thanks for all the responses
Let me clarify things a bit (hopefully)
My home is under construction at present time, the sub will begin pulling wire Monday. I have some experience in networking, but absolutely none in home media. I've been scratching my head trying to figure a way to INTEGRATE the network and whole home audio/video...all the while not fully knowing what's available out there.

Yes homenet, you are right...its just the kids computers with mp3 and possibly video...they don't really need a high end system...my thinking was that it would be a lot "cleaner" to have wall mount speakers in their rooms, and avoid the desktop sound system. Obviously if this is going to involve pulling line level back to a multizone amp, then its probably not such an elegant solution.

Avdude, you mentioned you would not reccomend a system like this...probably because of the line level feed? Or other reasons...like better way to skin a cat?

I think the best thing to do now is focus on the wire...make sure all based are covered...drywall is going up later this week...I do want to keep things as flexible as possible...and yes...I was interested in doing a true multizone system.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions... BTW...are there any websites that explain this stuff...?primers?

you've got mail

In this stage of the game, I would second avdude's advise. Putting in the extra wire now would be very wise. We are just seeing the whole networkable A/V in the mainstream, there is certainly going to be more to come in the near future. But I would still not recommend wiring that is relying on ethernet to do it all. By pulling the speaker and shielded wire, you will be pretty much set for most any system you decide to finish out with. Sound to me like you have a handle on the Cat5. Happy designing!

Check www.crestron.com. They have some good equipment for handling this plus great diagrams and app notes.

let's play a game...

how many more people can miss the fact the cowboy is trying to avoid spending huge bucks, and doesn't want keypads?

avdude

Here's a possible solution...Nothing I've used yet, but I'm looking into for roughly the same application.

cd3o: a network device that pulls mp3 files from a computer, and plays them through analog or digital (depending on model) to your a/v receiver.

I've read that you can have multiple cd3o units, and can control one unit from several computers.

They start at $129 retail, so not that expensive. HP also makes a version of this.

Again, I have not used one, but I'm about ready to give it a try. cd3o.com

Mike

1 Word Barix exstreamer, ok 2 words...
[Link: barix.com]

This will connect to a PC and access any pc or remote drive to pull in MP3 or wav. It connects like a rack component, and has a web page in it (its a server) to see what you are listining to. It is really a cheapway to go.

Cool little box Obiwan. DO you have one?

More words,
Prismiq, and ROKU.
jcmitch

http://www.prismiq.com/

http://www.rokulabs.com/