I just built a house, and have put TV drops in each room (two cat6 and two coax, mainly for any future expansion). I've got all the wire running to a network closet in my media room where I want to store all the media components (FIOS DVR and receivers, DVD, Boxee box or Netgear media player, router, NAS boxes, etc). I'll mount my TVs on the walls, and don't want any components visible at the TV location.
Here's the question. I would like one or more remotes to be able to control any location, and choose which source will be played on that TV, while not conflicting with another location being used simultaneously (I understand one component can be controlled by only one location at a time, but viewed by several). I've looked at a lot of products, and don't know whether to go RF or IR. I could use a product like
this and an IR blaster for each room, but that could get expensive, and complicated. Finding a RF remote that just has some kind of "Zone" feature to select "Living room" or "Outdoor patio" and then have the list of available components would be great.
Also, I need a receiver that I can plug all these components inputs in to, and all the
HDMI (over Cat 6) output cables to, and then be able to select which component is being viewed by which TV, not to mention any ceiling surround speakers I want to add anywhere (one set in living, one in media room, one in outdoor patio)
Any comments over the
HDMI over Cat6 product I chose would be great. I have heard they are not all created equal, and some receivers and components don't work if they aren't powered.
This is probably easy stuff for some of you guys, but my brain is starting to fry trying to figure this out. I'm sure I'm dreaming up something that is not possible, or outrageously expensive, but I'm still giving it a shot. Any help would be appreciated!!