Outputs include: component out, video out, HDMI out and a headphone output for the sound. For those wishing to add the wireless capabilities for the surround speakers there is also a wireless plug on the back for the expandable wireless device. In terms of audio, you are given two aux. inputs and one optical audio input. Like most home receivers these days, there is also an FM antenna connector on the back.

 
(Click above to enlarge)

Just like their TV's, the HT-X250 brings along USB capabilities as well. This lets you view photos, listen to music and even watch movies that are stored on external USB devices such as memory sticks, hard drives or digitals cameras! This really helps to bridge the gap between all types of media in the living room. My only disappointment was the location of the USB port on the right side of the receiver. For anyone with this in an enclosed unit that could be a difficult location to reach.

The speakers, seen above, are designed with many arcs and bends in their shape. All get quite narrow closer to the back where the wire plugs in as opposed to the larger front where the speakers are. Speakers and sub alike all use positive and negative wire hookup terminals and have a very high-gloss finish (not the best for resisting fingerprints!).

Installation:
Installation of the HT-X250 was very fast and quite simple to do. Thanks to the colour coded speaker wires and colour coded lables on the speakers, wiring was so simple even your kids could do it. Connections to and from the TV were also simple; audio out from the TV and into the receiver and video out from the receiver goes back to the TV. Of course the style of audio and video connections you use are entirely dependant upon the type of TV you have. For the sake of this review, I will be using all the RCA connections because that is all that my current TV supports.

Testing: What better way to test a home theatre system then to have a movie night! A group of us gathered here, with the HT-X250 being the center of attention, and we all watched a variety of movies. Sound quality was excellent, like most systems, the HT-X250 has a few different sound and EQ modes you can switch between. I found myself keeping it on the default one though - just my personal preference out of them all. Overall use of the system also came without any complaints. The only issue I did run into was the slot loading DVD player was a bit picky at times. It wouldn't always pull my DVD's in without me pushing them almost all the way into the slot before the motors could pull it the rest of the way in. This made the convienience of the slot loading player become almost a pain when having to do this DVD after DVD.