Sony STRDA3500ES 7.1-channel multi-zone home theater receiver

Yes, audio comes in HD, too

When it comes to powerful surround sound home audio, the STR-DA3500ES from Sony means business. And its 100W x 7 channels of output power are only the beginning. Optimized for HD audio sources like Blu-ray Disc, the STR-DA6500ES sports the latest and most advanced surround sound audio decoding technologies, including Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio. You've got the 7.1-channel surround sound speaker configuration encircling your home theater area, and now all you need is the ability to send the HD audio featured on sources like Blu-ray Disc to those speakers. This is where Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio enter the equation. Advanced audio decoding processing prepares you to experience the sound effects, dialogue, and soundtrack audio from your favorite movies just as they were mixed in the studio. Just as the director intended.

Settle only for the best&ensp— 1080p

Once upon a time, standard definition, 480i-resolution DVD video was the best. Now there has been a revolution — the Blu-ray revolution — and now there's a new standard for video . . . high definition 1080p. Because your new HDTV has a 1080p panel resolution, you might be thinking that this means you'll have to pitch your DVDs and begin amassing a new video library collection. Wrong. Thanks to its HDMI connectivity and Faroudja DCDi Cinema upscaling, the Sony STR-DA3500ES receiver lets you experience all your favorite DVDs at near-HD levels. Advanced signal-processing technologies enhance standard definition video entering the receiver via component or composite video to HD-equivalent, 1080p quality, ultimately passing the improved signal along to your HDTV via HDMI. Discover a whole new side to your DVD collection: greater detail and smoother, more lifelike motion.

Bring on the zones

They call it them "home theater receivers", but they usually only bring audio and video to one room in your house. That doesn't seem quite right. After all, you want to experience your favorite movies and music throughout your house. That's why we're thinking the STR-DA3500ES should be thought of as a "whole-home theater receiver." You see, not only does this ES series receiver serve up Full HD audio and video in your main viewing area, but it's also extends its reach with the ability to send audio and video to multiple other rooms across your home. First off, you can set up a second audio/video zone in another room&ensp— like the bedroom — using the 2-channel audio output and the component or composite video outputs. You can even use two of the powered speaker outputs to fuel a stereo pair in the second zone (effectively converting the main area into a 5.1-channel setup). Second, you can send 2-channel audio to a stereo receiver and speaker pair in an additional room. Imagine listening to your favorite album while you tinker in the kitchen, office, or garage. With versatile A/V distribution options, the STR-DA3500ES lets you achieve a true home theater system.

Get ready. Satellite radio ready, that is

You enjoy your XM and SIRIUS satellite radio when you're on the go, so why not when you're at home? The STR-DA3500ES's XM and SIRIUS satellite radio readiness makes listening to satellite radio at home easy. Simply connect your satellite radio receiver (sold separately) to the STR-DA3500ES and you're ready to experience the variety of satellite radio combined with the superior sound quality offered by a Sony ES receiver. (Note: a separate XM or SIRIUS subscription is required for this feature.)

Get custom

Just like no two people's taste in movies is the same, neither are any two home theater areas. Each living room and home theater area's setup creates a unique acoustic environment that can draw different performance levels out of the same audio system. Customizing your home audio system to the specifics of your listening environment, Sony has outfitted the STR-DA3500ES with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration. Simply set up the included calibration microphone in the center of your living room, initiate the calibration sequence, and the STR-DA3500ES measures acoustic performance and adjusts speaker dynamics for optimal audio output. Enjoy.

Tie up to the Digital Media Port

As the demand for digital content continues to be strong, here's the challenge: how to integrate music in various forms into a home theater system? The answer: Sony's DIGITAL MEDIA PORT (DMP). Together with one of the DMP accessories (sold separately), this proprietary interface adds networking and connectivity to the options of home theater systems and components, and connects, controls, and powers various devices, making set up easy and operation simple. The optional DMP accessories compatible with your STR-DA3500ES include a PC Client device, Bluetooth receiver and Audio Docking Stations compatible with Network Walkman and iPod products. So regardless of how you store your music, Sony's DIGITAL MEDIA PORT offers an access point to integrate your portable music into a traditional home theater system.

HDMI: advanced connectivity

Bringing you the absolute best in connectivity, Sony's STR-DA3500ES features four HDMI inputs and one outputs. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the only interface in consumer electronics that can carry both uncompressed high-definition (HD) video and uncompressed multi-channel audio in all HD formats including 720p, 1080i and even 1080p. Your incoming media content comes in a variety of sizes, resolutions and formats, and with that in mind, HDMI systems automatically configure to display that content in the most effective format. Since HDMI carries all channels on video and audio, there is only one cable to plug into any HDMI-enabled source and display device. No more complicated cable set-up when installing your home theater system, and no more ugly cable mess behind your components. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on this single cable. Also, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI. (Please note that a physical adapter, sold separately, is needed to make the conversion from HDMI to DVI.)

Your HD lifeline

High Definition Multimedia Interface, or HDMI, is the only home A/V connection that allows for both Full HD 1080p video and 7.1-channel studio-quality audio to be passes along a single cable. In other words, in order to take full advantage of your home theater's high definition potential, you need to HDMI cabling to link HD-capable components. It's only natural that you might have questions regarding how best to outfit your personal HD system. Vann's sales representatives are here to explain all of your options. Call the 800 number at the top of this page for expert advice.

Included with purchase

The following items are included with the purchase of the STR-DA3500ES receiver: STR-DA3500ES, Operating instructions, Quick Setup guide, GUI menu list, Optimizer microphone (EMC-AC2), FM wire antenna, AM loop antenna, AC power cord, Multi-function remote commander, Simple remote commander, and 2 size AA batteries.