver will power on with its default settings‚ requiring you to reconfigure your preferred settings‚ such as speaker setup and input assignments. This process is useful for troubleshooting software glitches or preparing the receiver for a new user‚ essentially giving you a clean slate.