Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - Video Performance Tests
In order to test the video performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver, I used the standardized HQV DVD Benchmark Test Disc from Silicon Optix (IDT). The test has a series of test patterns and images that test how well a video processor in a Blu-ray Disc/DVD player, TV, or Home Theater Receiver can display a good quality image when face with a low resolution or poor quality source.
In this Step-by-Step gallery, the results of several of the tests listed above are shown.
Screen shots were obtained using a Sony DSC-R1 Digital Still Camera. All photos were taken at at 10 megapixels and resized for posting.
1. Using an OPPO Digital DV-980H DVD Player, I set the output resolution to 480i and alternately connected the Composite (yellow) and Component (red, green, blue) video outputs to the matching composite and component video inputs on the Sony STR-DN1040.
2. The Sony STR-DN1040's HDMI output was connected to a Westinghouse LVM-37w3 1080p TV/Monitor. I confirmed, via the onscreen display of the Westinghouse, that it was receiving a 1080p signal (converted and upscaled from 480i) from the HDMI output of the STR-DN1040. I also checked, via the DVD player's onscreen menu, that it was outputing a 480i signal to the Sony STR-DN1040.
3. I inserted a Silicon Optix/IDT HQV test disc in the DVD player and ran through a series of tests designed detect the deinterlacing and scaling ability of the Sony STR-DN1040.
For a photo illustrated look at some of the test results, continue to proceed through the next series of pages...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 1
Here is a look at the first of a series of tests that helps to measure the video processing capabilities of the Sony STR-DN1040. This first test (referred to as the Jaggies 1 Test) consists of a diagonal bar that rotates within a circle. If the rotating bar is straight, or shows minimal wrinkling or jaggedness, as it passes red, yellow, and green zones of the circle, the 1040's on-board video processor is doing a good job, if not, then it will fail the test.
As shown in the above photo, the diagonal bar is straight, showing no wrinkling or jaggedness as it rotates within the circle. The Sony STR-DN1040's video processor passes this initial test.
However, this only the start of the evaluation process.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 2
Here is a second look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test. Just as in the first example, the rotating bar is smooth. Once again, Sony STR-DN1040's video processor passes this portion of the test.
Proceed to the next photo for a final look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 3
In a third, and final, look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test results for the Sony STR-DN1040, the example shows that when viewed close-up, the motion of the bar reveals only very slight roughness along the edges that is hardly noticeable, along with a slight bend on the end where the bar meets the edge of the circle. However, this considered an excellent result.
Looking at all three examples as a group, the Sony STR-DN1040's video processor definitely passes the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 2 - Example 1
In this test (known as the Jaggies 2 Test), three bars are moving and down in rapid motion. If Sony STR-DN1040's video processor is doing its job, at least one bar needs to be straight. If two bars are straight that indicates better performance, and if three lines were straight, that would indicate optimum performance.
As shown in the photo, all three bars are straight - which is the best possible outcome.
As a result, the Sony STR-DN1040 passes this test. However, let's take a closer look.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 2 - Example 2
Here is a close-up view of the Jaggies 2 Test illustrated on the previous page with the lines in a slightly different position.
As shown in the photo, the top two bars are straight and the bottom bar is only very, very, slightly wavy (hardly noticeable by the standards of this test). This is, for all practical purposes, an optimum result, just as with the rotating bar (Jaggies 1) test, the Sony STR-DN1040 definitely passes the bouncing bar (Jaggies 2) test.
However, there are still more tests to conduct.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 1
Passing the previously shown rotating and bouncing bars tests is one indicator of the ability of the Sony STR-DN1040's video processor to handle standard definition video signal, but in addition to a rotating or bouncing bar, natural images contain a combination of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal motion. A waving American Flag provides is a great way to test this capability.
If the flag is jagged, the video processor of the STR-DN1040, specifically 480i/480p conversion and upscaling, would be below average and result is failing grade.
However, you can see here (even when you click for the larger view), the interior stripes of the flag appear are very smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag. This is definitely a passing result for this example of the test.
