Strengths: Multiple HDMI inputs, upscaling of image and improved playback of compressed music. YPAO

Weaknesses: Somewhat complicated setup.

Summary: This receiver basically does everything you need for a mid-priced A/V system. It sounds great, has plenty of HDMI inputs, plenty of reserve power, and best of all, does a great job of upconverting standard dvd picture.The setup could get a little complicated, luckily Yamaha designed the YPAO auto-setup system to do a superb job of configuring a 7.1 surround system.Yamaha always has very solid products and I am very please with this receiver.

Strengths: Lots of HDMI inputsDecodes DTS-Master

Weaknesses: No HD Radio tuner

Summary: I finally broke down and sold my Pioneer Elite AV receiver, because I wanted HDMI switching and something that would decode all the formats from HDDVD and Bluray. I was originally going to by the vsx-94tx from Pioneer, but it was just too big. I am thrilled with this Yahama -- the sound is terrific, it looks fantastic, and the digital sound field processing is the best I've ever heard. I bought one of the original Yamaha DSP1 processors back in the 80s and it seems that Yamaha is still out front in this area. I thought about getting the rx-v3800, but for the extra 10w per channel and the ho-hum network support, I decided to save the $300. It's too bad that there isn't an internal HD Radio in the 1800, but oh well. My only complaint is that the user interface is a little hard to figure out -- took me a couple of days to figure out how to set up so that the receiver decoded the bitstream audio from the hdmi inputs.

Strengths: 4 HDMI Inputs, Great Sound

Weaknesses: Died after 6 Weeks, Poor Service

Summary: I can't tell you how many Yamaha Audio/Video products I have owned over the years, but its a lot, CD Players, DVD Players, Tape Decks, MD players, AMPS and A/V Receivers I have owned them all, and they have all been Yamahas. Until now, I was happy with every one of them. I set this baby up and the sound was fantastic, but after six weeks, if refused to recognize input from any audio source and went quite. The closest Yamaha service center couldn't handle it because the Yamaha tech was out for "months" so I had to ship it off to another service center. Its been there for 6 weeks and they are still waiting for parts from Yamaha. Called Yamaha numerous times and got no relief

Strengths: DSP sound modes, HDMI, YPAO set-up, Yamaha quality, sound quality, future proof

Weaknesses: NONE

Summary: This is a great receiver. My last Yamaha I've had for 10+ years and it is still going strong but it is just too far behind the technology. The YPAO auto set-up and adjustment of your speakers worked surprisingly well. Yamaha's use of Presence speakers actually adds to the home theatre experience. The sound quality is phenominal. The only potential drawback is that it is complicated, because it does so many things. But for a non-audio phile, the standard/auto adjustments worked great. Highly recommend this product. Call around to a few different internet dealers...you can get a better price over the phone from an authorized Yamaha dealer if you ask for their best price, not the MSRP.

Strengths: Sound! Sound! Sound! Inputs! Outputs! If you like bells and whistles, this is the receiver you want.

Weaknesses: There is a lot of technology in this unit and for the not-so technical person, set-up and use could be very frustrating. The user manual is a bit too vague on some of the features.

Summary: If you are looking for a lot of functionality and some sweet sound out of a receiver, the RX-V1800 is a great choice for the price. But be prepared - you are going to want to go out and either buy some more speakers, or upgrade what you have. This unit can and will deliver! I've only had it for a couple of days and I don't know if I will ever get to experience everything it is capable of doing.

Strengths: 4 HDMI inputs, HDMI Version 1.3, Easy to use remote, and Fantastic sound

Weaknesses: Non so far

Summary: I bought this Yamaha to boost my new Sony Bravia LCD, and Sony Playstation 3, playing games and watching Blu-Ray movies. This unit did not disapoint. Wow! Great Sound! When in the surround sound mode you are literally engulfed in the audio environment. It really makes you feel like you are actually part of what you are watching. Having 4 HDMI inputs is a bonus because I can run all of my equipment using HDMI cables and take advantage of the up scaling capabilities of this receiver. Great when watching regular dvd's. This receiver was easy to setup with easy diagrams in the manual for many different types of room/speaker configurations ie: 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 audio. I have not used the ipod dock that I bought seperately, but look forward to doing so and taking advantage of the on screen display to navigate my ipod. I have already enjoyed using the on screen displays to control the different modes the receiver has. Buying both a Sony tv, and a Sony PS3 for Blu-ray discs, I thought about buying a Sony receiver. I have always been a Yamaha fan, and replaced a Yamaha receiver with this one. So far I am pleased with my decision. The sound quality is simply fantastic.

Strengths: 4 HDMI ports, True HD sound, great sound, low cost

Weaknesses: All of these things are too complicated, but there you go

Summary: Looked very hard at a lot of different Home theatre receivers around $1000 to $1300 to go with my new Sony 46 inch XBR4 TV and Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Player. I bought the Yamaha RX-V1800 with 4 HDMI inputs, TrueHD sound, and HDMI 1.3a capability for $900 plus shipping from Prestige Camera.There are three main criteria I think you want in one of these receivers: at least three HDMI inputs, TrueHD sound, HDMI 1.3a capability. Sony STR-DA330ES does not have TrueHD and I don't think it has HDMI 1.3, but you can't find out from their materials, and it is available for about $795. Last year's Sony STR-DA5200ES has 3 HDMI inputs, no TrueHD and no HDMI 1.3a and is about $789. Everyone says the Yamaha also sounds better than the Sony receviers.The Denon AVR-2808 only has 2 HDMI inputs, but has TrueHD and 1.3 at about $1149. The Denon AVR-3808 is nice with 4 HDMI inputs, TrueHD and 1.3, but it is $1259.The Onkyo TX-SR805 is nice with 3 inputs, TrueHD and 1.3 all for $954, but there are reviews that claim that it is not outputing the 1080p video signal and Onkyo doesn't seem to have addressed these complaints effectively, so I decided to steer clear.Hope this helps.