Hi,

I'm looking to install a distributed audio system initially to support radio and CD audio in four locations in my house. I've looked at a number of products (ABUS, Nuvo Simplesse, SPeakercraft, Netstreams etc).

IMO, the weakness of the inexpensive ones like ABUS is the control of the sources- you have a decora volume control/IR receiver, then you need a universal remote to control the source systems.

This, I can solve using the Speakercraft system, or a Xantech 790, or Smartpad system.

However, in researching this, I discovered music servers, and would like to future proof the control system to support menu navigation in the future. Once again, Speakercraft's control and video switching, plus some little LCD TVs would work.

My home theater though is controlled by a Pronto, and I like the idea of touch screen because it allows you more future proofing than fixed buttons. To support a music server type application, you need a video input too.

Xantech makes such a display, SPLCD64v, however it seems to cost around $2500 per location.

When I look around on the web, it looks like you can buy a 7" touchscreen video display for about $450.

Does anyone make a PC based remote control SW package that would allow you to hang such touchscreens and IR receivers and transmitters off a PC, and similar to ProntoEdit make graphics/define buttons etc.

Thanks.

Have you checked out the Home Theater Master MX-3000? It's a very powerful remote. You can see it at: [Link: universalremote.com]



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consultant & Programmer

Might want to give this one a shot

http://www.mplusint.com/

check out www.cinemaronline.com for a flash based high end graphical front end that also works with remotes and touchscreens.