SBS - I'm really curious why you are considering this route. Sonos seems to be a solid solution for you and what your clients want. I'm curious if there was been some integration or other type requests that have come up that has made you look into doing a little more integration.

My move to Total Control was based on shopping for a new control system foremost.  I need sensors and relays so Complete Control just didn't cut it anymore and I was also ready to start using IP for control.

So far TC seems to tick most of the boxes for my control needs, but that got me thinking more about audio after seeing the DMS products.  Sonos has been my go-to for a long time (the founder & previous CEO would regularly refer work to me).  The new Sonos integration (as basic as it is) with Lutron has really helped, but Sonos with video zones has always been tricky to deal with and a bunch of Sonos Connects and amplification takes up a lot of rack space for homes with more than 8-10 zones.

I ran the numbers for a 12-zone music system with DMS vs. Sonos and the DMS system is less expensive even with fairly inexpensive amps paired with the Sonos.  Not really apples to apples because of sources (DMS system included 2 SNP2 & 2 Sonos Connects).

i hear ya. I use Sonos for home with stand alone Surround Sound and no other significant integration.

Homes getting full lighting control, some shades and other integration get a DA solution with Sonos as a source. For me that's Crestron, but that's just because i've been doing crestron for awhile now.

You've had so much success really limiting your integration, often i think that I should step back and follow your path more. That's why I was mostly curious what sorts of things are making you want to have more integration control. What do you need sensors for and such.

Same goes for IP control, its nice but at the same time it creates a failure point where an emitter or 232 control wouldn't.

SBS,
please just do C4. Please.

Can't you just do the DMS grouping by creating a scene? My rep seemed to state that is what he does.

Ranger, when you say there is minimal delay, your post is referring to the difference between TV speakers and that coming from DMS. But, are there any lip sync issues while watching dialog on the TV along w/ that minimal delay from TV audio routed through DMS?

While DMS can possibly be a cheaper overall cost vs Sonos/amps, like SBS mentioned, it also depends on what is being used in the video zones. If previously utilizing Playbars, Sub, and Tc-Fit brackets/grill, for a more budget solution in video zones compared to receiver/custom soundbar, I see the video zones then costing more using other solutions w/DMS, no?

How reliable has the SNP2 been for music playback, speed of selecting music, etc? Any pitfalls?

Realize that you can control the Playbar's in TC. Just not sure if there would then be any delay on Playbar vs DMS (W/Sonos connect) . Will be meeting URC engineer tomorrow so if there is anything related to Sonos integration with DMS/URC let me know I'll i'll try and get some answers.

IMT, there is no noticable delay lip syncing. I have dozens of jobs with DMS and TV's. No complaints. Its not noticeable enough to worry about. Thats my experience.

I believe that this will be addressed. for the DMS, with next TC version.

Since I just started pretty much with TC, I haven't had a chance to see URC's GUI for Sonos and how it compares to the Sonos app feature wise, ease of use, etc.

I have gone back and forth with possibly incorporating a DMS-1200 on a project with Sonos. I was going to keep Sonos separate and thought maybe I could program TC to treat the DMS-1200 like a multi-channel amp vs. non-matrix by setting fixed volume and assigning each connect input/stream to an individual room. Thus, just controlling from the Sonos app only. Then hiding any reference to DMS in the URC mobile app/remotes. But... starting to wonder if there are holes in that logic like, if there was a power failure would it all be messed up or something else that could mess up playback, since the DMS is really a matrix. Any thoughts on this?

every sonos install i have done, not many, by choice, has ALWAYS been a source input into DMS. not sure i am understanding your question. from there you can use the sonos app or the crappy TC sonos module.

Per my post above, Sonos use will be 100% controlled/used through the Sonos app only. Especially due to the feature set of the Sonos App, ability to play music off device and the fact that there are existing playbars. So grouping etc would have to be done via sonos app anyway.

Would typically use regular multi-channel amp like the Parasound w/ Connects for the other distributed audio. Was planning on using TC just for control of the video and sources in video zones.

However, was wondering if there was a way to use the DMS-1200 instead and make it operate like a regular multi-channel amp for use in this scenario. My thought process was if the URC Sonos control and App improves and evolves in the future I can move in that direction, as the project expands down the road.

You are comparing something that is largely issue free with a "how do you think this will work?" option.

I believe the most important product we sell is reliability. I don't want to be speed dialed every week for recurring problem. If you do this, it may work, but be sure the client is within 20 minutes of your shop!

You are 100% right. I was over thinking things and part of that was due to the fact that even though I was approved and sold TC previously through Distro, I now have to sign up direct and the opening order. I might still bring in a DMS to test and play with on my end.

imt, I may not be understanding your question. Using a DMS-1200 as a mutli-channel amp is using it the way it was designed. It IS a multichannel amp. To me, its pretty much the crown jewel of a TC system. Pretty flawless and easy to work with. (aside from not being able to group zones via a macro, yet!).

If your goal is to power speakers, have sonos as an input and use the sonos app, I'm not seeing where an issue exist? Am I'm missing something? Maybe you are wanting sonos amps and use grouping in the sonos app?

What I mean by Multichannel amp is a multi-zone amp like a Parasound 1250, Snap 45Wx12ch Amp, Audiocontrol Director series, where you can connect a Sonos Connect to the local input ( For single zone) or input Bus (typically A or B) for sharing across multiple zones/speakers. Dedicated Sonos Connect for each room/zone and all volume and grouping is handled in the Sonos App.

The DMS-1200 is a multi-Channel Matrix Amp. The inputs are converted to streams. All connections of input to Output(s) are in the TC software. If I didn't want to use TV for control of Sonos period or use the Sonos App, I would have to program TC, if possible, to set Input1 (Kitchen Connect) on the DMS to be set to Kitchen Speakers. Input2 (Dining room Connect) Set to Dining Room Speakers, etc. This wat the DMS-1200 is operating more like a Zone Amp. But... Not sure that can be done in a macro somehow so its always set this way no matter what. Thus, power failure etc would always keep the inputs set to particular speaker outputs. My brain in fuzzy today from all the coffee so not sure if I am making sense.

imt- did you ever figure out your situation above? I have a similar situation and would love to know........any info on it would be much appreciated