I purchased the Yamaha RX-V765 to replace another receiver that lacked HDMI connections and support for Blu-ray audio formats. I needed a pre-out for my Yamaha MX-1000 power amplifier to run my main front speakers and an input for my Yamaha CX-1000 control amplifier so I can run my audio-only equipment through there. I stopped at the RX-V765 model because I didn't need the extra power for the surrounds or center, HD Radio or anything else claimed by those models. I also didn't need extra HDMI inputs because I'm only using two so out went Onkyo and Denon; neither had pre-outs besides a sub woofer at Yamaha's price range.
For those having HDMI issues you have to remember that you should usually turn on the HDMI-connected HDTV first and then the HDMI-connected component you wish to use second so you can get a proper HDCP handshake. Throw in an AV receiver connected to the components above via HDMI and you can run into issues. Turn on the receiver first, the HDTV and then your BD player. Make sure you program your remote to turn on the components in the proper order.
The above doesn't take into account if you don't have your HDMI components, HDTV and receiver configured correctly. Passing the HDMI signal through is another issue and I'm still debating which method works better for me. Right now I'm using Control to allow the use of my HDMI connected components to work through the receiver when off (Standby). I think this works better than Standby Through since I've seen the Standby light shut itself off before. I have also tested shutting the receiver off when set to other inputs and the passing of HDMI signals still worked.
I don't bother trying to upscale/up-convert anything because my HiFi VCR looks worse trying to do so. People expect miracles and you aren't going to make crap look better (GIGO). 720p and 1080i are HDTV specs and they look great. Stop trying to convert everything to 1080p, that's for BD! It ain't gonna happen. Your precious Nintendo Wii is 480p at best so get over it.
This is part of my setup showing only HDMI devices:
- Yamaha RX-V765 AV receiver - HDMI OUT to Panasonic TC-P50V10 plasma HDTV HDMI 1
- Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray player HDMI OUT to RX-V765 HDMI 1
- Motorola QIP6416-2 FiOS HD/DVR HDMI OUT to RX-V765 HDMI 2
I like the fact that I can watch TV and not have to use my audio gear since no TV show is worth "surround sound". I only use it for movies with HD premium channels, on-demand (FiOS, Amazon, Zune via XBOX 360) and of course BD flix! (I secretly still have a couple hundred VHS movies). On the rare occasions I play games on the XBOX I use the TV sound. I've never been impressed with console game "surround"; I'm a PC gamer anyway. I needed to make my setup "wife and guest proof" because a Harmony remote can only do so much. You still have to get up and push the power button on my MX-1000 and sub...and other audio gear I have. I like it that way because I know off is off and not standby wasting electricity!
Too bad my plasma doesn't have an HDMI out so I can get good audio from Amazon Video On Demand via Viera Cast. I'm forced to use a TOSLINK output from the HDTV to the receiver. HDMI v1.4 promises Audio Return Channel that could possibly fix this oversight on future equipment. At least I have a High Speed HDMI cable supporting 4K, 3D, and Deep Color even though I have no v1.4 hardware support.
I don't like the fact that the audio mode doesn't automatically show up on the display like my other receiver and always have to check to make sure my choice of DTS over Dolby took effect. The switching between HDMI is a little noisy on-screen and there's some delay, especially when in Standby. I was surprised that I could switch between the BD player and FiOS STB without having to turn on the 765. I needed to do this for the wife and guest proofing. The Harmony is too complex for some. The SCENE buttons are worthless to me especially since you can't reconfigure them. I would like to be able to mix and match as I want. The YPAO is a nice start and recommend anyone run it a couple of times since it does make mistakes and you'll want to tweak to your liking anyway. I didn't bother with the Compressed Music Enhancer since I don't own an ipoop or use mp3s. Guess I could use my G1 or BB and try plugging it in to see how Slacker sounds.
I've had my Yamaha RX-V765 AV receiver for a week and I like it!
Hopefully I wont come back later and change my mind. BTW it already had the K032 firmware and it's a good thing that my unit wasn't sitting on a shelf for months.
For those having HDMI issues you have to remember that you should usually turn on the HDMI-connected HDTV first and then the HDMI-connected component you wish to use second so you can get a proper HDCP handshake. Throw in an AV receiver connected to the components above via HDMI and you can run into issues. Turn on the receiver first, the HDTV and then your BD player. Make sure you program your remote to turn on the components in the proper order.
The above doesn't take into account if you don't have your HDMI components, HDTV and receiver configured correctly. Passing the HDMI signal through is another issue and I'm still debating which method works better for me. Right now I'm using Control to allow the use of my HDMI connected components to work through the receiver when off (Standby). I think this works better than Standby Through since I've seen the Standby light shut itself off before. I have also tested shutting the receiver off when set to other inputs and the passing of HDMI signals still worked.
I don't bother trying to upscale/up-convert anything because my HiFi VCR looks worse trying to do so. People expect miracles and you aren't going to make crap look better (GIGO). 720p and 1080i are HDTV specs and they look great. Stop trying to convert everything to 1080p, that's for BD! It ain't gonna happen. Your precious Nintendo Wii is 480p at best so get over it.
This is part of my setup showing only HDMI devices:
- Yamaha RX-V765 AV receiver - HDMI OUT to Panasonic TC-P50V10 plasma HDTV HDMI 1
- Panasonic DMP-BD55 Blu-ray player HDMI OUT to RX-V765 HDMI 1
- Motorola QIP6416-2 FiOS HD/DVR HDMI OUT to RX-V765 HDMI 2
I like the fact that I can watch TV and not have to use my audio gear since no TV show is worth "surround sound". I only use it for movies with HD premium channels, on-demand (FiOS, Amazon, Zune via XBOX 360) and of course BD flix! (I secretly still have a couple hundred VHS movies). On the rare occasions I play games on the XBOX I use the TV sound. I've never been impressed with console game "surround"; I'm a PC gamer anyway. I needed to make my setup "wife and guest proof" because a Harmony remote can only do so much. You still have to get up and push the power button on my MX-1000 and sub...and other audio gear I have. I like it that way because I know off is off and not standby wasting electricity!
Too bad my plasma doesn't have an HDMI out so I can get good audio from Amazon Video On Demand via Viera Cast. I'm forced to use a TOSLINK output from the HDTV to the receiver. HDMI v1.4 promises Audio Return Channel that could possibly fix this oversight on future equipment. At least I have a High Speed HDMI cable supporting 4K, 3D, and Deep Color even though I have no v1.4 hardware support.
I don't like the fact that the audio mode doesn't automatically show up on the display like my other receiver and always have to check to make sure my choice of DTS over Dolby took effect. The switching between HDMI is a little noisy on-screen and there's some delay, especially when in Standby. I was surprised that I could switch between the BD player and FiOS STB without having to turn on the 765. I needed to do this for the wife and guest proofing. The Harmony is too complex for some. The SCENE buttons are worthless to me especially since you can't reconfigure them. I would like to be able to mix and match as I want. The YPAO is a nice start and recommend anyone run it a couple of times since it does make mistakes and you'll want to tweak to your liking anyway. I didn't bother with the Compressed Music Enhancer since I don't own an ipoop or use mp3s. Guess I could use my G1 or BB and try plugging it in to see how Slacker sounds.
I've had my Yamaha RX-V765 AV receiver for a week and I like it!
Hopefully I wont come back later and change my mind. BTW it already had the K032 firmware and it's a good thing that my unit wasn't sitting on a shelf for months.
