A system we're working on requires 9 separate zones, 3 of which will be surround with plasmas. All equipment will be kept central, except for the plasmas and a local DVD player in each room.

So I need a processor that will supply 5.1 to 3 rooms independently, discretely controllable (IR or 232)

The only unit I know of is ADA's Silk (disc.), which would have blown the budget out of the water anyways. We've considered 3 separate receivers, but available rack space prevents it.

Any suggestions, links, etc. appreciated. If you think I'm S.O.L, you can say that too.

thanks,

Doug

You don't have enough remaining rack space for three surround receivers? And a tight budget? Yes, by all appearances you are in fact Out of Luck.

Crestron makes a surround processor with digital in, and three of those would be independently controllable. The amps to power the three surround zone plus these processors would take up way more space than three surround receivers. Big $$.

Ask for more rack space and more money. If they give you one of the two, you're that much further ahead.

Doug,

What about three small processors (2unit spcing) then several multi-channel amps? wouldn't be much smaller than three AV receivers, but maybe a little....

avdude
site sdmin
www.integrationpros.com

Please let me know what you find. I've just started working on a design that is almost the same. 14 zones, 2 of them 5.1 surround sound, maybe enough rack space and a very tight budget.

I've come up with nothing that doesn't kill the budget. I need all 3 rooms to share common sources, most of which use component video. The smallest solution is 3 ADA Suite7.1s and 16-ch amp, and a KeyDigital component matrix. Well over 10k.

Anthem makes a nice 3-zone receiver, but only 1 is 5.1.

Panasonic makes a small(under 3" high) surround receiver with a digital amplifier in it that should do the trick. I believer each is two rack spaces. Here's the link:

[Link: catalog2.panasonic.com]

I believe a few other companies are also building similiar units.

Jason

phs...

good call, I forgot about the new digital avr's

Harmon/Kardon and NAD both make similiar 2 space units...

avdude
site admin
www.integrationpros.com

I doubt the Panasonics meet the discrete IR requirement. Also, it might not be wise specifying components that can be had all over the Web for $290.

I think Theaterworks made a point that was missed. 9 separate zones, 3 Plasmas and surround sound systems. This is obviously someone that cares about home entertainment. Whoever sold the job needs to explain what is needed in terms of space and access. Otherwise you wind up putting in components because they fit, not because they work well, sound good or integrate well. Like Panasonic receivers.

And leaving yourself open to criticism from the next pro that sees the system; "I'm amazed that they installed such low-brow gear. I would have suggested a better set of components, much more in keeping with the rest of this fine house...." Your client will forget that they kept you under an unrealistic budget and that you broke you butt trying to meet it.

Listen to me go on about this; I've done the same thing a dozen times. :-) And tried to learn.....

This was posted over on the AVSforum and was one of the reasons I reccomended the Panasonic gear. Go to the August 2003 article.

[Link: newformresearch.com]

The Panasonic has some abilities that lend to a system like this. Size is one. As far as discrete codes, that is still up in the air. Panasonic has them for just about every TV, DVD, and VCR they have made in the last two years, so they may exist for the Recievers as well. This is only for for information, it is up to the installer to choose what works for them and for their client. As far as reading into the system design, I didn't see anything relating to how "high-end" the system needs to be. Rather the opposite, I saw that a 10k solution was way over budget. I would love to reccomend some high-end product, but size and control were the issues. This meets one of those requirements.

Jason

One of my favorite clients, B & K, make surround processors and receivers that are IR addressable WITHOUT any IR routing. You can internally assign a new set of IR codes to each B & K receiver so that each responds only to commands for its zone.

Additionally, the B & K products have the same feature via RS232 should you be using a control system with RS232 ports.

Best Regards,

-Eric

Eric Johnson
www.hometheaterpro.com

Phone 1-800-247-7001