Archive for category Multiroom Audio (MRA)
Sonos introduces S5 self contained zone player
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on October 15, 2009
Sonos has definitely become popular over the past few years, and their latest entry is sure to bring more people to their products. In the past, powered speakers were still needed for each zone of audio. The new S5 includes 5 powered speakers so this is no longer an issue. The unit also contains an iPod dock, but it is not needed for playback, the unit can also stream directly from iTunes. Visually the unit reminds of the BOSE Wave or SoundDock systems. The good news is all of this new functionality is offered at a price point of $399. We’ll be interested to see how this takes off, but with the retro market becoming more popular, and the increased interest of multi-room audio systems, it’s sure to be a hit!
Atlona introduces affordable 8×8 composite Audio/Video matrix switch
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on October 14, 2009
Atlona announced yesterday it has added the AT-AV0808N to their line of matrix switchers. Although it is technically listed as a composite audio/video switch, it can also be used as a video only HDTV switch. The device takes up only a single rack space and supports control via RS-232, so it is compatible with most automation systems. This may just make it into my setup since I was looking for a low cost way to switch audio coming out of the pass through of my existing MRA system to zones that are already powered by an A/V receiver. Best part is, it sports a MSRP of only $699. Click the read link for full details.
Russound to Acquire Colorado vNet
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on October 5, 2009
Russound has just announced their plan to acquire Colorado vNet, which we reported earlier this week was “Closed for Restructuring”. The terms of the deal have not been made public, but Colorado vNet will retain its name and still be based in Colorado. The deal is targeted to be complete by October 31st. I’m happy to see this come through for them. As I mentioned before, I thought it was a pretty cool product line. It will be interesting to see if any of Colorado vNet’s IP distribution technology will make it into the Russound product line, who recently introduced their power line based “Collage” system.
The Newest Addition to the Family
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA), Personal on October 1, 2009
Today I purchased a Crestron Adagio AES to add to my system. I’m pretty pumped about it because I finally get to fill the MRA needs missing from the house. For those of you that are unfamiliar, the Adagio series is as close to “Out of the box” that Crestron offers. It includes 10 inputs going to 6 outputs, 12×45w amplifier, plus source pass through for zone expansion (max of 36) and zone line outs in case you want to use a larger amp or receiver to power your speakers. The model I purchased also includes an internal FM and XM tuner. Once it arrives and is racked, I’ll post some pics!
Colorado vNet closes for “Restructuring”
Posted by Dave in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 28, 2009
It seems Colorado vNet has closed its doors (although their are no signs of it from their website). Although their voicemail says they are closed for restructuring, a forum over a CEPro has already been set up for dealers to help other dealers. Quite a few of the posts seem to be dealers trying to liquidate their stock. I’m a bit disappointed in this. When I saw them at EHX last year, I was actually impressed. I would consider it a product geared more towards builder grade applications, but I thought the in wall capacitive touchscreens with an integrated amp was pretty cool. The ability to also print custom designs for their lighting switches with ordinary photo paper was also unique, although a bit gimmicky. We’ll keep you updated in case we hear if they ever complete their “restructuring” but we’re not holding our breath.
ReQuest adds Internet Radio to F.Series Media Servers
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 8, 2009
With recent additions of YouTube, Hulu and Netflix streaming, ReQuest media servers already have an advantage over most of their competitors, but now they have added even more. ReQuest recently announced they would be adding access to over 50,000 Internet radio stations on their F.Series media servers. The new feature will be accessible through their slick on-screen interface, as well as through 3rd party systems such as Crestron and AMX via modules provided by ReQuest (always a nice touch for us programmers!). One of the other cool features I love about the ReQuest products is that they store their media with dual encodings. Music is stored as both a full fidelity WAV file for playing at home, while an mp3 version is also created for use when syncing with your iPod. Keep it coming ReQuest!
