I had one must-have feature when looking for a new home theater receiver: it had to have component video switching WITH component up-conversion. Component up-conversion means that any S-Video or composite inputs are up-converted to component video, so that everything (no matter what input) can be sent out through the single component output. What does all that mean in plain English? Let me explain by using an example:

My Setup

My setup currently consists of a Hughes DirecTivo (DirecTV receiver with integrated dual tuner Tivo), a Panasonic DVD-Recorder with built-in VHS, and a Toshiba 34" direct view 16x9 HDTV ready TV. I will be adding a personal media player (for playing Divx files), and will be eventually upgrading to a High Definition DirecTivo.

Update: I just ordered my HD DirecTivo! I'll post a review once it's up and running...Ok, back to the review:

The Hughes DirecTivo has S-Video and composite outputs only (no component.) The Panasonic DVD/VHS recorder has component output, as does the personal media player.

I wanted to run everything through the receiver, so component switching with up-conversion was a must (the receiver had to accept component video from multiple sources, along with S-Video or composite, and output everything through a single component monitor out to the TV.) The problem was with the DirecTivo: It only had S-Video output, so I would need up-conversion. As an added side benefit, the signal got "cleaned up" somehow. The S-Video output, whether run through my older receiver, or input directly to the Toshiba TV, looked fuzzy and a bit blocky. By getting a receiver that upconverts the S-Video signal to component I was able to "clean up" the signal. The difference is noticeable: crisper edges, no more blockiness. It's still not "true" component output, but it's a cleaned up S-Video output. (Note: S-Video sent to a non HDTV ready TV looked very good, but for whatever reason, S-Video just doesn't look very good on HDTV sets...they really want component and/or HDMI input sources.)

Looking for a Receiver

Ok, so now you know my main need. I also wanted a receiver that was high current (for better sound), had at least 5.1 surround...but 6.1 or 7.1 would be better...had the various current versions of Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro-Logic II, and was $500 or less. Turns out all that was a pretty tall order. It was hard to find receivers with component up-conversion (S-Video up-conversion was easy to find.) I found a Sony for $399, but it wasn't high current. Then I found the Yamaha RX-V657. It met all my requirements, and then some.

Yamaha RX-V and HTR: (almost) the same beast

Before I go into details on the specs, let me point out the RX-V657 is essentially the same receiver as the HTR-5860. The main difference, according to the Yamaha website, is the distribution channels: the HTR series is sold through mass retailers and online (Best Buy, Amazon, etc.), while the RX-V series is sold through premier Yamaha dealers, high end stereo stores, and is not allowed to be sold online. (Update: I've now seen the RX-V series at select online retailers...even though the Yamaha website explicity says the RX-V series isn't to be sold online, I guess there are always exceptions...)

Update: A commenter pointed out that I missed one spec difference between the RX-V657 and HTR-5860: the RX-V has Zone 2 output, while the HTR does not. The HTR does have A, B and A B speaker settings, though.

I found the HTR-5860 at my local Best Buy for $510, and the RX-V657 on sale at The Good Guys (a premier Yamaha reseller) for $449. According to Toshiba, the two receivers have exactly the same amp, and the differences are cosmetic (white lettering on one, gold lettering on the other...)

Quick Specs

I won't go through each and every spec, as you can find them on the Details page here on epinions, or from the Yamaha website. Here are the important parts, though:

* 7.1-Channel, 665W (95W x 7) High Current amp
* Quad-Field CINEMA DSP and 14 Surround Programs
* XM Satellite Ready (just add a $49 antenna)
* YPAO for Automatically Optimizing the Sound in Your Room (more on that in the setup section below)
* Zone 2 Out (Assignable Power Amplifier), IR Port and Speaker B for Custom Installation
* Component Video Up Conversion (Full)
* Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS 96/24 Compatibility
* 9-Channel Speaker Terminals (incl. Presence Channels)
* HDTV Compatible Component Video Out

Setup

Setup was very easy. The manual was well laid out and easy to follow. The hookups in the back were pretty standard, so if you've ever hooked up a home theater receiver, you'll feel right at home...if you haven't, it's straight-forward enough that you should be able to handle it without trouble.

I was able to run my DirecTivo into one of the S-Video inputs, and the DVD-Recorder into one of the component inputs. I then ran the component monitor out to the TV's component in. Audio was easily handled by running the digital optical outputs from both the DirecTivo and the DVD-Recorder into the back of the receiver. (The receiver has 4 optical and 2 coaxial digital inputs.)

It was now time to fine-tune the speakers. This is where the YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer) comes in. The receiver ships with a special microphone, and includes a jack on the front of the unit. You simply plug it in, then place the microphone at ear level at the area you'll be sitting in the room. I placed it on top of a box on the couch, which put it just about ear level. Then, simply select the AUTO setup using the on-screen display, and the Yamaha does the rest. YPAO automatically optimizes receiver output to optimal sound for the room acoustics, checking and adjusting for speaker connections, distances, size, frequency response and sound pressure level. It sends out a series of tones, at various sound levels, and makes the appropriate adjustments. It generates a report that tells you how many speakers it detected, where they're located, and what settings it made for each in order to optimize the sound. It did a great job of fine-tuning the sound for my living room. The sound quality was excellent in all modes: watching a DVD, watching regular TV, listening to a CD, and listening to the radio. This receiver has much more depth that my previous receiver, which sounded a bit tinny when listening to CD's but was otherwise fine for movies/tv.

Other niceties

The sound quality of this receiver is great. It's noticeably better than the Kenwood 5.1 channel receiver I was replacing. There are some nice touches, like Night Listening Enhancer that adjusts the sound level of quiet passages, so you can still hear the dialog when you have the sound turned down low. The XM Ready is also a nice touch. I don't yet have XM Satellite Radio, but when I'm ready to take the plunge, I won't need a receiver...just an inexpensive antenna.

Cons

There really aren't any major cons that I could find...but one minor con: the display is a bit hard to read from 10-12 feet away, making it difficult to see what mode you're selecting without turning on the on-screen display. This isn't that big of a deal, since I don't plan to change modes very often. Also, it's only available in black. All my other components are silver, so that would have been a nice option. Update: A commenter pointed out that a silver model (RX-V657Ti) is available in Canada. I live in the US, though, so I still have to settle for black as the RX-V657Ti isn't available in the US.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the Yamaha RX-V657 (or HTR-5860) is one of the very best home theater receivers in the $500 range. I looked at several in the $300-$400 range, and I feel this receiver is definitely worth the extra money. There were many $700-$800 receivers that didn't have the features of the Yamaha (namely the component up-conversion.)

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 449

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