Official Yamaha RX-Z7 Receiver Review Thread

[Azz123]

Please confirm the following however:
you had HDMI video processing enabled
you set the Z7 to 1080p
you went up close to the display and looked for vertical blue lines and / or intermittent blue dots after the receiver has been running for at least 40 minutes.

Thanks.

Confirmed all of the above.

 

[kriktsemaj99]

Actually it did process YCbCr at the native data range of 16-235 which is how all DVD/Blu-ray discs are mastered.

hence why we wrote this article:
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/calibrate-your-system/hdmi-black-levels-xvycc-rgb

The RX-Z7 however does have enhanced RGB of 0-255 as a default now greater compatibility with gaming and PC connections.

Gene,

When I read that article it came across as stressing the importance of passing blacker-than-black (as it should). The main theme was how to calibrate your system using blacker-than-black test patterns (most of the pictures show BTB patterns, and the first piece of advice is "get a test disk that has a Blacker-than-Black pattern...").

It's great that Yamaha put things right with the Z7 and the 1900/3900, but it's a disgrace that they didn't see fit to fix it in the 1800/3800 with a simple firmware update. You might ask why on earth they chose to do that when you talk to Yamaha.

 

[gene]

It's great that Yamaha put things right with the Z7 and the 1900/3900, but it's a disgrace that they didn't see fit to fix it in the 1800/3800 with a simple firmware update. You might ask why on earth they chose to do that when you talk to Yamaha.

Yamaha rarely does firmware updates on their receivers since they pump out replacement models every 8 months or so, sans their flagship. The Z11 and others will pass blacker than black on properly mastered discs so its really not that big of an issue for most people.

 

[Jeepers]

Yamaha rarely does firmware updates on their receivers since they pump out replacement models every 8 months or so, sans their flagship. The Z11 and others will pass blacker than black on properly mastered discs so its really not that big of an issue for most people.

Sorry for hijacking this Z7 thread for a Z11 question. In the AVSFORUM Z11 thread I think I read that the Z11 did not pass BTB but that this issue got fixed with the more recently built Z11's. Gene, have you heard anything from Yamaha fixing this issue on the newer Z11's or were all the people mentioning this issue using improperly mastered discs ?

 

[cdub]

I see that the Z7 has only an RJ-45 network connection (no wifi), but does anyone know if it is possible to use a USB wireless ethernet adapter with this unit? I kind of doubt that this is possible, just wondering since I do not want to run Cat5 from my wireless router to my audio rack.

 

[qdemn7]

Yamaha rarely does firmware updates on their receivers since they pump out replacement models every 8 months or so, sans their flagship.

They must be treating the RX-Z7 as a semi-flagship and making updates available like the 11. Mine was shipped to the dealer around the first of November '08, with Firmware 1.02. Latest Firmware is 1.04. There was an insert in the box that states:

"Coming March 2009 Sirius Internet Radio via Online Firmware Update."

 

[kriktsemaj99]

Sorry for hijacking this Z7 thread for a Z11 question. In the AVSFORUM Z11 thread I think I read that the Z11 did not pass BTB but that this issue got fixed with the more recently built Z11's. Gene, have you heard anything from Yamaha fixing this issue on the newer Z11's or were all the people mentioning this issue using improperly mastered discs ?

It's got nothing to do with improperly mastered disks and everything to do with correctly mastered calibration disks with blacker-than-black test patterns. That's the whole crux of the audioholics article --- if BTB test patterns were not that useful why devote half the article to using them?

A Z11 firmware fix was rumoured, but as far as I can tell it never materialized. There was a firmware update, but the few (not necessarily reliable) reports on avsforum said that it still clipped BTB.

