Best hidden/all-OSD receiver

[brucem3]

I'm looking for a receiver that I can tuck away in a hidden closet and control EVERYTHING (or as much as possible) via OSD menus with an all-house IR repeater system and ONE universal remote.

My sources would be an HD cable DVR with component out and a Sony PS3 with component out for playing Blu-Ray, DVDs and digital music.

Although I'll have three rooms (living room, kitchen, bedroom) with HD TVs, multi-zone HD-capable video isn't really a requirement since the house is fairly small. The living room will have 5.1 speakers. The rest of the house utilizes a stereo A-Bus system and component video runs.

Here's the list of desired features in order of importance:
1. OSD menus via component out for as many functions as possible.
2. XM-capable
3. Component out only (don't need HDMI here). 2 or 3 outs would be nice but are easily split externally.
4. At least 2 component inputs, but 3 for expansion would be nice.
5. Need stereo pre-outs (or Zone2 outs) to send to the A-Bus system
6. Stereo music is the preferred source so things like number of sound fields or THX cert aren't that important.

I'll use the PS3 with an IR dongle (I realize I won't be able to power it on or off with just IR) to select digital music, so really the receiver only needs to be able to select AM/FM/XM via the OSD. Source selection, volume and other functions via the OSD would be nice, but I guess aren't really REQUIRED.

The Denon AVR-4308CI definitely meet my needs, but it also has a LOT of stuff I don't need and doesn't justify the $2k+ price tag for my application. Even the AVR-3808CI seems a bit overkill.

From the owners manual, it looks like the Yamaha RX-V659 might be an option. It looks like I could tune XM via the OSD, but I'm not sure about AM/FM. Can anyone confirm? It's component only so I'm not paying for un-needed HDMI, and it's very reasonably priced.

Any comments or other suggestions for receivers I should consider would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Bruce...

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha Receivers

Consider the Yamaha RX-V661 with HDMI so you can take advantage of the HD audio formats via BluRay from your PS3. I have a similar receiver, but I not using the OSD because the TV is off when I am listing to music. Also, I had an issue with the XM doc but newer receiver models probably resolved this.

If you have a good universal RF remote, you probably wont need the OSD much.

 

[agarwalro]

Many TVs do not support 480i over HDMI. Most of the older and some of the current mid level receivers still output the OSD in 480i. This causes a conflict and you have to run an analog video cable from the receiver to the TV just to get OSD on display. It is not an issue if you were going to run 2 cables to the TV anyway, but if you are looking for the "all video - 1 cable" scenario, you are SOL.

So irrespective of the receiver brand/ model, make sure the OSD is output in 480p (preffered) or your TV does 480i over HDMI.

The receiver that have upscaling function should fulfill this requirement.

 

[brucem3]

Consider the Yamaha RX-V661 with HDMI so you can take advantage of the HD audio formats via BluRay from your PS3. I have a similar receiver, but I not using the OSD because the TV is off when I am listing to music. Also, I had an issue with the XM doc but newer receiver models probably resolved this.

If you have a good universal RF remote, you probably wont need the OSD much.

Good point on the HD audio formats, but component video cables are already run so HDMI is out. In my case, the TV will be on even when listening to music so that I can make selections either via the PS3's interface, or in the case of AM/FM/XM via the receivers OSD. I want to be able to select the XM channel as well as see the current artist/song.

I should have been more clear - the remote will be IR, probably the Harmony 670.

 

[brucem3]

Many TVs do not support 480i over HDMI. Most of the older and some of the current mid level receivers still output the OSD in 480i. This causes a conflict and you have to run an analog video cable from the receiver to the TV just to get OSD on display. It is not an issue if you were going to run 2 cables to the TV anyway, but if you are looking for the "all video - 1 cable" scenario, you are SOL.

So irrespective of the receiver brand/ model, make sure the OSD is output in 480p (preffered) or your TV does 480i over HDMI.

Thanks for the info. I won't be doing HDMI. I'll be coming out of the receiver component only, split it three ways and send it to the three TVs. Depending on which room I'm in, I'll turn on that TV and make my selections (either via the PS3 interface or via the receivers OSD for AM/FM/XM) using the universal IR remote.

 

[Bluesmoke]

My sources would be an HD cable DVR with component out and a Sony PS3 with component out for playing Blu-Ray, DVDs and digital music.


Bruce...

Whaaaa? You're telling me you watch video from Blu-ray over component (fine) and audio out from the optical (not fine!!!)? You do realize you're only getting 2.0 downmixed right for the PCM and True HD tracks.

 

[brucem3]

Whaaaa? You're telling me you watch video from Blu-ray over component (fine) and audio out from the optical (not fine!!!)? You do realize you're only getting 2.0 downmixed right for the PCM and True HD tracks.

Yup. Blu-ray play will probably be about 1% of the use, but unless I'm mistaken the only thing I'll be missing is 100% lossless and 7.1. As stated in #6, stereo audio music will be the majority (probably 80%) of the use with TV and DVD making up the rest. 5.1 will be fine for TV, DVDs and BR. Music will be high-bitrate MP3 or AAC, and XM.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver display

FYI,
If you have line of sight for IR from the remote to the receiver then you should be able to read the FM or XM station info off of the receiver display.

 

[brucem3]

FYI,
If you have line of sight for IR from the remote to the receiver then you should be able to read the FM or XM station info off of the receiver display.

Nope, as stated, I'll be using a whole-house IR distribution system to get the IR back to the hidden receiver.

Are there any Yamaha RX-V659 owners that can confirm/deny if the OSD display works with tuning AM/FM/XM stations?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Nope, as stated, I'll be using a whole-house IR distribution system to get the IR back to the hidden receiver.

Are there any Yamaha RX-V659 owners that can confirm/deny if the OSD display works with tuning AM/FM/XM stations?

I guess I can go check for you. I never listen to radio so I dont know off hand. Heck; let me go see even though it will cause me to have to get out of my chair...you will owe me big time

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ok here is what I get:

Ipod and XM is available in the OSD.

FM and AM is not

 

[brucem3]

Bummer... but many thanks, Greg!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Bummer... but many thanks, Greg!

I still think you would be ok with it. Just preset the radio channels you want and use the remote to pick what you listen to. You dont need OSD for that.