I am putting together some recommendations on a system for a small non-profit that doesn't have a lot of money, so this solution needs to be simple and inexpensive. Currently they have a simple configuration in place that works pretty well. There is one closed circuit camera that feeds a TV and VCR in another room. Audio comes from the house PA system. This allows remote viewing/listening and/or recording.

The new system will include an expanded audio system with mic mixer, DSP, etc. The VCR will be replaced or augmented with a DVD recorder.

Rather than a single remote viewing location, they want multiple rooms that could potentially recieve the output. I plan to use a distribution amp to support this. However, I'm wondering if it might be better to combine the video and audio by taking the video and audio feeds into the DVD recorder, then outputing from the DVD RF OUT to an RF distribution amp. We could then run a single coax to each of the rooms. In the future they may be bringing in CATV service, which could feed the DVD RF IN and also be distributed through the amp.

I realize that every room will receive the same output, and this is ok, so I don't think a matrix will be needed. The other approach is to keep the audio and video feeds separate and split them through a baseband dist amp. The drawback I see to this design is that we'll need 3 cables for each room, instead of a single coax, and the future CATV won't fo through an amp, unless we add another one at a later time. However, I've heard that this will provide higher quality output than going with the RF approach.

I would appreciate any comments or recommendations. Will the baseband approach provide a significant quality advantage over RF? Are there other issues to consider and am I missing anything here?

I appreciate any input.
JBE

I would go the Coax route. It will save a TON of time and money.

You may have a future issue that makes it a little difficult to combine the CATV due to digital.. blah blah.. could go on and on about that... no matter what, it will cost you time and money real fast.
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You should run a spare coax and or Cat 5 to each of the TV locations and don't bother to terminate them or anything fancy.

COAX- In the future you could avoid all combining troubles (if present) by feeding CATV to each room on separate coax and using an A/B switch at the TV.

CAT-5- In the future you could use baluns to send base band or even RGB etc.

Either way, you will have the most cost effective and flexible solution, as well as a wire or two that's SURE to be used for some purpose in the future.

Not to mention, you'll leave the job knowing it's done right, they won't have a problem in the future, you actually made money and saved frustration for both parties both now and in the future.

I thought about the digital issue, but I think we'll just deal with if we need to when the time comes. We will be running cat5 to the rooms.

The A/B switch is an interesting idea.

One other thing on this configuration. All the equipment will be in a rack in a closet. One of the equipment suppliers recommended an IR extender to provide remote control. I suggested using an RF extender for the remote, but they said they always had problems with these.

What are the issues with RF remote control? Seems simpler and more flexible than stringing a line through the wall to make the IR function.

JBE

RF will cost you and they much more, and won't work well over any distance..... ir simple.

Jay, I'll buy you a couple of vowels and some consonants if you will go back and finish that sentence.

RF can work very well, but from what I have been seeing lately, RTI remotes seem to have the most bulletproof RF system. I have used Marantz and Pronto, and they are pretty good; I am staying away from URC because of complaints I have see in the URC forum on this site. I did one URC install and the RF worked...but the home theater system did not work through the antenna in the room until I connected the second antenna that was forty feet away...and it worked with or without the local antenna connected, so maybe the local was just defective. Don't know. It worked and I quit worrying about it.

RF can also be a bit slow, requiring longer button pushes. IR by wire is my preferred mode unless there is a plasma in the room where the IR sensor is. Then all bets are off on IR because I have not yet seen a plasma-proof sensor that works all the time. I said all the time.