tldr:
6 HDMI Inputs
3 TVs with separate receivers, additional 10 Audio Zones
Need any input to play on any output
Looking at 6x8 HDMI matrix attached to a 6x12 audio matrix
Any ideas?
I just moved into a house and definitely have the itch to start playing w/ Home Automation. Got some light switches and some snazzy scripts to control them, so now it's time to start thinking about audio/video.
As of now the input sources are scattered across 2 locations in the house. We're beginning a remodel and I'll be relocating them to a media closet. Currently I've got 5 input sources, but would like to have room for 6. As of now it's 2 Chromecasts, 2 cableboxes and a PS4. I'd like these inputs to be able to be shared in any zone. A perfect example is so I could watch TV in the family room and listen to it in the kitchen and outside while my wife listens to Pandora via Chromecast in the Nursery.
The house currently has speakers in 5 zones, although I'd like to add a few additional zones. The end goal would be 7 indoor zones and 3 outdoor zones. There are also 3 TVs that should be fed from the sources mentioned. These zones will have dedicated receivers and speakers to power them. If I want to blast some music, I'll use the family room receiver with it's big *** speakers and sub. I wouldn't mind starting w/ 6 zones and expanding from there.
As to controlling, we don't want keypads, or at least we don't think we do. Do we? I don't even think we want to use our phones. I'd like to control via Google Home, Alexa, or a separate remote control via Z-Wave. Maybe double tap a light switch to turn on/off/switch inputs. I can handle the scripting behind this, just need to ensure the matrices can be controlled via IR/RS-232.
One part I'm completely clueless about is how much power the speakers might need. The indoor zones I mentioned all are ceiling speakers in 8' walls. Is 20w enough to power something like them? I don't plan on cranking these zones to loud volumes, they're more for background music. I realize the outdoor speakers might need more power and wouldn't be opposed to giving them their own amps.
So from what I've gathered I'm going to need some expensive stuff. Seems like I'll need a 6x8 matrix just for video. 3 of the outputs will control my 3 receivers & TVs. The other 5 outputs will be hooked up to an audio matrix. [edit I just realized things like the cablebox have separate lineouts and I can probably use some HDMI audio extractors to minimize the number of needed HDMI outputs]. I realize I'm short an input on the audio side, but I don't think I'll ever need the PS4 to play on anything but one of the TVs. So that's kinda convenient. Which means that the audio matrix will need to support at least 6 zones with the hope that it can support 10, or be expandable so I can daisy chain a second one to it.
I've spent most of my time looking at an audio matrix. It's a good starting point for me without having to go all-in. I've looked at Russound's CAA-66, MCA-66 and MCA-88. I've also seen HTD's MCA-66 and Lync12 systems. Any others I should look at?
As for video, I'm looking for something that can do 4K w/ HDR (HDMI 2.0a). I've been thinking of trying a pure HDMI over IP solution but would also be comfortable w/ a true HDMI matrix. But damn, these buggers are expensive for something that'll do 6x8. I've thought about daisy chaining some switches and splitters together, but I think that might be more of a mess than it'll save money-wise.
So... does this sound crazy? Anyone have any tips? I know this ain't going to be cheap, but I'm also hoping to not blow the bank on it.
Thanks!
6 HDMI Inputs
3 TVs with separate receivers, additional 10 Audio Zones
Need any input to play on any output
Looking at 6x8 HDMI matrix attached to a 6x12 audio matrix
Any ideas?
I just moved into a house and definitely have the itch to start playing w/ Home Automation. Got some light switches and some snazzy scripts to control them, so now it's time to start thinking about audio/video.
As of now the input sources are scattered across 2 locations in the house. We're beginning a remodel and I'll be relocating them to a media closet. Currently I've got 5 input sources, but would like to have room for 6. As of now it's 2 Chromecasts, 2 cableboxes and a PS4. I'd like these inputs to be able to be shared in any zone. A perfect example is so I could watch TV in the family room and listen to it in the kitchen and outside while my wife listens to Pandora via Chromecast in the Nursery.
The house currently has speakers in 5 zones, although I'd like to add a few additional zones. The end goal would be 7 indoor zones and 3 outdoor zones. There are also 3 TVs that should be fed from the sources mentioned. These zones will have dedicated receivers and speakers to power them. If I want to blast some music, I'll use the family room receiver with it's big *** speakers and sub. I wouldn't mind starting w/ 6 zones and expanding from there.
As to controlling, we don't want keypads, or at least we don't think we do. Do we? I don't even think we want to use our phones. I'd like to control via Google Home, Alexa, or a separate remote control via Z-Wave. Maybe double tap a light switch to turn on/off/switch inputs. I can handle the scripting behind this, just need to ensure the matrices can be controlled via IR/RS-232.
One part I'm completely clueless about is how much power the speakers might need. The indoor zones I mentioned all are ceiling speakers in 8' walls. Is 20w enough to power something like them? I don't plan on cranking these zones to loud volumes, they're more for background music. I realize the outdoor speakers might need more power and wouldn't be opposed to giving them their own amps.
So from what I've gathered I'm going to need some expensive stuff. Seems like I'll need a 6x8 matrix just for video. 3 of the outputs will control my 3 receivers & TVs. The other 5 outputs will be hooked up to an audio matrix. [edit I just realized things like the cablebox have separate lineouts and I can probably use some HDMI audio extractors to minimize the number of needed HDMI outputs]. I realize I'm short an input on the audio side, but I don't think I'll ever need the PS4 to play on anything but one of the TVs. So that's kinda convenient. Which means that the audio matrix will need to support at least 6 zones with the hope that it can support 10, or be expandable so I can daisy chain a second one to it.
I've spent most of my time looking at an audio matrix. It's a good starting point for me without having to go all-in. I've looked at Russound's CAA-66, MCA-66 and MCA-88. I've also seen HTD's MCA-66 and Lync12 systems. Any others I should look at?
As for video, I'm looking for something that can do 4K w/ HDR (HDMI 2.0a). I've been thinking of trying a pure HDMI over IP solution but would also be comfortable w/ a true HDMI matrix. But damn, these buggers are expensive for something that'll do 6x8. I've thought about daisy chaining some switches and splitters together, but I think that might be more of a mess than it'll save money-wise.
So... does this sound crazy? Anyone have any tips? I know this ain't going to be cheap, but I'm also hoping to not blow the bank on it.
Thanks!
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