Customer Reviews

JVC RX-402B Home Theater Receiver (Black)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just received the JVC 402B a couple days ago. I'll admit, I had to do some reading to figure out how to set it up properly. The unit is full with features and capability. You can customize everything, and it remembers what you did. I really like the HDMI features. Not only does it connect with my other HDMI components, it will also take any Composite, S-Video, or Component source you have and up-convert it to HDMI. So if you have other equipment (DVD players, VCRs, etc) that don't have HDMI interface, this receiver will up-convert it to HDMI so you can take it's HDMI output and plug it into that new flat screen TV you bought (that's what I did).

Though this receiver can do 7.1, I only have speakers for 5.1, but that doesn't matter. You tell the receiver what you have, and it works for that. As I said, you can control everything the way you want it. As far as heat, I purposely played the speakers loud that I had to leave that floor of the house. I left them go for an hour and came back. All I had was a slight warmth on the top of the unit. Nothing was hot. So unless your shorting your speaker out, I don't see where this unit gets hot.

Overall, I'm very happy with the unit and made the right choice getting it. It is very reasonably priced for everything you get, and made well too. I also like the low profile design instead of the tall units I'm use to seeing. You won't be disappointed with this receiver.

I've had this unit working for a week now with no problems. Sound quality is good, with no noticable weaknesses.

I purchased the unit primarily for it's HDMI switching/upconversion. I have an HDMI cable going from this unit to my plasma TV. My cable box and DVD player use component into the JVC, and my VCR is composite. The picture looks beautiful in high-def or DVD. I have not tried HDMI from my cable box into the unit yet, and I have heard that there are HDCP issues with this sometime so be aware of that.

I bought the 402b because it has HDMI switching, lots of input options, and hightly rated sound output. I also bought it because I have had a JVC audio system for 15 years and love it.

The good part of the receiver is it's great specifications and HDMI support. The bad part is that it that the hardware is poorly executed. It is inexcusable to put out a product that becomes too hot to touch after half an hour of use at normal sound volumes. JVC apparently thinks it's some kind of crime to put cooling fans in receivers. As a result, you get a box that is cool to the touch in standby, and so hot that you literally can't touch the top after half an hour of use. I had to drill extra holes in the back of my entertainment center, and am now out looking for a PC fan that I can run along side it.

I would be surprised if I don't have a different receiver within the month.

If you live in Alaska, go for it. Otherwise, I'd shop around.

JVC is the only company currently making affordable HDMI compatible receivers, and the ports work quite well. The DVD player looks crisp and the sound is perfect. However, it wouldn't work properly with my Motorolla DVR cable box. There are as someone mentioned HDCP issues. Seems to be because the HDMI port doesn't open on the reciever until after it senses signal coming in and the cable box won't enable decoding unless the unit is open to receive. The sound is crisp paired with 7 KLH TW-08 speakers, video works perfectly. Best of all since it syncs HD video and audio there is no more need to switch both your TVs inputs and find its proper audio source on your home theater. The star loss is for the issues with the cable box. Other than that, its solid.

This unit worked great out of the box. I connected the RX-402B (HDMI) with Denon 1920 DVD player(HDMI), BenQ 7700 projector (HDMI) and Infinity Beta 50 speakers.Results .....great picture and sound.

I wanted to LOVE it but alas I just like it.

Huge heat issue, I created a custom cardboard vent placed it to the left side (if you are facing the receiver) where most of the head is dissipated and added an external 12CM PC fan which solved ALL of my heating issues.

Secondly the 110 watts RMS is measured at 1KHz not at a range of 20hz to 20KHz so the true RMS output is probably closer to maybe 60 or 70 watts per channel (Which is still plenty for most applications).

Finally I have it hooked up via HDMI to my TV, and when I switch between my two 720P componenet sources I get snow sometimes. Just nothing but good old fashined snow like when your little brother couldnt hold up the bunny ears for dads old TV and he fell causing the channel to dissapear and lovely snow and static to appear.

I returned the silver one got the black one and so far the snow issue is there but only for a second it goes back to the actual video feed within a max of 3 seconds.

I am DEFINITELY keeping her, but I will keep you all posted in the next week or two with this new Black 402B receiver.

cheers

--------- UPDATED 3/29/2006 ------------

The black one so far has been great, once you solve the heating issues there really is no other big problem. The snow and static issue I had with the silver version is gone, with my custom ventilation she runs cool all day long.

I DEFINITELY recommend this for a nice bedroom or living room set with some satellites. Of course this is not suggested for your main HT room by any means with bookshelfs or towers; I've personally gone with Denon for my main room but thats all preference and speaker setup when you are talking about 5-10k audio setups.

I love the surround sound and quality of this unit but it will not work with the HDMI from my Charter Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR! I did try a Sony str-dg800 and the HDMI worked with that. Now I am debating what to kepp and do with this setup. I want to use HDMI w HD upconvert DVD and S/A STB if I can!