By proceeding to the next two photo examples, you will see the results with regards to the differing position of the flag as it waves.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 2
Here is a second look at the waving flag test with the waving flag in a different position. Even when you click for the larger view, the interior stripes of the flag appear are still very smooth smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag. Just as in the previous example, the Sony STR-DN1040 receives a passing grade.
Proceed to the next photo, for a third, and final results example for waving flag test.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 3
Here is the third, and final, look at the flag waving test. Just as in the previous two examples, the interior stripes of the flag appear very smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag.
Combining all three photo examples, the 480i/480p conversion and 1080p upscaling ability of the Sony STR-DN1040 is excellent so far, but there is still more to check.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Race Car Test - Example 2
Shown above is a test that shows how good the video processor of the Sony STR-DN1040 is at detecting 3:2 source material. Here, the video processor has to be able to detect whether the source material is film based (24 frames per second) or video based (30 frames a second) and display the source material correctly on the screen, so as to avoid artifacts.
In the example above, if the video processor is poor the grandstand would display a moire pattern on the seats.
However, if the Sony STR-DN1040 has good video processing, the Moire Pattern will not be visible or only visible during the first five frames of the cut.
However, in this example, there is no moire pattern visible as the image pans and the race car goes by. This indicates very good performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 with regards to accurate processing of film or video-based content containing detailed backgrounds and fast moving foreground objects.
For another sample of how this image should look, check out an example of this same test as performed by a Anthem MRX700 Home Theater Receiver, from a past review.
For a sample of how this test should not look, check out an example of this same test as performed by the Harman Kardon AVR2600 Home Theater Receiver, from a past product review.
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Titles Test
Here is a second photo of the "Race Car Test" as explained on the previous page.
Just as in the previous example, there is no moire pattern visible as the image pans and the race car goes by. This indicates very good performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 with regards to accurate processing of film or video-based content containing detailed backgrounds and fast moving foreground objects.
aFor another sample of how this image should look in this position, check out an example of this same test as performed by a Anthem MRX700 Home Theater Receiver, from a past review.
For a sample of how this test should not look, check out an example of this same test as performed by the Harman Kardon AVR2600 Home Theater Receiver, from a past product review.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV HD Loss Test
Even though a video processor may be able detect the difference between video and film-based sources, such as shown in the previous photo, can it detect both of them at the same time? The reason this is important is that often, video titles (moving at 30 frames per second) are laid over film (which is moving at 24 frames per second). This can cause problems as the combination of both these elements can result in artifacts that make the titles look jagged or broken.
However, in this case, if the Sony S TR-DN1020 can detect the differences between the titles and the rest of the image, the titles should appear smooth.
As shown in this results example, the letters are smooth (the blurriness is due to the camera's shutter) and shows that the Sony STR-DN1040 detects and shows a very stable scrolling title image.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV HD Loss Test - Close-up
Here is an additional, important, test of video performance as it relates to high-definition source material.
In this test, the image has been recorded in 1080i and is being played back through the Sony STR-DN1040 using a Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc player as the source. In this case, the Blu-ray Disc player is set to 1080i output so that the 1080i image on the Blu-ray is passed directly to the STR-DN1040 for conversion to 1080p.
The Blu-ray Disc player is connected to the STR-DN1040 via the component video output. Note: 1080i to 1080p conversion and upscaling is only available via component video input to HDMI output on the Sony STR-DN1040.
The problem faced is the ability of the processor in the STR-DN1040 to distinguish between the still and moving parts of the image. If the processor does its job properly, the moving bar will be smooth and all of lines in the still part of the image will be visible at all times.
However, to make the test more difficult to pass, the squares on each corner contain white lines on odd frames and black lines on even frames. If the blocks continuously show still lines the processor is doing a complete job at reproducing all of the resolution of the original image. However, if the square blocks are seen to vibrate or strobe alternately in black (see example) and white (see example), then the video processor is not processing the full resolution of the entire image.
As you can see in this frame, the squares in the corners are displaying still lines.
