I'm looking for comments on which music and movie server works best to integrate with a whole house dist. audio/video system...say like the B&K CT series. I need to be able to control the server from a user interface (which one?) anywhere in the home.

I have used the CT 610's to distribute whole house audio and video and I am impressed. From a central location I am using a Sony DVD changer to distribute the video and a Pioneer DVD player to distribute the audio (used a dvd player for on screen navigation). From any plasma in the house you can view and control both audio and video with on-screen feedback, rooms without a video source have the CK 1.2's to control the audio.

Good luck,

Just installed our first couple of Escient E2-300's, and it's the first thing I've seen in a long time where every one of our employees who touched it said, "I have to have one of these". (Well, OK, they say that about the Elite 1120, but no one's buying that...) We're doing the DVD one in a couple of weeks, so I'll know more then...

Glad to hear the B&K works well. That is what I plan on using although i haven't used one for video, just audio so far.

would like to know how the Escient works out for you with DVD's, I just read the article on Escients new unit that does both cd and dvd...that's what I want to use for whole house and theater.

We have used the Escient DVD and Fireball units seperatley and they work great, with a great user interface. Havent used the DVDM-300 yet that does both, but it looks like it works the same as the two, just saves space, cables, etc... Highly recommended!

I also use the Frieball CD and DVD mangers, in a distributed systems I use the stand alone units because it is a very possable that someone will want to watch a DVD while someone else listens to a CD. I woud save the combo unit for stand alone media rooms.

Don't know much about most of the servers mentioned as i'm in Australia however i can tell you this much. I have installed the AMX system with crestron control and while easy to use (once it is set up) it has been the subject of numerous problems and the local modules run RED HOT. I do however reccomend it if the client is your best friend and you need an excuse to visit.

Simon.

Audio Request...had its problems at first with hardware...every new unit whe have installed has not had any problems, the Crestron module offers exellent control \ feedback. We have installed one Video Request(controller for Sony ES777 400 disc DVD\CD changer)..also had issues with control at first, seems to be running fine..for almost 1 year.

www.request.com

Alex Chisholm
System Programmer
Integrated Electronics
www.integratedelectronics.com

When you say movie server, do you mean DVD's riped to a hard drive or use a DVD changer controlled by a box like the Escient or Video REquest.

If you mean a server with ripped movies, then there are only a couple choices. Kaleidascape, AMX, and a couple of others. Then the legality of these solutions is in question. Do a search on Kaleidascape and read more.