Strengths: Great looks, 3 HDMI inputs, iPod Digital support and automatic surround sound calibration

Weaknesses: Video iPod support ends with 5G iPods (thanks Apple), no gold-plated connections and physical size

Summary: I have owned a Pioneer receiver since 1992 and when it came time to replace it with something found in the new millenium, I visited the Pioneer stable of products once again.The driving force for a new receiver was obtaining HDMI support. This receiver has 3 inputs and 1 output (the VSX-94TXH has 4 inputs). Overall, I am very happy with the receiver. The Elite line is pricier but the overall quality of the product and components show. This receiver also support 1080p upscaling for those SD DVDs in your library and does a fairly decent job; the only catch is that the input source has to be over HDMI as well. This receiver is not for owners with space constraints. Ensure that you have a cabinet that will fit it or you may have to cut out the back of your media center today. I currently use this receiver with a Pioneer Elite Plasma and together in harmony, love how it auto-adjusts to best render the feed that it is receiving.

Strengths: Fantastic sound quality, Suports all the audio formats out there, easy to connect, iPod compatible, most of all the best price compare to other products in this price range. Automac speaker setup

Weaknesses: Remote control is a little complecated, I can't figure out how to make DirectTV reciever work with this remote.

Summary: Overall great product, awesome sound, easy hookup one HDMI cable from DirectTV to Pioneer and one HDMI cable to TV and you all set. Ships with the cable to connect iPod too. Automatic sound balancing based on the position of the microphone (ships with system).

Strengths: A great piece of equipment with more than enough power and plugs for just about anyone's needs.

Weaknesses: You are unable to assign all modes to a button on the controller it would be nice to switch to any of my inputs at the touch of a button rather than scrolling though.

Summary: I am one to do a lot of research before purchasing and for the price you can get this unit for here it blows just about anything else on the market away.

Strengths: Does everything you could possibly want at this level, has all available encoding options, HDMI output, 1080p upconversion, fantastic sound quality, and overall AMAZING features. Really sings!

Weaknesses: Remote is not the best, but just use a universal remote like most do, could use more HDMI ports.

Summary: This receiver will blow you away. I have used a handful of other high end receivers in this price range and this one blows them all away. The sound quality alone (which hopefully is the main reason you are buying this) is worth it. Hook up all your devices into this one masterful box, and just have the one HDMI output coming out into your TV / monitor. I currently have a high end 5.1 system and it blows me away, the HD audio encoding that it supports is just outstanding. There is no visual lag (aka lip snyc issues like some other high end receivers have...) and for that alone this receiver couldn't receiver a higher review!