Sorry .... I do not know English but ... I've been using since 2002. Currently, the S500 still works fine. The sound effects are wonderful connection with Bluray Player, Sony PS3 via optical. 5 stars for a simple device (I bought a Denon 1312XP, but bad sound effects than S500)

Ive just seen the light or really had the light. I have just counted the number of years my Sony Dav S550 has been with me. A valued member of my movie and gaming society for a little less than a decade and still working and offering high quality 5.1 sound. Will Sony ever find the light again!

Sony was known for it's reliability, and I was prepared to pay a little extra for the piece of mind of purchasing a product with a long term lifespan.
I went out and bought a Sony TV, surround sound system and a VCR. Within 12 months my VCR processor failed (repaired under warranty). 12 months later my DVD controller board failed on the Sony DAV-S500 system, which costs a minimum of £120 to fix, plus labour costs and VAT.

I expected more from Sony products as they were regarded as the most reliable brand. However, I now find myself questioning why Sony products remain more expensive than equivalent spec products when their reliability is so poor.
Don't just take my word for it. Take a visit to eBay and see for yourself how many faulty Sony units are offered for sale.
My experience is not uncommon.

I have (had) the Sony DAV-s500 and it was great! With no problems. Lots of connectivity. One day after about 5 YRS, not alot of use it died, no power lights or anything. So now I have a Panasonic TV and a Panasonic Cinema surround sound. I hope it outlast the Sony. I think it the Sony should have lasted longer as I paid nearly £500 pounds back then.
Running cost i.e., 5YRS = £100 a year that's expensive.

Just wanted to say that I got the left speaker problem with my Sony DAV-S500. I took the circuit board in order to resolder but couldn't see any problems., I checked the connections from the board to the socket with a multi meter. All seemed fine so I reassembled. But now it works!

Seems like there is some dodgy connection. This may get worse when it heats up. Anyway, it might be worth a try.

I love the Sony DAV-S550 DVD home cinema system. I have had it for 3 years, and now I am only upgrading the DVD player and keeping the Sony home cinema as the sound part via a optical cable. With my new plasma, now is the time for HIGH DEF. Nothing has ever come close to this for the price.

Well done Sony!

Bought the Sony DAV-S500 on the back of reviews in magazines. Initially very pleased, it was simple to set up and displayed good picture quality with reasonable sound. However Sony build quality is not all that it once was or what the name instills. The tuner keeps forgetting the pre-set stations and one of the speakers (Front Left) works intermittantly.
My last Dolby B system was still performing faultlessly when I upgraded to the Sony

I've had the Sony DAVS550 for about 6 months now, and am really pleased with it. It seems to handle everything that I can throw at it, although there are a few grumbles. Video to video2 - no surround sound. Sat to video1 - no 5.1 ( sky's fault not the 550). And now I've just tried it as a SACD. Popped in the Pink Floyd Dark Side 5.1 disc. Fantastic. Well worth the price alone. The only real annoyance that although I have the multi-region model,it doesn't handle NTSC to PAL. ( Although the Australian model does ). I bought a Queensryche DVD in the UK and the 550 will only play it in NTSC, although my cheaper Logix plays it no problem. I think I've covered all bases to get this problem fixed ( apart from buying a new TV ) but maybe someone out there knows better.

Bought system after checking out various mags for the best on the market. I wasnt dissappointed at all. Quality of sound, picture and build are superb. Only let down is that it is not multi region. Anyone know of a way to convert it? Let me know [email protected]

This is my first experience of a surround sound system, and I must say that I am reasonably impressed with it. I paid £300 from Richer Sounds for my Multi-Region Sony DAVS550. The volume needs to be cranked on some DVDs but others are fine, especially those with a DTS track (Terminator 2 Ultimate DVD DTS track is cracking).
The only real problem thatI have found is that I can hear some dialogue through the sub. This was especially noticable with Mel Gibson's voice on the DTS track on 'Signs'and this did spoil the enjoyment slightly as this detatches the voices from the screen somewhat. Has anyone else noticed this and can it be remedied?

Sound, Style

After reading 'What hi-fi' raving about the DAV-S550 being a star buy for £600. I decided that for £350 (multi-region) from 'Richer Sounds', it was too good an offer to let pass. And i have to agree with 'What Hi-fi'. The sound is impressive and weighty with action films, but still crystal clear enough for dialogue. I know that it could never compete with full-on separate A/V components and speaker packages, but in my room which is approx 4m x 4m i would never have the space for such equipment. So the diddy satelite speakers and sub are just the ticket. DPL 2 is also a great feature for watching standard TV programmes. It's worthwhile getting an S-video - Scart lead (or component cable if you're lucky enough to have a plasma screen) As this is noticeably better than the composite adaptor supplied. To sum up. Buy with confidence (not forgetting mounting brackets!). As long as you're lounge isn't of gargantuan proportions, you won't be dissapointed.

