I will likely be moving to a new home in the next three months. There is a closet just around the corner from where the display will be located in the great room, and I'm considering using the closet to house all of my equipment. (Rotel preamp, Rotel amp, Pioneer 300 disc DVD, VCR, two diretivos, future DVD recorder, who knows what else.) I would of course control all of this with a wired IR system.

The only display on this equipment that we will miss is the readout on the Rotel preamp faceplate (rtc-965; a few years old) that tells us which source component is selected. We usually have the Rotel's on-screen display turned off, because we don't like the word "mute" flashing in the corner of the TV, and we find the graphical volume display that stays up for five seconds to be annoying. With the OSD off, we would have no visual indicator as to which componet is selected. Not a big deal, but with two directivos there is no way of knowing which one you are viewing without looking at the Now Playing list, season passes, etc. With the OSD turned on we would be able to see a textual indicator when we switch sources (or re-select the current source), but with the annoying-to-us side effects I mentioned above. At the end of the day we'll just have to decide which way is best for us.

I am wondering though how the pros handle this bit of feedback to the user when the equipment is all hidden from view. Are there particular preamps/receivers that give a more user-friendly OSD, do you use other solutions, or do you not worry about it? Just curious...

The reminds me of a post I saw over at AVS a while back. A guy had a similar problem and wired up an Web Camera that he mounted directly in front of his gear. He was then able to pull up the Web Camera's image on his HTPC and see what the camera saw. Not the cleanest solution, but definitely interesting.

Sounds like a well thought out plan.

If you skip the IR remote extender and go with a URC MX-850 remote (wich sends out rf as well as IR) add an MRF-250 or 300 RF reciever with sends out 'routed' IR (perfect for operating two products with the same IR codeset), then you will have ONE programable remote that operates the entire sytem. You'll be able to tell , at a glance of the remote, what you are operating.

The MX-850 also has the ability to create macro's wich will take care of all of the required switching with the touch of one button on the 'device' or 'source' page.

This message was edited by pilgram on 05/13/05 13:18 ET.

deleted double post

This message was edited by pilgram on 05/13/05 13:20 ET.

Thanks for the replies so far. Currently we use his and hers remotes; I have the MX-500, and she uses a JP1 programmed OFA 6131. She likes the smaller form factor of the OFA. I've thought about using one remote that provides the visual cues as to the current state of the system; we'd have to change our use model, though. Choices, choices...

My wife actually thought of the mini camera idea as well. She said, why not position a little camera that faces the preamp, and feed it into an unused input on the TV. A press of the PIP button would pop up a window where you could see the status. Creative! You gotta love a spouse who understands home theater concepts.

I'm not familar with the Rotel, but if it offers RS232 feedback, you could use it with a Crestron Panel, and display the info there.

No such luck. My older Rotel doesn't have an RS232 interface. The newer models have RS232, and I've been looking for a reason to spend an extra $3000 on the new preamp.

well you will need another good reason to spend 3-5k for an AMX/crestron TP. but that would be the best. can you not just hit the onscreen button when you want to know the info and then hit it to turn off

You could also consider the RTI remotes. Similar function to the MX-850 scenario but it also has the ability for power sensing modules and one way RS232 (for when you upgrade). Power sensing is a nice added feature when all the gear is in the closet.

Now why cant I find someone like that!?

Amen! (customer OR wife...!)