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Topic:
Controlling 3 cable boxes from 8 TVs
This thread has 19 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 07:57
SMcKinstall
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I'd like to be able to have three cable boxes (His, Hers, Guest) in a rack, then run to a matrix to feed eight TVs. From there, I wanna have the Man of the House walk up to any TV and control HIS cable box. Same for Her.

I'm thinking of using an 8x8 Matrix (with extenders), but I'm not sure how I could control each box. Do I have three remotes and then have to make sure I know where HIS remote is? Can I control it through my cell phone? Ideas?
Post 2 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 08:50
Dawn Gordon Luks
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Look at the TiVo Roamio and Mini's. You can have up to 11 devices connected. They stream Netflix, amazon instant video, Vudu, Youtube and more. They will also stream to IOS and Andriod devices both in the home or anywhere there's a wifi signal.

Can be connected using ethernet or MOCA. Go with the Plus or the Pro.

Very cool.
Post 3 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 09:53
thecynic315
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You will need some kind of control system/RTI/URC to route the IR to the correct box
Post 4 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 10:07
KeithDBrown
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If a customer can afford an 8x8 HDMI matrix a basic control system from Elan, C4, URC or RTI doesn't seem like too much of a stretch. If your customers already have tablets and don't mind using them in lieu of remotes (I don't personally recommend this for frequently used rooms) the cost of the control system should be well below the cost of the matrix.

Regardless of what you use, the customer still needs to be able to easily choose the matrix routing they require, and control their cable box (and up to 5 additional sources) so you will need some sort of universal remote solution. AT LEAST use a base station that allows IR port routing (MRF-350, ProLink.r) but seriously consider stepping up to a real whole home system, and not stretching a single room solution to "make it work."
Post 5 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 10:19
Fred Harding
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Or you could use a Zeevee to modulate, and URC remotes with rf bases to control.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 6 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 10:53
sirroundsound
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I agree with Fred, one of the good HD modulators available will make this pretty simple. (Zeevee or VeCOAX) and then control through URC or RTI remotes.

I have recently upgraded a clients system this way, 4 sources (House and guest Cable, Sat and Apple TV) distributed to 15 TV's throughout a 15K sqft house that was built 20+ years ago.
Used RTI remotes and a couple of their RM433 antennas connected to an XP series controller.
Because they only had 2 brands of TV's I was able to program only 6 remotes. A couple were to stay in a room (such as M Bedroom) and the rest were floaters that would be "shared" as needed in rooms when used. If a guest was staying they would get a remote and control the TV they were using.
Even if the wiring was in place, trying to do this with a Matrix would have been very costly and would have required a lot more programming and remotes.
Post 7 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 11:01
Ernie Gilman
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On November 12, 2014 at 10:19, Fred Harding said...
Or you could use a Zeevee to modulate, and URC remotes with rf bases to control.

RF program distribution sounds terribly primitive compared to matrix switchers, but they do the job very simply. You use the TV tuner to choose which cable box you want to watch. And this works in those houses where an idiot contractor ran one RG6 to each TV, too!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 8 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 16:43
adamav
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On November 12, 2014 at 11:01, Ernie Gilman said...
RF program distribution sounds terribly primitive compared to matrix switchers, but they do the job very simply.

Everything but primitive, he is talking about QAM modulation [Link: zeevee.com]. Easy way to distribute full HD
OP | Post 9 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 21:42
SMcKinstall
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Sorry Fred. ZeeVee won't work on cable box - they are encrypted. Mr Brewster says to look into Key Digital with extenders. Then use MX780's with a MRF-350.
Post 10 made on Wednesday November 12, 2014 at 22:03
adamav
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On November 12, 2014 at 21:42, SMcKinstall said...
ZeeVee won't work on cable box - they are encrypted.

You can always use component, and if you really want HDMI here's this [Link: amazon.com]
In case you are wondering, its not only for HDMI splitting ... ;)
Post 11 made on Thursday November 13, 2014 at 03:49
Ernie Gilman
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On November 12, 2014 at 21:42, SMcKinstall said...
Sorry Fred. ZeeVee won't work on cable box - they are encrypted.

Please explain. I envision taking the HDMI or component output of a cable box and modulating it with the QAM encoders, then distributing a mix of the modulated signals to all TVs. IF your TVs can tune in QAM signals, which I believe is still standard. What is encoded and how does that stop this from working?

Mr Brewster says to look into Key Digital with extenders.

A Key Digital employee?

Then use MX780's with a MRF-350.

Well, YES!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 12 made on Thursday November 13, 2014 at 12:08
sirroundsound
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I believe the Zeevee boxes only deal with "unencrypted" HDMI inputs.
Their web site promotes them more for digital signage.

The VeCOAX modulators seem to work fine for use with Satellite or Cable boxes (at least where I have installed it)

HDMI Matrix switchers work fine (for the most part) if everything going in is new and all the same resolution. Lots of control systems have drivers / profiles or whatever to control most well known brands. But they do add extra costs and programming to a project. And if the client should ever want to add more TV's it can become very expensive.
I have used a few HDMI matrix brands over the years too.

Different projects / control systems and clients will have requirements that can make one way better than the other.
Post 13 made on Thursday November 13, 2014 at 17:53
Dave in Balto
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Ok, my turn to be a bit of a dick. Dude, you've been in this since 2006 and don't know how to do this?

All good options above, I'll throw in JAP, but Zeevee is likely your easiest, simplest, and cheapest solution. Any Universal remote with an IR routable base station will work, will want a remote that will do IR and RF if you can't get wire to each display for emitters.

Good luck
Hey, careful man, there's a beverage here!

The Dude
Post 14 made on Friday November 14, 2014 at 22:01
Proggieus
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If you use any type of modulator you had better hope your client does/will not want to ever watch HBO, or any pay per view.

And be willing to bet that the Cable/Sat company never decides to add hdcp to the rest of their channels.
Post 15 made on Friday November 14, 2014 at 22:36
Dave in Balto
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Also make sure there is no projector, typically they don't have tuners.
Hey, careful man, there's a beverage here!

The Dude
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