In today's home theater market, it seems that to enjoy all the newest features brought to us, we need HDMI inputs. My new Playstation 3 is an awesome Blu-Ray player, but it will only output its best quality audio and video via an HDMI connection.
What and Why HDMI?
HDMI is a digital cable that incorporates all the new copyright protections. Analog cables are perfectly capable of carrying high definition signals, my DVD audio player has sent the purest most pristine surround sound audio to my receiver for years, and my cable box has had no trouble sending out video in high def over component cables with an analog signal. However because of copyright concerns, Blu Ray players won't send the HD content of a Blu Ray disc to your Receiver unless it goes through HDMI cables which have built in copy protection. These cables won't let you make digital copies of protected copyrighted content.
On to the Yamaha RX V663
This is Yamaha's newest mid level Audio/Video receiver, the update to last years RX V661 or my RX V659. My old receiver didn't have HDMI inputs, so this upgrade was purchased solely to take advantage of all the audio codecs Blu Ray offers. (for Video, I could just run the HDMI cable straight into my projector.)
Basics This is a 90 watts per channel Receiver with less than 0.06% Total Harmonic Distortion and 7.2 channels. Yes, you read that right, .2 because it has not one but two subwoofer outs. It sends the same signal to both subwoofers though, similar to the rear surround speakers which also actually get the same signal. I have always liked Yamaha for my money, it gives pure clean sound, and this unit didn't disappoint in that regard.
Set Up
Set up is a breeze! All I had to do was hook up 6 speakers (although this is 7.2, I only use one rear channel speaker rather than two) to their respective banana plug/screw in posts, then plug in all three component video cables for my Pioneer Elite, then 3 more component video cables for the cable box. Then I had to make sure all the digital audio cables were plugged in, and remember which one was plugged into which input so I could reassign them with the setup menu later. Then I just plugged in the six analog inputs from my Pioneer Elite for DVD audio playback. Of course I also had to plug in the HDMI cable, and then plug in another HDMI cable for the output. Then of course I had to plug in the 3 component video out cables, and of course make sure that my subwoofer was plugged in. Then I was able to plug it in and run the included Microphone to set all the speaker levels. Thankfully the system does this automatically. After that I reassigned a couple digital audio inputs to match what I had plugged into them. (See the section on SCENE modes to see how to assign Scenes). It only took me an hour or so, and I hardly even swore! The instruction manual is very detailed and easy to follow, it's just that with so many inputs and outputs, there is no easy way to hook up an AV Receiver.
Video Inputs You get two of the now needed HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. For most people, this should be enough, one for Blu Ray, one for the cable box. The unit also has 3 component video inputs, but this is deceptive. Unlike the digital audio inputs, the video inputs are NOT asignable. Two of the component video inputs are for the same input as the two HDMI inputs. So, you actually only get a total of 3 high quality video inputs, 2 of which can be analog or HDMI. I would have been much happier with 2 HDMI PLUS 3 component cable inputs for video, but the system forces you to choose. I have a DVD Audio/Video player, HD Cable Box and PS3 hooked up now. If I decide to add an X Box 360, I will either have to use an inferior S video or
euughgh a composite video cable to connect it, if I want the video to go through the Receiver. Thankfully, I have a separate component video switch box that I could add more components with, but that defeats the purpose of an all in one unit. If you want more inputs, you have to shell out twice the money for the High End Yamaha receiver. I can tell you I've been getting Yamaha receivers for over 10 years, and their mid level units used to have more digital inputs.
The unit does have a bunch of S Video and Composite Video inputs, but if you are upgrading to this for HDMI inputs, chances are you want higher quality than these inputs offer.
