We haven't done much Marantz. Anyone know if:

1) Their Zone2 allows for HDMI connections to pass signal to Zone2 when Zone1 and Zone2 are on different sources? The manual on their NR1711 ($799 price point) shows that Zone2 only works with analog connections if Z1 and Z2 are on different sources. Are there better models in their line that allow for this functionality?

2) If you are listening to Z1 and Z2 with HDMI-connected sources and you have the SAME source in both areas, are there discrete codes for Z2 power? The manual shows that Z2 will work via HDMI hook-up when Z1 and Z2 are playing identical sources but I don't know if there are discrete codes for this. As an example, Yamaha (which we normally use), just has a PARTY mode for this scenario and there is no discrete Z2 power.

Thanks in advance

From SR6015 manual:

"If the input for ZONE2 is set to “Source”, all types of input signals can be listened to from ZONE2. link

If the input for ZONE2 is set to a specific source (like CBL/SAT), only analog signal or 2-channel PCM signal input (from HDMI connectors or digital connectors (OPTICAL/COAXIAL)) can be listened to from ZONE2. To playback HDMI signal other than 2-channel PCM in ZONE2, set “HDMI Audio” to “PCM”. link
2-channel PCM signals are output from a device connected to the input source selected for ZONE2 and can be played back in ZONE2.
In this case, the MAIN ZONE audio will also be converted to 2-channel PCM signals if the MAIN ZONE and ZONE2 are set to the same input source. However, depending on the playback device, the playback signal may not be converted to PCM even if this setting is configured."

While the NR1711 does have a zone 2 and it can pass audio from HDMI through, it must be the same source as what's playing in the main zone.

From the NR1711 manual:

"If the input for ZONE2 is set to “Source”, both digital and analog connected devices can be listened to from ZONE2."
(I think this would be closest to the Yamaha party-mode feature you mentioned.)

"If the input for ZONE2 is set to a specific source (like CBL/SAT), only connected analog devices can be listened to from ZONE2."

Marantz does have discrete Zone 2 Power Commands.

Thanks for this. Do you know if their SOURCE for Zone2 playback has discrete power? Ex: Yamaha (and Marantz for that matter) have discrete Zone2 ON and Zone2 OFF. However, Yamaha DOESN'T have discrete party mode so when you try to do Zone2 using party mode, you have to use a toggle power (basically turns Party Mode ON or OFF) to get there. This makes it so we need to use analog and tumorous HDMI extractors, DtoA converters, etc. to get all sources hooked up in Zone2.

Does Marantz have a discrete SOURCE ON and SOURCE OFF to be able to get Zone2 with HDMI-connected gear to turn on and off when it is supposed to?

I've never had a Marantz Zone 2 not turn on when its supposed to. I'm not understanding what exactly you mean with the Yamaha scenario. Why would Zone 2 One be different that Zone2 Source on? WHat exactly are you trying to do?

I'm trying to play Zone2 sources that don't have analog outputs without using DtoAs or HDMI extractors hooked up between sources. The above components cost $$$, throw off RF noise and are unreliable.

Normal programming with the analog connections or the above in place:

Zone 2 macro with any receiver might be:

Zone 2 ON (discrete), delay, Zone 2 source.

With Yamaha, their PARTY MODE doesn't have a discrete mode to have it turn on and off every time. You have to use it if you don't have analog connections. It lets Zone2 be output with just HDMI connections but there is no discrete PARTY ON and PARTY OFF. You have to program a toggle along the lines of:

"House ON/OFF" button under the component pages.

I'm not a fan of variables as when they get out of whack, the customer can't intuitively get things working again (without shutting everything down). If Marantz or other receivers already have built-in DtoAs and have codesets for a discrete Party Mode ON and OFF, it would be good to know as I don't know when we'll see Yamaha AVENTAGE again.

Thanks

Do you really have that many HDMI sources that people want to listen to in analog zones? I guess thats the part I really dont understand.....

Most sub 1200 surround receivers with Zone 2 are NOT going to separately decode HDMI to Zone 2.

Yamaha does have discrete party mode in IP/RS232 codes. Maybe its time to step up to a system that can do that.

Marantz NR1710 and SR1614-15 both extract audio from HDMI for Zone 2.

We had a couple clients in a row (normally it is a rarity) that didn't want to buy Sonos and wanted their AppleTV, Roku, etc. I agree that it is oddball. Being that Yamaha disappeared, I was curious if other brands had the capability.

Just saw the codes in Yamaha's library...thanks for that. I didn't know they had discretes for Party.