The guys over at ecoustics.com have reviewed the Sonos wireless mutliroom audio system
"Sonos miraculously simplifies whole-house audio. You don't need to be a computer expert, you don't need to be an electrician, you don't need to know someone who is either, and you don't even need to hire an installer. Plus you don't need anything pre-wired. Sounds too good be true, doesn't it? But the Sonos system was really that simple to setup and start using...
Keith Doxeys very successful KAT5 modules have been upgraded to a new "Mark2" version. High quality, affordable AV distribution has just got even easier thanks to the added functionality of the new units. Keith hopes to start shipping the KAT5 Mk2's in June 2005. Many people have already ordered the new units, and for the first time Keith has outsourced their production meaning long lead times will become a thing of the past. Read the KAT5 press release below for some of the exciting new features of the Mk2's...
We've just received this news on an interesting product that distributes audio over the homes existing mains...
The easiest and most affordable solution to multiroom audio. No drilling of walls, no spaghetti of cables, no complicated wireless network settings. Just connect a Powerline Audio device to your hi-fi or active speakers in each room, plug into a wall socket, push a button to set the channel ... and you have a house full of music...
This looks like a very nice IP based whole house audio system. The in-wall touchscreen controllers look superb and there's a link to a UK distributor too.
"NetStreams' DigiLinX IP-Based Multi-Room Audio distribution offers super high quality multi-room audio and control. The DigiLinX system distributes audio over CAT5e using TCP/IP on a segmented section of an Ethernet network - the Home Entertainment Network, with no additional networking equipment requirements. DigiLinX converts audio from a legacy source, in real-time, into uncompressed audio streams (.WAV), allowing up to 24-bit/96kHz, studio quality audio to be distributed throughout a home or commercial facility. The level of audio performance is limited only by the quality of the source material...
A nice little "How To" article..."For any build project, the primary consideration is the purpose for which the box will be used. This server has the job of acting as a secondary media server to support streaming MP3 music files around an office, with, perhaps, some Web-serving duties, too...
The new JVC AV Switcher is reviewed on About Home Theater...
"One of the constant problems encountered by both home theater and video editing enthusiasts is having a logically organized way to hookup everything in their systems. The constant battle with cable clutter, dust, and re-connecting and re-arranging components everytime a new component is added is a real bother. However, JVC may have come to the rescue with its JX-S777 A/V Switcher that does more than you expect.
The JVC JX-S777 is a comprehensive audio/video switcher and signal router. The unit can be operated both from the front panel or the provided remote control. Features include:
Eight A/V inputs and Five A/V outputs (can be either composite or S-Video).
Two component video inputs paired with digital audio inputs.
One component video output paired with digital audio output.
Three i-Link (Firewire/IEEE-1394) digital video input/output connectors.
Composite to S-Video conversion or S-Video to composite video conversion...
Another new Home Media centre device, providing streamed audio and video playback from PCs across a LAN and over the Net, as well as DVD playback and PVR functions with its built-in hard drive...
"The KiSS DP-558 DVD Player has it all. It can offer playback of many different formats, from DVD, Video with DivX 3.11, 4 and 5 and MPEG-4, or Audio with MP3, Standard Audio CDs and Ogg Vorbis, or Pictures with JPEG. You will also find an Ethernet Connection in the back. If connected to a Broadband Internet Connection it will enable the user to play Internet Radio Station on his Player with WebRadio or enable the user to view or play his Audio/Video/Picture files from his PC with the user Friendly Software KiSS PC-Link.
On top of these well known features, the KiSS DP-558 offers recording facilities, thanks to its TV Tuner, recording TV on its built-in Hard Drive will be as easy as it was done on VHS, with some major advantages such as very high sound quality, a sharp and clear image, no alteration of the content with time or easy content search. The KiSS DP-558 comes with an 80GB Hard Disk where the user can record TV programmes (average of 34 hours depending quality on settings) or store up to 117 good quality DivX movies, easily accessible and downloadable on the Players Hard Disk from a PC. The KiSS DP-558 also comes complete with the standard CD/MP3, Ogg Vorbis, DivX, XviD, CD-RW and DVD+-RW playback."
"Command Cubes has been in development for over 4 years and is the first multi-media jukebox software of its kind! Command Cubes solves many problems found in today's multi-media jukebox software packages by utilizing the latest in Distributed Home Media Technology...
Sonance have released details of their "iPort" product. The device allows you to plug your Apple iPod into the dock in the wall and share your MP3s (anything up to 10,000 tracks on the 40gig model) with the rest of the house...
"Opus Technologies, the world's most progressive manufacturer of multi-room entertainment systems and structured wiring solutions, today announced the launch of the FP500GSS, a stainless steel wall mounted control panel face plate and back box kit which allows the WCU500 keypad to be flush-mounted.