Wanting a all in one systen that wouldn't take up a lot of room and also something that would play allsorts of formats, the Sony DAVS550 was in the frount running from the start.
Having shopped around, we found that Richer sounds had the best deal, Once home the system was very simple to set up and we were watching a DVD with in half an hour of taken it out of the box, the picture quality is stunning the sound is ample for most living rooms, it looks very smart with neat speakers, the only thing is there are no scart outputs on the back of the Sony, only phono outputs so you will have to buy some sort of phono leads to listen to other equipment such as video and sky.
If you wish you can ask for a multi region system which will play all DVDs from aroud the world.
Its great sounding, Good looking, Well built, resonable value for money (well it is a Sony).

This is a amazing setup piece of kit. The Sony DAVS550 is a bargain at only £350.00 from Richer Sounds Multi-Region Sony shop still selling at 450 region 2. The sound of this kit is awesome full of kicking bass at low volume. The picture quality is good with standard leads.
Completely recommend this system as after listening to my friends Bose Lifestyle 12, this matches the sound but at a cheaper price.
You can save yourself some money too by buying the speaker wall brackets from Currys a deal at only 12.99 per pair in silver.

Having just received the DAVS550 and never having had a full surrond sound system before, the sound quality and effects are awsome! No complaints about the product as yet.

Set everything up last night, and it's very easy with the user-friendly colour coded wiring.

Be warned that the unit has no scart output and you will need to buy a S/video to scart lead in order to conect to your TV. There is a normal video cable supplied, but when you've spent so much, you might as well get the proper cable and make the most of the quality.

Sound quality is excellent - I shall be using the system as my hi-fi as well as for home cinema, music playback is more than acceptable (but then I'm not really a Hi-Fi enthusiast so others may disagree?). It sounds far better than my old midi system anyway.

The remote DOES glow in the dark, but as with any glow in the dark product, needs to be exposed to light before hand.

The system looks great, sounds great, and so far I'm very impressed. Make sure you shop around on the internet though as prices are coming down all the time. I bought mine on-line for £369.95 on 8th March 2003.

I'm not the best person to review this product since I've never had any other system with which to compare it! However, if like me you're a first time home-cinema buyer, don't hesitate to buy the DAVS550!!

My value for money rating is based on the cheapest internet price, not the RRP!

I'm pretty happy with the Sony DAVS550 home cinema system. I found that the five 80W speakers does a pretty good job at giving out the bass, where as some other home entertainment system doesn't (Many only with 30W to 40W). I tested the clarity and the blast, both were exceptionally good. You can still hear people talking clearly behind explosion, where as many other system I tested couldn't. You don't get those squashed sound from some other systems. Overall, I'm quite happy with this system.

One thing I don't like about this system is there is no time setting for this system. I want to be able to wake up to the Music that I want to heard in the morning.

Upgraded..well I thought I was upgrading from my old Sony dav s300 which I loved, entry level, I agree but hey !..and I have to say, after testing it with what I believe to be the test of tests .. the opening battle scene in Saving Private Ryan, I was gutted by the lack of something which I can't put my finger on, plenty bass, just seems to lack the sound quality of the 300. Also It is almost double the power of the 300 50w pc as opposed to 30wpc with the 300 but you wouldn't know it .. you have to put the volume much higher with the 550. It takes an eternity to load discs, and some come with the subtitles showing which is hacking me off, and the glow in the dark remote .. guess what .. your right .. It doesn't glow. So all in I feel like I've wasted my money. Contacting my dealer this week to see about upgrading to the 880.

Sony seem to have looked to the future in their latest models of home cinema. The 550 includes the latest Dolby support prologic II. Unless your a game fan you might not of heard about the new format. Dolby Pro Logic II allows for a standard stereo input to be plugged in to give full 5.1 Surround sound! Obviously there is one small catch that the bass level is very low! But it shows how the Dolby Labs are thinking of new ideas. So far only the New Nintendo GameCube is the only piece of equipment to take onboard this new piece of technology. The 550 builds on the older model (500) with a more stylish setup and the additional support of CD-R, CD-RW, VCD's and SVCD! So at least Sony are hearing what we all want! Rumours are out that you can enter a password on the remote to unlock the region coding.

The system has a Tuner & C.D but no T.V function so how do you get all your T.V broadcasts to go through the sony system ?

I just purchased a Sony DAV-S500 home cinema kit. I think it's great. Sony have really got a winner. It's very compact and has built in tuner. The picture is very clear and the sound's fantastic. Great value for money at £399 on the net. It does not have a scart, but comes with the cable you need which is s video to scart