I bought the SONY DHC-AZ5D last year in August. So my review is based on nine months of use.
SOUND OUTPUT- My only concern while buying the SONY DHC-AZ5D was the sound quality "As loud as it gets" if that’s your definition of a surround system SONY DHC-AZ5D is not for you. Not that it is not loud enough it shakes the windows of my room if I play it loud. Surround systems are designed so that you hear the music from each and every speaker + Woofer and not get deafened by one of them and I think SONY has done a great job with that.
The different Sound field options Like PL(Pro Logic)2 etc are amazing and one gets all the technologies like Dolby Digital, PL, DTS on the S-Master amp that makes way for the best sound you can hear. The USB Connect option is what I love about the SONY DHC-AZ5D.
I can connect my laptop / computer to the system and use winamp/Windows Media player and different mixing and enhancing software’s. The quality after the USB connect is also good though it plays well if you burn a CD for the same MP3. MP3 is something that I personally do not like as the quality of music goes for a toss once a song is converted to MP3. Original CDs do wonders on this system. SONY DHC-AZ5D has made me fall in love with my Gold Edition CDs as I have changed many players in the past but nun were able to give me the high bit rate(KBPS) quality.
Ease of use- The player is easy to use if you know what dose what on the long remote. The best part is the Remote is fully functional on my TV as well. Though storing the FM radio channels is difficult.
PITURE QUALITY- I do not have a LCD screen but I get perfect and sharp DVD quality on my SONY 21inch TV. Though my old VCDs do not play on the system as it gives a Disk is Dirty error if the disk is scratched though I can play the same VCDs on my computer.
DURABILITY- I dropped the huge woofer once while cleaning and nothing broke except for a small scratch on the silver body. I have played heavy metal for 7-8 hrs straight and then change of mood to classical for another 4-5 hrs and everything works perfect.
VALUE fro MONEY - I think the product is good value for money if you know what you are buying and how it works. For example is you have SONY DHC-AZ5D or any other 5.1 channel system buy original 5.1 encoded DVDs only though they are expensive but the prices have come down drastically these days. Do not listen to MP3- always buy original CDs for your favorite music as mp3’s give you half the music.
What I did not like about the SONY DHC-AZ5D- Some very simple features like a Mute Button on the remote or the system is missing. Instead of the 2 cassette player a DVD changer