Yamaha RX-V861 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver with HDMI

With the RX-V861, Yamaha brings many high-end home theater receiver features down to the below-$1,000 price range. HDMI switching and upscaling provides extended video quality, as well as providing more efficient connection options. Also, despite additional emphasis on video features, audio quality has not been ingnored. However, the RX-V861 does lack on-board decoding of the latest surround sound formats (Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD) which some competitors are now offering at this same price point.

NOTE: The following overview section is re-edited from my earlier RX-V861 Product Profile.

1. Video/Audio Inputs

The RX-V861 offers both 3 HD Component video and 2 HDMI inputs. There are 4 composite RCA video inputs.

The receiver has four assignable digital audio inputs (two coaxial and three optical), RCA audio connections for a CD player and CD or Cassette audio recorder, and a subwoofer preamplifier output. This receiver also has dedicated 6-channel inputs that can be used when needing to access the mutli-channel audio output from an SACD or DVD-Audio. Player. In addition, the RX-V861 also features an iPOD dock connection, and Zone 2 Preamp outputs.

2. Video Outputs and Features

The Yamaha RX-V861 offers Four types of video monitor outputs: HDMI, Component, S-Video, and Composite. In addition, the RX-V861 offer both 480i to 480p de-interlacing, as well as analog and component video conversion to HDMI, with upscaling up to 1080i. Also, the RX-V861 offers direct 1080p input-to-output capability for connection of 1080p sources (such as Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD players) to 1080p input-capable televisions.

3. Audio Features

The RX-V861 features extensive surround sound processing options, including: Dolby Digital 5.1 and EX, DTS, and Dolby ProLogic IIx. Dolby Prologic IIx processing enables the RX-V861 to extract 7.1-channel audio from absolutely any stereo or multichannel source. Also featured is Silent Cinema Headphone Surround Sound.

The Yamaha RX-V861 delivers about 105 Watts per channel (x7) into 8-Ohms (From 20 to 20KHZ) at .06% THD.

With amplifier frequency response from 10 Hz to 100 kHz the RX-V861 is up to challenge from any source, including SACD and DVD-Audio. Speaker connections consist of dual banana-plug-compatible multi-way speaker binding posts for all main channels with color-coding for simplified wiring. Front channel "B" speaker terminals also enable the receiver to drive a stereo pair in another room, if desired.

The RX- V861 can be used to power a full 7.1 channel system, or, if desired, a 5.1 channel system in one room, and a 2-channel system in another room simultaneously. However, if you would like to run a full 7.1 channel system in one room, as well an additional 2-channel system in another room, the RX-V861 also has Second Zone Preamp outputs which require the use of an additional amplifier to run a 2-channel system in another room.

4. On-Screen and Front Panel Display

The fluorescent front panel display makes setup and operation of the receiver easy and fast. The Front panel display shows the the status of your surround and other settings.

5. FM/AM Radio Tuner

The RX-V861 has a built-in AM/FM tuner section has 40 random presets, and FM automatic scan tuning. Connections for both AM and FM antennas are provided.

6. Wireless Remote Control

The RX-V861 comes with a pre-set Universal Wireless Remote Control that is compatible with most Televisions, VCRs, and DVD Players. A list is provided in the user manual that includes the codes to set the remote for use with other devices.

7. XM Satellite Radio

The RX-V861 is also XM-ready. By connecting an XM Satellite Radio Antenna (must be purchased separately) to the receiver and paying the XM monthly subscription fee, you can access XM Satellite Radio Programming. If you are not familiar with Satellite radio, think of it as being similar to Satellite TV, without having to use an outside dish (although placement of the XM Radio Antenna near a window improves the consistency of reception.

8. Additional Features - iPOD Connectivity, Lip Synch Adjustment, YPAO, and Scene

With the optional iPOD dock, in conjunction with the RX-V861, you can incorporate your iPOD listening and control right into your home theater system via optional iPOD docking station.

In addition, the incorporation of a Lip-Synch adjustment on the RX-V861 allows the user to compensate for audio/video time discrepancies that may be encountered from various audio/video sources.

The RX-V861 also incorporates the YPAO automatic speaker setup function.

The SCENE function allows for preset or customized listening and viewing modes.

Hardware/Software Used

Home Theater Receivers: the Yamaha HTR-5490 (6.1 Channels) , Harman Kardon AVR147 (on loan from Harman Kardon), and an Onkyo TX-SR304 (5.1 Channels),

DVD players: OPPO Digital DV-981HD DVD/SACD/DVD-Audio Player, and Helios H4000, as well as a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and a Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player and LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combo player.

Powered Subwoofers used: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 and Yamaha YST-SW205.

Loudspeakers: Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2, Optimus LX-5IIs, Klipsch Quintet III 5-channel speaker system, a pair of JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel and two JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV.

Audio/Video connections were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

16 Gauge Speaker Wire was used in all setups.

Levels for speaker setups were calibrated using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

Blu-ray Discs included: Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2, Alien vs Predator, Superman Returns, Crank, Stealth, and Mission Impossible III.

HD-DVD Discs included: Serenity, Sleepy Hollow, Heart - Live In Seattle, King Kong, Batman Begins, and Phantom of the Opera

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: House of the Flying Daggers, Serenity, The Cave, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, V For Vendetta, U571, Lord of Rings Trilogy, and Master and Commander.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible, Sheila Nicholls - Wake.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Content on CD-R/RWs was also used.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation and Final Take