I don't expect Yamaha to issue updates that give me new features for free, but I do expect them to fix things that are clearly broken (e.g. the DTS-HD MA decoding bug that they did fix). Failing to pass through part of the HDMI video signal is also clearly a bug in what is ostensibly an HDMI switching receiver. [/RANT]

 

[Tomorrow]

it happens even if I turn the volume all the way down. Takes about 30 minutes for it to show up. Once I toggle the input, it goes away but then I see blue dots popping up on the screen. All of this goes away once I open the front door of my cabinet so I am thinking its heat related and this receiver needs more ventilation than I am providing it, especially with HDMI video processing engaged.

Here are some images of where my Z7 is installed. Note the enclosure is sealed off in the back. I've got about 4" of clearance on the top of the receiver and 5.5" of clearance on the left and right sides.

Maybe that interference is from the microwave oven it's installed in.

 

[cdub]

Gene,

I am wondering why the Z9 does not sport any THX certifications? Seems like this unit is certainly capable of obtaining a THX cert based on the initial reports on component and build quality. Do you know if this something they are still working on, or have they already decided to forgo this on the Z9?

cw

 

[Pyrrho]

Please try both and let us know if you see any difference and if you do which one is better. My guess is that unless you can do a side by side comparison it will be hard to tell. Too bad you can't do a blind test on the video side.

You can do a "blind" test on the video side; "blind" simply means without knowing which one it is that one is seeing. And that is the way to keep prejudices and preconceptions from interfering with a fair and proper evaluation.

 

[Pyrrho]

Standard E-Core.

I also notice the parts in the Z7 are higher quality than in my RX-V2700 such as the PS capacitors, xformer and other key parts.

Given that the RX-V2700 is a couple of models back from the current lineup, and given that it retailed for $1k less than the new RX-Z7, I would certainly hope that the new RX-Z7 had some noticeable improvements. If it did not, it would represent a terrible value.

Of course, now I will lust after one, since I am currently using a crappy old RX-V2700! (For those who need to be told, I am joking; the RX-V2700 is a very good receiver, and I currently have no need to upgrade. If one upgraded every time some new and better thing came out, one would need a lot of money, and often get very minor improvements. It would also be a bother to hook up a new receiver so frequently.)

 

[benamaster]

I am having a problem with my RX-Z7 where I get thin horizontal blue lines when the PReP processor is engaged and the output resolution is set to 1080P. The receiver is is in the top shelf of a BDI Avion Noir 8539 with about 1in of clearance on the top with the bottom shelf having large slots for ventilation. The only other item on that side of the cabinet is a power filter. I've seen it start as soon as 20min after turning it on but have had sessions where I wouldn't see in 4 hours. I tried to reproduce it with repeating a DVD and it wouldn't show up. I never had the problem with 24P Blu Rays because I assume it can't PReP 24P 1080P. I did update the firmware to 1.04 it came with 1.02 installed.

The television is a Samsung LN-55A950 and the Blu Ray player is a Samsung BD-P2550. The other source is a DirecTV HR-22. I have had the issue with both sources. Cables are Blue Jeans Series-F2 10ft.

The receiver for me coming from a Sony and another older Yamaha HTR-5490 seems to run much cooler than my previous receivers. The speakers are Mirage OMD-15's up front, OMD-C1 center, OC-55 Surrounds in a 7.1 configuration.

 

[tua09788]

Review on z7?

Does anyone know when the review for the z7 will be up?

 

[gene]

I am having a problem with my RX-Z7 where I get thin horizontal blue lines when the PReP processor is engaged and the output resolution is set to 1080P. The receiver is is in the top shelf of a BDI Avion Noir 8539 with about 1in of clearance on the top with the bottom shelf having large slots for ventilation. The only other item on that side of the cabinet is a power filter. I've seen it start as soon as 20min after turning it on but have had sessions where I wouldn't see in 4 hours. I tried to reproduce it with repeating a DVD and it wouldn't show up. I never had the problem with 24P Blu Rays because I assume it can't PReP 24P 1080P. I did update the firmware to 1.04 it came with 1.02 installed.

The television is a Samsung LN-55A950 and the Blu Ray player is a Samsung BD-P2550. The other source is a DirecTV HR-22. I have had the issue with both sources. Cables are Blue Jeans Series-F2 10ft.

