System Control and Upgrade Capability
Receivers with RS-232 serial ports are often compatible with third-party control systems such as those made by Crestron, AMX and others. These touch-panel controls allow customization of your system and are generally installed by a professional since they involve complex programming. They are often more expensive than the audio components, but offer simplicity in system control and operation.
If you’ve waited to purchase an a/v receiver because you’re concerned about obsolescence, wait no more. Many mid-priced receivers now include microprocessor upgrade capability, via an RS-232 serial computer connection or a USB port. Upgrades could include new DSP soundfield modes, new decoding formats such as Dolby Pro-Logic II, or other system improvements. Some of the upgrades may be available on the manufacturer’s website as a download or through your dealer, and may involve a cost.
System Set-Up
Some manufacturers offer special computer applications that allow you to set-up or configure your a/v receiver using a PC. Yamaha, for example, offers a free application from their website called Receiver Editor that allows you to configure most receiver settings on a PC that is connected to the RS-232 port on the receiver. B & K has developed BKcSuite on CD-ROM or as an Internet download for the same purpose. The settings can also be saved as a file for future use. Manufacturers that include RS-232 ports are as follows, but not limited to B & K, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, Sherwood and Yamaha.
Manufacturers have also developed systems that optimize the receiver for the room acoustics, making set-up easier and more effective. Pioneer offers MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) and Yamaha has introduced YPAO (Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer), which checks for and adjusts speaker size, distance, frequency response, levels and other settings. Both of these do a good job of calibrating the system and take some of the guesswork out of system set-up.
