str dh550 user manual

Sony STR-DH550 User Manual⁚ A Comprehensive Guide

This user manual serves as a comprehensive guide to the Sony STR-DH550 5.2-Channel AV Receiver, providing you with all the information you need to effectively operate and enjoy its features. The manual covers a wide range of topics, from basic setup and connectivity to advanced settings and troubleshooting, ensuring a seamless and enriching audio experience.

Introduction

Welcome to the world of immersive home theater with the Sony STR-DH550 5.2-Channel AV Receiver. This user manual is your guide to unlocking the full potential of this powerful audio system, designed to elevate your entertainment experience to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer to home theater, this manual will provide you with the knowledge and tools to set up, configure, and enjoy your STR-DH550 to the fullest.

The Sony STR-DH550 is a feature-rich AV receiver that brings a range of connectivity options and audio enhancements to your home entertainment setup. Its 5.2-channel surround sound system, combined with the support for various audio formats, including DTS and Dolby Digital, delivers a captivating and immersive audio experience. From action-packed movies to your favorite music, this receiver will bring your entertainment to life with crystal-clear sound and powerful bass.

This manual will guide you through the essential aspects of using your STR-DH550, including setting up your system, connecting external devices, configuring speakers, and utilizing advanced settings. We’ll also address common issues and provide troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable user experience.

Let’s embark on a journey to discover the full potential of your Sony STR-DH550 and transform your home into a haven of cinematic audio bliss.

Key Features and Specifications

The Sony STR-DH550 is packed with features designed to enhance your audio experience and provide versatile connectivity options. Here’s a closer look at its key capabilities and specifications⁚

• 5.2-Channel Surround Sound⁚ Immerse yourself in a cinematic soundscape with the STR-DH550’s 5.2-channel surround sound system. This configuration delivers a multi-dimensional audio experience, with dedicated channels for front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and a powerful subwoofer for deep bass.
• 4K Video Pass-Through⁚ Enjoy stunning 4K video quality with the receiver’s support for 4K signal pass-through. This ensures that your high-resolution content is displayed in its full glory, enhancing the visual impact of your home theater setup.
• HDMI Connectivity⁚ The STR-DH550 features 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, providing ample connectivity for your various entertainment devices, including Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.
• USB Port⁚ Connect your USB storage devices to play music directly from your receiver, offering a convenient way to access your digital music library.
• Audio Return Channel (ARC)⁚ The receiver’s ARC functionality allows you to send audio from your TV back to the receiver through a single HDMI cable, simplifying your setup and eliminating the need for additional cables.
• Night Mode⁚ Enjoy a quieter listening experience with Night mode, which automatically adjusts the dynamic range to reduce loud peaks and provide a more comfortable listening experience at night.
• RDS Tuner⁚ Tune in to your favorite radio stations with the built-in RDS tuner, which displays station information and program details.

These features, combined with the STR-DH550’s robust construction and user-friendly interface, make it a compelling choice for elevating your home entertainment experience.

Connectivity Options

The Sony STR-DH550 offers a wide array of connectivity options, ensuring seamless integration with your existing home theater setup and providing flexibility for various audio and video sources. Here’s a breakdown of the available connections⁚

• HDMI⁚ The receiver boasts 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, enabling you to connect multiple devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and even your TV, via a single cable for both audio and video transmission. The HDMI ports support 4K video pass-through, allowing you to enjoy the highest resolution content.
• Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs⁚ Connect digital audio sources, such as CD players, DVD players, and streaming devices, using the optical and coaxial digital inputs. These inputs ensure pristine audio quality without any loss of signal integrity.
• Analog Audio Inputs⁚ For devices that do not have digital outputs, the STR-DH550 provides multiple analog audio inputs, including a dedicated phono input for connecting a turntable. These inputs offer flexibility for connecting older equipment, such as cassette players and turntables.
• USB Port⁚ Connect USB storage devices to play music directly from your receiver. This feature provides a convenient way to access your digital music library without the need for a separate player.
• Speaker Connections⁚ The receiver features speaker terminals for connecting your front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer speakers, allowing for a comprehensive surround sound setup.

