The receiver is not keeping the signal from my blu ray player. there's no sound or image. if i plug the player straight into the tv, it works great. but my brand new receiver, r-v436 works like ****.

Your brand new receiver? that model is almost 4 years old? The HDMI version is generation 1 version 1.1 and riddled with problems. It's not a "Yamaha" problem, it's an "HDMI" problem. HDCP is the biggest issue (copyright protection) and pass thru firmware that is not forward compatable, which is why HDMI blows. Today's current version is 1.3b and supposedly has "fixed" all the issues. If your TV is 1080p and larger than 50" run your HDMI directly to the TV from the bluray. If your TV is 50" or smaller or 1080i, just run Component and digital coaxial or optical. Reason: The human eye cannot see the difference between 720p and 1080p on a screen 50" or smaller, that is fact. If your TV is not 1080p, and is 1080i, component still has it beat at 720p. I've been doing HD since 1995 and have dealt with all the issues! If your not sure if your TV is 1080i or 1080p just post a comment w/ your model # and I can walk you thru the best possible way to set your system up. If you just got the receiver "new" from a store, take it back. It's way behind the curve. Hope this helps