The FP500GSS offers a stylish alternative to the standard WCU500 faceplates as it provides a more streamlined finish and superior integration of the Opus 500 series multi-room entertainment system into the home.
James Johnson-Flint, CEO, Opus Technologies commented, "the FP500GSS is another way that Opus offers visionary style to meet consumer desires whilst delivering easy to install solutions for the dealer. The FP500GSS increases the range of options available to our dealers and extends the appeal of the Opus 500 Series to their customers...
Keith Doxey of KAT5.tv has just announced the release of the of the IR upgrade boards for the KAT5 range of AV distibution products.
The daughter boards (pictured) will be available as a DIY kit for self-fitting, or your units can be returned for professional fit.
"Installation manual for the upgrades will be online shortly to help you decide whether to choose self fitting or factory fitting for the upgrades."...
"Sonos is the first and only digital music system that lets you play all your digital music, all over your house - and control it all from the palm of your hand. Best of all, you don't need a PC in every room, a music server or a wireless network. Just a Sonos ZonePlayer and speakers in the rooms of your choice and a Sonos Controller in hand to access all your digital music, no matter where it's stored.
Sonos puts the control of all your music and all your rooms in the palm of your hand. With the Sonos wireless, handheld controller, you can instantly access your entire music collection from anywhere. No more moving from room to room to room to turn on, change or turn off your music. No more pointing or line of sight requirements. Just freedom of movement and freedom of music...
Keith Doxey's KAT5 units will have the long awaited IR upgrades available any day now!...
"KAT5 infraRed upgrades will be available shortly after UKHA 2004. I am hoping that the PCB's will arrive in time for UKHA2004 so that I can show the finished boards but in the meantime here is a little teaser showing the final prototype.
There are two main features of the IR upgrades. The first is the obvious one, control of source equipment from a remote destination over the same CAT5 cable that is carrying the KAT5 AV signals. This works with any 38kHz based remote control and has been tested with SKY Digital, TiVo, Freeview and various VCR's and DVD players...
Las Vegas, January 2004 - A technology demonstrator shown in Las Vegas in January 2004 demonstrates the latest enhancement for Linn's advanced range of multi-room control products - the forthcoming Enhanced Kontrol Platform (EKP) and VEKTO Network Translator.
In the last year, Linn have expanded their range of interfaces to address more basic control needs, however, the EKP software addresses the additional and extended control requirements of the most advanced and complex products from Linn, such as the KIVOR range of music library products.
The EKP controller is designed to offer an intuitive, portable control solution built to run on open platforms and provides fast and responsive access to entertainment equipment throughout a home. It allows the user control, visibility and simple direct access to enjoy their whole-home entertainment system fully.
The EKP provides comprehensive multi-zone control. Linn's unique two-way product feedback can be displayed and exploited with the EKP, making a handheld unit unique and exceptionally easy to use...
Submission by Andrew - Squeezebox is revolutionary. It streams your music from your computer to your digital stereo over your wireless or ethernet network-without any loss of sound quality. You now have lightning-fast access to any song in your digital music collection, anywhere in your home...
Another whole house audio solution is in-bound, this time from Cyrus.. "Like many of us, you may like to enjoy hi-fi quality audio in more than one room but don't relish the idea of your house being stripped to the foundations to install the system. So the answer is to embrace new technologies and go wireless, thereby saving all the hassles and redecoration costs...
Submission by Nick Shore - "An advanced scart switchbox with some interesting features; the HSR1000 is effectively a Home Cinema friendly 7x3 Matrix switcher. There are seven inputs in total (six scart plus front AV), any of which can be independently routed to one of four outputs (three AV plus one audio only). For example you could have your DVD player routed to your TV, your satellite routed to your VCR, your Freeview box routed to your Video sender and another input routed to your Hi-Fi! Four of the input scarts supports RGB, one is composite only and one is composite or s-video. The HSR1000 also supports digital audio (SPDIF) for three of the inputs. Finally, it can be set to switch automatically or operated manually via the front panel or with the supplied IR remote."....
Lets Automate have added a 4 x 4 matrix AV switcher to their web catalogue...
o The perfect piece of hardware for multi-room, multi-source video and line-level audio distribution o Route any input to any or all outputs simultaneously o Supports either Composite Video or S Video o Supports stereo audio
The Kramer VS-4x4YC is a high performance 4x4 vertical interval matrix switch for composite and/or s-Video and stereo audio signals. It is a true matrix, allowing the user to route any input to any or all outputs simultaneously. Since the VS-4x4YC switches during the vertical interval, transitions are glitch-free when sources share a common reference sync. The VS-4x4YC provides composite video and S-Video connectors allowing it to be used for either format. Mixing formats is possible but composite video sources would typically need to be routed to composite video outputs and, likewise, S-Video sources must be routed to S-Video outputs.
