Home audio & video forum: Harmon / Kardon AVR 245 - HDMI Switching vs. Processing?

I am having a surround sound system installed in my living room and the media guy recommended the H/K AVR 245. I haven't been able to find a review on any of their recent models. Anyone have this model?

Also, under FAQ on the H/K website is says:
Question: I've connected the HDMI output on my DVD player, set-top box or other source device to one of the receiver's HDMI inputs, and I've connected the receiver's HDMI output to an input on my video display or TV. Although I am able to see the picture on the display and I can hear audio through the TV's speakers, why can't I hear any audio through the speakers connected to the receiver, even when I disable the TV's speakers?
Answer: Your receiver is capable of switching HDMI signals, but it cannot access the data and process it. Thus, the receiver is passing the audio and video information through to your video display without processing it in any way.

In order to benefit from the receiver's superior audio reproduction capabilities, make a separate digital audio connection from either the coaxial or optical digital audio output on your source device to the corresponding digital audio input on the receiver. Then adjust the audio input setting in the receiver's on-screen menu system (usually found in the Input Setup or In/Out Setup submenu) to assign the correct audio input to your source.

Is that common of most receivers? Should I upgrade to a more expensive model that doesn't require a separate audio connection?