Denon zone2 questions and general comments

[radix]

I have a downstairs in-law unit. There will be a Denon 6700 in there for a mini-home theater (5.2.2) [I got the 6700 for the amp power]. The in-law's bedroom is maybe 25' - 30' feet away. I am thinking of using Zone 2 for a bedroom TV and speakers.

Does it make any sense to try and use zone 2? Or should I simply put a simpler AVR in there, like a Denon 1700? I assume I'd need to run a long HDMI cable + an IR repeater cable to the "Remote In". By the time I pay for the cable runs and 4k hdmi extenders, I doubt I'm really ahead of the game much. And I assume I'd need to start using 2 remote, as zone 2 is not ARC/eARC?

I guess I'm also searching for a use for zones 2 + 3. I could possibly see the living room AVR feeding the dining room speakers w/ zone 2, but otherwise I'm mostly drawing a blank.

If you have any general comments about using zone 2 or zone 3, I'm interested in hearing about it.

Thanks for any advice and your insights.

 

[anotherhobby]

I'd probably get a second AVR unless you see value in playing the same content at both locations at the same time. There is some behavior with zones on my Denon X4300H that I don't like, but I've gotten used to. As an example, if I'm watching TV in zone 1 and I try to stream AirPlay to the Deneon (which isn't zone specific), it will go to Zone 2 (which is outside on my deck) rather than switch Zone 1 to AirPlay, because it sees zone 1 is in use. I wish I could tell it not send anything to zone 2 unless it's already turned on, but you can't do that. Instead, sometimes I just accidentally blast music outside until I figured out what I did. I'd at least play with the dual zones to see what zones get selected when, and how and when they turn off to see if it fits your use case.

 

[radix]

I'd probably get a second AVR unless you see value in playing the same content at both locations at the same time. There is some behavior with zones on my Denon X4300H that I don't like, but I've gotten used to. As an example, if I'm watching TV in zone 1 and I try to stream AirPlay to the Deneon (which isn't zone specific), it will go to Zone 2 (which is outside on my deck) rather than switch Zone 1 to AirPlay, because it sees zone 1 is in use. I wish I could tell it not send anything to zone 2 unless it's already turned on, but you can't do that. Instead, sometimes I just accidentally blast music outside until I figured out what I did. I'd at least play with the dual zones to see what zones get selected when, and how and when they turn off to see if it fits your use case.

I have a small TV on a mobile stand (use it in an exercise room), maybe I'll wheel it in and try zone 2 to see how the user experience is. I think a 2nd avr is likely the right answer.

Thanks