Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

If you plan on using both HDMI inputs PLUS all 3 component inputs then this receiver is not for you. Furthermore, the video inputs are directly tied to the audio inputs, somewhat limiting configuration possibilities further.

It works like this :

Video (ports are labeled either DVD, DTV/CBL, or DVR)
DVD : Component OR HDMI
DTV/CBL : Component OR HDMI
DVR : Component

Audio (digital inputs can be assigned)
Input 1 (digital coax) : assign to DVD, DTV/CBL, DVR, CD, CDR, V-AUX
Input 2 (digital fiber) : assign to DVD, DTV/CBL, DVR, CD, CDR, V-AUX
Input 3 (digital fiber) : assign to DVD, DTV/CBL, DVR, CD, CDR, V-AUX
(note, if you assign a device to of of these inputs you can not assign it to another)

In addition, each input type has is own composite (L)(R) connection. By default the receiver will choose a digital signal over the composite analog one.

When you have these inputs straightened out you will be able to select which input you want the receiver to use at any one time.

So, if you select and input source of DVD it will do the following:

1) Pass the HDMI signal from the HDMI DVD input port to the HDMI output port.
2) pass the component signal from the component DVD input to the component output
3) check the 3 digital inputs for one assigned to dvd and play this signal over the speakers if present
4) if no digital signal exists for dvd then it will play the composite input for DVD sound over the speakers.

All that aside, and ignoring that the documentation is not well written, the receiver is nice and does its job very well. Night Cinema is cool and the sound quality is pretty outstanding.

I just have to use my component switch with this receiver to use all of my devices.

UPDATE 2: November 3rd 2008
I've had no electrical problems since my previous update!

UPDATE 1: July 26th 2008
Warning, I've encountered an electrical problem with my unit. I Purchased it on May 2nd 2008 (almost 3 months ago), and as of yesterday my unit had 2 errors. The first caused my speakers to go silent, and the second caused the entire unit to freeze; I had to manually unplug the unit from the wall, and re-plug it to get it to respond again. During the past 3 months I have not been stressing the unit: I keep it at -38Db most of the time (low volume), and my apartment is usually below 72 degrees F (no environmental heat factors). I do not know the reason for these 2 errors, and it has preformed fine all day today. I will keep you advised as to the reliability of my unit.

PART 1:
I bought the Yamaha RX-V363 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver in May 2008 because my Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1 burnt out after 3.5 years of use, and all I was left with were its 5 sataite speakers (the subwoofer was dead). So in order to make use of my satalite speakers I bought this Yamaha receiver.

I'm using this system for 5.1 surround, and it's been great. I've had NO problems what so ever with it. The receiver is customizable, allowing you to adjust the bass/trebble of your front left and right speakers. It allows you to test the systems tone in each speaker; however, it does not allow you to adjust the bass or trebble in the rear or center speakers... I don't know why they disallow this, but I'm assuming it's common to other receivers (which is a pitty). ...There is however a control that allows you to adjust the volume of each speaker.

The receiver (and remote control) comes with 4 handy "SCENE" buttons, which allows you to set each button for a different input. I have the 1st button customized so that it plays my PC's sound using "CinemaDSP" which allows the PC's sterio output to be heard from all 5 speakers! It's really awesome, since my laptop doesn't have a 5.1 sound card. I have the 2nd button customized so that it plays my Xbox 360's 5.1 surround sound out of all of my speakers using Dolby Digital!

One negative comment about the receiver is that the HDMI inputs do not transfer my Xbox 360's sound :( It makes no sense [to me] to have HDMI connections that only transfer the video portion of the signal. ...Can someone tell me WHY this is? It's not a huge problem, because the receiver has Optical Inputs that receive audio from my Xbox 360, so it's no big deal. In fact, I don't even send my Xbox 360's HDMI cable through the receiver, just it's optical cable (for sound).

The receiver is very cost effective, and an excellent product! I would recomend this to anyone who is looking to hook up their 5.1 system. Yamaha really knows how to make an excellent product.

PART 2:
Overall I give Yamaha's RX-V363 receiver 5 out of 5 stars for the great quality put into the system, and all the fucntions that come with it!

PROS:
+ Excellent price.
+ 5.1 functions work great with my Xbox 360.
+ Very customizable, and the "4 SCENE" buttons are very handy when switching inputs.
+ The unit is not: heavy or too big, nor does it get hot.
+ Easy to use.
+ Asthetically pleasing look.
+ I'd buy another if I had a use for it!

CONS:
- I dont understand why the Audio portion of the signal is not sent through the HDMI cables from my Xbox 360 (is this normal?).
- Can't specify detailed Bass & Tone output for the rear speakers (just the front 3). The reciever does allow you to set-it so that an "equal amount of bass" is output from the rear speakers as the front, however only the front can be adjusted higher.

Check out the pictures I uploaded!

AcidSnow

I had almost decided upon a Sony product in a similar price range when I discovered the Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver, and I am glad I did. My goal was to be able to use my digital outputs from my computer (DVI and Digital Coax), my digital cable outputs (HDMI), and eventually the HDMI from my PS3. With the right cabling, the RX-V363BL suits that purpose wonderfully. With customizable inputs, programmable remote (for TV), sleep timer, front panel 1/8" inputs for MP3 players, and very good 5.1 sound, I am very happy with the purchase. I doubt if there is a better value out there in this price range.

Got this unit to replace my older, burned out Sony amp, because I just bought a new HDTV and had purchased new speakers (ie: I was looking to build a nice theater system). My wife and I almost returned it because the set up is extremely confusing and we didn't think it was working properly! Ultimately, we did get it to work. And it seems to perform well now. Plus, I usually like Yamaha products because they work well and are durable!

But because of the difficult set up and poorly conceived remote device (way too complicated); I can only give this system a "3" when it could have been a "5" on quality alone.

For $200 bucks this is a great value. The only reason I gave it four stars is that the remote is a little confusing on changing the sound settings. The sound is great out of my JBL surround and it has plenty of power to push my Yamaha towers.