These extensive connectivity options ensure that you can easily integrate the STR-DH550 into your existing home theater system, whether you’re using modern digital devices or older analog equipment. The receiver’s flexible connectivity empowers you to enjoy all your favorite audio and video sources in high fidelity.

Audio Formats and Enhancements

The Sony STR-DH550 is equipped to handle a variety of audio formats, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite content with the highest fidelity. The receiver supports popular surround sound formats, including Dolby Digital and DTS, creating an immersive and realistic audio experience for movies and games.

Beyond basic audio decoding, the STR-DH550 incorporates several audio enhancements designed to optimize your listening experience. These features include⁚

• Night Mode⁚ This feature automatically adjusts the dynamic range of audio, reducing loud peaks and enhancing softer sounds, making it ideal for late-night listening without disturbing others.
• ClearAudio+⁚ Sony’s proprietary ClearAudio+ technology analyzes and enhances audio signals, resulting in clearer and more natural-sounding audio. This feature optimizes the soundstage, enhances detail, and provides a richer and more immersive listening experience.
• Digital Cinema Sound (DCS)⁚ This feature recreates the immersive sound of a movie theater in your home. DCS uses advanced algorithms to create a wide and expansive soundstage, making your movies feel more realistic and engaging.

The STR-DH550’s ability to decode various audio formats and its advanced audio enhancement features ensure that you can enjoy your favorite content with the highest fidelity. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, the receiver delivers a dynamic and immersive audio experience that will enhance your entertainment enjoyment.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the Sony STR-DH550 is a straightforward process, even for those new to home theater systems. The receiver’s user-friendly design and clear instructions make installation hassle-free.

To begin, unpack the receiver and ensure all components are present, including the power cord, remote control, and any necessary cables. Locate a suitable placement for the receiver, ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

Connect your TV to the receiver using an HDMI cable. The receiver features multiple HDMI inputs, allowing you to connect various devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices.

Next, connect your speakers to the corresponding speaker terminals on the back of the receiver. Refer to the speaker configuration diagram in the user manual for proper wiring. The receiver supports various speaker configurations, allowing you to customize the soundstage according to your setup.

Once the speakers are connected, plug the receiver into a power outlet and turn it on; The receiver will automatically detect the connected speakers and configure them for optimal performance. The on-screen display (OSD) will guide you through the initial setup process, allowing you to select your preferred language, speaker configuration, and other settings.

The STR-DH550 provides a simple and intuitive setup process, making it easy to enjoy your new home theater system. By following the detailed instructions in the user manual, you can quickly and effortlessly configure the receiver and enjoy its full range of features.

Using the Remote Control

The Sony STR-DH550 comes equipped with a comprehensive remote control that provides easy access to all of the receiver’s functions; It’s designed for intuitive navigation and control, making it simple to adjust settings, switch inputs, and manage your audio experience.

The remote features dedicated buttons for common functions, such as power, volume, input selection, and playback controls. It also includes buttons for specific features, like surround sound modes, night mode, and audio settings.

To operate the receiver using the remote, point it towards the receiver’s infrared sensor, located on the front panel. The remote’s range is sufficient for most room sizes, allowing you to control the receiver from a comfortable distance.

The remote control also features a navigation button, allowing you to move through menus and settings. This button is particularly useful for accessing advanced settings and customizing your audio experience.

The remote’s backlit display provides clear visibility in low-light conditions, ensuring you can easily identify the selected functions. The remote also has a dedicated button for accessing the on-screen display (OSD), which provides detailed information about the current settings and inputs.

With its intuitive layout, dedicated buttons, and helpful on-screen display, the Sony STR-DH550’s remote control makes it easy to navigate and control the receiver’s various features, enhancing your home theater experience.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the Sony STR-DH550 is a reliable receiver, you may encounter occasional issues. This section provides solutions to common problems to help you quickly resolve them and enjoy uninterrupted audio.

If the receiver is not powering on, check the power cord connection and ensure the power outlet is working. Also, verify if the receiver’s power switch is in the ON position. If the receiver is on but no sound is coming out, ensure the volume is not muted and the speaker connections are secure.

