PIP control... sucks, but shouldn't have to use it when guests are over, so that doesn't matter so much.

Lack of discrete input controls... might be able to work around them.

EMail/IM notification... can use some form of global audio (mix with normal output through receiver... or have a separate set of speakers that always plays the sonud output through) a visual indicator instead (have a separate set of LED (search for "ULN2803") or LCD output that displays information... or as much as a completely separate monitor that displays info)