Q:

How do I set an Ember.js select view's value when using objects for options?

I'm having some trouble figuring out how to get Ember's select view to update the dom when using objects instead of strings. This example behaves how I would expect:
http://jsfiddle.net/XZ9b7/
Using only an array of strings for values, setting the bound property's value to a new value  by clicking the buttons will automatically update the dom and set the dropdown to the same value.
When using objects in this example however:
http://jsfiddle.net/pRBKt/
I tried setting the bound property's value to the id, value, and a copy of the option object itself, and I can't get it to affect the select view.
I just need a way to set the value of a select view when using objects for options

A:

I've added an other button in your fiddle:
<div><button onclick="App.someObject.set('letterSelection', App.someOptions.objectAt(0));">real a</button></div>

http://jsfiddle.net/Sly7/BYjk6/#base
I think you have to use the same object, but not a copy. So in your case you have to pick up the object from the array bound to the Ember.Select's content property.
EDIT: jsfiddle using #each and {{action}}. I think it cleans up the template and the code.
http://jsfiddle.net/Sly7/sCr8T/
<script type="text/x-handlebars">
  {{view Ember.Select
    contentBinding="App.someOptions"
    selectionBinding="App.someObject.letterSelection"
    optionLabelPath="content.val"
    optionValuePath="content.id"
  }}
  {{App.someObject.letterSelection.val}}
  {{#each option in App.someOptions}}
    <div>
      <button {{action "updateSelection" target="App.someObject" context="option"}}>{{option.val}}</button>
    </div>        
  {{/each}}
</script>

JavaScript:
window.App = Ember.Application.create();

App.someObject= Ember.Object.create({
  title: "Some Title",
  letterSelection: null, 

  updateSelection: function(event){
    var newSelection = event.context;
    this.set('letterSelection', newSelection);
  }
});

App.someOptions = [
  {'id':'id_a','val':'a'},
  {'id':'id_b','val':'b'},
  {'id':'id_c','val':'c'},
  {'id':'id_d','val':'d'}
];