If the remote control is not working, check the batteries and ensure they are inserted correctly. Also, make sure the remote is pointed directly at the receiver’s infrared sensor. If the issue persists, try resetting the remote by removing and reinserting the batteries.

If you experience problems with specific inputs, try disconnecting and reconnecting the cables. If the problem is with a specific device, ensure the device is compatible with the receiver and that its settings are configured correctly.

If the receiver is displaying an error message, refer to the user manual for detailed troubleshooting steps. It’s also helpful to check for software updates for the receiver, as these may resolve known issues.

If you are unable to resolve the issue yourself, contact Sony support for assistance. They can provide technical support and guidance to help you get your receiver working correctly again.

By following these troubleshooting tips and seeking assistance from Sony support if needed, you can address most common issues and enjoy a smooth and enjoyable audio experience with your STR-DH550 receiver.

Connecting to External Devices

The Sony STR-DH550 receiver offers a variety of connectivity options for connecting your external devices. Whether you want to enjoy movies, music, or gaming, the receiver provides seamless integration with your home entertainment system.

For high-quality video and audio, utilize the HDMI inputs. The receiver features four HDMI inputs, allowing you to connect multiple devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, or streaming devices. Connect the HDMI output of the device to one of the receiver’s HDMI inputs using an HDMI cable.

For audio-only connections, you can use the optical or coaxial digital inputs. These inputs are ideal for connecting devices like CD players or digital audio converters (DACs). Connect the optical or coaxial output of the device to the corresponding input on the receiver using the appropriate cable.

For even greater versatility, the receiver features a USB input for connecting USB flash drives. You can play music stored on a USB flash drive directly through the receiver. The receiver also supports playback of various audio formats, including MP3, AAC, and WAV.

To ensure optimal performance, connect the receiver to your TV using the HDMI output. This will provide a high-quality video signal to your TV while allowing you to control the receiver’s volume and other functions using your TV remote.

By utilizing the various connectivity options offered by the STR-DH550, you can seamlessly integrate your external devices and enjoy a wide range of entertainment options with exceptional audio quality.

Speaker Configuration and Placement

Proper speaker configuration and placement are crucial for achieving optimal surround sound performance with the Sony STR-DH550. The receiver supports a 5.2-channel setup, which includes five speakers and a subwoofer.

The front left and right speakers should be placed on either side of the TV, at ear level. The center speaker should be placed directly below or above the TV, ensuring it is aligned with the front left and right speakers.

The rear speakers should be placed behind the listening position, slightly angled towards the listener. For a more immersive surround sound experience, consider placing the rear speakers on the side walls, angled towards the listening position.

The subwoofer should be placed in a corner of the room or near a wall, as this will enhance its bass output. The ideal placement for the subwoofer will vary depending on the room acoustics and personal preference.

When configuring your speakers, it is important to ensure that they are connected to the correct terminals on the receiver. Refer to the receiver’s manual for detailed instructions on speaker connection.

Once your speakers are connected, you can use the receiver’s built-in speaker calibration system (DCAC) to optimize the speaker settings for your room. This system will automatically adjust the speaker levels and delays to create a balanced and immersive surround sound experience.

By carefully configuring and placing your speakers, you can enjoy a truly immersive and engaging audio experience with the Sony STR-DH550.

Advanced Settings and Customization

The Sony STR-DH550 provides a range of advanced settings and customization options to tailor your audio experience to your preferences. These settings allow you to fine-tune various aspects of your sound, such as speaker levels, sound field, and audio enhancements;

One of the key features is the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) system. This automatic speaker calibration feature analyzes your room acoustics and adjusts speaker levels, delays, and crossover frequencies to optimize sound for your specific listening environment.

You can further customize your audio experience by adjusting the speaker levels manually. This allows you to fine-tune the balance between each speaker channel, ensuring a well-rounded and immersive soundstage.

The STR-DH550 also offers a variety of sound field modes, including Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo⁚6. These modes simulate different surround sound environments, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your listening preferences.

For audiophiles, the receiver features a range of audio enhancements, such as ClearAudio+ and Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE). These technologies aim to improve the clarity, detail, and overall listening experience of your audio content.

You can access and adjust these advanced settings and customization options using the receiver’s on-screen display (OSD), which is easily navigated using the remote control.