The receiver for me coming from a Sony and another older Yamaha HTR-5490 seems to run much cooler than my previous receivers. The speakers are Mirage OMD-15's up front, OMD-C1 center, OC-55 Surrounds in a 7.1 configuration

Hmm my display is also a Samsung. I didn't see these lines when I used my Epson projector. I wonder if its a Yamaha/Samsung issue. I will relay this to Yamaha, thanks.

Also, please verify after you see the blue lines that simply toggling on/off PReP makes them go away, but later replaces them with blue sparkles. That is what's happening on my end. thanks.

Does anyone know when the review for the z7 will be up?

My review is pretty much done but I am waiting on resolution to this video issue which so far only a handful of us seem to be experiencing. I am in direct contact with Yamaha engineering in Japan so hopefully this goes quickly.

 

[benamaster]

I will try turning PReP off and see. I have never seen any blue sparkles only the lines maybe with PReP off I will see some sparkles.

 

[gene]

I will try turning PReP off and see. I have never seen any blue sparkles only the lines maybe with PReP off I will see some sparkles.

Try leaving PReP on and toggle the input. Then while watching a DVD, give it a few minutes and see if they appear. You have to be really close to the Display to see them. Try pausing the DVD on a darkish scene and gaze at the screen for a minute or two.

 

[Fabrikator]

Im intrested in the optical output, and if its assignable to diffrent zones, or can it be used in conjunction with whatever zone the HDMI out can be assigned to.

also, can audio going into the reciever thru HDMI be outputted thru the optical out.

Basically I have my theatre room in one section of the basement, and I want to use the optical out to connect to my little logitech THX 5.1 setup that accepts a co-ax or Optical input.

The idea is I can game on the ps3, or xbox360 in either room, both of course using HDMI to connect to the reciever, but output on optical to the other room, so not always having to change audio output settings on particularly the PS3.

 

[benamaster]

I am getting the lines both when PReP is on or off. I haven't noticed sparkles but only horizontal lines. It happens with both DVDs and DirecTV channels that are not 1080i. I have not noticed it on 1080P channels but on 1080i and 720P it shows up within 5min of turning the receiver on. I never noticed it at all during a 2hr BluRay or 1080i DirecTV content but it shows up quite often during 720P content. I am to the point where I might try to swap it with Crutchfield. I don't believe this is something that firmware will fix. For a receiver of this price point I am quite disappointed that Yamaha support didn't seem to even care and said it must be a bad unit.

 

[gene]

Yamaha is sending me a replacement unit. I will also test the bad unit on another display to rule out a Samsung/Yamaha compatibility issue.

I am getting the lines both when PReP is on or off. I haven't noticed sparkles but only horizontal lines. It happens with both DVDs and DirecTV channels that are not 1080i. I have not noticed it on 1080P channels but on 1080i and 720P it shows up within 5min of turning the receiver on. I never noticed it at all during a 2hr BluRay or 1080i DirecTV content but it shows up quite often during 720P content. I am to the point where I might try to swap it with Crutchfield. I don't believe this is something that firmware will fix. For a receiver of this price point I am quite disappointed that Yamaha support didn't seem to even care and said it must be a bad unit.

Interesting that its a function of resolution for you and your lines are horizontal while mine are vertical. Worst case scenario, Crutchfield will likely swap this out for you. Customer Service is a very strong point for them. I'd give them a call and make them aware of your issue.

 

[a_siano]

I've been reading alot about jitter issues with HDMI and you rarely see jitter measurements included with reviews, etc. I know some manufacturers - Pioneer and Anthem to name two - have addressed HDMI jitter issues - at least in their marketing. I also see some reference to jitter reduction in the Yamaha materials. Will the Audioholics review inlcude any jitter measurements for the Yamaha RX-Z7 HDMI input? Also, how important do you think jitter reduction is in receivers/processors? In other words, are high levels of jitter audible?

Thanks