I am thinking of getting the Avatrix system as it seems to do exactly what I want as far as video (and audio signal for that video) distribution.

The problem I am running into is I also want just audio distibution.

For example: In the kitchen, I will not have a seperate receiver. The Avatrix feed will go stright through the TV and use the TV speakers. BUT, I also want to put in ceiling speakers to distribute audio for when we have parties and the like.

There will also be a need for speakers outside and in the bedroom. THe bedroom will also need avatrix feed (the outside wont) So that is at least three rooms/zones where I do not want to have a receiver. So I need to get audio there some other way than the Avatrix system.

Here is what I want (note "distributed video" refers to the audio associated with that video as well)

Living Room - Distributed Video and (Seperate?) Audio (will have own receiver as TV is monitor only - no speakers and besides need kick ass surround sound in there)

Kitchen - Distributed Video and Seperate Audio (will not have own receiver - TV will handle avatrx video and audio)

Master Bedroom - Distributed Video and Seperate Audio (will not have own receiver - TV will handle avatrx video and audio)

Home Office - Distributed Video and Seperate Audio (will not have own receiver - TV will handle avatrx video and audio)

Garage - Distributed Video only

Deck - Distributed Audio only


I am not set on any particular audio distribution system. Nor do I mind having multiple systems but I do want the celanest setup possible.

Question 1 - My concern is control. I want a clean control system that will easily allow my to choose to use the speakers and adjust volume in any room AND (if possible) control the video distribution to that particular room.

Question 2- In the living room, I will have 7.1 setup and receiver (well receiver will actually live in the same closet as the avatrix - but that is no big deal). The real question is there a control system that will let me also change inputs on the receiver so I can go from Avatrix fed source to Audio Distributio fed source?

Thank you in advance and if any of this is not clear, let me know and I will explain further.

Cheers!
Steve

Ay suggestions? Anyone have a similar setup?

How were you intending on controlling the AVatrix switching?

I have just ordered the AVAtrix as well. I plan on using a Sonos system to do my audio. I purchased this about a year ago and love it. The Sonos comes in a bundle with 2 zones and a wireless controller. www.sonos.com. You should check it out. The zone players allow for a line-in. I plan on sending some of my TV audio to the line-in on the Sonos. I should warn you that there might be a slight delay in the audio to a tv and audio to a sonos zone player. If I send something to the Sonos (like Directv music channels) I leave the TV volume down because of those sync issues.

RxMan,

That's a unique approach to adding whole-house audio to your AVAtrix. I really like the Sonos systems - very slick.

When you talk about audio delay in that particular solution, do you mean there is a significant lip-sync problem, or just a slight echo when both TV audio and the Sonos are playing?

Trent

I guess you could call it an echo. I haven't messed with it much because I use the Sonos to stream Rhapsody or to play mp3s. There is a forum over at Sonos under support I believe that has tons of info on this issue.

http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=3490&highlight=television

I really haven't planned EXACTLY how I am going to setup all of my speakers, etc...
What is the most common way that people are using the AVAtrix for audio?

This link explains it a bit more clearly.

http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=5267&highlight=delay

Just wanted to revive this thread.

Anyone have any suggestions on a audio distribution system and a control system for this?

Thanks,
Steve

I'm thinking of using Control4 and their 16x16 music matrix and amp with AVAtrix.
Cat5 and Zigbee.
Anyone else have this setup?

I thought these were good questions, why not post a public answer to them? The AA response claiming the post was off-topic means the rest of us don't get the benefit of the good questions, particularly #3...

Some reposted/stolen questions on the AVAtrix from another thread:

1. This is probably a stupid question but I just want to be absolutely sure. I assume you can watch 6 different sources simultaneously in 7 different rooms using the AVX-661 - AVAtrix, or even more if you expand the system? (ie you don't have to all watch the same source)

2. I know this unit can accomodate HDMI using adapters, but what is the extra cost for these adapters?

3. Will you be coming out with an all HDMI version of this unit (ie that can accept HDMI input at the switch and provide HDMI output at the wallplates)?

4. I would like to connect a Personal Video Recorder as an input to this unit. The remote control for this unit (Scientific Atlanta 8300HD PVR) has quite a few keys on it. As I understand it, the remote you supply selects the source but then how do I use the other functions on the PVR through the IR on the wallplate? Using the remote provided by Scientific Atlanta or yours?

