Seeking AV Tuner advice

[Taskmaster]

I thought I had made my mind up on AV receivers and was going to go with the new Yamaha RX-V659 due to the following reasons:
1 - 2 Channel (want living room and outdoors/pool area)
2 - IPOD Integration
3 - XM Ready

Then I started doing research on here and thought I was giving up to much by not going HDMI. My current HD tv is older CRT version with 1080i with only components inputs. So need for HDMI is down the road.

That caused me to start looking at the RX-V2700, tonight went to Sound Advice and they have RX-V2500 for $499. Well this confused everything. Great receiver, better than V659 but no IPOD or XM Ready and still no HDMI.

My gut says go with the RX-V2500 and worry about HDMI down the road in a few years. What do you guys say? I believe I can still buy something to hook up IPOD to receiver right? Even if I get new tv, is HDMI really giving me much over component? Could I just run video feed from up sampling DVD player to TV via HDMI and audio through receiver?

Next choice is speakers, due to room size I would like to go with in ceiling. Polk Audio TC80i has been recommended, should I consider others?

Any and all feedback is welcome. I am starting with nothing but HD Cable and old HD TV. I also have Xbox 360 but plan to buy a decent DVD /CD player.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha receivers

Both receivers should have plenty of power for most in-celing in in-wall HT speaker systems. If you want XM and iPod doc, go for the 659, if you want a little more power, get the 2500.

It would be best to decide on speakers first to determine the power requirements for the receiver. For example, if you have a huge room and your inwall speakers are 4-ohms, it might justify the 2500 or an outboard amplifier.

 

[project86]

HDMI switches are available http://www.radiient.com/s.nl;jsessionid=ac112b6c1f4318acbf65fbd14704b8a19eb1603fbc16.e3eTaxiMa38Te3yNa3iObx0TaO1ynknvrkLOlQzNp65In0?sc=2&category=41&it=A&id=30 (for example, I'm sure there are many out there at various price ranges). I'd get a receiver that works for you now in regards to power, XM, and ipod. It sounds like those are the features that you want to use right now. If at some later date you require HDMI switching, pick up a unit like the one I linked to. They will probably only get cheaper as HDMI becomes more standard, so why pay more for it now if you won't use it yet?

 

[Taskmaster]

Decided to go with the RX-V2500. I purchased the last one at the $499 price point at my local store. To keep the wife happy I went with 5 in-ceiling Polk Audio TC80i and due to Polk giving $200 towards a sub I purchased the PSW404 which will work until I can upgrade it down the road.

I am going to hook it all up later today. Can't wait to get it finished. Next is new HD TV.

The TC80i has recommended watts up to 125 but receiver puts out 130. I am guessing that will not be a problem?