Advice for multi-room Audio Video setups

would strongly advise having easy future access to all components to provide for inevitable upgrades. personally, i would not do a multi room system unless all you are looking for is background music; introduces a lot of complexity and compromise for (to me) little added utility. certainly would separate music listening from home theater.

any recommendations on companies? i'm looking to do the same thing.

http://www.bri-tech.com

I'm with CC... the multi-room is more pain than its worth. I don't know why you'd want multi-room video (watching a tv show while running through the house?) and the audio, I think it sjust easier to have a separate system in each.... and then fewer wires, and less hassle with all the routing.

I use Sonos for the sound system. Unlike TV, I actually do appreciate being able to steam my music to multiple "zones" simultaneously and do appreciate using a handheld controller to access my entire mp3 collection from any space.

$100 per apple airport express allows you to stream from single source to as many locations as you want. Obviously, you need to have an amp and speakers at each location but you can spend your money on those as opposed to connectivity. Add airfoil software for radio stations not available on iTunes as well as the ability to drive multiple locations simultaneously. And if you have iPhone, itouch, or iPad you can control the source remotely as well.

Columbia i understand what you are saying but when you are looking for an integrated system apple doesnt cut it. the setup you are talking about is great for rentals or dorm rooms. This is a major purchase as a home and i am going all the way with this one. Columbia, Why are you always blocked on these threads?

We have Sonos - I think it's a waste of $. But I'm not the one listening to music, ever.

What is it that you want to do that the apple won't accommodate?

Jasieg. Gave you some suggestions in your other thread feel free to ask away. Been a Crestron programmer for a long time in the nyc area. Everyone's concerns are accurate but done well, you'll have a blast. I won't lie though.. it's a money pit when you reach the large scale systems. Have a good relationship with your dealer/programmer as changes/tweaks are not always as simple as they seem to a homeowner.

Im very familiar with crestron systems and well aware of the money pit aspect of this type of installation. That is clearly not a concern here. Thank you to all for you help and suggestions.

The apple system can accomodate music, but i am doing a much move involved installation that will control lights, blinds, music, tv, web access on all monitors in the home, security etc. I think back to when i did have an airport express and i know that even listening to music on that was poor.

trust me all i am no stranger to these things, i was really looking for some out of the box ideas.

having had an embarrassing number of various wireless systems over the last 5 yrs, i can tell you that the latest generation of airport expresses are (as with most electronics) light years better than they used to be. no more unexplained drops and weird connectivity issues.

i have a good friend who has the type of whole house system you are describing. he admits to over two miles of wiring (i expect its probably more) for a 2,000 sq ft apartment; has his crestron guy on speed dial and has touch screen remote controls that even he can't remember how to use.

sometimes simple is better.

"I use Sonos for the sound system. Unlike TV, I actually do appreciate being able to steam my music to multiple "zones" simultaneously and do appreciate using a handheld controller to access my entire mp3 collection from any space."

Sonos / airport / whatever systems still require you to have a power amp in each zone. If you have to buy the power amp and speakers in each room, which are the expensive parts of the music system, you might as well get the full functionality with it. A $200 pair of paradigm speakets will blow away what you get in these all in one ipod dock-type systems. It amazes me how much they charge for what are esentially just lousy mini-systems.

btw, most of the modern receivers have dual zone, if you are ok with running wires for two room (only way to not have to buy another power amp, and the sound will be dramatically superior to those all in one thingamajigs)

Try this option for (likely) cheaper, (definitely) better sounding, (infinitely) simple.

For living room, standard receiver / speaker approach.
VSX-1019AH-K 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black)
Paradigm atoms.
You're talking about $500 + $200 for each speaker pair. Will take down a lot of much more expensive systems.
Has dual zone.

For kitchens, bedrooms, bla...
http://versaudio.com/vers2xspec.htm

jasieg16 - Have you heard of the Savant system? It's a whole-house system that can control audio, video, security, blinds, lighting, etc. It's based on Apple so the interface is really easy to navigate and you can use your iPhone or iPad to control everything. IMO, it's better than Crestron bc the control pads, esp. those that are built in to walls, won't look aged in a couple of years. You can always upgrade when a new iPad comes out.

We're using this in our gut reno. We're doing audio, visual, security, lighting and automated shades. One thing we really like about this system is having a centralized A/V closet where all of the cable boxes, dvd players, etc. sit. It eliminates the need to have an entertainment console for each tv to hide these components. Unfortch, I'm not so familiar with the techie side of things so I can't speak to the type of speakers, amps, etc.

In any case, the company has an awesome showroom in Soho, on Prince St. I'd definitely check it out.