On the front right side we find the Master Volume control, the Input Selector, the Preset Tuning buttons, the PLII enable/disable button, the sound field and the mute buttons.

On the left side there's only the on/off button:

The maximum volume level reaches 73, which we recommend you not try :-)

The device also provides adjustments on all the speaker levels and tones ( Bass and Treble). The speaker size as well as the distance from the listener can also be adjusted.

The "2CH ST" mode outputs the sound from the front left and right speaker only. Standard 2 channel ( stereo) sources completely bypass the sound field processing. Multi channel surround formats down-mixed to 2 channels.

The "A.F.D AUTO" mode automatically detects the type of audio signal being input ( Dolby Digital, DTS or 2CH) and performs the proper decoding if necessary. This mode presents the sound as it was recorded/encoded without adding any effects. However if there are no low frequency signals ( Dolby Digital LFE, etc) it will generate a low frequency signal for output to the sub woofer.

Pressing the PLII button, there are three modes which can be selected : "Dolby PL", PLII Movie" and "PLII MUS". The first mode performs the Pro Logic decoding. Software with multi channel surround audio signals is played back according to the way it was recorded. Software with 2CH audio signals is decoded with Dolby Pro Logic to create surround effects ( 4 channels). With the second mode, the "PLII MOV", performs the Pro Logic II decoding. This setting is ideal for movies encoded in Dolby Surround. Besides, this mode can reproduce the sound in 5.1CH when watching videos of old movies or in a dubbed language. Finally, the third mode, "PLII MUS", performs the Pro Logic II music mode decoding. This setting is ideal for normal stereo sources such as CDs.

Each time the input selector is pressed, the following will appear:

The device also has a built-in tuner, with Radio Data System supported.

By pressing the sound field button you can choose between the following programs: HALL, JAZZ and CONCERT.

Digital Cinema Sound
The DCS is also available with this receiver. In collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony measured the sound environment of their studios and intergrated the data from the measurements and Sony's own DSP, Digital Signal Processor, technology to develop DCS sound. In a home theater, DCS simulates an ideal movie theater sound environment based on the preference of the movie director.

There are three modes available here:

C.ST.EX A
This mode reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Cary Grant Theater" cinema production cinema. This is a standard mode, great for watching most any type of movie.

C.ST.EX B
This is the second mode available and reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment "Kim Novak Theater" cinema production cinema. This mode is ideal for watching science-fiction or action movies with lots of sound effects.

C.ST.EX C
The last mode reproduces the sound characteristics of the Sony Pictures Entertainment scoring stage. This mode is ideal for watching musical or classic films where music is featured in the soundtrack.