I have seen type of discussion in other threads on this site and other forums, and I have had many long discussions at CEDIA and elsewhere with some of you regarding this.

If the concerns of installation and integration are to be taken seriously by the manufacturers, we need to show them that we ARE conscious of the products we purchase. If we create a label for a couple levels of criteria, we need to convey the message that they should put the labels on the components and market them as CI friendly and that their efforts will be rewarded.

Right now, they really only hear from us at the show, and I hate to say that the while all of the big electronics companies display at the show, they don't put much stock in what the average guy says that stops by the booth.
Unless the suits that buy for the biggest retailers start asking for these features, they won't be implemented by anyone other than those that cater exclusively to the custom community.

in no particular order (much of it very obvious):

1. discrete IR power and input commands
2. discrete IR aspect ratio and surround sound commands
3. Robust RS232 commands tables
4. detachable power cords
5. HDMI and/or DVI output at 720 and 1080 DVD players
5. Coax AND toslink (I prefer coax) digital outputs on all sources units.
6. IR jacks (that actually work) on the rear of all components so we can do away with stick on emitters.

That would be a good start.

Is this what you're looking for Rick?

Don't even get me started on distribution policies.

I propose Olympic inspired levels, with common and distinct criteria for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Here are my basics for either, feel free to add your own:

- At all levels, all components should have detachable power cords.

- At all levels, all components should have rack mounting options, in addition all new models will be sent by the manufacturer to Middle Atlantic Products to have the dimensions entered into the database on or before the release date of the model.
Note to manufacturers, MAP does not accept dimensional drawings for the permanent database, and we still have to send them in and sign a release for each shelf ordered. Send them your new models so we don't have to send them.

- At al levels, all components should have dimensions, stencils, line art, model specific cut sheets, and operation manuals available on the website. Preferably, this will be in a password protected area for dealers only.

In addition to the discretes we always ask for, we need to say exactly what commands we would like to see as well.

Cable boxes and satellite receivers should NOT have volume control settings, or the volume control should be able to be locked into a fixed setting.

Amplifiers and receivers and speakers will have binding posts for all speaker connections. No spring clips will be allowed at any level.

At all levels, all source components, receivers, processors and video displays will have an 1/8" IR inputs located in the rear panel, or an IR receiver with a screw down tab to firmly hold an emitter in place which is located on the rear panel.

In addition;
At the Silver level, all source components, receivers, processors and video displays will have RS-232 control capability with no-nonsense command protocal published in the manual as well as on the internet.

In addition;
At the Gold level, all source components, receivers, processors and video displays will have IP address with full functionality to allow diagnostics and control from a remote location.

This list is a tiny portion of what we need, but I need to leave for now. I'm sure that everyone else will chime in with additional requests and feedback.

If you add suggestions, please choose which of the levels at which you would like your suggestion(s) to be considered.

That's it FP... you beat the second portion of my post.

To create and detail each list by each product category will take a LOT of time...

Oh, I have another one...

Use F-connectors on all antenna inputs on tuners and receivers.

I got into a heated discussion with David Birch-Jones at Denon back when the AVR-3300 was being introduced. He defended the cost savings of using the slide on style connector because it is a standard in Asia and Europe...
I replied that the tuner frequencies and the power cord are exclusinve to the US model, so what gives?? I guess the same tuner packs can be set though programming for US, Euro, and Asian frequencies ad spacing. The power supply is designed to be modular, so the right ones can be dropped in for the proper production run for each market.

I also asked for a rear IR input, and was told that to get that receiver in at the price point they needed to cut something, and adding the rear 1/8" input required it to be included at the processor level.
He was the first person I suggested the real panel IR input to. In theory it could be easily and cheaply impelmented by paralelling to the front input with a rear or front switch on the back panel without any processor mods required.

Denon has been putting 1/8" rear jacks in the mid priced models and now have RS-232 as well...

It's just that the code sets are still goofy.

I don't want direct numerical access OR access to one bank of presets that gets out of sync with a keypad if someone accesses a different preset bank by the factory remote or the front panel.
I want direct numerical access AND direct access to each and every preset that is available to be programmed.

Add this to the list, any source with a progressive component or DVI/HDMI out should have a matching always on 480i composite out.

I second that and ask for digital and analog audio outs that are active simultaneously.

PDF Cutsheets! First off I hate having to print brochures off the internet. If you are not going to supply the dealers with Full Color Brochures, at least have PDF files. It dirves me nuts. (Sony, Sharp, etc don't have PDF's.). It would be nice if dealers could get full color brochures. Some manufacturer's guard thier borchures like they have the activation codes for the nuclear arsenal. Sony, Sharp, and Samsung are the hardest to get brochures on.

Mike

Plus when you get them, they are full line so everyone always asks "what about this other one??".
And if you pick up lit at a show, it's for models that haven't shipped yet... if you request lit or have a rep drop some off, it's for models that are a week away from being discontinued.

Sounds like Yamaha

I would add that input commands should alos turn ON the component. (TV, Receiver etc)