20 Most Recent Sony STR-DG520 Receiver Questions & Answers

The HDMI inputs are pass through inputs only. The reciever cannot recieve any sound signals through the HDMI's. The reciever acts as a selector switch for the HDMI inputs only. Whatever input you have selected on the reciever is the one that is being sent through the output to your TV. The "unlock" display shows when there is no sound signal sent to the reciever. There is no code to unlock. This is the reciever's way of telling you that there is no sound being sent to it from that input. Since there is no sound being processed from the HDMI's, you need to hook up an additional audio cable from the device to the reciever (preferrably an optical cable). When the reciever recieves an audio signal, it will then "unlock". I know it is confusing. I had to look into this problem myself, so I'm happy to help. Higher end recievers will actually recieve and process sound signals from the HDMI's. When I bought this one I thought it was going to do the same. That's what I got for trying to save a couple bucks on the cheeper model! Although it is still a good reciever.

Yes

do u have the unit earth grounded? sounds like AC hum, most amps have a ground lug, make sure that is grouned and the power plug to o the amp has a good ground.

First check for proper AC grounding from wall outlet. 2nd disconnect source one by one :) If still the same, check capacitors in the power supply circuit..good luck!

Try replacing the big Electrolytic Capacitors in the power supply section. When they go the let the 50/60HZ hum into the audio from the mains supply.

sounds like your problems coming from your amp. remove cover again remove amp power harness then turn on should clear fault. check transistors for shorts and if its all ok. plug amp harness back replace cover and try it. if it works try to have a good distance from other devices cause of heat and alittle fan doesnt hurt

The Amplifier has a Fault and is shutting down to protect itself. Repeated cycling of this will cause a total failure in the Amplifier.

If you haven't got the Technical ability to have a look at it yourself then I suggest you take it to a service engineer or wait for a total failure and scrap it.

Generally speaking, an amp protects itself from heat, shorts, overloads and operator exuberance by refusing to turn on or stay on.

Overloads can be from excessive periods of high output or marginally low impedance loading by the speakers; and shorts would be wiring issues or a speaker blowing up.

You should be able to feel if it's hot. WHY is it overheating? Make sure it has sufficient ventilation on all sides and that vent holes are not blocked by dust balls. Ensure the fan (if equipped) is running as designed (some only operate on demand). Clean dust and debris from it.

If the amp comes back on after cooling, you're lucky. They only have so many self-protection cycles in their lives so continuously resetting or cycling their power without addressing the cause can do more harm than good.

If it protects immediately on a cool power up you should disconnect the speaker connections and try it 'naked'. If it comes up then diagnose which lead(s) are shorted. If it does not come up the problem is internal and should be left to an experienced and competent hands-on tech.

Check for loose speaker connections at the speaker as a root cause for intermittent shutdown.

that usually indicates the powersupply board is going bad.

Hi,
This is an indication that you have a short on 1. Power cord - even low of chances but still to be checked. 2. Rectifier Diode 3. Transformer 4. Voltage regulator IC/transistor 5. Main filter Capacitor.

This is not DIY and can't be fixed without some test instrument so I've advice you to look a technician to isolate the shorted parts.
Hope it may help you.
Thanks for using Fixya. JDVillanueva

The most common problem found on FixYa for Audio Video Receiver's is:

My receiver say's "Protect" or turns on then off. What's wrong? Seven times out of ten it is a shorted speaker or speaker wire. To determine your exact problem, the first step is to disconnect all speaker wires "at your receiver" Next: Turn the receiver back on. If your receiver still says "protect" or turns off, it needs to be serviced. If your receiver stays on; reconnect your speakers one at a time and power back up after each speaker. You may find that after reconnecting all speaker wires it works! Most commonly the small braids of wire from the + to the - have touched and have caused the problem. In some instances, you noticed the problem only when turning the volume up. either way, make sure the exposed wires to your receiver are no longer than 1/2" long and are completely under the screw down terminal or slide in. When you've found the wire or speaker with the problem, your receiver will go back into "protect" At this point, disconnect the wire from the speaker at the speaker that may be causing the problem then test again.* Note* Make sure speaker wires do Not touch each other as this Will cause a short! If you turn the receiver back on and it stays on, you now know the problem is in your speaker itself. To test your speaker, you will need a multimeter. Set it to ohms resistance and touch the speaker terminals, if there is a short internally the meter will read "1......" If it's an analog meter, it will peg to the right. There's your problem. Now, within any speaker there are quite a few possibilities as to what could be causing the problem. Most common is a blown coil and the speaker needs to be replaced. Some speakers have internal crossovers (usually floor standing speakers) and may have a shorted or burnt board (usually very visible brown burn marks on the board) and can possibly be repaired if your handy with a soldering iron. Now, if you disconnect the speaker wire at the speaker and it still says "protect" Check your wire for the obvious cut or nail thru the wire if possible. If your system has wiring that runs behind walls, you may need to use your meter again. Disconnect the wire at both ends, keep the ends separated, put your meter on ohms resistance and touch probes to the + and - wires at one side. If the meter pegs to the right or reads "1...." the wire is shorted and needs to be replaced or repaired at the short. Hope this helps.

The HDMI on this receiver is for video pass through only. It basically only serves the same purpose as an extension cord for an HDMI cable that's too short.
For audio you need to connect either a digital coax, an optical or composite cables.

Enter the setup menu for input modes on the receiver and confirm that you have selected "optical fixed" for the input mode for your DVD connection.
Then as an added simplification to your surround sound setup, go to your customize menu by pressing the menu button repeatedly on the remote. Toggle through the selections until you see the selection for "s. field link". Select this to ON. That will solve your problem.