I use the rx-v 1500 Yam which is basically the same as your 1400. The room is pretty big. I have a 7.1 config. and use (for movies) dolby PL-IIx mode. It did take quite some time to get the 7.1 mode sounding right. speaker adjustment, db adjustment etc. Also as stated above you must tell (set-up mode) the receiver you are running 7.1 or whatever you decide on. I was very disappointed initally with the 7.1, but now that it is right, I love it. It took some time/tweaking. However, on some material there is no benefit. put in any LOTR, harry potter stuff, and WOW. But again the room size/layout must facilitate 7.1 for it to be worth while. Also if you use PL-IIx and the Yam displays "surround enhanced" this is a normal switch the Yam makes from PL-IIx, and is still providing 7.1 it does it on certain encodings of some DVD's.