Logitech adds Squeezebox Touch
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA), Software on September 8, 2009
Logitech will shortly be releasing its latest addition to the Squeezebox line, the Squeezebox Touch. For those unfamiliar with the Squeezebox line, they are basically music streamers, that also have access to multiple online content providers such as Pandora, Last.fm, and other Internet radio sources. Connected to your stereo or a set of powered speakers, they offer a reasonably priced and attractive alternative to more costly multi room audio systems, or the popular Sonos system. This latest incarnation offers a 4.3″ color touchscreen interface, Ethernet and wireless b/g connections, and the ability to play from a local SD card. An optional wall mount will be available giving the device a bit more custom look when installed. Although I’ve never owned one of these devices, they have always intrigued me. Using SqueezeCenter(formerly SlimServer) 3rd party automation products such as Charmed Quark can control the individual players. Plus, I’ve just always liked products that allow developers such as myself to tinker and write our own apps.
Nuvo Technologies pimps its Renovia retrofit MRA solution at CEDIA
Posted by Dave in Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 4, 2009
With the new home buiding market in a slump, CE companies are exploring new areas in their product lines. One such product is the Renovia line from Nuvo Technologies. Basically its a mixture of Power Line Carrier technology streaming the sound, then a local wall mounted amp that runs to both the keypad and speakers. Power for the amp would presumably come from piggy backing off of a local wall recepticle. We caught a glimpse of it at EHX this past year, and it was probably one of our favorite products. It looks like they may have some new products to add to the line this year, so we’ll keep you posted.
Crestron slates new Prodigy products for November release
Posted by admin in Announcements, Hardware, Multiroom Audio (MRA) on September 2, 2009
Crestron recently introduced their line of affordable products with their Prodigy Series. We consider these to be a competitor to the growing popularity of Control 4. They have adapted some of the same concepts such as propriety hardware, zigbee based wireless communication (making it perfect for the retrofit market), and a wizard based configuration process, thus reducing both product and programming costs to the end user. While the foundation of the Prodigy line is available this month, a quick view of the Crestron site shows the introduction of two new products for November. First, the PAMP-4X100 Multi-Zone amplifier allows six sources to be piped to 4 rooms, each with 50 watts per channel. Using the loop through connections, this system can be expanded up to 12 rooms. Next up is the PT-AMFMXM, an AM/FM/XM tuner. Selection of presets and viewing of meta data is available on the PTL4 in wall touchscreen as well as the PLX2 2-way RF handheld remote. In addition, the tuner is controllable via apps designed for the iPhone and iTouch. We’re excited to see how this line of products takes off compared to Control 4. Pricing is comparable, but our only gripe is Prodigy’s incompatibility (at least as of now) with their flagship product line. We think it would be a huge step up from Control 4 if you at least had the option to start with Prodigy, then move to one of the larger systems if the client so chooses, but then again, that may defeat the whole purpose of the simplicity of the line.
First Things First!
Before I get things started, I thought I’d take time to introduce you to my own personal system. Eventually I will add some pics, but for now you’ll all have to use your imaginations. Currently I have everything centralized to an equipment “Closet” in our media room that holds two Middle Atlantic 43 space Slim 5 racks. Although they are far from full, they are getting there. The heart of my system is MainLobby by Cinemar. It has been the lifeblood of my my home since about 2003 and I couldn’t imagine not having it. The house currently has 10 zones of audio, four surround sound systems including a dedicated home theater with a 96″ screen. Everything is piped through a Neothings matrix switch. Windows 7 Media Center is the center of my audio/video distribution and is handled by a combination of Linksys dma2100s and Microsoft Xbox 360s. I still have a Toshiba HDA2 HD-DVD (I know, I know, obsolete) and a Sony DBP-350 blu ray. A Wii is pumped through the matrix swtich, and through use of several wireless sensor bars, you can play a game in almost any room of the house. I am relying on Z-Wave for lighting now as my other ventures have failed (ok, I really only tried UPB). I have a mixture of handheld remotes, samsung q1 umpcs, and 12″ inwall touch screens. An elk system acts as the watchdog of the house, and also monitors two HAI thermostats. Finally, as of this week I have purchased two Crestron Pro processors that I hope to migrate my system over to. I plan to still heavily rely on MainLobby for graphics and the frontend, but I will have the crestron do the heavy lifting (more to come on this topic!). Well that about sums up my starting point, and hopefully gives all of you a baseline for all of my posts. Trust me, this site is not going to be all about me, but I thought it would be best to let you know where I’m coming from.