Home > Consumer Reviews > JVC RXD702B 7.1 Channel Surround Sound AM/FM Audio Video Receiver with HDMI Switching and Wireless PC Link

I was disappointed at first because you only get 4 video switches: DVD,VCR,DBS, and AUX. But it's actually better than this since you can dynamically select where (HDMI,Comp,S or C) these inputs come from (Note that only VCR and DVD have the HDMI option). For instance, for "DVD" you can easily change the video input to come from HDMI,Component,S, or Composite, and you can *separately* select where the audio comes from: HDMI,Digital, or Analog. So here's how I have mine set up: DVD - HDMI from DVD Player, Component from XBox; VCR - HDMI from Dish PVR, Component from XBox 360 (and digital audio from XBox 360!); DBS - S from TiVo; AUX - S from PlayStation. There's also another selection for an audio-only input (if you have satellite audio, for example). This means you can actually connect more devices, but you'll have to press a couple more buttons to switch the video and/or audio to that device. In any case, ALL devices up-sample to HDMI. As stated, the only exception is the receiver's setup screens from the box which go over S -- but you can do everything from the front panel anyway.

Having recently upgraded my home theatre system I needed a multi-channel audio video receiver that would supply multiple input control and functionality in a relatively compact space. I wanted a receiver that would provide HDMI switching and be capable of powering large, wide range speakers. The JVC turned out to be ideal on both counts due to it's low profile yet ample power reserve allowing easy placement in my rather limited widescreen tv support shelf.

Although my HDMI DVD player interfaced beautifully, my cable service provided DVR didn't like the JVC's HDMI input and refused to pass hi-def material through the receiver. This necessitated using the DVR's and receiver's component outputs and inputs respectively. A call to my cable provider confirmed the DVR box's bad behavior and I was told I would have to wait for the providor's next upgrade. The good news is that I wasn't able to discern any significant loss of detail in hi-def material on a 1080P capable 73" widescreen DLP tv by using the component video and optical audio outputs. Your results may differ.

One feature of the JVC that I found particularly useful was it's built-in wireless USB audio streaming function. Installing the provided small antenna on the receiver and plugging in the transmitter to my desktop computer located in a different room was a snap. Now I can easily stream high quality music (uncompressed) and internet radio stations from my computer through my home theatre audio system. One caveat to be aware of is that like wireless internet, the provided USB wireless transmitter is affected by 2.4GHz home telephone systems and, believe it or not, some microwave ovens. If you have a 5.8GHz phone system you'll be fine. Wish I could say the same about the microwave.

While relatively easy to install, the JVC setup procedure requires considerable review of the comprehensive manual. I found that I had to jump around the instruction manual quite a bit before I was able to use the receiver effectively. The on screen guides are easy to follow although one has to drill through multiple menues.

The provided remote control works very well and features a retractable cover that allows one to access less used functions easily while simultaneously keeping the device uncluttered. The instructions on how to add additional external devices were very straightforward and worked flawlessly.

If you're in the market for an excellent sounding HDMI capable multi-channel AV receiver with reasonable funtionality and a relatively small footprint than I encourage you to consider this JVC receiver.

I received this receiver a couple days ago and had many problems with setup. I wanted this device for a couple of reasons, mainly because it includeded HDMI switching but also because my 42" LCD hangs on the wall and my components are about 35 feet away and I didn't want to run cables for every component to the TV. I wanted 1 HDMI cable to run from this device to the TV and 1 set of speaker wire. All other components I wanted to plug into this receiver.

At first attempt, I got video but no sound through the cable box, my DVD had sound but no video and my wireless PC Link worked flawlessly within 5 minutes of setup. I spent nearly 4 hours attempting everything I could think of, but failed to get it to work.

The next night, I decided to call JVC. A tech answered the phone on the second ring! She spent about 30 minutes on the phone with me trying to get it worked out but couldn't so she transferred me to the next level of support. He helped me immensely and in 20 minutes I was up and running perfectly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRO'S:
Single point of communication between components and TV.
W/the included wireless transmitter, you can stream music from any PC or laptop and it will play through your speakers.
Many on screen configurable options.
Remote controls all of my components.
Sound is excellent.
Many input options.
Sleek looking.

CONS:
Difficult initial setup - my cable box had to be connected via component cables to the receivers VCR component in jacks. Who could guess that? There is another port labeled "DBS" - that seems like a more logical place.
Can ONLY connect 2 High Def devices at a time (1 component + 1 HDMI, etc).

A couple other reviewers here stated that you cannot play sound through your TV when connected to this receiver. Well, it's a receiver...it's not made to utilize your TV's speakers, that would be useless. However, if your TV has detachable speakers, you can just add speaker wire to them and connect them to the receiver and everything will work fine.

this is a great receiver - it doesn't have 20 different inputs for your 4 devices, but you know what? i only have a handful of inputs and they are all digital anyhow!

i can't remember the last time i watched a VHS movie and odn't even own a VCR. record player? before my time...

i have a few all digital compents i wanted to hook up without having to buy another shelf to store a hefty receiver on. the form factor is great - thin and sleek. as one reviewer noted, the speaker connections are spaced closely together, which can be problematic, but you only ever do this once and the benefit is that you don't have a 12-inch high component staring at you!

i'm not an audiophile and have actually gotten into some arguments about the "purity" of the sound and how analog is the best sound, etc. etc., but i live in a great one bedroom apt. with 6.1 speakers and the sound is truly incredible - the stereo on a CD comes at you from different sides of the room like waves!! it's really just a phenominal receiver for the few devices (satellite receiver, media center, ps2, and even an old nintendo;) i have.

the one part of the argument the audiophile did win was for me not to use the large screen television speakers as my front right/left. he was dead on with this recommendation.

i would definitely recomend the 702 model over the others for a few reasons - the speaker delay offered in the 702 is great for syncronizing speakers, as well as some of the other set up features. i tried the 302 first and saw the reason for the 702, especially if you're using it for video. just my two cents...

The price, features, performance here is top notch. Everyone is having issues with HDMI connections right now so don't let that stop you, it is a problem for everyone and there is a learning curve.

The sound from the receiver is very good and the class D amp does run hot, they all do. This one is pumping out 150W per channel so the left side of the unit gets very hot. You will not want to put in in an enclosed audio cabinet without an additonal fan in the cabinet.

The usb wireless connection is a lot of fun and the sound quality is excellent as long as no other devices that interfere are running while it is in use. For me, my 5.8ghz cordless phone and microwave cause interference when they are in use. You can hold down the button for 3 seconds on the usb transmitter to try and change wireless channels but this did not help when the devices I mentioned were in use. I have not tried the corded connection.

Overall this is the best deal around for an AV receiver with a good amp and all the current tech features you could need.