Yes, this is infuriating. I tell my clients before we ever get to that programming step that there are two different ways to implement audio for TV because TV manufacturers are not consistent brand to brand and even model to model. It has been this way for at least ten years, maybe fifteen.

I tell the clients that we will use a TV's fixed audio output if we can, and a VCR if we have to. If a client thinks it is weird for us to use a VCR for choosing TV channels, I show them the six or seven steps necessary to switch from plain old TV watching* to watching TV with audio through their system -- and those necessary to get back.

Worst of all, of course, is that the manufacturers have no suggestion box that we can get to, no way to get a message to them that they are screwing themselves, their customers, and the installation industry by not simply ALWAYS giving us the fixed output option.


*As for plain old TV watching, I once had an installation with many bells and whistles, including a Sony VCR to VCR editing station and a printer for printing a captured video frame. This lady also wanted the system wired so her three-year old could put in a videotape, turn on the TV, and watch the movie. From this was born the "Just-Watch-The-Damn-TV" mode, which I always supply to people, usually with the VCR playing through channel 3 for this mode only. If you and your customer are comfortable enough for you to say "damn" in front of them, they usually appreciate that you are doing this and get a kick out of the name for it.

Ernie