plenty of audio and video connection scenerios. Front panel audio/video connections. rear panel layout. graphic speaker signal display.

no power outlet on rear panel

I upgraded from the pro-logic receiver because of the purchase of a DVD player. Great value for your money. Sure, it is not an audiophile type of receiver, but let me tell you the sound difference from my pro-logic to this digital receiver is nothing short of incredible. Toy Story 2 and U-571 sound fantastic. I added a powered sub and I am sure that also enhanced the sound. At the time I purchased this receiver I got the cheapest price and went to Sears which does match internet prices. The store did not have it, but sears.com did, and they also sent me a rebate to get my shipping back! By the way, if you have a problem, or just do not like it, you can return it to the store even if you got it through sears.com. I am sure by now you can even get a cheaper internet price for this receiver. Speaker and component hook-up was not a problem if you take your time and follow the manual. It has sufficient hook-up diagrams to follow. Set-up also was not too difficult. If you have a problem, don't panic, take a break, drink a beer and read the section in question again, chances are you missed something. It happened to me trying to get all 5 speakers to operate during DVD play. I had the problem solved in a minute. The sound separation from center to fronts and surrounds have no comparison to pro-logic. IMO the remote is laid out well. Sure it could have been backlit, but we are not talking a $700 price tag either. But some of the buttons are specifically shaped so the use for a backlight is not that big of a concern once you get use to the layout. One thing I am still having a problem with is having the remote recognize my Toshiba 36" TV. I tried the codes the manual gave but no luck so far. Dollar for dollar you cannot beat this receiver.

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Aiwa pro-logic receiver

Number of inputs

No internal composite to s-vid conversion for picky TVs
Qaulity control lacking with JVC brand

I waited 23 days for Amazon to ship this thing to me. Setup took about an hour. It worked fantasic for an evening, until I noticed random crackling occurring in the surround and center channels. I thought I could live with it until quiet passages in movies would come up and you couldn't help, but hear the crackle. I bought this unit to replace a Technics receiver that hissed on the surround channels. I had to convince my fiance that purchasing a new receiver would be better. It didn't help my case any when I got this receiver and the surround channels were making even more noise. It isn't the Bose speakers connected either. Someone was kind enough to email me that his RX-8000VBK was also crackling in his surround channels. He said the culprit was loose solder joints in the unit. Right now my unit is at the repair shop hopefully being fixed (and hopefully just loose solder joints) taking advantage of the 2-year warranty for parts and labor.

When the receiver was working for the brief time after initial hookup, it was great! I have a JVC VCR, but lost the compulink cable, so no comment there.

One disappointing thing is that composite and S-video video is not combined to a single s-vid output with this receiver. My Toshiba TV accepts both s-vid and composite video, but not at the same time. If you so much as plug in composite while there's something plugged in the s-vid on the TV, the video goes bonkers. You can only plug in one type of input at a time. I had hoped the receiver would do some internal conversion to make a single s-vid out to the TV, but it doesn't. I have a JVC switchbox that does convert composite into s-vid, so I can have a single s-vid into my TV, but I was hoping this receiver would allow me to get rid of it. It would have been sweeter if the JVC switchbox used the compulink.. I bet it would have made things easier and less confusing. Or better yet, if my JVC VCR used s-video instead of composite -- then I could say goodbye to composite for good.

The price was decent for this receiver, but the fact it didn't operate correctly (for me) and doesn't simplify composite/s-vid problems for annoying TVs warrants only 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, if I get this back from the repair shop and the surround and center channels are working as designed, I'd give it 4 stars because it does have many features for the price.

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Technics receiver

Handles Low impedance speakers, Good adjustibility, Reasonable sound reproduction.

Remote, 5-Way binding posts are not 5-way, Manual could be better.

After reading all the reviews, checking all the specs and having had good experiences with other JVC products, I purchased the 8000. I choose the 8000 for it's ability to handle difficult loads (rated 125w @ 4ohms). I use Celestion speakers in my surround sound set-up. These speakers not only have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, but may go as low as 2 ohms around 20khz. Not only do these speakers present a challenge as far as impedance is concerned, there efficieny is marginal. Celestion rates the C-1's, at 90db. I am pleased with the 8000's preformance so far. I have been using this unit for two weeks.

The 8000 is an above average to good home theater receiver. It does what it is supposed to do. It reproduces the sounds on a movie soundtract. I enjoy this receiver in this capacity. I would recommend this receiver to anyone who wants to have a good movie experience on a budget.

The remote does need some work. It has no lights what-so-ever. It can be confusing, but not any worse than any other remotes mentioned in these reviews. My biggest disappointment is with the binding posts. Since I am using bare wire connections, for now, I expected real 5-way binding posts. Yes it does handle RCA connectors, but when I backed off the insulating ring, there was only a single post. I am switching to cables with RCA connectors to achieve better contact. While this may seem trivial, a good connection is vital to good sound.

Now one of my pet peeves with some of the reviews I have read:
I for one do not understand many of the musical criticisms of this type of component. I do not seriously listen to any of my music on my home theater system. I do not find multichannel stereo very interesting. Multichannel may be great for parties where the quantity of music is more important than the quality of music. Multichannel stereo cannot, in my opinion, have the same impact as two channel stereo. I have a separate two channel set-up for that.
Thank you for letting me vent. My set-ups at present:

Home theater:
JVC-RX8000VBK
JVC Hi Fi VCR
Celestion C-1
Celestion CSC
Celestion CSW

Two Channel Stereo:
Meridain MCA-1 Preamp
Audiolab 8000P Power Amp
Celestion SL6si Speakers
Carver Tuner
Sony CD Player

My value rating is 5 stars. You simply cannot beat the power handling and above average performance for this price.

