Hands on experience with SR8001 - HDMI

[nasd90]

Now, I have to say at almost a $2k list price I thought this receiver would be a tad bit more 'user-friendly'. All I'm trying to do is CYCLE (this will be the KEY WORD of this whole POST) through HDMI inputs and are you freaking kidding me ?

There's no cycle button. I can 'rename' TV or DVD or AUX1 to let it know it's HDMI but I can't see how this thing works. The manual is complicated, but not THAT complicated. I looked under every single HDMI page and found nothing about CYCLING through HDMI1, HDMI2, HDMI3, HDMI4. There's not even an HDMI button on the freaking remote.

I'm thinking about the VSX-84TXSi now. Pioneer won't screw up like this.

OR... What am I doing wrong ?

I only need 3 HDMI ports now, but 4 will work. (getting rid of the NetGear EVA8000...junk).

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE I PULL MY HAIR OUT AND SEND THIS THING BACK TOMORROW ?????

Thank you very much.

Nick

 

[AVRat]

Once you assign the sources to the HDMI ports and do any renaming necessary, all you need to do on the remote is select the source you want to play. Unfortunately, renaming devices doesn’t change the source buttons on the remote. I’m not sure too many receivers cycle through the source inputs from the remote, direct access buttons are generally preferred. You may be able to program a macro to do it.

 

[nasd90]

Much appreciated.

I also heard that you have to shut off other HDMI input devices so they don't interfere... That sounds like snake oil to me.

I'm just going to keep this receiver because I heard the sound is incredible and use an HDMI Switch and be done with it... which, I already have.

It's just a mystery to me why they wouldn't just put HDMI1, HDMI2, HDMI3, & HDMI4 on the remote ?

Nick

 

[mdrew]

Well the remote sucks, that’s for sure. But don’t all remotes shipped with devices suck? I use an MX 850, and I would bet most HT owners also use some sort of programming remote so this topic regarding the Marantz doesn't get much traction that I've noticed.

Not sure why you would want to cycle through HDMI inputs anyway, that would be a time consuming headache. Every time you do, you’ll be forced to wait for each device to acknowledge that they are compliant, give a quick handshake and then allow the signal to pass. I’d much prefer to have discrete commands.

Not sure about the report that you have to have non-used HMDI sources off either. I have three and they are all powered on and off when I fire up / shut down the system. I have not noticed any undesirable symptoms from doing so.

I have a "switch" button set up on my 850. It has macros that configure each devise with one button push.

Maybe you should consider picking up a new remote?? If you go to Surf Remote .com and give Mike a call, he'll hook you up with one that will fit your needs. Don't let the advertised prices scare you either. They are not what you will pay. http://www.surfremotecontrol.com/

I've had this reciever for a while now. It's not the easiest to set up, but it definately isn't the hardest either. It is loaded with unique features that are somewhat obsure to find. When you run up against somethign weird, just ask.