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Q. I’m looking for a multi-room system that has 16 sources to 42 zones and a media server for my movie collection. Is there a system out there that can handle it? - Sami Jann/Edmonton Alberta
A. That is quite a system you are looking for and one I would love to design. The largest distributed audio system available today is made by Russound. Their Sphere E-Series allows 12 sources and 38 zones, short of what you are looking for, but still a very robust system.
There are a couple of options with a system of this size. You could scale down the number of sources and use sub zones (e.g. dining room is linked to your kitchen) or a completely customized solution. What you would need is a 232 controlled preamp with 16 inputs and enough amps for all the speakers in the project, 84 channels.
To control the system, I recommend either Elan or HomeLogic depending how much of your home you would like to control through each keypad. If you would like to control only the music, Elan will work. If you want to integrate your lighting and security into each keypad, I would go with HomeLogic.
You have many options for your media server. We use Escient for all of our Media Server Installations because of their great customer service and product. The Vision series would be optimal. It has a very user friendly interface and can hold an unlimited amount of media.
Hey guys,
We feel this client should consider a Crestron Adagio system for this application without a doubt. Our firm specializes in systems of this size and Crestron has provided the best tools for these demanding applications!
Its basically endless home integration scalability in addition to the audio system functionality would give this client the best value for their investment long term. As for the Media Server, nothing matches the user experience for a system this size quite like the Kaleidescape. Their new Mini-System would allow a value-added entry point with limitless expandability long term. Request Multimedia is also a great robust option…
We feel it is important to design and implement systems that require the least amount of reinvestment and focus future expenditures on system expansion. Crestron is by far the best solution for meeting this goal, in our opinion!
Want more info or need to follow-up? Please visit http://www.integratedhomellc.com and send us a message!
Sincerely,
JW Anderson
President
The Integrated Home
How about Colorado vNet? Virtually unlimited zones since you can can create a zone with just the controller and a pair of speakers. Anything with a line-level out can be a source. Plus there are all kinds of modules for CCTV, security, HVAC control. The lighting is the easiest and most robust I have ever installed. The vieo distribution is a little limited, but still have the capability to hold 4TB of video and has Blu-Ray play-through devices. The controller is a 7” color touchscreen, pretty cool.
Netstreams is the first system that comes to mind. It can handle a virtually unlimited number of zones! You can integrate existing audio on your servers (MP3, WAV, and FLAC, with DRM-free AAC support coming very soon) and have up to 6 independant streams sent throughout the house. They also have HD video distribution options available. The beauty of this system is that it is a 100% TCP/IP system, for audio AND video. Sound and picture quality is unmatched in the industry. Check out http://www.netstreams.com (look under “DigiLinx”) and see what you think!
Take a look at NetStreams. Since we are a completely IP based system and do not require any Matrix switch, we have had dealers who have installed system with more than 80 sources, and several multi-room audio systems that have more than 200 zones.
Another great aspect of our system is that no matter how many zones you have, you use the same amplifiers and equipment for 3 zones or 300 zones no matter the size of your install.
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I’d have to agree with the NetStreams recommendations. It has incredible control capabilities and a system with 48 zones and 16 sources is going to need it. Plus, there are no long speaker runs as it’s all IP to the local amps.
A client in Palo Alto uses their system as an alarm clock in his kids rooms using the automation system. Plus, you can individually set each amp into low-power mode for awesome energy management.
The Colorado vNet is a similar technology and topology but not as uber-integration-friendly. It’s a great system if you’re satisfied with the capabilities they designed from the factory.