Sony's 2010 ES line includes 3D and excludes online retailers; Android remote app on the way
By Richard Lawler 
posted July 6th 2010 11:27AM
posted July 6th 2010 11:27AM
SONY ELEVATES THE STANDARD FOR 3D HOME THEATER WITH NEW ES AV RECEIVERS AND BLU-RAY 3D PLAYER
Company Supports Specialty AV Channel With Focused Distribution Strategy
SAN DIEGO, July 6, 2010 – Driving the innovation of 3D, Sony today took another step to strengthen its industry leading 3D home product line with new Elevated Standard (ES) AV receivers including the STR-DA5600ES, STRA-DA4600ES, and STR-DA 3600ES and a Blu-ray 3D™ player, the BDP-S1700ES.
In addition to Sony's latest 3D capable BRAVIA® HDTVs, the new ES components represent the best audio and video quality Sony has to offer. Designed with custom installers in mind, ES models integrate seamlessly with multi-room, third-party control systems.
"By focusing on seamless integration with custom home theater control partners, Sony is working to deliver products that support the custom and specialty retail business like no other manufacturer," said Brian Siegel, vice president of Sony's home audio and video business. "Because Sony is involved in every stage of the 3D ecosystem, specialty dealers and installers can rest assured that our AV components leverage that deep expertise to deliver the most technically advanced experience possible."
Focusing on the needs of custom home theater installers, Sony's ES line represents an enthusiast-level AV experience featuring some of the company's most advanced technology. The value of the products is best demonstrated by dealers and integrators qualified to engage an advanced consumer audience. To that end, the company is focusing its distribution strategy to include only specialty AV retailers and custom installers. ES products will no longer be offered for sale online or through telesales.
AV Receivers with Custom Control
Sony's 2010 ES AV receivers feature IR input jacks and two-way serial control. They also offer control over IP which allows installers to easily integrate the receivers into the leading home automation systems including Control4®, Crestron, AMX®, Savant, Ultimate Remote Control, RTI, and others. Sony has worked closely with leading control companies and is a Control4 Certified Partner, an AMX Device Discovery Partner, Crestron Integration Partner, and a Savant Excellence in Audio and Video Partner.
The new models offer 3D pass-through and flexible multi-room features. They can connect to a home broadband network through an Ethernet port offering easy access to digital photos, music and videos from Digital Life Network Alliance (DLNA®) sources. They also function as an Ethernet hub featuring four ports that connect other network devices.
Additionally, the Ethernet connection provides access to both Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service, and offers easy access to firmware upgrades via the Internet. The STR-DA5600ES model also functions as a DLNA Live Audio Server that can stream music to other DLNA clients.
Users with an iPhone® or iPod® touch device can control the models using a free app that transforms your mobile device into a full ES receiver remote. The app features zone control, full GUI menu, and Sony's Quick Click remote function which allows users to control source components (such as Blu-Ray player, set-top box) in the main home theater room to be controlled from a second zone.
The STR-DA5600ES and the STR-DA4600ES offer the ability to distribute audio and video to multiple rooms via the second HDMI output and video to a second zone via CAT5 output. They can both also up-scale all sources to 1080p in the main zone and 1080i in a second zone via the Faroudja chip® ensuring a consistent, sharp picture. The connected video zones feature a high-grade, icon-driven menu system that allows for simple device and content navigation.
All three models feature Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) with Automatic Phase Matching (APM). Without changing the front reference speakers, APM corrects for phase differentiation between front, center, and surround speakers, ensuring an ideal sound stage regardless of speaker type. The STR-DA5600ES also offers DCAC EX which includes speaker relocation, not only adjusting for the distance but also the angle of the listening position to create an optimal listening environment.
The receivers also feature Sony's innovative new HD Digital Cinema Sound® that was developed together with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Incorporating high-mounted front speaker placement, HD DCS was designed to transform and replicate both the sound quality and acoustics of a movie theater in the home environment creating an unmatched home theater experience.
All of the models support 1080/24p video signals and x.v.Color™ and Deep Color™ video codecs, as well as all advanced audio formats (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, dts® Master HD, dts® ES, Dolby® Digital EX, Dolby® Pro Logic IIx and 8 channel Linear PCM). They also feature audio return channel allowing network content originating from the television to be played through the receiver without additional cables.
