Sony STR-DG820 7.1 Channels Receiver

I had been using a Sony STRDE845 for the last 8 years. While that receiver served me very well, it was time to upgrade to a unit that had HDMI and could decode HD sound. I found it in the 820. Set up could not have been easier. If you can use the HDMI I highly recommend it. The TV I have it hooked up to does not have HDMI (it has DVI), so I could not run everything through the receiver to my TV with just one cable. The owner's manual specifically tells you not to use an HDMI to DVI cable or you may lose video and sound. I did try this at first, but it did not work. There are 4 HDMI in and 1 HDMI out on this receiver. Not bad for a receiver that is $400. I am still using the HDMI hookups for the sound for some of my equipment. I have the following hooked up to the receiver: DirecTV HD DVR Receiver, Samsung Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player, Xbox 360 and a Sony CD Changer. As good as my old receiver was, I could immediately hear a difference from all of my components with the new receiver. Everything was clearer and the bass was so much better. I'm using a Bose Center Channel speaker, Bose 501 speakers for the front and Bose 301 for the surround speakers. The 820 is capable of 7.1, but won't hook up 2 more speakers until I can afford the ones I want. I also liked the fact that, with the supplied microphone, you can auto calibrate your speakers and systems. While I do appreciate great sound, I don't like taking a lot of time setting sound fields and speaker calibration. This receiver made everything easy. As far as the remote control - it appears to work well for controlling the receiver. I can't speak to the ability to program the remote to control other components since I use a Logitech 880 remote. Even if you don't use the HDMI, you have plenty of other options to hook up your components.