This means that these squares are being displayed properly as they are not showing a solid white or black square, but a square filled with alternating lines. In addition, the rotating bar appears smooth due to the size of this photo.
NOTE: Line blurriness caused by camera shutter speed, not the video processor in the Sony STR-DN1040 or the TV.
Here is a close-up look at the rotating line in the test as discussed in the previous page. The image has been recorded in 1080i, which the Sony STR-DN1040 needs to reprocess as 1080p. The problem faced is the ability of the processor to distinguish between the still and moving parts of the image. If the processor does its job properly, the moving bar will be smooth.
However, as seen in this close-up photo of the rotating bar, which appeared smooth in the previous photo, does actually exhibit some roughness along the edges, but is not jagged.
This is a very good result, and indicates that the STR-DN1040 does well with both 1080i to 1080p still image conversion, and 1080i to 1080p conversion with moving objects.
NOTE: Line blurriness caused by camera shutter speed, not the video processor in the Sony STR-DN1040 or the TV.
Final Note
Here is a summary of the additional tests performed that are not shown in the previous photo examples:
Color Bars: PASS
Detail (resolution enhancement): FAIR
Noise Reduction: PASS
Mosquito Noise (the "buzzing" that can appear around objects): FAIR
Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction (noise and ghosting that can follow rapidly moving objects): - PASS
Assorted Cadences:
2:2 - PASS
2:2:2:4 - PASS
2:3:3:2 - PASS
3:2:3:2:2 - PASS
5:5 - PASS
6:4 - PASS
8:7 - PASS
3:2 (Progressive Scan) - PASS
In summary, the Sony DTR-DN1040 performs video processing and upscaling functions well - but the caveat is that it can only process and upscale video from analog sources (composite/component) to the 1080p. It does not have the capability to process or upscale lower resolution HDMI video sources to 1080p.
For additional perspective on the Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver, plus a close-up photo look at its features and connection offerings, check out my Review and Photo Profile.
In order to test the video performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver, I used the standardized HQV DVD Benchmark Test Disc from Silicon Optix (IDT). The test has a series of test patterns and images that test how well a video processor in a Blu-ray Disc/DVD player, TV, or Home Theater Receiver can display a good quality image when face with a low resolution or poor quality source.
In this Step-by-Step gallery, the results of several of the tests listed above are shown.
Screen shots were obtained using a Sony DSC-R1 Digital Still Camera. All photos were taken at at 10 megapixels and resized for posting.
1. Using an OPPO Digital DV-980H DVD Player, I set the output resolution to 480i and alternately connected the Composite (yellow) and Component (red, green, blue) video outputs to the matching composite and component video inputs on the Sony STR-DN1040.
2. The Sony STR-DN1040's HDMI output was connected to a Westinghouse LVM-37w3 1080p TV/Monitor. I confirmed, via the onscreen display of the Westinghouse, that it was receiving a 1080p signal (converted and upscaled from 480i) from the HDMI output of the STR-DN1040. I also checked, via the DVD player's onscreen menu, that it was outputing a 480i signal to the Sony STR-DN1040.
3. I inserted a Silicon Optix/IDT HQV test disc in the DVD player and ran through a series of tests designed detect the deinterlacing and scaling ability of the Sony STR-DN1040.
For a photo illustrated look at some of the test results, continue to proceed through the next series of pages...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 1
Here is a look at the first of a series of tests that helps to measure the video processing capabilities of the Sony STR-DN1040. This first test (referred to as the Jaggies 1 Test) consists of a diagonal bar that rotates within a circle. If the rotating bar is straight, or shows minimal wrinkling or jaggedness, as it passes red, yellow, and green zones of the circle, the 1040's on-board video processor is doing a good job, if not, then it will fail the test.
As shown in the above photo, the diagonal bar is straight, showing no wrinkling or jaggedness as it rotates within the circle. The Sony STR-DN1040's video processor passes this initial test.
However, this only the start of the evaluation process.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 2
Here is a second look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test. Just as in the first example, the rotating bar is smooth. Once again, Sony STR-DN1040's video processor passes this portion of the test.
