Have Niles ICS (love it by the way!!) and want to add a digital music server. How good is the interface to Escient via legacy card vs. the new ($3500!!!) Niles media server? I currently have 2 Sony CD jukeboxes hooked up via the legacy module, but NEVER use them because there is no 2-way interface....

Is there any truth to the rumor that Niles will introduce distributed video (HD preferably!!) via Niles ICS? If not, can anyone help me conceptually with this? Would like to have my DirecTV HD DVR's transmit signals to local flat screens vs. putting local DVR boxes in each room. I am currently doing this with standard def TV with DirecTivos in basement via a ChannelPlus modulator with the signals on 3 "cable" channels (117, 123, and 125) throughout the house with IR repeater cones to control the boxes in each room. As part of a renovation, I put in the Niles ICS throughout the house, plus Cat5, plus RG6....can any of these systems/wires be used to distribute HD??

Thanks....

Niles already has a HD video distribution option for ICS systems, its called the VS-6. There is an Escient specific interface card available, it does work and offers 2 way feedback. In most cases, I find users are more comfortable with the SmartDock iPod product as music server substitute.

jcmitch

http://www.intellicontrol.com/ICS/video_switchers.php

Is this actually available yet?? My ICS installer said it wasn't ready yet...plus, I had heard the Escient 2-way metadata interface actually doesn't work...

BTW, I do use the Ipod interface and it works great -- the problem for me is the diminished audio quality of MP3; it would be MUCH easier/quicker to put all of my 400 CD's in one place....

I am amazed at the lack of "chat" about the Niles ICS system -- can anyone explain why??? :confused:

i find it surprising too. i see a lot on Russound and some others, all of which I considered, but I love the Niles ICS and can't imagine why more people aren't buying Niles and talking about it.

The Escient interface works, its not as fast as the iPod's, and there can be synch issues with Escient's own onscreen display. The real problem I have with it, is that its inactive while importing a CD. Its a bigger PITA than you'd think.

The solution to the iPod sound quality issues is to stop using low quality encoding. Apple lossless seems to be the best compromise.

I really think the lack of chatter has more to do with the market for this product. Its professional install only, and a set it and forget it ready. Not an "enthusiasts" item, and certainly not a hobby.


jcmitch

i find it surprising too. i see a lot on Russound and some others, all of which I considered, but I love the Niles ICS and can't imagine why more people aren't buying Niles and talking about it.

+1!! I do Google searches and the only thing that comes up is the "limited" discussion here.....good to know there are a few of us out here though!!!! :)

The Escient interface works, its not as fast as the iPod's, and there can be synch issues with Escient's own onscreen display. The real problem I have with it, is that its inactive while importing a CD. Its a bigger PITA than you'd think.

The solution to the iPod sound quality issues is to stop using low quality encoding. Apple lossless seems to be the best compromise.

I really think the lack of chatter has more to do with the market for this product. Its professional install only, and a set it and forget it ready. Not an "enthusiasts" item, and certainly not a hobby.


jcmitch

Appreciate the response re: Escient. I had heard there were "issues". The PITA issue you describe would be a potential dealkiller. Any comments on the Niles media server?? Is it out there yet??

Also back to the HD video switcher...is that out there yet? Any comments on /feedback from those that have it? I don't see it on the Niles ICS site...

Lastly, understand your point re: lack of chatter; however, even so, the lack of info about this system, its options, its capabilities, its future plans is still quite surprising. In your opinion, are they selling enough of these to be viable??? I would think they would want more buzz, not less???

Truly appreciate your input....

OK, My .02

I won't be offering the media server. I felt the Xiva based products were a good choice 5 or 6 years ago, but now the battle is over, the iPod won. I'm not likely to put in another Escient on an ICS job either, for what that's worth. Though I do find the user experience with Escient stuff is a lot more positive, its a great choice for the digitally uninclined, a preloaded iPod in an extra dock in the rack comes in a close second.

The HD switch itself is a fine product, but the end result is a bit of a mash up. I would have liked to see it include Digital Audio switching with the video. Balanced video transmit/receive has to be handled outboard. But the trickiest bit is a limitation of the ICS itself, its a 6 source system. That's not really an issue w/ most music systems, but throw distributed video into the mix and 6 is not a very big number. A couple of iPod docks, XM or Sirius, FM, DVD 1 or 2, a cable box in the bed, LR, and den; you do the math. It can make for some tough choices.

All in though, I recommend it highly. Its not the most flexible system out there, there are better hifi choices, its not the cheapest, or the most expensive, but the compromises they made, I have trouble faulting them. Sits right in the middle. Works well, sounds well, easy to use as pie. I have had only 2 service issues after install. One touchpanel went bad, and I am having the amplifier section for one zone repaired after a homeowner's creative loudspeaker building project went awry. That's pretty fantastic in my book.

Then again, I did wait nearly 2 years before committing to put in our first one. I hear the earlier releases weren't quite so much fun.


jcmitch

OK, My .02

I won't be offering the media server. I felt the Xiva based products were a good choice 5 or 6 years ago, but now the battle is over, the iPod won. I'm not likely to put in another Escient on an ICS job either, for what that's worth. Though I do find the user experience with Escient stuff is a lot more positive, its a great choice for the digitally uninclined, a preloaded iPod in an extra dock in the rack comes in a close second.

The HD switch itself is a fine product, but the end result is a bit of a mash up. I would have liked to see it include Digital Audio switching with the video. Balanced video transmit/receive has to be handled outboard. But the trickiest bit is a limitation of the ICS itself, its a 6 source system. That's not really an issue w/ most music systems, but throw distributed video into the mix and 6 is not a very big number. A couple of iPod docks, XM or Sirius, FM, DVD 1 or 2, a cable box in the bed, LR, and den; you do the math. It can make for some tough choices.

All in though, I recommend it highly. Its not the most flexible system out there, there are better hifi choices, its not the cheapest, or the most expensive, but the compromises they made, I have trouble faulting them. Sits right in the middle. Works well, sounds well, easy to use as pie. I have had only 2 service issues after install. One touchpanel went bad, and I am having the amplifier section for one zone repaired after a homeowner's creative loudspeaker building project went awry. That's pretty fantastic in my book.

Then again, I did wait nearly 2 years before committing to put in our first one. I hear the earlier releases weren't quite so much fun.


jcmitch

Thanks for input -- get it re: 6 sources and HD distribution...great point and didn't think about that! Therefore, what are you using for HD video distribution? I have the Niles ICS, Cat5 and RG6 throughout the house -- any thoughts?

Thanks....

I would say that you need to keep it to 6 sources or your going to have to consider swapping the ICS out for something else.

jcmitch

I am amazed at the lack of "chat" about the Niles ICS system -- can anyone explain why??? :confused:

Probably because it's more expensive than Russound and not as readily available on the Internet. ICS is an excellent system. I personally don't think there is any comparison between the two.

Probably because it's more expensive than Russound and not as readily available on the Internet. ICS is an excellent system. I personally don't think there is any comparison between the two.

I "hear" all of you, but still don't understand why no chat about the system, its pros/cons, its future plans, etc. NADA, NOWHERE!!! Just bizarre to me...makes me wonder, are they actually selling many of these?????


BTW, can anyone weigh in on my DirecTV HD video distribution question???? IF the ICS system is limited because of "sources", what other options exist? As previously stated, I have Cat5 and RG6 wired everywhere.....THANKS!!!