Video Output All the inputs I have going in via component cable are output via the HDMI cable. The receiver doesn't upconvert the signal, but it sends it as is. My HD cable box is hooked in via component cable, and the output to HDMI looks the exact same as output via component. (I know, my projector can switch inputs on the fly, and I tested it)
Audio Inputs At first I was really upset about the lack of digital audio inputs as well, because the initial assignments give the 2 HDMI inputs OR 2 of the digital inputs, plus 3 more. In other words, if you use HDMI for your digital inputs, 2 of the optical / coaxial digital inputs are useless. Then I found out that thankfully, Yamaha allows all the Digital Inputs to be REASSIGNED! That way you can effectively have 7 Digital AUDIO Inputs (2 HDMI, 3 Optical 2 in the rear, one in the front, and 2 coaxial). Once I reassigned the Digital Audio inputs, I was able to hook up a digital audio connection for my computer and for my DVD Audio/Video player. I could also add an X Box running video through my video switch box and digital audio through the Receiver. I can add a dedicated CD player as well. Analog audio inputs abound. For those of you with CD players like Meridian, you will want to use the Analog inputs anyway. However, I would point out that for a mid level receiver, this has Burr Brown 192 Khz/24 bit Digital Audio converters. Unless you have an incredible CD player, this players DACs rock! (More on this later, my Meridian is out for service at this time, but when I get it back, I will compare the DACs of this high end audiophile CD player with the DACs of this Receiver)
Owners of DVD Audio players or SACD players will be happy to find 8 external analog inputs. I was able to hook up and continue to enjoy DVD-Audios and SACDs.
Scene Modes
One feature I really enjoyed about this Receiver was a new one called SCENES. Four input buttons on the front let you assign your favorite viewing habits. It reminded me of my Line 6 Guitar amp. Rather than go through hundreds of reverb, distortion, echo and amp settings, the Line 6 allows you to assign your four favorites to buttons on the front. The Yamaha Scene mode operates on the same principal. You push each button and then assign the video and audio inputs as well as the sound field.
To illustrate, I assigned mine as follows:
I renamed Scene One
Blu Ray / PS3 ( a lengthy process that requires you to scroll through each space with the lower case alphabet upper case alphabet and numbers and symbols). For this, the video and audio input was my PS3 which went in via the DVD input by HDMI. Because the Playstation 3 decodes all the audio codecs and is set to output them as LPCM signnals, I set the audio field to straight PCM. Had I wanted the RECEIVER to decode them, I could have set the sound field to Surround Decode. (I let the PS3 do the decoding because it cannot bitstream 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio, even though this Receiver could decode it. Instead the PS3 decodes the DTS HD Master Audio and sends it out as 7.1 LPCM)
My second SCENE Mode I relabeled
HDTV / Cable. My input for this was DTV/Cable. For sound, I picked surround decode because most HD cable programming is sent out in Dolby Digital. Third SCENE Mode I called
DVD Audio/Video and had to use DVR as the input. I also reassigned one of the digital audio inputs to the DVR. I was disappointed that I could not seem to pick Analog Multi Channel Input as the default audio setting, but I will play around with it more later. Now that I have PS3, I may use that to play all my DVDs and just use my Pioneer Elite for DVD Audios and SACDs. I may also continue to use it for DVDs, I haven't done any AB comparisons for regular DVDs with the PS3 and the Pioneer Elite. Finally for the FOURTH SCENE Mode, I relabled it
MP3 / Computer. I ripped my entire CD collection on my computer hard drive for casual listening. (For serious listening I still pop in the original uncompressed CD, but for most instances my MP3s sound good. For the audio field I selected Neural Surround, it is a Yamaha sound field that makes all my music sound like surround sound. It is NOT 7 channel stereo but a true sound field that gives a very natural sounding expansion to two channel stereo inputs.
You may choose or label your own four scene modes. Now at the press of a button on my Receiver or the remote, I have my four favorite viewing and listening habits in an instant.
XM Radio Seriously?
No, it is XM radio and SIRIUS radio. This has inputs for both providing you have a subcription. I don't so, I can't tell you any more about this.
IPOD DOCK
Since I have all my music on my computer which is ALREADY hooked up via digital connection, the Ipod dock is unnecessary for me, but this Reciever has a special input on the back for docking your Ipod and playing it.
Zone Two
You can also add speakers to a second zone in your house or bi amp your speakers. I didn't do this, so I can't give you much more info on this.
