★★★★★ 5
AVR-S770H - My first AVR and my first Denon - works great with Directv and Fire Stick
Style: AVR-S770H
This review is for the Denon AVR-S770H. I was apprehensive about buying an AVR for my main TV. I've always used a soundbar and was happy with the results. I assumed that adding an AVR would make things finicky and complicated. I'm happy to say, that is not true. This Denon has been fabulous.
My requirements for a home theater receiver were/are the following:
1) Ease of use and NO additional remotes to our current set-up (family needs, I'm not a bachelor!)
2) I need the ability to connect 2 zones: the TV room and I have a pair of outdoor speakers on the patio
First, as to the remote situation, I use Directv and I use an Amazon Fire Stick 4k. My old set-up was super simple. I picked up the Directv remote and hit Power. That turned on the TV, the Directv box, and the soundbar (since it was connected to the TV ARC port). Simple. If I wanted to change over to the Fire Stick, I simply used the same Directv remote to change the input and then used the Fire Stick remote from there.
I'm happy to say the Denon has made things even simpler. Not only does the Directv remote turn on/off the TV, Direct box, and the Denon receiver but now I don't even have to bother switching inputs. If I pick up the Fire Stick remote and hit the Home button, the Denon senses that and immediately switches over. Likewise, if I pick up the Directv remote and hit a button, the Denon will switch back over to Directv. So that is an actual improvement.
By the way, in order to get the Directv remote to turn off the Denon, don't worry about trying to program the remote via the Directv menu (I tried all the codes and failed). Instead, go to the Denon setting menu. Choose Setup> Video> HDMI Setup. Change the "Power Off Control" to "Video" or "All". Now the Denon will turn on/off when the TV does (using the Directv remote).
My second concern was operating a second set of speakers via Zone 2. That also works perfectly. Now when I step outside to sit on the patio, I simply hit the Zone 2 button on the front of the Denon. I can use my phone to play music via the Denon's built-in Bluetooth.
Some users need to be aware: in order to operate Zone 2, the receiver needs to be switched from 7.2 channel to 5.1 + Zone 2. That's perfectly acceptable for me since my TV has only front L & R speakers and a subwoofer. So I'm not even using the full capabilities of the 5.1. If you need 7.2 and a second zone, you need to find a different AVR.
In sum, I bought this Denon with some trepidation and thought maybe I'd have to return it. Instead, it does everything I want and then some. Of course, it sounds great too. I'm so glad I switched from the soundbar.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2025
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