7.1 input how to select

Hi all,
How is the 7.1 analog input selected?
Is that some toggle or just an input like all the rest?
Thanks

The 990's 7.1 direct input is an independent input, including its own composite and s-video inputs (although if I remember correctly it can also be assigned to a component or DVI input). You just select the "7.1 D" button on the remote and you're done.

One interesting thing about the 7.1 input that differs from the 950 is they treat it like a video source instead of an audio source. This makes it a real hassle if your used to listening to DVDA or SACD while watching sports or playing video games. I do hope they can offer a "no video" option for 7.1 in a software update.

Jed,

What's your video source type for your sports and video games? It sounds like what gonk is saying that if it's component or DVI that you could assign the 7.1 audio to that video input. If the source video is composite or S-video, couldn't you just run the video feed to the 7.1 video input and then still have your 7.1 audio feed? If you never use the 7.1 video for 7.1 video material, just piping in an alternative video source should be pretty easy.

Mind you I don't actually have a 990 so I don't know first hand whereof I speak.

The problem is I have three different sources I want to listen to 7.1 on and in order to do that I have to go into the 990's menu and change it every time I want to listen to it on a different source. Makes it a real hassle. Makes it an even bigger hassle that you can't change the menu on the front LCD screen. I have a projector that doesn't do 480i over component so in order to set up the 990 or make a minor adjustment I need to run an s-video or composite cable across my room to my projector. So in a normal situation its a hassle, but in my situation its almost undoable. Right now I just have it set to my X-Box and leave it there. Unfortunately there are a few DVD-A that make it hard to select the right audio choice unless you have video also. Its all workable, but by adding a simple "no video" option it would make the 990 incredibly more flexible to use.

So if the analog inputs were treated like a digital input as far as assignation goes, you'd be a happy camper!

I'm not sure. Is there a way to change the digital input assignments on the 990 without having to go to the menu?

Basically I would be a happy camper if the analog inputs gave you the option of using them for audio only in the setup menu. I guess the 950 actually spoiled me in that regard.

Thanks for the input guys,
So if I understand correctly there aren't any discrete 7.1 on and off states, just a toggle?
That's too bad, as you must remember to first switch it off before you select a different input, right?
Building a remote macro wouldn't help either, since you there's no known state of the toggle once the macro starts.

The 7.1 input is an independent input, just like "DVD" or "Video1" - except for cases such as Jed M describes (where he is interested in listening to the 7.1 input while watching a different video source), it is an extremely convenient arrangement.

I totally agree with this. I love to watch sports and listen to music, or my fiancee likes playing XBox Texas Hold 'Em while we listen to music too. It's a real pain going into the 990's menu to switch the 7.1 Input to a different video source in every situation. I would love a solution to this.

In my experience pressing the 7.1 Input button once selects the 7.1 Analog Inputs (and its associated video input), as you would expect, but pressing it again reverts to whatever the 990 was set to prior to pressing 7.1 Input. For me it's usually my HD-Tivo.

For universal remote usage, this is a hassle when I flip to a different page on my remote's menu to complete a different task, then want to switch back to 7.1 Input again. The second time through it gives me my HD-Tivo instead, so I have to go to that page on my remote and press it *again* to get it set correctly.

Well, at least I am not alone in my quest.