Hey Guys and Gals,
This is my first post, i waited a whole week of surfing this forums.. but I am still confused and need advice.
Ok, The setup I want to have is a full home automated setup, with maybe a HTPC, Cinemar MainLobby and MLServer, controlling Insteon lighting system, multi-zone audio and HD video, with a few IP based cameras for security, and HVAC controls.
I have trying to read up and figure out what I need to get to get my setup started. I am not trying to do this all overnight, but I want to have the wallplates and cableing ran ahead of time.
The first step is the Multi-room HD A/V setup. I was looking at a few HDMI Matrix switches, but read to go Component.. is that still true? I see a few new products have came out. I have 4 locations where I have LCD and Plasma TVs that I want to hook into. My inputs will be 3 - Verizon FIOS boxes, 1 - XBOX360, 1 - PS3, 2 - DVD players and an open HDMI for my laptop.
I would like to be able to have a switch can can be controled remotely, and also be able to link into my future Cinemar system, so for example when I click "Movie" the lights will dim, the video source will switch to a DVD player and we watch the movie.
I am looking for the easist way to switch those devices to 4 or 5 diffrent televisions. I know a matrix is the best option, but which type HDMI or Component, or do they have someone that mixes them. I also want to do it over Cat5 or Cat6 cable.
I have a ton more questions pertaining to Cinemar, but will hold them for that forum.
Oh an it maybe important.. but Optical Audio would be the best for my components. I am also using a Yamaha RX-1700 reciever in my basement "theater/bar" setup.
This is my first post, i waited a whole week of surfing this forums.. but I am still confused and need advice.
Ok, The setup I want to have is a full home automated setup, with maybe a HTPC, Cinemar MainLobby and MLServer, controlling Insteon lighting system, multi-zone audio and HD video, with a few IP based cameras for security, and HVAC controls.
I have trying to read up and figure out what I need to get to get my setup started. I am not trying to do this all overnight, but I want to have the wallplates and cableing ran ahead of time.
The first step is the Multi-room HD A/V setup. I was looking at a few HDMI Matrix switches, but read to go Component.. is that still true? I see a few new products have came out. I have 4 locations where I have LCD and Plasma TVs that I want to hook into. My inputs will be 3 - Verizon FIOS boxes, 1 - XBOX360, 1 - PS3, 2 - DVD players and an open HDMI for my laptop.
I would like to be able to have a switch can can be controled remotely, and also be able to link into my future Cinemar system, so for example when I click "Movie" the lights will dim, the video source will switch to a DVD player and we watch the movie.
I am looking for the easist way to switch those devices to 4 or 5 diffrent televisions. I know a matrix is the best option, but which type HDMI or Component, or do they have someone that mixes them. I also want to do it over Cat5 or Cat6 cable.
I have a ton more questions pertaining to Cinemar, but will hold them for that forum.
Oh an it maybe important.. but Optical Audio would be the best for my components. I am also using a Yamaha RX-1700 reciever in my basement "theater/bar" setup.
