[Puppycat]

I'm looking at purchasing a used Russound CAM6.6x and am a DIY'er when it comes to A/V installation and tweaking. Most of us on this forum seem to be either dealers/installers or enthusists that enjoy assembling our own systems.


Question: how much customization am I looking at when it comes to installing the Russound and getting it up and running?


I already have the Cat5 and speaker wire run from my equipment closet to the wall plates in each of the rooms, and the speaker wire continuing on from there to the speakers.


I understand that customization is usually done by the pros. But as a hardware and software engineer myself I kind of felt that I might enjoy tinkering and learning to do this own my own. Is customization necessary and is the software even available to enthusist to do this on their own?


Thanks!

 

[icellama]

The Russound CAM/CAV series is very easy to configure. I was also an engineer with no Russound experience and I found the manuals to be more than sufficient.


Russound does offer a commercial software package to help you set up the zones/sources/etc, but it is not necessary. Almost everything can be done from the keypads, it is just a bit more time consuming.


However, there are a few things that cannot be done from the keypads. Setting radio presets and custom source names for example, and a few other tasks. The remote SRC2 control will handle the memory presets. You can also use the RS232 interface and a terminal to send basic ASCII commands or use a home automation software package.


The hardware is just plug and play. And I'm not talking about the microsoft koolaid here, it really just works!

 

[Puppycat]

Thanks icellama. That's encouraging. Regarding the RS232 interface and sending basic commands, is there a listing of the available commands in the user manual?


Do you have a recommendation for a home automation software package? I'm curious about how much customization is possible for configuring meta data or other relevant information when using external sources (e,g, DVD, CD, iTunes, Scientific Atlanta DVR, etc.)

 

[Neurorad]

I've heard that CQC and MainLobby both play well with the Russound, but I have no personal experience.


Where are you buying used? I'm in the same position as you, DIY'er looking for a distributed system.


It's tough finding a solution that provides access to both home server digital (Windows Mediaplayer, iTunes, JRMC) and component (CD Player, Sirius/XM, tuner) sources, without purchasing a dedicated $2500 server (Russound, Nuvo servers). Nuvo Music Port seems like an affordable solution.