The models feature Sony's Digital Media Port™ for simple connection to an iPod and other digital music players, and are both XM® and Sirius® ready.
The 7.1 channel network multi-room STR-DA5600ES AV receiver features a 130-watt power amplifier x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) With six HDMI 1.4 inputs (five rear, one front) and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs, the model will be available this September for about $2,000.
The 120-watt x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA4600ES features four HDMI outputs and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs. It will be available this August for about $1,500.
The 100-watt x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA3500ES features four HDMI output and will be available in August for about $1,100.
The company also added the 110-watt STR-DN2010 network 3D capable model to its receiver line up. The model will be available in August for about $800.
ES Blu-ray 3D Player with iPhone/iPod Control
Available next month for about $400, Sony's BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D player features an IR input on the back panel or easy integration with control systems. It also offers built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) for easy access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Sony's new premium video service, Qriocity.
Also, users with an iPhone or iPod touch device can control the player using the free "BD Remote" app available from the Apple App store. The app, which will also be available soon for Android™ devices, allows the hand-held to function as a remote control and displays Blu-ray Disc details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for related video clips online.
ES Quality
All Sony ES products are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty, a ninety-day advanced exchange program (2-3 day expedited replacement unit), and a dedicated installer support line to San Diego-based CEDIA trained product experts.
The models will be available through authorized Sony ES dealers and custom installers across the country. For further information on the products, please visit www.sony.com/es.
Model Specifications:
STR-DA5600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver
Available in September for about $2,000
• 130 watt x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD
• DCAC EX Speaker Auto-Calibration with Speaker Relocation (distance and degree) and Automatic Phase Matching (APM)
• 3D pass-through
• Integrated four port Ethernet switch
• Second zone CAT5e output
• DLNA Client and Live Audio Server
• iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application
• Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)
• On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)
• H.A.T.S. clock synchronization for HDMI and DSD
• Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI
• Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR
• PC set up manager
• Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable
• Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service
• Dolby® TrueHD and dts® HD Enhanced audio codecs
STR-DA4600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver
Available in August for about $1,500
• 120 watt x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD
• 3D pass-through
• Integrated four port Ethernet switch
• Second zone CAT5e output
• DLNA Client
• iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application
• Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)
• On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)
• Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI
• Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR
• PC set up manager
• Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable
• Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service
• Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs
STR-DA3600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver
Available in August for about $1,100
• 100 watt x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD
• 3D pass-through
• Integrated four port Ethernet switch
• DLNA Client
• iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application
• Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)
• On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)
• Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
• Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR
• PC set up manager
• Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable
• Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service
• Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs
STR-DN2010 7.1 Channel Network AV Receiver
Available in August for about $800
• 110 watt x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD
• 3D pass-through
• Integrated four port Ethernet switch
• DLNA Client
• iPhone/iPod touch remote control app
• On-screen graphical user interface
• Wireless second zone audio (S-AIR™ multi-room capability)
• Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices
• Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable
• Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service
• Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs
BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D Player
Available in August for $400
• Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player
• Blu-ray 3D capable
• BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony's Qriocity
• IR input jack on rear panel for easy control system integration
• Built-in Wi-Fi Wireless (802.11n) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote™ technology
• BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch and Android remote control – free app.)
• Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA
• DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling
• Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio™ decoding
• Built-in 1GB Memory
Too funny. Did they wake up and think they were Denon or something?
@kcmurphy88 This is normal for Sony's ES line. It's always been in that category (targeted, at least) in the upper Denon, lower-to-mid Rotel and Adcom territory.
Anyone have any experience with the iphone apps for receivers? Just curious if they work ok. I can't see it being too great as it doesn't control your other components but it would be fun to play with.
@hodedofome I hope you are talking about the blu-ray player, in which case the wide angle photo forgives such a comment.
I had that in the eighties, least it looked like that anyways...
@bigsofty
Damn that is one fugly receiver.
Sony AV receivers are handsome..........wat a beauty.
Reminds me of the giant VHS and Betamax devices...
I'll wait.
How about a PS3 controller app?
Not for gaming of course, but for swyping through the xmb and playing music and movies.
I always lose the sony remote but I seem to always have my phone close by
McIntosh it isn't but the price is reasonable for us mortals’.