Proceed to the next photo for a final look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 1 - Example 3
In a third, and final, look at the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test results for the Sony STR-DN1040, the example shows that when viewed close-up, the motion of the bar reveals only very slight roughness along the edges that is hardly noticeable, along with a slight bend on the end where the bar meets the edge of the circle. However, this considered an excellent result.
Looking at all three examples as a group, the Sony STR-DN1040's video processor definitely passes the Jaggies 1 rotating bar test.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 2 - Example 1
In this test (known as the Jaggies 2 Test), three bars are moving and down in rapid motion. If Sony STR-DN1040's video processor is doing its job, at least one bar needs to be straight. If two bars are straight that indicates better performance, and if three lines were straight, that would indicate optimum performance.
As shown in the photo, all three bars are straight - which is the best possible outcome.
As a result, the Sony STR-DN1040 passes this test. However, let's take a closer look.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Jaggies Test 2 - Example 2
Here is a close-up view of the Jaggies 2 Test illustrated on the previous page with the lines in a slightly different position.
As shown in the photo, the top two bars are straight and the bottom bar is only very, very, slightly wavy (hardly noticeable by the standards of this test). This is, for all practical purposes, an optimum result, just as with the rotating bar (Jaggies 1) test, the Sony STR-DN1040 definitely passes the bouncing bar (Jaggies 2) test.
However, there are still more tests to conduct.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 1
Passing the previously shown rotating and bouncing bars tests is one indicator of the ability of the Sony STR-DN1040's video processor to handle standard definition video signal, but in addition to a rotating or bouncing bar, natural images contain a combination of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal motion. A waving American Flag provides is a great way to test this capability.
If the flag is jagged, the video processor of the STR-DN1040, specifically 480i/480p conversion and upscaling, would be below average and result is failing grade.
However, you can see here (even when you click for the larger view), the interior stripes of the flag appear are very smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag. This is definitely a passing result for this example of the test.
By proceeding to the next two photo examples, you will see the results with regards to the differing position of the flag as it waves.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 2
Here is a second look at the waving flag test with the waving flag in a different position. Even when you click for the larger view, the interior stripes of the flag appear are still very smooth smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag. Just as in the previous example, the Sony STR-DN1040 receives a passing grade.
Proceed to the next photo, for a third, and final results example for waving flag test.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Flag Test - Example 3
Here is the third, and final, look at the flag waving test. Just as in the previous two examples, the interior stripes of the flag appear very smooth along the edges of the flag and within the stripes of the flag.
Combining all three photo examples, the 480i/480p conversion and 1080p upscaling ability of the Sony STR-DN1040 is excellent so far, but there is still more to check.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Race Car Test - Example 2
Shown above is a test that shows how good the video processor of the Sony STR-DN1040 is at detecting 3:2 source material. Here, the video processor has to be able to detect whether the source material is film based (24 frames per second) or video based (30 frames a second) and display the source material correctly on the screen, so as to avoid artifacts.
In the example above, if the video processor is poor the grandstand would display a moire pattern on the seats.
However, if the Sony STR-DN1040 has good video processing, the Moire Pattern will not be visible or only visible during the first five frames of the cut.
However, in this example, there is no moire pattern visible as the image pans and the race car goes by. This indicates very good performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 with regards to accurate processing of film or video-based content containing detailed backgrounds and fast moving foreground objects.
For another sample of how this image should look, check out an example of this same test as performed by a Anthem MRX700 Home Theater Receiver, from a past review.
For a sample of how this test should not look, check out an example of this same test as performed by the Harman Kardon AVR2600 Home Theater Receiver, from a past product review.
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV Titles Test
Here is a second photo of the "Race Car Test" as explained on the previous page.
Just as in the previous example, there is no moire pattern visible as the image pans and the race car goes by. This indicates very good performance of the Sony STR-DN1040 with regards to accurate processing of film or video-based content containing detailed backgrounds and fast moving foreground objects.
aFor another sample of how this image should look in this position, check out an example of this same test as performed by a Anthem MRX700 Home Theater Receiver, from a past review.
