Sony announces first 3D compatible A/V Receiver

Sony announces first 3D compatible A/V Receiver
Digital Home
February 18, 2010

In January at CES in Las Vegas many consumer electronics were proudly showing off 3D HDTVs and discussing how 3D would be the future of television.

Despite the hype, what CE companies really didn’t mention was the fact that virtually none of the HDTV’s sold in the last five years could display 3D images, none of the standalone Blu-ray players sold in the last two or three years could play back 3D films and none of the A/V receivers sold in the last few years could pass 3D signals.

Considering that few people are going to rush out and buy a new 3DTV, 3DTV Blu-ray player and 3D A/V receiver anytime soon, Digital Home is of the belief that mainstream 3DTV is still a decade or away.

To get consumers started on the 3D bandwagon, Sony today announced its first A/V receiver capable of supporting 3D audio and video featuring HDMI 1.4 3D pass-through technology.

The 7.1 channel STR-DN1010 A/V receiver (110 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD) features full high definition 1080/24p support and seven HD inputs in total (four HDMI and three component) allowing for connection to a wide variety of HD devices. The receiver’s HDMI 3D pass-through technology supports 3D video from connected devices and passes them through to a 3D compatible high definition television, while decoding high-resolution audio codecs.

The receiver also features an icon-driven menu system for simple device and content navigation and has the ability to upscale analog video sources to 1080p resolution via HDMI. The model also boasts a sleek piano black gloss design that matches Sony’s line of Blu-ray Disc players and televisions.

The STR-DN1010 is compatible with all advanced audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio and features wireless 2nd zone capabilities through Sony’s S-AIR wireless technology.

The STR-DN1010 A/V receiver also features a Digital Media Port (DMP) input for simple connection to external sources including an iPod and iPhone (compatible DMP accessories required and sold separately) and is compatible with both Deep Color and x.v.Color.

The STR-DN1010 A/V receiver will be available in the U.S. this June for about $500. Canadian pricing and availability was not announced.

Sony STR-DN1010 A/V receiver - $500 U.S.

In addition to the STR-DN1010, Sony also introduced the new STR-DH810, STR-DH710 and STR-DH510 A/V receiver models (which are not 3D compatible) to its core line-up.

Specifications are as follows:

STR-DH810 A/V Receiver

* 7.1 channel (110 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
* Seven HD connections (4 HDMI / 3 component)
* Upscales incoming analog video signals to 1080p
* 2nd Zone wireless audio (S-AIR ready)
* Compatible with Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio
* Fully assignable audio and video inputs
* Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
* Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices
* Universal Remote

Available in the U.S. in March for about $400. Canadian pricing and availability was not announced.

STR-DH710 A/V Receiver

* 7.1 channel (105 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
* Six HD connections (3 HDMI / 3 component)
* 2nd Zone wireless audio (S-AIR ready)
* Compatible with Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD Master Audio
* Fully assignable inputs allows for use of all connections
* Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
* Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices

Available in the U.S. in March for about $300. Canadian pricing and availability was not announced.

STR-DH510 A/V Receiver

* 5.1 channel (100 watts power per channel @8-Ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD)
* Five HD connections (3 HDMI / 2 component)
* HDMI Repeater for simplified audio and video signal management
* Blu-ray Disc Audio Decoding (Linear PCM Only)
* Audio Return Channel using just one cable for TV audio
* Stand by pass-through of Audio & Video via HDMI connected devices

Available in the U.S. in March for about $230. Canadian pricing and availability was not announced.