5. What is your view of going with an all component video solution, such as your AVX-561, vs Gefen's 4x4 HDMI Matrix ($2,000), which appears to come out to the same cost as yours when you add the fact you have to buy the 4 sets of Gefen HDMI/Cat5e baluns ($500 each). Of course, you only get 4-in/4-out vs 6-in/7-out. I guess I am wondering about your view on the longevity of component vs HDMI solutions.

I thought these were good questions, why not post a public answer to them? The AA response claiming the post was off-topic means the rest of us don't get the benefit of the good questions, particularly #3...

Some reposted/stolen questions on the AVAtrix from another thread:

1. This is probably a stupid question but I just want to be absolutely sure. I assume you can watch 6 different sources simultaneously in 7 different rooms using the AVX-661 - AVAtrix, or even more if you expand the system? (ie you don't have to all watch the same source)

2. I know this unit can accomodate HDMI using adapters, but what is the extra cost for these adapters?

3. Will you be coming out with an all HDMI version of this unit (ie that can accept HDMI input at the switch and provide HDMI output at the wallplates)?

4. I would like to connect a Personal Video Recorder as an input to this unit. The remote control for this unit (Scientific Atlanta 8300HD PVR) has quite a few keys on it. As I understand it, the remote you supply selects the source but then how do I use the other functions on the PVR through the IR on the wallplate? Using the remote provided by Scientific Atlanta or yours?

5. What is your view of going with an all component video solution, such as your AVX-561, vs Gefen's 4x4 HDMI Matrix ($2,000), which appears to come out to the same cost as yours when you add the fact you have to buy the 4 sets of Gefen HDMI/Cat5e baluns ($500 each). Of course, you only get 4-in/4-out vs 6-in/7-out. I guess I am wondering about your view on the longevity of component vs HDMI solutions.

AI, some of your questions are not necessarily directly related to AA. Trent (from AA) has answered most of these questions before.

Just in case you need answers sooner rather than later, I'll give them a try and Trent can correct me if need be.

1. you are correct.

2. The cost is whatever you pay. see some of the avsforum sponsers like monoprice or bluejeanscable for HDMI to DVI cables. A quick search of the AA website shows that they sell HDMI to DVI converters (I'm not sure when or where you would use these - someone else can chime in for that) for $209/ea. Here's the reason from the website "Why buy an active converter when passive devices are less? Simply put - active converters work more often and maintain the audio pathway." I would assume that the straight DVI to HDMI cables are passive.

3. not at this time. this answer is not b/c it can't be done but b/c of all the inherent problems that go along with HDMI. Trent has posted about this topic at great length in another post, do a search.

4. this is a great question. I'd love to hear people's responses. from what I have read, it seems that people are using a universal RF remote to control the other units (PVR, DVD, etc.).

5. see answer 3. There are many posts in this forum about component v. HDMI. You'll find that component is more stable can travel greater distance without loss and still produces a fantastic image.

I hope I have been helpful.

John

4. this is a great question. I'd love to hear people's responses. from what I have read, it seems that people are using a universal RF remote to control the other units (PVR, DVD, etc.).
JohnMost people do use a universal IR remote to control the sources attached to the AVAtrix. An IR receiver is plugged into the wallplate and the IR signal received in that room is carried via the cat5e to the AVATrix then transmitted to the source components via IR emitters attached the tha AA IR distribution module. The only AVAtrix speciifc signal that gets sent from each room is one that selects the appropriate source number (1-6).

Hope that helps.
Murray

Thanks jkseger, Murray - I don't always catch new questions that are posted - the "monitor thread" feature flakes out sometimes, I think.

You two have done a great job of answering the questions posted correctly. I will add a bit of clarification about question number four:

Our remote is not a learning remote - it is primarily supplied to allow you to program your own universal remote. Universal Remote Company and Control4 already have our information in their systems, and we're working on getting that data loaded for other providers of programmable remotes.

In my attempts to unify threads and get information focused in one place, to prevent people from having to ask questions again and again, I have created an official AVAtrix thread. I'd appreciate if people posted any questions there:

Official Audio Authority AVAtrix Q&A Thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=806109)

Trent

Our remote is not a learning remote - it is primarily supplied to allow you to program your own universal remote. Universal Remote Company and Control4 already have our information in their systems, and we're working on getting that data loaded for other providers of programmable remotes.
TrentIt's also in the Logitech Harmony database for their Harmony remotes.

It's also in the Logitech Harmony database for their Harmony remotes.
It's in there now? I hadn't looked recently, and our contact there wouldn't return our calls...good news! Thanks Murray.

Trent