Yamaha RX V863 AV receiver

Signal switching features Analog to HDMI Conversion: Up to 1080p Connectors Headphone Jack: Yes Coaxial Digital Input: Yes Optical Digital Input: Yes Optical Digital Output: Yes Equalizer Equalizer Type: Graphic Equalizer Center Frequencies: 63 Hz, 160 Hz, 400 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2500 Hz, 6300 Hz, 16000 Hz Radio Type: Radio tuner - AM/FM - digital Tuner Frequency Range: FM: 87.5 - 107.9 MHz, AM: 530 - 1710 kHz Tuning Display: Fluorescent display Preset Station Qty: 40 preset stations Antenna Form Factor: Loop AM / wire FM Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 70 dB Total Harmonic Distortion: Mono: 0.5%, stereo: 0.5% Auto Preset Memory: Yes Additional Features: XM satellite radio ready, Sirius satellite radio ready Remote control Type: Universal remote control - infrared

Manufacturer's product description The 7.2-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver RX-V863 is a top-quality A/V receiver with iPod compatibility, features 1080p compatible HDMI, high-definition video up-conversion, de-interlacing, XM Satellite Radio "Ready", upgraded CINEMA DSP and improved YPAO sound optimization.

Connections Connector Type: 1 x phono input ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear 6 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear 3 x audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear 1 x 5.1 channel audio line-in ( RCA phono x 6 ) - rear 1 x 7.1 channel audio line-out ( RCA phono x 8 ) - rear 1 x audio line-out (multi zone) ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear 1 x subwoofer output ( RCA phono ) - rear 1 x IPod docking - rear 4 x composite video output ( RCA phono ) - rear 2 x composite video input ( RCA phono ) - rear 4 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear 2 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear 1 x monitor output ( RCA phono ) - rear 1 x monitor output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear 1 x Sirius satellite antenna - rear 1 x XM antenna - rear 1 x digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - rear 3 x digital audio input (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - rear 2 x digital audio input (coaxial) ( RCA phono ) - rear 3 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - rear 1 x HDMI output ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - rear 1 x FM antenna - rear 1 x AM antenna - rear 2 x remote control ( mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - rear 1 x trigger ( mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - rear 7 x surround speakers output ( banana x 2 ) - rear 2 x speakers output (multi zone) ( banana x 2 ) - rear 3 x component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear 1 x component video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear 1 x headphones ( phone stereo 6.25 mm ) - front 1 x microphone ( mini-phone 3.5 mm ) - front 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - front 1 x composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - front 1 x digital audio input (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - front Remote control Features: Back-lit buttons, multi-brand compatibility Miscellaneous Included Accessories: AM antenna, FM antenna, optimizer microphone Power Power Device: Power supply - internal Voltage Required: AC 120 V ( 60 Hz ) Power Consumption Operational: 400 Watt Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep: 0.8 Watt Power Outlets: 2 AC outlets

Review

The Yamaha RX-V863 7.2 Channel Home Theater Receiver has power, up-to-date features, and an abundance of connectivity options. This receiver also offers excellent audio performance, bolstered by TrueHD and DTS-HD processing.

On the video side, the RX-V863 has three HDMI inputs with 1080p pass-through and analog to HDMI video conversion and upscaling. However, the quality of the video conversion and upscaling falls a little short.

On the other hand, other bonuses to consider are the inclusion of iPOD and Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio access, as well as two subwoofer outputs

Pros

* Sound quality excellent in both stereo and surround modes.
* On board decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
* Incorporation of both Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.
* Two Subwoofer outputs.
* Multi-zone operation included.

Cons

* Video upscaling quality was disappointing.
* Only one connection provided for both iPod and Bluetooth docking stations.
* Needs more HDMI inputs.
* Speaker connection terminals too close together.
* External build quality not as good as previous RX-V861 model it replaces.