The ole "sound with a HDMI matrix problem" (system block diagram attached)

Below is how I am tentatively intending to wire my new house. My issue is that I believe with this setup, I will only get 2 channel audio to everything.. even if I have only the living room TV watching a certain source (thanks to reading posts from people on here).

So my questions are
1) is there a work around for that, since I only have 1 TV i need 5.1 to.
2) Anybody have experience with a second switch after the Matrix? am I asking for trouble?
3) I know I could go component switching, but man.. that seems painful. And I assume since its analog I cant send it over CAT6.

Based on what I have read, I am probably in bad shape.. and either need to do it like the above and have a worthless home theater sound setup and wait for a new matrix' come out that handle this better

I could just by get rid of the matrix, and put every tv on a box. and then just manually run to the AV closet and hot swap the HTPC into whatever TV i want to watch it on. Then still split signal to the 2 TVs as needed in the diagram.

av diagram.png 91k .png file

WHat about a cheap sound bar on each TV? would that do it

... or..

a switch before the multiplexer on each source that would run to a 4x1 combiner type setup.. Then when the switch was flipped to the living room, the HDMI would no longer "see" the other TVs.

sounds like a PITA.


definitely interested in dialog.

Thanks for the input Jeff, dual 4x4s make sense. I would like 5.1 from at least the DVR and the HTPC but yes you are correct- I only need 5.1 in the living room. I have NOT run any cables (breaking ground in 3 weeks hopefully) so I can run the additional audio cables.

Would be nice if there was an HDMI matrix that will also matrix separate audio at the same time... let me rephrase that, I bet there is but it is $

So it sounds like I could do either a component matrix (need to figure out the downsides to that) or maybe run 2 separate audio cables to the TV from the AV closet, and just use a switch on those. maybe even have to run up stairs and manually do it (not as streamlined, but better than nothing.. i watch the DVR 80%+ of the time)

EDIT:
Checked out the Aton HDR44. Other than it being more pricey than the monoprice option, it looks like there are really no downsides to it. 2X CAT6 which is no problem.

And since the home will be run with CAT6, I could easily change to HDMI (or whatever) later on.

Also it looks like the HDR44 can be stacked for the 8 outputs I need later on down the road. Not sure I want to spend $2K (2X units). Might just split the signal as I was thinking in the first place to see how that pans out.
Edited by JordonMusser - 2/15/13 at 8:08am

yep, I agree. I started a lowV wiring diagram, then that made me start thinking "what and where", and then "how". I am basically running CAT6 everywhere+Coax. I want to have a game plan, and if I was pulling the trigger today it looks like $2k is going to the 8zone Aton solution. in 7-8 months ill revisit, but at least I know I have a a plan of attack.

Thanks for the insight, hopefully this thread helps others too.

Not too far actually.. 40ft.

I thought about that, but I kind of like the idea of having the receiver in the room. let's me hook up a iphone, android phone, somebody ipod etc/whatever if I have a party. makes it pretty easy.

Perhaps you are right. I have never had an AV closet, so perhaps I am just nervous about the ACR being in there when at this point, I physically interface with it on occasion.