Nov 1 REVIEW: YMC-500 Yamaha NeoHD Media Controller
The following is a listener review. We have edited the document for format and included a features section. Thank you Matt (Atlanta) for the writeup.
YMC-500 Yamaha NeoHD Media Controller (Buy Now $599.95)
Feartures:
- Easy Operation GUI
- Simplified remote control
- 1080p-compatible HDMI (3 in / 1 out)
- Video upconversion to HDMI
- HD audio format decode
- iPod / Bluetooth compatibility via optional accessories
- USB port for music and photo playback
- AIR SURROUND XTREME
- CINEMA DSP
- Adaptive DRC
- Compressed Music Enhancer
It has a decent list of video inputs (3 HDMI, 2 Component, 1 composite) that can be paired with any of three audio inputs (1 optical, 1 coax, 1 RCA). All inputs are converted to HDMI, which is the only output jack. I think it would have enough connectivity to accommodate most basic living room setups. There are also five class-D amps on board and an RCA output for subwoofer.
Setup:
The setup process was odd but relatively painless. This is one of those situations where you really need to pay attention to the quick setup guide. They have a way of assigning a point value to each source device based on the manner in which is connected to the NeoHD. Each input jack has a unique point value associated with it and they use that to figure out exactly how you have the equipment connected. The end result is that you don't have to go into setup menus to assign audio and video inputs to your sources. You just look at the setup worksheet, enter the point value in the guided setup wizard and you're done. It sounds complicated to explain, but fairly easy, if not quirky, to setup in real life. During the setup, it also asks you the brand of your device and takes you through a remote code test to make sure the controller can control your devices properly. You also have the option to not let the NeoHD control your equipment. Otherwise, they include two dual IR blasters to connect up to four source devices. There is also a third IR output jack for more emitters. The last step in the setup is to choose the mode in which the device will default when powered on. You can choose live TV, last source or home screen.
Use:
The home screen allows you to choose the activity you want (Video, Music, Play). Video takes you to Live TV, DVD, IPOD. Music has FM radio, CD, IPOD, etc. Play has game consoles, pictures from connected USB drive, etc. The GUI is simple, easy to navigate and it looks good. Picture and sound quality are good. The device really unifies and simplifies your entire system as if it were just one device that had all of this functionality.....ALMOST. This device held so much promise in it's concept, but it really falls short when it comes to controlling your devices. The included remote has buttons for power, direction pad, select, guide, info, exit, channel and volume... that's it. For devices you are using the NeoHD to control, all other buttons are accessed through and on-screen pop up bar. You hit a control button, the additional buttons show on screen, you navigate to the button you want, select, NeoHD transmits the code to the source device. For some purposes, this is passable (PIP, aspect control, thumbs up/down, etc). This is absolutely unacceptable for transport controls (play, pause, FF, RW, skip, stop, record) and number pad. Pretty much every device uses these buttons, so why not include them on the remote. These functions need to be at your fingertips and this system is far too clunky for that. It makes skipping commercials with the DVR almost as annoying as just watching the commercials and not picking up the remote.
If Yamaha had included these buttons on the remote, it would have been a slam dunk. Unless they add those to a future revision, don't look at this thing to replace a good universal remote. Every other aspect of the NeoHD delivers on it's promise.
Reader Comments (1)
I have a follow up for you. I purchased a Universal Remote R6 to get around the shortcomings of the included remote from Yamaha. I first set up each function on the remote to control each individual source component. I then used the learning functions of the remote to learn the keys that are on the NeoHD onto the remote for each of the source devices. In other words, when the remote is in DVD mode, half the keys control the NeoHD and the other half control the DVD player. In this manner, you retain control and functionality of the NeoHD and gain control of the functions that are not included on the NeoHD remote. The real downside here is that you still have to switch the universal remote from DVD over to Satellite or CD when you change sources. Also, I emailed my review to Yamaha and recieved a canned "thanks for your feedback" response.