TX-SR601 Additional Features and Remote Control
IntelliVolume and Other Neat Tidbits
Being a long-term subscriber to digital cable TV, I have always been plagued by a common problem shared by a majority of these set top boxes. The volume of the digital coax output and the analogue stereo outputs are often off by 3-6 dB. With IntelliVolume you can customize the input volume settings for all of the inputs connected to the TX-SR601. You can vary the settings +/- 12dB to achieve even levels when switching from one component to another. Wow, two years of cable TV frustration eliminated with one innovative feature!
The next incredibly useful feature I discovered on the TX-SR601 was the powered zone 2 output. Not only do the zone 2 outputs allow you to send the current source input to the second zone - they actually provide for processing separate stereo sources at the same time for each zone, or sending the same signal to both. So, for example, if I wanted to listen to my CD player in my office, while my wife listened to cable TV in the living room, we could do so using the zone 2 powered outputs. There is also a zone 2 pre-out that can be used in conjunction with an external amplifier - another nice touch, and new to the TX-SR601.
Onkyo RC-515M Universal / Learning Remote
The Onkyo RC-515M remote control has its share of ups and downs. It features two customizable macro buttons and easy to reach buttons/controls, but lacks "audio-follows-video" switching. In addition, the system has a rather finicky configuration, forcing multiple key presses for simple operations and a majority of buttons are unlit - making the remote difficult to operate at night.
Remote controls are generally hit or miss. One important thing to note is that for mid-fi receivers, you want the manufacturer to spend the majority of their money in manufacturing the receiver itself, not delivering an expensive remote control.
I haven't yet met a mid-fi receiver remote control that was perfect. With that in mind, there are some things that I believe should be included in any receiver remote that are not available in the RC-515M:
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Audio-follows-video switching - this is an efficient way to ensure that by hitting just one button, audio and video are switched to the desired input device. As Onkyo already has a complex audio input routing matrix, this would be a wonderful and welcome change for their next-generation remote control. It also would result in reclaiming about 1/5 the remote area for other uses as the INPUT SELECTOR section would not be needed.
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Temporary source selection for controlling devices other than the currently selected A/V input, almost necessary with audio-follows-video switching and generally accompanied by a small LCD screen or device selector switch.
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Dedicated system power & standby buttons - similar to the dedicated volume controls, these would always affect the receiver, not just the selected device. A separate power button could be supplied for affecting power to temporary source-selected components.
All in all, the remote control enables easy control over all equipment once you understand the somewhat quirky interface. It would have been better perhaps, to not have hampered the impressive nature of this receiver itself by offering a somewhat more efficient remote. For instance, to switch from watching a DVD to cable TV, adjust the volume, and then shut off the receiver, you would need to perform the following six steps:
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Press the RCVR mode button
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Select V1 (where I have the cable TV inputted)
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Select CABLE mode button
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Tune to a channel using the channel buttons
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Adjust the receiver volume
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Press the RCVR mode button
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Select the Power Off button
While this isn't a complete travesty, here are the steps I feel should be necessary:
- Press the CABLE mode button (audio and video switch simultaneously)
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Tune to a channel using the channel buttons
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Adjust the receiver volume
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Select the Power Off button
Perhaps the inclusion of additional programmable macro buttons might help with this, but I believe that audio-follows-video switching would be the best solution for eliminating the number of functions which need to be engaged in order to follow typical remote control sequences. Now, even with all of this constructive criticism of the remote control, you must understand that this is really the biggest thing I could pick apart with regards to the TX-SR601. The receiver is a very good unit and doesn't easily lend itself to much criticism at its $500 price tag.
