A dozen days later and greater insights abound. I do like it's sonic signature overall, and the tuner. Once I'm better versed with it perhaps I'll feel less awkward and begin to actually enjoy it. For now, it's like going back to school, re-learning a new receiver speak and terminologies.
My disappointment lays solely in the fact the second zone's useage relies upon those sources connected via RCA only. My present understanding is none of the digital decoding is output to either of the two remote zones. only the tuner output is allowed without the supplement of extra cabling. that's a real drag.
Further, there is scant little direct alteration of things without the implementation and use of the various menus... and it does possess many. Even minor tone adjustements are prerequisite of menus.
True, some menus are immediately accessible, and thus truncate the lengthy navigation sometimes necessary for making changes, but some greater auto functionality would seem in order. the defaults also can be managed and changed to suit preffs. I should think the main title information on the disc would be naturally selected initially by the receiver, and options, if available would then be listed or presented to the user so further choices might then be made if required. Rather than checking the menus to see other currently available formats for audio replay manually.
Overall, it's a work I'd not intended upon, though now faced with the task of organizing and choosing preffs, once done I believe all will be well.
After all, it's just for watching movies primarily, and a scant bit of TV now and then... For me, 2 ch remains the focus completley.
I sincerely, and do mean sincerely appreciate any and all efforts of those posters who shared their thoughts here.
thank you.
