We are still at the planning stage with the installer but I am trying to understand how the AV receivers are controlled.

The AVRs will get their audio from a HDBT matrix switch.

An RTI XP8s will control everything and all equipment (exept the tvs and speakers) will be in a large "ugly" rack hidden from my wife view.

1
It is my understanding that the AVRs are controlled by either RS232 or IP control. Is this correct?

2
Are their any advantages for me or the installer to using either RS232 or IP control?

3
Does any AVR that is advertised as a "network" receiver in that it has a RJ45 ethernet plug in back panel have the ability to be IP controlled by the XP8? Or is there something I need to look for to ensure that it is possible.

4
Can I run two identical AVRs without overcomplicating the system or would it be preferable to get two different models form the same product line?

5
Any suggestions for bottom-mid range receivers that would be simple to integrate? (Only require 5.1 or 7.1)

Cheers for any help,

What receiver are you planning to use? For example some people have had issues turning on marantz via IP so that's better done Serial, then integra IP, then some revivers don't have driver so need to be IR

You can add multiple instances of any driver to allow control of multiple of the same device.

If you feel like you're in over your head a little bit shoot me an email, [email protected] as a dealer I'd be happy to help

We use Middle Atlantic racks for our Installs, and I have yet to have it described
as "ugly" when the install is done. Actually, it is just the opposite,and it gets me
job referrals quite often.
[Link: middleatlantic.com]

I would think that your installer would also be planing on using the XP-8s to control the TV's also, at least he should be.

Depending on the rooms that the AVR's will be used for, it is no problem using
two identical AVR's. If on the other hand one room was a dedicated theater room, I would not be using the same product, but would be using product
from the same manufacturer.
For what it's worth, I use IP for my AVR at home and after everything is set up
correctly, it works great. I have yet to use IP control for a clients AVR, and always seem to opt for RS232
I also have no problem using IR if there is a input for it on the back of the receiver, and there is no need for 2 way feedback. This is also how I control
Blu-ray players.

Your best bet is to use the products that your installer is familiar with, and uses on a constant basis.

I use both IP and RS232 for control. Unless I am out of serial ports, or the receiver is only reachable via IP I will always default to RS232 control, it is by far the most stable method.  That said The lower cost denons and Marantz units should never be controlled via IP as their network interfaces suck. However, they do not have a serial interface either so that is a pickle, therefore avoid the lower cost models unless you are using strictly IR. The higher end receivers are much more stable with IP, but by no means perfect. If however, you have to use IP to get a control signal to a receiver then use an ESC-2 connected to the receivers serial port as this is way more stable than just connecting to the receivers network port directly.

Firstly, is your installer not recommending products for your job ?

As an installer, I recommend a variety of products due to cost, situation, and control system etc.

You are asking all the right questions, which is great, but the person installing this should be putting you at ease with your questions.

1. There are many different type of AVR's on the market, some are only IR (some have a jack in the rear others have to have eye on the front), some RS232, some IP.

2. Yes there can be a difference, depending on make and model.

Do you have any makes or models on your quote ?

3. No, it doesn't. There needs to be a proper control infrastructure built on the IP side. Something a good RTI programmer should know.

4. Yes you can, as long you use separate IR/RS232 ports you can use 8 of the same equipment (excluding the use of esc-2's and PCM-4's)

5. I utilise Arcam AVR's for the better quality of audio and Pioneer for the lower end. Both allow me two way feedback to give information back to RTI keypads and iPads, like volume level source selected etc.

If you truly care about rack esthetics, you should look at omni mount and middle atlantic's line of prebuilt racks. The omni mount comes with side panels, tinted glass door, and even a cooling fan kit in the top panel!

Where are you located? Mind me asking who the installing company is?

Hello!
Let me join to this thread.
Sorry for my english.
Im also new rof RTI, but i like it.
So, the question is: may i see the meta tags, or track names on my T3-V+, if i listen music from Pioneer VSX-921?
I'd like to use AirPlay on Pioneer and to get music from the NAS (Synology or Qnap) with audio service, such, as iTunes server on it.
Is it possible to choose tracks directly on T3-V+?

Their is a driver for the pioneer vac series receivers that supports airplay. You need an XP series processor to use the driver with your t3v+. The remote does have the ability to do track names and info, browsing of music libraries, and if you connect the remote to wifi even cover art.

However I do not sell pioneer and have never used the driver. Although I'd assume the driver supports all of these functions, I don't know for certain. If you download the driver you could look at it or the demo file and figure it out.

Ok! Thank you very much!
Of course, i'll use the processor with my t3v+

Trust in your installer