Podcast #1265: Garage Doors - AV Receivers - Atmos in the Family Room

On today's show we discuss Ara's garage door plan for integrating it into HomeKit, we help a listener decide on which receiver to buy, and we ask whether Atmos is worth it for a family room. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Get YouTube TV For Just $67.99 a Month Down From $82.99 For The Rest of 2026
• How many subscribers do major live TV streamers have?

Other:

• Bingebuster

THIRDREALITY Smart Garage Door Opener

Last week I discussed my garage door situation where MyQ does not integrate with Apple's HomeKit. I explained that I will be using a solution called ratgdo (Rage Against The Garage Door Opener). A few of the listeners emailed and suggested that I look at the ThirdReality Smart Garage Door Opener). Available at Amazon for $50.

Issues for me:

• When you install it in Apple home it installs as a lightbulb.
• I added it to Home Assistant first because I knew Apple HomeKit was going to treat it like a light instead of a garage door. In Home Assistant, it shows up as a light entity, with the on off state following the tilt sensor. To make it behave like a real garage door, I created a Template Cover helper and set the device class to Garage. For the state, I used the template to report open when the light is on and closed when it's off. Then I set the Open and Close actions to call the light.turn_on service on the light entity, so pressing Open or Close in Home Assistant is basically the same as pressing the garage remote button. After that, it shows up and behaves like a garage door inside Home Assistant, with the right open/closed status based on the tilt sensor.
• It's mechanical.
• Batteries

After Jorge's email,I am now looking past these issues and considering this solution.

And yet another listener provided even more fuel for this fire!

David writes in and says:

Most door operators have a provision for a wall mounted pushbutton ( the same one used for years). It's a momentary pushbutton closure. There is a cold contacts switch which operates in the Matter smart home standard. As a result it works in all the various smart home systems. It's a Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 device…about $25.

I have installed mine into my Apple HomeKit system to operate my Genie garage door opener.

There is no sensing of the position of the door in the Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 - it is only for operating the door.

I have used the IKEA "MYGGBETT" door/window sensor ($10) to sense the position of the door - it is also Matter compliant. It is the usual magnet/reed switch pair.

I have used this sensor to also trigger a light inside my house to signal an open garage door.

The Apple Home automation could be written to close and open door after 10 PM. Or close a door open for more than 1 hour.

Marantz, Denon, or Onkyo

• Marantz Cinema 70s

• Denon AVR-X2800H

• Onkyo TX-RZ30

Onkyo TX-RZ30

Pros

• 9 amplified channels (supports 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Atmos)
• Full-bandwidth Dirac Live included (major value)
• THX Select + IMAX Enhanced certified
• Dual independent subwoofer outputs + full pre-outs
• Strong power (~100W/ch) and generally excellent reviews for sound and value

Cons

• Dirac setup can be finicky
• Onkyo's past reliability reputation still in the back of my mind

Denon AVR-X2800H

Pros

• Reliable, polished, user-friendly experience
• Solid Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction
• Good, balanced sound and strong HDMI features
• Much better reliability and support

Cons

• Only 7 channels (max 5.2.2 Atmos without external amps)
• No Dirac (Audyssey is good but not as advanced)

Marantz Cinema 70s

Pros

• Slim, stylish design that fits media cabinets
• Marantz sound
• Pre-outs for future expansion

Cons

• Lower power (~50W/ch) — best for smaller/efficient speakers
• Only 7 channels
• More expensive relative to performance and channel count

Recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ30

It delivers the most meaningful advantages for the money — 9 channels, including full Dirac Live, THX certification, and independent dual subs. The Denon is the safer "set-it-and-forget-it" choice if you prioritize polish and reliability, while the Marantz is best if you specifically need a slim form factor. For performance and value in a modern Atmos setup, the RZ30 is the clear winner right now.

Is Atmos Worth it for a Family Room?

Yes, Atmos is usually worth it in a typical family room — but with some practical caveats.

Why it's worth it

• The overhead effects (rain, helicopters, debris, ambiance) add noticeable immersion even in a normal living/family room.
• A lot of modern movies, streaming shows, and games take advantage of it.

Realistic expectations for a family room

• The "wow" factor is more subtle than in a dedicated theater. You're not going to get the same dramatic height effects you hear in a big cinema.
• Placement matters a lot. Up-firing Atmos speakers work okay if your ceiling isn't too high or absorbent, but actual in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers sound better.
• Aesthetics Committee — extra speakers on or near the ceiling are more noticeable in a shared family space.

Bottom line recommendation

• If you are starting from scratch and have access to wire ceiling speakers do it. If you don't have access you won't miss too much.
• Skip if the budget is tight, ceiling placement is difficult, or you mostly watch TV/sports rather than movies.

A solid 5.1.2 Atmos setup is the sweet spot for most family rooms. You'll get most of the benefit without needing a full 7.1.4 layout.