Whole Home A/V Systems

[srwatters]

My BIL has asked me to help him with research into a whole house A/V switching and distribution system for his newly constructed home. There will be approximately 10 flat panel displays, 2 additional audio only zones, and two 5.1 home theatre setups that he would like to feed. Each flat panel location has two cat 5e, two cat 6, and two RG-6 coax cables home run to a central location where the 19" rack(s) will be placed. The HT setup has in wall speakers that are also home run to the central location. Sources will be three or four satellite receivers, one media server (audio & video), and one Blu-Ray disc player.

I've done some preliminary research and like the offerings from Audio Authority (AVAtrix), Nuvo, and Xantech. The biggest issue for me is NOT having any A/V equipment at the panels. That means splitting the audio signals with a second audio only switcher that must be synchonized with the video switcher. We're not looking for high end audio here. The in wall speakers have been installed and he's happy with them.

He does NOT want this to be a DIY project, but also isn't looking for a $50K+ solution. Does anyone have a local company they've used or can personally recommend for this project? We've tried the Magnolia guys via Best Buy and they seem clueless.

Thanks for any help.

[Westx]

Scott try http://www.star-power.com/

[Marv800]

to start with, take advantage of the Cat5 by distributing the 1080P video over baluns.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Westx

Scott try http://www.star-power.com/

Have you personally used them before? The reason I ask is that they tend to want to up sell to the six figure full home automation integrated system. At least that is what I've heard. I've only been in their store once and that was several years ago before they closed the Parker/Toll Road location.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by Marv800

to start with, take advantage of the Cat5 by distributing the 1080P video over baluns.

Clearly that will be a part of the system, but a full matrix switcher will be required to allow any source in any room. The physical distribution isn't the issue.

[Westx]

Scott no I have not. Have some friends that have and I agree they do push the upsell big time.

[Marv800]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Clearly that will be a part of the system, but a full matrix switcher will be required to allow any source in any room. The physical distribution isn't the issue.

Wow. Matrix swithed HD ain't cheap by any standards. They are certainly not the $10k+ that they were a couple years ago, but they're still mucho $

[srwatters]

Take a look at these, it's much cheaper than I thought...

http://www.audioauthority.com/index_integration
http://www.xantech.com/Video/HighDef...strib/HD88CC5/

Like I said, the hard part is synchronous switching of the audio and video with the audio processing done in the main media closet (which is a 6x8 room, not really a closet).

[zeroendless]

two 5.1 home theatre setups that he would like to feed.

why not 7.1 while you at it?

We've tried the Magnolia guys via Best Buy and they seem clueless.

what do you expect? :) These questions are beyond "contrast ratio".....

Does anyone have a local company they've used or can personally recommend for this project?

Try looking for local dealer with Kaleidescape system. Pricey but should offer what's in your list and more. Last time i checked, they announced plan to back up blu-ray disc to server, and have enough bandwidth to distribute up to 5 simultaneous playbacks with that format, promised to 10 and 20 streaming with GigE network.

[sldi]

I wish I had the time to watch that much A/V.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by zeroendless

why not 7.1 while you at it?

Because that's what he wants.

Originally Posted by zeroendless

what do you expect? :) These questions are beyond "contrast ratio".....

I didn't suggest he go there. I've been brought in because they got the big FAIL.

Originally Posted by zeroendless

Try looking for local dealer with Kaleidescape system. Pricey but should offer what's in your list and more. Last time i checked, they announced plan to back up blu-ray disc to server, and have enough bandwidth to distribute up to 5 simultaneous playbacks with that format, promised to 10 and 20 streaming with GigE network.

That looks nice, but it isn't a matrix switcher. I've looked up there local resellers to see if any of them have a clue. That would be a nice source setup for the media server, but doesn't offer any kind of live TV.