Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions receiver on all the time?

I have my PVR 8300HD connected to my Yamaha receiver via HDMI. I then have the receiver connected to my TV with HDMI as well. In order to watch TV I must have the receiver on. Is there any setting or way to configure where I could watch TV without surround sound? The wife just wants to watch basic TV and doesn't want to fumble with more than one remote.

Thanks

zorikos, you may be SOL.
I have the same issue with my Cambridge Audio receiver. It needs to be on to use the video switching feature. There are no alternatives.

A few options to consider :

1. Many remotes can be programmed to control multiple devices, not just the one they came with. If you are handy with that kind of thing, or can bribe one of the neighborhood kids, you could possibly control TV+receiver with the same remote. You would still need the same number of key presses though (or maybe one more ).

2. Do you use the PVR when watching TV or does it just pass through when it's turned off ? If you use the PVR as a tuner, just run an extra set of cables (stereo audio plus the best of component/s-video/composite which both TV and PVR support) from PVR to TV and teach your wife how to select the proper video input.

If the PVR is pass-through and you can have the TV select channels itself, then you probably just need to show your wife how to turn on the built-in speakers in the TV.

Give us a bit more info and we can give you more details.

A simple solution could be to go to a universal remote. That's what solved the problem in our house. Wife loves the new do everything remote. Do a search and check some of the other threads about remotes. I like the Logitech Harmony 880 but others have their preferences as well.

I use splitters like bridgman says and the 880 like framer2180.

+1 for the Harmony Remote.

I highly recommend this option. One button press and your entire system will turn on and configure itself properly to 'Watch TV'. Very high WAF. My wife says the Harmony remote was one of the best purchases I've ever made for our home theater. It's made my life quite a bit easier.

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A simple solution could be to go to a universal remote. That's what solved the problem in our house. Wife loves the new do everything remote. Do a search and check some of the other threads about remotes. I like the Logitech Harmony 880 but others have their preferences as well.

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Love my Harmony 880! On-line programming was a pain but once done it's the best remote I've ever owned.

arkiedan

It really won't hurt to leave your receiver on all the time, my Odyssey amps are on 24hrs 7day/wk.

Other than your electric bill...

Can you connect an HDMI directly to the TV and an audio cable to your Yami AVR? (I tried to find the back panel of the 8300, but no luck...) That way you can watch TV with sound and without the surround system on. The flip side is that you have more buttons to push when you want to watch a movie - so there's another vote for a universal remote.

Scott

I'd be curious to know how much power those amps draw while while idle. Got a Kill-a-Watt handy?

I wonder how much worse it is than the regular 'vampire loss' that electronic equipment in general, and audio gear in particular, draws?

J

I was very surprised to take some power readings from my Lexicon AVR... About 40 watts just on standby! 80 watts turned on but idle, and about 100 to 200 watts (dynamic) for some pretty good listening levels.

I try to turn my HK 630 off whenever I am not using it. It gets pretty hot even at idle.

So does my 525. That said, it's on whenever the TV's on--since the TiVo goes through it, there we are...