Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 Media Controller/Home Theater Receiver - Short Review

The Yamaha neoHD YMC-700 is designed to be easy to use, while still providing necessary AV flexibility. The YMC-700 offers 5.1 channel audio processing, 3 HDMI inputs, USB, and a docking station port for iPods and Bluetooth devices. The YMC-700 is also WiFi enabled, allowing connection to a home network for accessing media content stored on a PC or from Rhapsody and Internet Radio. However, the key to Yamaha's new media controllers isn't so much the inputs, outputs, and AV features, but its unique onscreen menu-driven navigation system. After reading this short review, also check out my Full Review and Photo Gallery.

The YMC-700 is a new breed of product from Yamaha that combines the features and functions of a home theater receiver with that of a network media player. Yamaha refers to this type of configuration as a Media Controller.

On the home theater receiver end of things, the YMC-700 features a five channel configuration with an output for a powered subwoofer, which delivers enough power for a small to medium size room. Overall, the YMC-700 sounds good in either two channel or full 5.1 channel operating mode, but this is not a high-end receiver. Also, Yamaha does not provide any information on the YMC-700's power output. In addition, although the YMC-700 features standard Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as Dolby TrueHD decoding, it does not include DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, which would disappoint some Blu-ray disc users.

Also, on the video side of things, although the YMC-700 does have analog to HDMI conversion (480i to 480p) for all video input sources, it does not take the extra step to include video upscaling to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. This was a bit of a disappointment as the only video output connection offered on the YMC-700 is HDMI.

One the network media player side, there are several innovative features, such as the inclusion of built-in wired ethernet and WiFi wireless networking options, internet radio, Rhapsody access via subscription, USB, iPod, and Bluetooth connectivity. You can also share media files from your PC via the network connection.

Also, one "secret" about the YMC-700 is that although Yamaha indicates that you need to purchase an optional iPod Docking station to connect an iPod, you really don't, as you can connect an iPod to the YMC-700 via its USB port and still access essential iPod menu functions. This way you can both a Bluetooth adapter and an iPod connected to teh YMC-700 at the same time as there is only one port for connecting both a Bluetooth adapter and external iPod Dock.

Probably the most innovative aspect of the YMC-700 is neoHD menu system (GUI - Graphical User Interface) that operates features and functions. Although there are few quirks, such as a point system that isn't really needed for setting everything up, the GUI, working in conjunction with a uncomplicated wireless remote control, is very easy to use after a few minutes. To put it simply the neoHD is an activity-based system. It is based on what you want to do (Watch, Listen, Play), rather than just simply identifying inputs and function selections.

For complete details on how neoHD GUI operates, check out Yamaha website which features both an easy-to-understand text-based explanation and video demonstration.

The YMC-700 offers practical features and delivers good audio performance. If you are looking for a home theater receiver that you can incorporate into a home network, the YMC-700 is worth consideration.

For further perspective and a closer look at the YMC-700, check out my Full Review, Photo Gallery, and Video Performance Test Results.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.