DirecTV & Zone 2 audio delay

I know this has been discussed many times regarding the audio delay in zone 2 when using a digital signal in the main area and an analog signal for zone 2. However, my Marantz 6006 passes digital audio to zone 2 when the signal is PCM 2 channel. Selecting different sound modes in the Marantz doesn't work but changing the DirecTV audio format from Dolby Digital to PCM allows the audio to pass to zone 2. My real question is, is there a discrete command for the remote that will switch off DD and change to PCM when zone 2 is turned on? Then, when zone 2 is powered off, I'll send a command to the receiver to re-enable DD sound. I know i can muddle through the receiver menu and do it manually, but that is tedious and has very low WAF. Sounds like it will work if only a command for the DirecTV exists.

That's what I didn't want to hear. But, if it works, I'll try it. That'll be an interesting macro. I'd like to do it via IP rather than IR, so I might need to go to plan B.

Thanks I appreciate it. Now I don't have to search the codes. ;-). The macro, compared to the one you are using, shouldn't be that many steps I hope. But, with the proper delay it should work fine.

Another though I had that involves a macro is going back to component and then using digital audio for the 5.1. Then when the kitchen is involved, have an analog input into an AUX input and upon switching the kitchen on, change the input for the main sitting area to analog.

My fix to the above problem: route all zone 2 analog audio out the zone 2 pre-out, through a Sonos ZP-80 and then through a sherbourn 2/150 auto sensing amp. The delay in the zonos line in is just perfect enough to match audio with the main zone. When the main zone needs a sonos feed, it comes from the sherbourn line out feed and into the cd input on the main room avr. Works like a charm.