My 3 year old denon 4806ci still blows this out the water
@Indefinite Implosion
that's ok, my room is only good for 7.1 and I will never purchase a 3d tv
@digg7er Holy Shit, you have a Denon? OMG! I really want to be your friend. You are sooooooooooooo special. Hey everybody, even though digg7er's Denon won't do 3D or HDMI 1.4, he is better than you if you buy this.
@Indefinite Implosion I do, but its silent...and invisible.
@digg7er
You will buy a 3D TV.
If you buy any TV displays in about 5yr's time and onwards it will be able to do 3D, you just might not have glasses with it.
no online sales? what's next, you'll have to fax your order in?
@willowtwf
Back in the late 90's I was on the board of a non-profit and wanted to conduct some discussions by email. One of the other board members objected to "all this technology" and wanted to use fax instead.
Maybe they went to work for Sony.
The last time I shopped for a receiver, I came away with a distaste for Sony's lineup. It's Denon, Yamaha or Onkyo for me.
who the hell buys from those stores anymore? 95% of the time you can find a much better price for the items online, thats why so many of them have gone out of business. sony is so dumb.
@iName If you're not the DIY type and want a custom, whole-room solution, those stores are your best option. Except that if you have that kind of money, Sony's probably *NOT* the brand you'll be looking for.
@iName Because you do not get the same service, support or knowledge that you get in a specialist hi-fi store.
You also get grey imports, users moan as they have a only came with one month not a 3 year parts and labour guarantee that the brick and mortar store has , or the product spec is different, example it has two HDMIs in and not 4, or the device has an incompatible digital radio.
I worked in hi-fi retail for two years. We used to get people come in all the times saying like "I bought x product from y online shop and it only does NTSC video on the composite plugs" or "I bought this projector and it has component in, the HDMI is missing".
There isn't much profit in AV hardware as it is, seeing it online for 20% cheaper usually means it is a grey import.
Custom install is very specialist as well. Speak to any CEDIA accredited specialist, the ones that can only sell the high end gear as they have the knowledge.
Delete "only came with". I should have poof read.
@simonhowes
A lot of that high-end sales restriction has to do with manufacturers protecting their dealer network to limit competition and maximize dealer profits. They do things like exclusive territories and required service contracts for firmware upgrades (Tandberg, I'm looking at you), which is terrible for the consumer. I'm an in-house tech for a university and if you're like me or freelance, those high-end companies treat you like second class at best. They want everybody to go through one of their VAR's.
@iName Protecting the systems integrators that are willing (and knowledgeable enough) to make sure that consumers get the product that meets their needs is in the best interest of Sony. On sites like this, you will see people bashing companies like Sony and praising companies like Denon without even checking out the Sony piece. I agree that Sony doesn't have the track record in the hi-fi world, but this product may be world class. Sony is just trying to make sure that people make their decisions based on the performance of the product (facilitated through the CI channel) and not some random know-it-all on XYZforums.com.
For the record, I own a systems integration company. You should be less concerned with my 5 points of margin protection and more concerned with the protection that Wal-Mart and Amazon get from the manufacturers. Companies will gladly sacrifice quality and performance (screwing the consumer) to get the market share advantage that cut-throat online and big-box retailers give them. The only thing that dramatically lower prices guarantee is poorer service and reliability from the products we buy.
*Please support your local, small business owner.*
@cinematech PS I hate Sony and I don't sell their products.
Does the Blu-Ray player have two HDMI outputs, to drive left & right projectors? You can bet no, so forget that crippled design.
When Sony comes with I ES series thats supports
DTS 12:1 and HDMi 1.4 then I will upgrade but are very happy with my STR DA3400ES.
What? No memory stick slot?
Urf. Who uses high-end Sony AVR's? Anyone who wants something on that level gets Onkyo, Denon, or Yamaha. It's like how VW prices their higher end cars in the same range as Audi, BMW, and Volvo and wonders why they don't sell that well.
@StalkyTheFish
Audi = VW
@a really long and pointless name
oh and volvo = ford
@a really long and pointless name
no, volvo = chinese...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/dec/23/volvo-sale-chinese-ford
The BR player looks kind of low end. I currently have their 5000es BR player and it is fantastic. I'd love to upgrade but that looks like a downgrade in some respects.
I Love the design of this blu-ray ,looks vintage with those prolonged borders