JVC RX-D412B

Features of JVC RX-D412B

Connectivity-wise, the RX-D412B packs a lot of punch for its small size. First and foremost are the two HDMI inputs, enabling you to switch between two HDMI sources via the receiver. The rest of the video connectivity is rounded out by a pair of component-video inputs, three A/V inputs with S-Video, and a couple of A/V outs with S-Video for DVRs and VCRs. On the audio front, there are three digital audio inputs (two optical and one coaxial), and three analog RCA inputs to accompany the A/V inputs. There's also a 5.1-channel analog input for high-resolution audio formats such as SACD and DVD-Audio as well as the latest video formats--HD-DVD and Blu-ray. In addition, there's an XM input, which can be used with a Connect-and-Play antenna to receive XM programming--with a subscription, of course.

While JVC is quick to tout the RX-D412B as having a "Sirius input," don't get this confused with the type of functionality the XM-Ready feature provides. The RX-D412B's Sirius compatibility is limited to the fact that one of the analog inputs is labeled "TV/Sirius" and that you can use the RX-D412B's remote to control one of two compatible JVC Sirius tuners, the KT-SR2000 and the KT-SR3000. Unlike the plug-and-play XM antenna, the Sirius tuners require their own power supplies, and they won't display the station and song names on the receiver's front-panel display.

The RX-D412B's HDMI capabilities are unusually sophisticated for a sub-$500 receiver, and best many models costing twice as much. In addition to offering HDMI switching between two inputs, the JVC can convert any of its analog video inputs--composite, S-Video, and component--to HDMI output as well. Moreover, it can de-interlace said video streams, so they're output as progressive-scan 480p signals. That's important, because it essentially guarantees compatibility with virtually any HDMI-equipped TVs; many older and some current models can't accept at 480i (interlaced) HDMI signal. Together, the analog-to-HDMI conversion and the de-interlacing functionality mean you can effectively run a single HDMI cable from the JVC to your HDTV and watch all your video sources with ease. (The only issue we noticed was that the RX-D412B could not accept 480i signals via its HDMI input--but since virtually all HDMI sources are high-def, it's not a big issue.)

The RX-D412B also comes equipped with a USB input that lets you play any audio files off your computer over your home theater system. The beauty of this solution is that it bypasses all annoying DRM issues by letting the receiver function as a USB speaker--the bottom line is any file you can play on your computer will work over the USB input. Setting this up is as simple as you could wish for. Using a Dell notebook computer, we plugged in the USB cable, flipped to the USB source on the RX-D412B, and within seconds everything was set to go. The only gripe we had is that if you're using the computer at the same time--say, surfing the Web--you might experience some digital disruptions.

As far as delineating the RX-D412B from other receivers in JVC's line, the differences are pretty straightforward. Its predecessor, the RX-D401, is nearly identical except that it's not XM-ready. Likewise, the more expensive step-up model, the aforementioned RX-D702B, also lacks built-in XM support and the updated autocalibration routine--but it does include the onscreen display capability missing on the RX-D412B.