Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall, this receiver is a good value for the money, but don't assume anything. Many of the features you'd expect from an A/V receiver are cobbled together in this unit. For example - the HDMI inputs only support pass-through, meaning that they'll pass the signal on to your TV or projector, but if you want audio through your 5.1 speakers, you'll have to connect the audio to the receiver separately. The receiver WILL NOT pull the audio signal from the HDMI feed, even though the cable carries it. Similarly, if you connect analog sources (component or RCA) to the receiver, the receiver WILL NOT output them through the HDMI out. You'll have to run an analog output from your receiver to your TV or projector to carry signal from those sources. I'm still happy with this unit; it's just not as seamless a solution as I expect from a home theater receiver, and many of the features I took for granted when I looked at all the inputs turned out to be false assumptions.

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Tripp Lite A102-02M Digital Optical Audio Cable with 2 Toslink connectors - 2M (6ft) Review

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(More customer reviews)Digital audio cable (or TOSLINK, as it is also commonly known) is a very common interface in my home entertainment system. My aging Sony A/V reciever only has 4 optical ins/outs and my system of components using the cable standard easily doubles that. I've purchased optical cable switchers and have a lot of optical cable running in the back of my media center. In that regards, I have a number of makes and models of cables, from minimalist and very delicate in build quality to quite robust (and perhaps to the point of overkill). This Tripp Lite cable fits squarely in the middle...a nice solid cable that feels good, but not indestructable. I plugged it in and it works just fine.
Why does build quality matter? TOSLINK, a glass fiber based optical cable standard, is nice, thin and robust in its transmission speeds--but it is susceptible to breaking by overtwisting or sharp impact. If you're comfortable using thin cheap optical cabling because your system is sealed and the cabling rarely accessed, go for it. But for many of us, your system isn't in 'lock down mode' and you may have an intermittent need to rewire or get back there in the "rats' nest" on occasion. For that reason, I recommend this product as a good compromise between cost/quality...it will take the knocks/use (within reason) without breaking the bank.
In short--you don't need the more expensive solutions by Monster or Belkin (which I own and respect). Just evaluate your scenario/circumstances and buy accordingly.

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Tripp Lite Lite Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable A102-02M Cables

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Sherwood RD-8601 6.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Digital and DTS Decoding Review

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(More customer reviews)I just set this unit up there are a few things that are different than the description, one being that there are 2 optical digital inputs and 1 Coaxial digital input and there is 1 digital optical output and 1 Coaxial digital output. That's fine with me as I would rather have more digital optical inputs if you actually could read the back of the unit in the picture you would see that I am correct. Setting the surround sound feature with the mic is awesome, I love this gadget. The only real issue that I have is that the unit I received does not have the Sherwood name anywhere on the product/ box or manual what it does say is QG-500AVR SLS I did find that the QG stood for quick gold but not sure about the rest as of yet I am still researching it. The remote was made for someone who works for Nasa but I was able to figure out the things that I needed to use, I still have a ton to learn about the remote. I did hook up the unit and it was very easy and has great sound, but I only use the optical inputs so I don't know the sound of the rest of the inputs. I only have 5 speakers and one sub set up so I can only use the 5.1 speakers but I have another speaker on the way so that I can hook it up to use the 6.1, when I do I will update my review again.
*********UPDATE*********
Here is the responce that I got from the company on the Name not being Sherwood:
Thank you for your Amazon order.
This SLS branded receiver is a Sherwood RD-8601 receiver, it is rebranded with an SLS name. It is exactly the same as Sherwood RD-8601 except for the logo.
SLS is a high end audio company who contracted Sherwood to build these receivers for them to sell as a home theater package. You can see this home theater package here : [...] LineHomeTheater
We have no control over the pic on Amazon, it is just a listing, our listing does state that this is a rebranded receiver. We have sold hundreds and all our customers are very happy with the quality, especially seeing the low price they paid.
Let us know if you need additional assistance, we will be happy to help.
Best regards,
The Av Express Sales Team
[...]
I am still very happy with this product it has great sound and does a great job with Blueray and digital TV.

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