Greenfild Whole House Audio with Homeseer

[Mkotlarz]

I have 12 zones of Audio wth speakers pre-wired in my house. Assuming no budget constraints (well keep it under $20k), what whole house audio system would you integrate with Homeseer. I'd prefer if it also had a standalone RF control.

No wired touchscreens please. IP control through PCs is preferred.

Thanks

Mike

[drozwood90]

Rolled my own...including the cost of speakers and sound cards...not including the cost of my time...less than $100 for 8 zones. The 9th is the audio announcer for the whole house. For another $5-7, I can get another zone implemented in a few minutes.

If you wanted to go this route...it's not that hard to do. I'm more then willing to help where I can. So...let's call it $7 / zone more...$121 is under your budget...do you need amplifiers? If so, tack on maybe $20 per zone.

--Dan

[dhayner]

You have my attention.

Following the 'rolled my own' lead,

Been thinking about this lately far more than doing anything about it. Unlike the OP though, I have no prior wiring setup. 4 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, patio, garage. Those are all potential spots I'd like audio to be available to.

Leaving out the actual speakers of probably various types depending on location...

I have two 5.1 channel amps at my disposal, which could equal 10 mono channels or 4 stereo ones, although I suppose only two sources in total depending on hookup.

I'm very curious about your extremely low-cost sounding setup.

[dschoppe]

Mike,

You might check out some of the multi-source, multi-zone products from Russound such as the CAV6.6. Combined with a Russound VM-1, you could also distribute up to 1080p video via CAT5.

Homeseer tech has also written a plug-in for the Russound.

Regards,
Don

[Mkotlarz]

Thanks for the input guys.

Don, do you have any idea which plugin has better functionality/stability the Nuvo or Russound ones?

Thanks

Mike

[Monk]

Low cost alternative.

Rolled my own...including the cost of speakers and sound cards...not including the cost of my time...less than $100 for 8 zones. The 9th is the audio announcer for the whole house. For another $5-7, I can get another zone implemented in a few minutes.

If you wanted to go this route...it's not that hard to do. I'm more then willing to help where I can. So...let's call it $7 / zone more...$121 is under your budget...do you need amplifiers? If so, tack on maybe $20 per zone.

--Dan

Dan - I would like to discuss your methods - not wanting to derail this thread, where the OP is willing to spend serious cash, I could start a another thread..? No PM here - we could move it to CT..

[drozwood90]

Monk,

Great idea! Start a new thread, and then you and dhayner can ask all the questions you want. I'll do my best to answer. Worst case, I can always get on the phone with you and we can discuss. You can always PM me over at CT (same user name).

There was a thread (can't seem to find it) where I explained my setup, in some detail.

EDIT:
http://forums.homeseer.com/showthrea...usb+sound+card

Also, I was able to eliminate the circuit, by using a neat "trick" to get Windows to "see" each soundcard as something different then the default MFTR. name. I also noticed on that thread that I had ~$200. Part of that difference was the cost of the circuit board for "booting" the sound cards properly.

--Dan

[Monk]

Thanks Dan - I will read thru that thread.

[drozwood90]

How-To rename the driver:
http://forums.homeseer.com/showthrea...t=driver+sound

Looks like I have to re-add the screen captures...

Oh well...

OK, enough derailing!

--Dan

[sic0048]

I have 12 zones of Audio wth speakers pre-wired in my house. Assuming no budget constraints (well keep it under $20k), what whole house audio system would you integrate with Homeseer. I'd prefer if it also had a standalone RF control.

No wired touchscreens please. IP control through PCs is preferred.

Thanks

Mike

I'm not aware of any that have built-in RF control. Keep in mind that even though many of the "whole house" systems will have keypads, you are not obligated to install them if you have some other method of control. I've personally set up my system without any keypads, and a system for my parents with just a couple of keypads (like in the master bathroom). In the main rooms, we use other forms of control. Either regular IR remote controls, or touchscreens, UMPCs, etc, etc, etc.

[Monk]

Dan - thanks for pointing me to that thread. I want to avoid using X-10 and / or individually powered speakers.

Not against using PC and individual sound cards however. I will have to purchase an amp, or multiple amps. I plan on having in-wall speakers wire back to a central location, but that could change depending on what I learn.

Will be trolling the threads.

[dschoppe]

Don, do you have any idea which plugin has better functionality/stability the Nuvo or Russound ones?

Mike, sorry I can't speak to this. I have been meaning to install the Russound PI for a while; other projects always seem to take precedence. I think your best bet is to ask for specific input in the Russound and Nuvo forums:

http://board.homeseer.com/forumdisplay.php?f=849
http://board.homeseer.com/forumdisplay.php?f=909

Don