I purchased JVC RX-888 couple weeks ago. Overall this is a great receiver in this price range($349-$399). Amplification and features are almost identical to RX-1028VBK. Very good in stereo and surround modes. DD and DTS are excellent.On-screen menu. Remote controls almost everything. A lot of inputs and outputs including S-Video and Digital. Excellent!!!

I love this unit. For the beginner it has everything you can possibly want. If you have JVC components or planning to build a new system without spending a lot of money I think there are not many receivers that can match RX888 in this price range.It has DD,DTS,S-Video,120W per channel in stereo, Compulink(This is great, I don't even touch remote from my JVC 200CD changer, using only receivers remote and getting all Disc info on the TV screen) and much more. On my opinion you can't beat this receiver.

I replaced my RX884 with the RX888 because I was very happy with the RX884 features. However, the RX884 did have a noticable hiss in all surround modes and did not have DTS decoding.
I am happy to say the RX888 has remedied both of these problems. It also has a better access method to the on-screen menues text feature (when linked with a JVC text compatible CD changer). The only other feature I have found different from the RX884 is that it has 5 channel inputs for future upgrading.

Recommend highly for anyone wanting a very good home theater receiver for below $500. (Cheapest prices seen Netmarket and Soundcity $369)

I have had this receiver for a few weeks now and am very impressed. Granted, it doesn't sound as good as an ES series Sony, or a Sherwood Newcastle, but it doesn't cost the same either. I compared the RX-888VBK versus the other offerings in the same price range and it came away the winner in features and build quality. I do wish for a little more power, but my speakers are relatively efficient so it doesn't take gobs of power to drive them to theater level sound volume. I appreciate the S-Video inputs (the comparable Sony and Pioneer models didn't have them) and the lack of spring-loaded push terminals (ack!).
Some people may like the sound quality of a more expensive receiver and that's fine (because so do I), however, this model easily beats out the current offerings by the competition in all categories.
The RX-888VBK is a great successor to the 884 model and an excellent purchase if you are considering an A/V receiver in this price range.

I am looking into geting this receiver but cant get an answer to one question so far... Does this unit "auto-detect" the type of audio (PCM, DD5.1, DTS)???
I have a DVD player that has all these audio formats out through the digital cable and if I switch from a AC3 5.1 DVD to a DTS DVD, will the receiver switch to DTS on its own? Also, the on-screen display menu, does it work with the s-video connection? (some with this feature only transmits over the video RCA type output to the monitor, but not the s-video)

I picked this unit up from Circuit City for $499. I know it can be had for $359 online from www.knocking.com, but I couldn't wait as my old receiver took a dump. I started out with the Kenwood 709 which really was a cheap piece of crap. I next went to the Sony 935, but it didn't have digital audio with S-Video input for my satellite, so I went with the JVC 888. The Sony 935 was a nice receiver, but this JVC is just as nice and has more features. The biggest difference between this and the Sony receiver is that you can assign the digital input between different video inputs, allowing for many more variations than the Sony could do. Overall, I love this receiver and would easily recommend it. The S-Video inputs are handy and the switching digital audio is great. Sound wise it's great and there's no visible quality loss when switching between video channels. If you need a quality good priced amp with S-Video and switchable digital audio, look no further. I'm giving it a 5 star rating as it does everything I ask of it and at a great price.

I'm answering the question posted below:
Yes, the 888 does automatically recognize the format.

I have returned the JVC-888 Due to a few issues I feel are known to the company. First the unit I got from Brandsmart In Sunrise Florida has a hiss in DVD surround modes. The unit would later Start Overloading, once on Lost in Space AC-3 DVD, Than On Dance Music CD's. I called JVC and the tech checked his test unit and got the same hiss. To See this for yourself go and demo the unit. Put it in DVD mode without playing the disc and turn the volume up to full and listen to the hiss and humm. When I returned the unit the sales people told me that I must have a defective product. I went to their audio room and we hooked up another 888, Same Hum and hiss All Speakers. We Than setup a 1028 and the same problem. I tried to call JVC Again But Their Main Number Only Tells You They Are Busy, Call Again Later. I have Also Confirmed That This Unit And The 1028 Will Not Play DTS Audio CD's. Come On 500 Watts, DD, DTS, EQ, Optical, Coax, OSD, DSP Modes, And Lots More, For $348.00 Why Should It Work. A Real Shame As I liked This unit a lot and wanted to keep it.
End Result, Unit Returned
NO DTS ON CD's
Hiss and Hum Very Present All Speakers
Overload Cut Off When The Music Is At it's Best
A Very Defective Line Unless the Store has a bad run of units.
Volume Must be set Way To High Close to 70 Of 90 For Most Applications

I bought the Unit From Brandsmart For $348.00, I was very excited about it and looking foward to the upgrade to DD and DTS, I had owned a Pioneer VSX-D1S MII The Pioneer was the Best Unit I have ever used, I wish Pioneer Made Units like this now. The JVC Hooked Up And to My Suprise has Loud hiss in all DVD Surround Modes. With no source playing, Hiss was very present from 60-90 on the volume dial. This hiss Is not present when in CD mode. I have also noted that the Volume must be up past 45 before you hear any sound. I called JVC and there hook up people checked there unit, they have the same problem. I was told that it would be refered to an engineer because a lot of people are going to be calling in about this. I contacted brandsmart and am told that they have no Sony 935 in stock, no Pioneer 608D And So On. I like this JVC unit and am very dissapointed. MY DVD is Pioneer 606D, Speakers Cambridge Sound Works, Hiss with both Optical And Coxial Cable, Less Present With Direct 5.1 In from 606d.

I got this unit (888VBK) a week ago and need to get a HT speaker system. I am looking to get the Infinity CMS2 (4 LPMs, B120 & center). Any command? The specification rate the speakers at 80Watt. The 888VBK output 120Watts. Will this be OK?