Arpeggi

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...TE&VNM=WORKING

Great specs and great MSRP.

RX-V663BL 7.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver
High-Performance Home Theater Receiver features full support for HD audio formats, HDMI video up-conversion and de-interlacing, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, improved YPAO, Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control), multi-zone custom installation facility, and four SCENE buttons.
MAIN FEATURES
High Sound Quality
HD Audio format support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio
7-channel 665W powerful surround sound (95W x 7)
Digital ToP-ART and High Current Amplification
Pure Direct for higher fidelity sound reproduction
Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Advanced Features
4 SCENE buttons offering greater operating ease (with 18 preset SCENE templates)
XM ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
Improved YPAO for automatic speaker setup
iPod compatibility via Yamaha Universal Dock
Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with Yamaha Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver (YBA-10)
Superior multi-zone control compatibility
High Picture Quality
1080p-compatible HDMI (2 in/1 out)
Supports Deep Color (up to 36 bit), x.v.Color, a double speed Refresh Rates of 120Hz and 1080p/24Hz transmission, and Auto Lip-Sync compenzation
Analog video to HDMI digital video upconversion and deinterlacing with TBC Surround Realism
• Fine-tuned CINEMA DSP and Adaptive DSP level
Improved Compressed Music Enhancer
Adaptive DRC (Dynamic Range Control)
Other Notable Features
XM Satellite Radio ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround
SIRIUS Satellite Radio ready
40-station preset tuning / Auto preset tuning
HD Audio LPCM 7.1-channel reception (up to 192kHz)
High dynamic power and Linear Damping
Low Jitter PLL Circuitry
Assignable amplifiers for bi-amp connection
Initial Volume and Maximum Volume Setting
iPod song titles displayed in English and Western European languages ISO 8859-1 (Latin 1) on the front panel and on-screen display
SILENT CINEMA and Virtual CINEMA DSP
Dialogue Lift for dialogue to screen center
Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out
9 selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies
Subwoofer phase select
8-channel or 6-channel external input
Speaker A, B, A+B selection
Preset remote unit

Tuan Jim

Looks nice enough - in store price should be even lower.

Out of curiosity - are there any HT setup DVDs that handle 7.1 now? I didn't think I'd seen anything beyond 5.1 but I might just not be looking in the right place.

ANDREMIKE

I'm surprised it doesn't have an HD radio tuner.. What yamaha model has this? I'd really like an HD tuner

Is 7.1 really worth the extra money if you don't plan on using the extra speakers? Should I just stick with 5.1.

Drexl

With these receivers, it's almost at the point where you just have to get it whether you want it or not, at least in the models that have decoding of the new audio formats. It's standard now. You're probably not paying much more than you would if there were 5 channels anyway.

RockyMtnBri

Tuan Jim...

I believe that new Digital Video Essentials Blu-ray and HD DVDs should be out soon. Here's a link:

http://www.joekane.com/DVE_HDBasics.php

ANDREMIKE...

I have a new receiver that processes 7.1 and it is nice to matrix things that are stereo into that many speakers, not to mention material that is 7.1. I watched 3:10 to Yuma Blu-ray and the shots that were coming from rooftops really seemed placed there.

DVD Josh

DVE HD-DVD is already out...I have a copy.

SoSpacey

Finally something me and Arpeggi agree on!

gimmepilotwings

Is this really a 7.2 receiver?

That's what the Yamaha page says. Thinking that has to be wrong.

SoSpacey

a bunch of receivers are now 7.2

dual sub set-ups. its an easy thing since no amps are required. it is just sending an extra signal out.

Tuan Jim

Do they contain more than one sub output or are you using a splitter?

Another question: my HTIB dvd player/receiver just had little wire inputs L/R for each speaker (even though I bought it Dec 06) - but I'm not seeing inputs like that on this or the Onkyo 605. Do speakers come with audio "plugs" now or am I missing something from the images?

Spiky

These receivers have real connectors called binding posts. I'm afraid your htib has the non-typical connectors. Binding posts can use several different types of connectors, including plain and simple bare wire.

SUPERMANROB

Pan's Labyrinth HD-DVD version is 7.1 (DTS-HD/MA). Sound is remarkable! I'm using A35 and running it thru Denon's 3808.

B.A.

The thought of running dual subs gives me goose-bumps. Maybe one day...

shelland

Amazon lists Blu-ray version being released on March 25 - not sure if that's accurate or not.

Knives

ONKYO>Yamaha

and MUCH CHEAPER!

SoSpacey

Everyone can have an opinion, even if it is wrong.

aintnosin

Axiom makes a speaker system that is 7.4. That should really get your motor running.

Arpeggi

AT WHAT?!

Superman07

Or subjective Mr. Kettle.

Mordred

2 HDMI inputs isn't nearly enough. My next receiver needs to have 4 minimum I think.

Drexl

The problem there is that you'll have to spend a lot more on the receiver. At least for now, it's one of those things they save for the higher-end models. In the Onkyo line, you'd have to get the SR875 or 905 to get 4 HDMI inputs. The 875 is over $1100 on Amazon.

Unless you're willing to pay for the other benefits of such receivers, you might as well just get a switcher. Monoprice has a 5-input switch for $50.

aintnosin

The product page is now gone.

DonkeyKong

Still there....maybe they changed the address for some reason:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...1&CTID=5000300

aintnosin

There's a second one, the RX-V863, which seems to charge another $450 for one more HDMI input and digital optical output.

Mordred

Which is what sucks. Still there are receivers with 3&4 HDMI inputs on the market now. Once those get replaced by next years model they will be pretty affordable which is probably what I'll wait for.