Which Receiver to pair with DVR-640H?

[justinz]

If I get the Pioneer DVR-640H, then what AV Receiver/Amplifier would work well with it? I'm referring to using a common remote control, proprietary link interfaces, etc.

Sorry if this is the wrong place for such a question, but I feel this question will get a better answer here than elsewhere due to the heavy DVD feature comparisons that go on here.

Since I'm looking for both a DVD recorder and a Receiver, I thought it would be a good idea to buy them as an integrated pair, rather than each for it's own merits only to be faced with integrating them later. I was leaning toward a Yamaha HTR-5960 AV Receiver, and the DVR-640H-S, tho I haven't seen it for sale yet.

BUT -- the big question is how well will these work together??

I chose my first DVR, Pany DVR-E95H, based on wanting to match the brand of TV I have in the den so that the remote's various buttons will work on both units -- also TV-Guide Online, VCRplus+, and excellent AV quality. Admittedly, the menuing system isn't very nice, and I had to mail it in in the first month due to a breakdown (got a new system board), but it's been stable for the past year.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

[FulciLives]

Buy a Pioneer model A/V receiver as common remote functions should work with either the receiver remote or the DVD recorder remote.

But don't expect to get away with only one remote ... especially since a DVD recorder has a lot of menu systems and stuff going on ... very unique buttons, etc.

Come to think of it ... I bet the DVD recorder remote will be the one you use the most ... assuming you can use it to adjust the volume and change inputs ... which should be possible.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[justinz]

Well, I thought that would be the sentiment -- like brands make for less remote fumbling.

Which Pioneer AV receiver do you recommend?

The Yamy I was looking had reviews saying that is build quality was much better than Pioneer, and methinks the Pioneer receiver remotes are not backlit. The Yamaha is avail at a NY mailorder shop for $320 (msrp $500). It seems the equivelent Pioneer is VSX-72TXV and would cost me $800 street ($1200 msrp) -- that's ~$500 more! Or I could settle for the VSX-52TX (6.1 vs 7.1, which is fine) -- this is $500 street or $100 less for B Stock.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I paired the Pany E95H with my Tau TV -- so I can use only the DVR remote... But the remote has NO last channel or mute! Sheesh. It's these kind of things that realy bug me.

[justinz]

Looks like the Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi will suit me. The 54TX is less expensive, but I gotta have the backlit remote! :P

Thanks FulciLives -