The remote
Its long and skinny, with no backlighting or glow in the dark buttons.
Sigh. You need it to do the setup programming. It's easy to figure out the basics of the remote, but more complex operations require detailed manual reading. (in other words, I haven't figured it all out yet!)
Audio Codecs
It seems that every day new sound codecs come into existence. Dolby used to be the big deal, then came Dolby Digital and DTS, then DD ES and DTS EX came with 6.1 /7.1surround. This receiver literally does it all from the old Dolby PLX II to the newest Blu Ray DTS HD Master Audio. The new Blu Ray codecs are mostly lossless, which means you are getting the master quality uncompressed soundtrack to your movies through your receiver. These new Blu Ray audio codecs like Dolby Digital HD, DTS HD, and now DTS HD MA, sound absolutely fantastic! The sound upgrade is like SACD was to regular redbook CDs. If your Blu Ray player does the decoding, this receiver also accepts a 7.1 LPCM signal to reproduce whatever is thrown into it!
Digital Sound Fields
Yamaha has its usual array of digital enhancements for movies and music to ensure you get the best sound possible. Play with them to see what you like. I love the one called Neural surround for my 2 channel Stereo. A few night club and concert hall settings are also cool. There is also PURE AUDIO for completely untouched audio signal. Of course for those with neighbors and sleeping family, you can just plug in your headphones and listen in
Silent Cinema mode.
Performance
I used this to replace a Yamaha RX - V659 (now in my game room). I use it with my computer, Pioneer Elite DVD audio/video player, HD cable box and PS3. My "TV" is an Optoma HD70 Projector with a Da-Lite 105" Cinemavision Movie Screen. My speakers are six Cambridge Soundworks MC 400 speakers and a Velodyne SPL 1000 Series II subwoofer. This receiver does absolutely fine at passing the HD video signals on to my projector whether from a PS3 video game, Blu Ray movie or HD cable channel.
The audio from this unit sounds absolutely incredible. The newest Blu Ray codecs like DTS HD Master Audio sound most impressive. Movies and video games are more immersive than ever before.
My first movie on this was
The Golden Compass on Blu Ray in DTS 7.1 HD Master Audio. Have you ever seen or heard an Armored Bear on Blu Ray in DTS HD Master Audio? In the fight scene between Iorek Byrneson and the king of the Armored bears I just sat in rapt amazement. Every bit of detail from the bears fur and armour is rich and colorful. When the bears go into their battle, you can feel every thump. Phillip Pullmans incredible fantasy epic came to life in my living room in a richer fuller way than I thought possible. My son and I had actually just watched this last wekend on regular DVD and it was great, but now with the Blu Ray sound and vision, I felt as if we were at the movies. Other scenes in the movie such as when Lyra and Ms. Coultier fly the Zeppelin over the city are just stunning. The city just spreads out before your eyes and the sound of the giant zeppelin rumbled throughout my living room.
I am at the point where I feel that any more improvement would involve moving into my local Showcase Cinema. (although my motorized leather reclining theater chairs are WAY more comfortable). As far as quality goes, the only difference between this and higher end receivers is the number of inputs, not the quality of the components. If you want to upgrade power, this unit also has 8 outputs so you could add separate amplifiers from your local stereo store or musical instrument store. (Studio power amps sold by music stores usually offer the same power and quality as much more expensive audio amps sold at stereo stores). Eventually I want to add a few Sampson 200 watt / channel amps to my set up - one for the fronts, one for the surrounds, and one for the centers.
If you want to know anything more about this Receier, movie showtimes at my house are at 7:00 and 9:00.
Summary So long as you only have a few high end video inputs that you want to run with this Receiver, this really gives you the quality of a Receiver costing over a $1,000 (as Yamaha's high end receivers with more inputs cost). You get 2 HDMI inputs all the latest Blu Ray codecs, Ipod, Sirius or XM radio inputs and plenty more. New Scene modes make picking your fav four really simple. Setup may be a major pain, but that is true of any Receiver. Overall, this Receiver is excellent.
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