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

I bought this unit refurbished from Amazon. If I hadn't been told it was refurbished when I got it it would have been very easy to believe it was new. I have the unit connected to Samsung TV, Oppo DVD player, Mirage 5.1 Nanosat speakers, and Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder. It works well with all of them. The surround sound is wonderful and the auto set up was easy to use and, to my ears, accurate. The only unit that the JVC remote will not work with is the Oppo, as there is currently no code for it (I even emailed JVC to see if a code had been set after the manual was prepared). Having the set up and instructions onscreen made set up easy, although the manual is somewhat complex (an example is when trying to set up the Panasonic VCR there was a warning in the manual as to a setting that was needed, but it didn't tell you where to go to change the setting. Finally found it in the set up menus). The unit does get warm, altough I don't know that it is unusually hot for electronic components. However, after reading all reviews before buying, I was sure to put the receiver in a location that had lots of upward open space for venting any heat. I really like the included sending unit that allows you to play music from your computer. My computer and my home theater are in the same fairly small room so there is no transmission problem. I can start up a playlist on iTunes on the computer and play it over the home theater speakers. It does only have two HDMI inputs, but for my set up--DVD player and VCR/DVD player, both with HDMI connections--it is sufficient. I am very pleased with the units appearance, compact size, operation, and features.

Waited over a year for this so as to have the cash to buy it. Got it home, plugged it in and like a champ off it went. Couple of things still surprised me after watching this and reading every review done on it. My rear speakers could not work on the auto sound setup (I adjusted them manually) because I assume they are too old. Center and fronts as well as the bass picked up immediately. Wireless streaming audio is almost worthless in my environment. I assumed it would work - read several reviews where people talked about interference but always hoped for the best. It didn't work acceptably - it worked - the sound was just distorted, cut in and out and so I just packed that in. Video up conversion is remarkable - everyone who has been to my house when the TV was on remarks on the picture clarity. I did not test it out to most people's standards as I am using s-video to the TV. My TV is a late 80's model JVC and so does not have HDMI. That's my next purchase.
Overall I gave it a 4 even through it should probably be a 4.5 but I am somewhat discouraged by the streaming audio which was one of the reasons I liked this specific model. Overall - I really like this receiver.

Cannot output 1080p from PS3 to monitor when using HDMI. You Have to set PS3 to 1080i, then will it work OR have PS3 HDMI go to monitor, then have the optical audio output from monitor go to JVC, if your monitor has that option.

I had this unit for nearly 2 years now.
I like the video up conversion quality and up convert analog cable and vcr pictures really well.
I know the heat issue and placed the unit where side ventiliation espcially left side is very good and never had any issue.
Sound quality is quite good with my JBL sub and channel speakers.
Wireles connection works well but I don't use that much anymore as I had a wired media server directly attached to this unit.
HDMI didn't work properly with some of the dvds, but it's neglectable as I prefer to use component cables.
Overall, it's very good product and will buy again if needed.

Our old JVC receiver was more audio than video [and certainly was not HDMI!], and we loved it. We picked this one, not because it was a JVC [thought that's not a negative; we've had very good luck w/JVC], but because it seemed to be the most cost-effective HDMI on the market. Big problem we faced was that it has NO connections for solely audio equipment [like CD changers, tape decks, phonos, etc.].

Hookup was easy except for speaker wires. The connections for those are too close together. Only slender, female fingers need apply. And why do they still use those old-fashioned bare wire connections? How 'bout some plugs, please?!

Setup was more difficult, but in one day's time we got old VCR, new TV, semi-current DVD and Dish DVR/receiver all hooked together. Had to pipe sound from CD player to speakers via unused TV/Sirius audio input at receiver. Just one somewhat major [still unresolved] snafu: no way to pipe sound from the receiver to the TV! This thing is totally 'monitor'/home-theater oriented. Otherwise, no need to direct connect DVD, satellite or VCR to TV. Right now, satellite is the only thing piped to TV both via receiver and separately, but may end up doing the same w/others just to get sound to TV. If anyone knows how to do it w/this receiver, I'll be looking back at these postings.

Also, figuring out how to make settings for audio and video modes for each input device took a while. Piped everything through receiver to TV/monitor w/HDMI cable--if you use the big fat kind, which carries the most signal [and therefore, the most detailed information for the best quality picture], be forewarned: that thing is bulky and stiff, so forget easily snaking it through any kind of cabinet. Our receiver barely sits far enough back in the cabinet to close the doors when it's not in use [do not close them when it's on].