For a sample of how this test should not look, check out an example of this same test as performed by the Harman Kardon AVR2600 Home Theater Receiver, from a past product review.
Proceed to the next photo...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV HD Loss Test
Even though a video processor may be able detect the difference between video and film-based sources, such as shown in the previous photo, can it detect both of them at the same time? The reason this is important is that often, video titles (moving at 30 frames per second) are laid over film (which is moving at 24 frames per second). This can cause problems as the combination of both these elements can result in artifacts that make the titles look jagged or broken.
However, in this case, if the Sony S TR-DN1020 can detect the differences between the titles and the rest of the image, the titles should appear smooth.
As shown in this results example, the letters are smooth (the blurriness is due to the camera's shutter) and shows that the Sony STR-DN1040 detects and shows a very stable scrolling title image.
Proceed to the next test...
Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver - HQV HD Loss Test - Close-up
Here is an additional, important, test of video performance as it relates to high-definition source material.
In this test, the image has been recorded in 1080i and is being played back through the Sony STR-DN1040 using a Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray Disc player as the source. In this case, the Blu-ray Disc player is set to 1080i output so that the 1080i image on the Blu-ray is passed directly to the STR-DN1040 for conversion to 1080p.
The Blu-ray Disc player is connected to the STR-DN1040 via the component video output. Note: 1080i to 1080p conversion and upscaling is only available via component video input to HDMI output on the Sony STR-DN1040.
The problem faced is the ability of the processor in the STR-DN1040 to distinguish between the still and moving parts of the image. If the processor does its job properly, the moving bar will be smooth and all of lines in the still part of the image will be visible at all times.
However, to make the test more difficult to pass, the squares on each corner contain white lines on odd frames and black lines on even frames. If the blocks continuously show still lines the processor is doing a complete job at reproducing all of the resolution of the original image. However, if the square blocks are seen to vibrate or strobe alternately in black (see example) and white (see example), then the video processor is not processing the full resolution of the entire image.
As you can see in this frame, the squares in the corners are displaying still lines.
This means that these squares are being displayed properly as they are not showing a solid white or black square, but a square filled with alternating lines. In addition, the rotating bar appears smooth due to the size of this photo.
NOTE: Line blurriness caused by camera shutter speed, not the video processor in the Sony STR-DN1040 or the TV.
Here is a close-up look at the rotating line in the test as discussed in the previous page. The image has been recorded in 1080i, which the Sony STR-DN1040 needs to reprocess as 1080p. The problem faced is the ability of the processor to distinguish between the still and moving parts of the image. If the processor does its job properly, the moving bar will be smooth.
However, as seen in this close-up photo of the rotating bar, which appeared smooth in the previous photo, does actually exhibit some roughness along the edges, but is not jagged.
This is a very good result, and indicates that the STR-DN1040 does well with both 1080i to 1080p still image conversion, and 1080i to 1080p conversion with moving objects.
NOTE: Line blurriness caused by camera shutter speed, not the video processor in the Sony STR-DN1040 or the TV.
Final Note
Here is a summary of the additional tests performed that are not shown in the previous photo examples:
Color Bars: PASS
Detail (resolution enhancement): FAIR
Noise Reduction: PASS
Mosquito Noise (the "buzzing" that can appear around objects): FAIR
Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction (noise and ghosting that can follow rapidly moving objects): - PASS
Assorted Cadences:
2:2 - PASS
2:2:2:4 - PASS
2:3:3:2 - PASS
3:2:3:2:2 - PASS
5:5 - PASS
6:4 - PASS
8:7 - PASS
3:2 (Progressive Scan) - PASS
In summary, the Sony DTR-DN1040 performs video processing and upscaling functions well - but the caveat is that it can only process and upscale video from analog sources (composite/component) to the 1080p. It does not have the capability to process or upscale lower resolution HDMI video sources to 1080p.
For additional perspective on the Sony STR-DN1040 Home Theater Receiver, plus a close-up photo look at its features and connection offerings, check out my Review and Photo Profile.
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