Movie and music buffs will dig the HTR-5930's Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Yamaha's means of simulating the acoustics of a concert hall, movie theater, or rock concert hall in the comfort of your own home. The Cinema DSP's four programs includes Movie Dramatic, Movie Spacious, Game, and TV Sports, each of which creates an optimum sound field for a specific type of programming. The Music DSP modes, meanwhile, range from 2-Channel Stereo to Concert Hall to Roxy Theatre, the latter of which reproduces the dynamic music environment of one of L.A.'s legendary rock clubs. And, of course, the HTR-5930 handles standard processing for Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II sources.

What really makes the HTR-5930 tick, however, are the extras, such as Silent Cinema, a Yamaha-exclusive technology that lets you enjoy multichannel music or movie sound through ordinary headphones, and a night listening mode that lowers the volume during loud passages so the kids don't jolt awake after hearing explosions and other special effects from the next room. Plus, the HTR-5930 not only comes with a standard AM/FM tuner, but is also XM satellite radio ready. All you need is a separately sold XM antenna and a subscription to XM satellite radio and you're set.

Click to view the Yamaha HTR-5930's back panel.

Additional features include a virtual surround sound mode, A or B speaker selection, a sleep timer, and a Set menu that lets you optimize the receiver to suit your individual home theater system.

With a bevy of digital and analog inputs, the HTR-5930 can accommodate several digital sources such as DVD players, CD players, video game consoles, digital satellite systems, and much more. The rear panel options include two optical digital inputs and one coaxial digital input; three HDTV-compatible component video inputs and one output; four composite video inputs and two outputs; and two analog audio inputs and one output. Also present is a 5.1 multichannel input.

The HTR-5930 measures 17.12 by 5.94 by 12.44 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a two-year warranty.

What's in the Box
HTR-5930 receiver, remote control, two AA batteries, AM loop antenna, indoor FM antenna, user's manual.

Beware the Yamaha Warranty. This morning I told them to return the unit. According to them there is no problem. I reset and reprogrammed the receiver several times but it always changed the settings. They've had it for a month. Replacement is the ONLY option. If these made in China, hot running receivers crap out it's unlikely that they can be repaired.

A receiver lasts me about two years on the average. I'll replace it with something else with a solid warranty; perhaps an exchange agreement. The repair depot (third party) doesn't have a clue. The best sounding receiver I've ever owned - that is until it began changing the settings I programmed in by itself. If you don't have to use it you're fortunate.

Take a few minutes and read the instruction pack. There are a myriad of input options. Not a complaint, but I may put a small fan in our media cabinet. Of note, I use this with a PC media center. 5.1 channels are more than adequate for me. I'd have to see a drastically better system than this to convince me to burn more cash on a more cutting-edge receiver.

They make good sense and you'll be able to choose the style of sounds reproduction that best suits you. However, I'm sure it would set up just as well and easy with a more conventional DVD / CD / VCR / TV tuner as sources. Note that you can also channel your video feeds through it on their way to the final monitor in your system. I've successfully used the multichannel inputs as well as the traditional RCA inputs. Setup was not hard.

Power seems more than ample for the size of our media room; about 12' x 20'. The box does generate some expected warmth. Something with this much power probably just will. I migrated from Panasonic systems after some quality problems to this Yamaha and there will be no looking back. Impressive sound box.

I know the current thing is towards having some unholy number of speakers scattered from hades to breakfast - the quality of the 5.1 from this box is very pleasing and very realistic for films and music.

Satisfied with purchase and delivery Item fit the need I had exactly. Works and sounds good.

Great receiver, great price, and it can make any speaker system sounds like a million bucks. The sound that this pumps out is wonderful - crisp, loud FM stereo; floor shaking movie sounds - this thing is great. I hooked it up with a $200 5 speaker Yamaha surround sound system (nothing like my parent's Bose Flagship system) and the sound is impeccable. The Yamaha HTR-5930SL has so far been an awesome receiver. It has countless connection possibilities, is XM-ready, and can easily be programmed by a universal remote (I use my Comcast cable remote with it).

I decided to become a little more serious about Home Theater and, After reading many reviews, I decided to go with this receiver. Also ordered the Infinity TSS 450 Home Theater Speaker System and the Sony DVDPNS75H Upscaling DVD player. It was also easy to set up (I received the speakers first so I had them installed when the receiver arrived). This thing rocks. Would recomend to any one. I know there are more professional (and expensive) receivers out there, but I couldn't be more happy with the sound quality and power of this Yamaha Receiver. I'm upgrading from a Panasonic SC-HT640W (you know, one of those complete Home Theater Systems with a 5 Disc Changer and wireless sorround speakers). I'm very impressed with the power and features of this unit, specially for its price.