My Overall rating is 4 stars. The flaws are minor, remote & binding posts. To say this is the best in its class may be a stretch.
James in Phoenix

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Onkyo, Harmon Kardon, Sony

I shopped and compared all the sites on the net to find the lowest price on this thing. I got lucky and got it for $289.00 ($440 MSRP)at http://go.to/etronicsonline . You get an impressive array of inputs for all your audio/video sources: 3 audio and 5 A/V (including 4 S-video, and 1 front-panel) inputs, and 4 digital (3 optical, 1 coaxial) inputs. You'll appreciate the extras — like a center channel tone control (for optimum voice matching across your front soundstage), banana plug-compatible speaker terminals for all channels, and a multibrand-for-video remote control. To top it off, the RX-8000V features wide-range frequency response — perfect for upcoming DVD-Audio and other high-resolution audio sources! Awesome

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Sony STR-DB930

Looks, Outputs, Sound Quality

None yet!

This receiver is awesome! It provides amazing DD 5.1 and DTS sound from DVD's. The looks of it is awesome. It's nice and heavy which means it's well built. This receiver is awesome for the price!! I couldn't be happier!

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Older JVC Prologic Receiver

Bang for the buck! sound control, DTS / DD output.

Looks of receiver, doesn't match all the other JVC components I have. The onscreen display is ugly to me. Also, previous JVC receiver picks up FM a little better. (Could be the connector I had to buy to allow me to hook the antenna to this receiver)

The DTS and Digital Dolby have made the biggest difference with DVD movies. I loved the video quality and features of DVDs, but didn't see what the big deal was with sound. DTS and DD capable receiver makes a huge difference. Every one who has come by to watch a movie comments on how vivid the sound is.

I was somewhat worried about the hiss that was described with other reviews, but I can only make out a hiss at 90, and 60 is the highest I will turn it too for a movie. Any louder and you need earplugs.

I also like the ability to control volume at lower levels. The previous JVC receiver I had was often too loud at lowest level.

Recommend having surround speakers. This makes a big difference with movies. The DSP modes to be used with only left and right speakers weren't very impressive. I would not by this receiver for those features.

I had one minor hookup problems at first, but after reading the very clear manual, fixed it easily.

I already have all JVC components, some since 1994. They still operate without a problem. I have been very impressed with JVC reliability in the past. So far so good after three months with JVC-8000VBK.

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Prevous JVC receiver. Also listend to other DTS and DD receivers at store. (Sony, etc. )

Numerous Inputs, Remote, Display panel, dd/dts, price quality

The setup was quite simple. The manual was very helpful, it goes step by step how to hook up each source. Hte remote is layed out so you don't even have to have it lighted. the buttons become familiar quickly and are very easy to find. Can control surround levels, sub level, center tone all with remote, just to name a few features. Overall just a great component!!

Excellent Value! Looks great! Sounds awesome!

No power outputs in the back for older or diff make components. So they dont turn off when you turn off receiver! On the newer JVC components they turn off automatically through the compulink system! Wonderful!

What a difference the DTS makes! I was amazed at the sound of The Eagles DVD in DTS. I cant believe all the features there and for that price too. God bless the internet. Circuit City had it on sale for $389. What a rip off. The only thing I dont care for is the banana hook ups in the back. I thought it was great until I priced them. So I just hooked it up the old fashioned way. I see people complaining about the heat but mine doesnt get that hot. Did you make sure you set the Ohms switch in the back to match your speakers? That will cause it to overheat and its not something I would have checked If I hadnt noticed it.
This unit is a great buy even if you pay full retail. What a steal for $269!

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JVC-817 Prologic

Price! The number of inputs. Its great in Dolby Digital.

The remote won't work my TIVO :-( And a little tricky to set up for the bes tsound output.

Can you get better receivers? Yes. Can you get a better receiver for the money if your on a limited budget? No.

Just one other thing. I have heard people complain about the power. I find it very powerful. What causes the confusion is the volume on the Rx8000 is not linear its exponential. So if you go to a store and turn the volume up 1/4 on this and another unit the other unit will be much louder. This setup gives you more precise control of low and mid volumes and the high volumes ramp up very quickly.

So if your budget is limited or your cheap defenitely get this unit, If not go get a Nakamichi AV-10. Great Unit.

Good value, strong amplifiers, 4 ohm capability.

No spare power outlets on the back panel, doesn't have the 5 channel stereo mode.

Slightly above average mid-fi sound, better than my Onkyo and many other units for less than $1000. I'm an electrical engineer (University of Connecticut with twenty years experience in nuclear and aerospace industries) and I opened it up to inspect the components and layout and everthing is well done with components as good as you can expect at this price. There are definitely better receivers out there for more money if you choose very carefully and with an audition in your own home with your peripheral equipment and acoustics, but at this price you can't go wrong. This category is called AVReceiver. It is written a few places at the top of the page and every single reviewer on this page spelled it correctly numerous times EXCEPT ONE. Anybody that can't see the obvious in front of his nose certainly wouldn't know correct electrical wiring when he looks at it either. His post is just garbage from the gutter.

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NAD, Adcom, Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood.