[staysafeonline]

Howdy -- great forum and I will never admit to anyone (outside of you guys) how many hours I spend reading here.

Thanks in advance for any feedback you'd be willing to provide.


About a year ago I installed a plasma TV and ever since then I have been in "project" mode modifying what I have and how it is configured, etc. So I think I have decided that I want to move to a 'distribution' model rather than having stuff in each room. And even though I know I am not going to be in this house forever, I am willing to spend the money now, provided I can purchase and design a flexible enough system to take with me when I move (at a yet to be determined time and a place).


So here are my objectives:

- move all of my equipment (including my AVR) from the living room to the bonus room above my garage. Primary reason is that it is a server room for my business and had dedicated in-room cooling, so the heat issues are taken care of


- utilize a system that is "easier" and where I can get "vendor support" in the event I need it


- willing to spend more money to start for less headaches.


- utilize the 2" inch conduit I had installed when the house was built to run the cables from my first floor to the second floor (so I am thinking CAT5 distribution is my preferred choice. Looking at probably around 75 feet maximum


So here is my current equipment:

- Pioneer PDP-5070 plasma

- Rotel RSX-1057 AVR

- DirectTV DVR (x2)

- Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player

- Custom built Home Theather PC running Vista

- Panasonic VCR for watching old family movies (rarely)

- Will be getting another flat screen or two in the next 12-18 months
Here is what I am thinking as far as the distribution system:

- Audio Authority AVX-661-NR

- Audio Authority 9878 face plates for most locations

- IR receiver
So a few questions for you Audio Authority experts:

- It appears that the AVX-661-NR does the HDCP decoding, so I am assuming I don't have anything to worry about when it comes to losing functionality if the "powers that be" get more restrictive about HD content?


- Two part question: In this case I am going to have my AVR in the same room as my AVX-661 (with speaker cables running down the conduit to my soon to be installed in walls).
(1) Any reason I shouldn't do that? (not really an AVAtrix question but wondering about sound quality/depredation due to long speaker cables)?


(2) My interpretation of what I have read about the 661 is that it will transmit digital audio -- which means I could do a 5.1 system in any room that I am distributing too - is that correct?
And finally, are there any other vendors that can provide a "turn key" (meaning it will work without it being a 6 month troubleshooting process?) type solution like I perceive the Audio Authority stuff does?


Again, thanks in advance for any feedback and/or ideas you can offer!


Regards,

Brian

 

[flatpanel]

I've done something similar, but not as complex. I have HDMI leaving a central

location to 3 HDTVs in different rooms and floors. It's still not 100% functional

and I'm still debugging issues with my cat5e run. I have 5.1 sound in the livingroom

for one panel, and ceiling speakers for zone 2 in the family room. I know of a place

that will design a solution for you, but I don't think you'll get turnkey nor guaranteed

success. Too many variables between displays, interconnects, and hdmi.

 

[staysafeonline]

Thanks -- I spent many more hours this weekend reading and researching and am not sure what I am going to do. What I already have in place is a bit overkill --- so doing distribution will certainly be overkill.


Are you using the Audio Authority hardware for your system? And what types of issues are you having to debug?


Brian

 

[flatpanel]

sorry, I don't have any audio authority gear, just a similar concept. My debug is

simply hdmi at over 50', baluns, and matrix switch.

 

[staysafeonline]

Ah -- I am with you! Part of the reason I am looking at Audio Authority is I am hoping it will "just work" -- realizing that there are alway compromises.

 

[robertmee]

Best bet is to call the AA guys and explain your concept. They'll be best at determining the pitfalls and whether what you are proposing will work. AA is a frequent poster here and often helps members with their systems.