@Peter Kanyuru

Now that the debate on these AV-Receivers have been started - i might be interested in one.

About this  Yamaha YHT498 - you have mentioned that it can play videos.

However, can it:

1) play *AVI, *MP4 direct from USB ?

2) which DVD/BluRay regions does it support? I hope it can play the 50/- movies we get off the street

3) there is no mention of Bluetooth/Wi-fi streaming of music [or movies] from Mobile Devices - eg if you want to share a youtube clip on the TV.

BR/