It is very important to note that the VS-4x4YC does not perform any signal format conversion. Like most Kramer switchers, the VS-4x4YC can be controlled by front panel buttons or RS-232 serial commands. For applications requiring remote control via a Windows-based personal computer, K-Switch software is provided at no additional cost. It is easy to use, dependable, rugged, and fits in one vertical space of a standard 19" rack...
Here's the press release on the new Kef Ci80. Retail price is around £50 each...
NEW ENTRY-LEVEL WALL/CEILING MOUNT SPEAKER FROM KEF Model Ci80 Incorporates Smallest Ever UNI-Q® Driver KEF has announced details of its all-new Custom Installation loudspeaker -Model Ci80. Purpose built for flush mounting into walls and ceilings, the Ci80 is the latest addition to the KEF UNI-Q Custom Installation series. Providing a compact solution to the problem of Hi-Fiquality sound from an in-wall/ceiling speaker, the Ci80 consists of a 75 mm white polypropylene cone LF driver with a 16mm HF unit mounted at the acoustic centre of the LF unit. Its UNI-Q driver is the smallest UNI-Q unit ever made.The UNI-Q drive unit is well renowned for its excellent dispersion characteristics, making the Ci80 perfect for installation in non uniform environments, without compromising the reproduction across the listening area. The 13cm (14cm when attached) deep detachable back-can supplied with the product, provides a sealed enclosure of 0.35 litres volume for optimum low frequencyreproduction. Sprung fixing clips give flexibility of installation in ceilingsand walls varying in thickness from 6mm to 30mm. To conform to architectural specifications, the bezel and grill can be painted to match the interior decor.
Submission by Rob Mouser - Just down at our workshops spraying the grills to my latest speaker addition. So while the first coat dries I thought I would post my findings.
These units are the Sonance Virtuoso 831DR's. I've already got a barn full of Sonance units and have to say that I am really impressed by the quality. These units were destined for my office but when I saw the size of them 'in the flesh' I decided to move my Sonance Symphony 622TR's from the lounge to my office and put these new ones in their place...
"Libra Systems is a new UK-based manufacturer founded by pro-audio and home installation specialists Martin Noar and Richard Barman to provide simple and cost-effective components for multi-zone AV systems.
The first product, already in stock and ready for shipping, is the AL-1 remote level control, with other products already in the development pipe-line. "The AL-1 system is a 'problem-solver' for installers." commented Richard Barman, "It's a stereo audio level controller that can either be used in conjunction with our wall plate which also has complete IR pass-through back to the main unit, or directly with control systems such as AMX and Crestron."
The system consists of the AL-1 level controller, the WP-1 wall-plate, and an Infrared remote control. Priced at just £199 inc VAT for the complete system, it is targeted at dealers and installers who need to add an addition zone to an existing audio system, but could not justify the often huge cost or complexity of custom electronics or additional existing system components.
Careful design has ensured that the Al-1 integrates 'seamlessly' with existing audio systems, providing an independent, high quality, level controlled audio output that responds to simple IR or contact-closure commands to change volume or mute status. By simply daisy-chaining several AL-1 units, basic multiple zone systems can be achieved, again without any need to change the set-up of the original audio system"...
Yamaha's £1,800 80Gb wireless music server/client setup (MCX-1000) is due on sale in September... "With the MusicCAST server, your family can store their CD collection in one central location, have fun creating playlists and custom CDs, preserve vintage vinyl records as digital files, then transmit them anywhere in your home wirelessly...
Submission by
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- Scion Technology products have long been synonomous with the city bank trading floors and corporate offices for controlled distribution of business TV from satellite and terrestrial broadcast sources. Therefore the new PRO-6000 Home Media series of products comes with a great pedigree of proven technology using almost any grade of twisted pair cable for Home Entertainment Systems...
Those looking for ways to move MP3s and digital audio from the PC to existing home entertainment systems via wireless or Ethernet network, should take a look at Barix's Exstreamer and/or Exstreamer Wireless(802.11b). Photo at: http://www.barix.com/images/press_pictures/hi_res/barix_exstreamer_wireless.jpg
· Allows users to remotely manage and play MP3 libraries over existing stereo systems in the home and business · Streams MP3 files and digital audio from PCs, the Internet and digital audio servers · MAC and PC compatible; works with most operating systems · Easily controlled via any standard web browser · Open, well-documented software interfaces allow for easy integration with other consumer, commercial and professional audio applications · Technical specifications and additional information available at www.exstreamer.com
Xbox Media Player, a real (... and cheap) alternative to Windows Media Centre Edition - Before I start into this let me tell you that I'm not a big games fan and although I do get the occasional spot, it's more likely to be stress induced that an echo of the heady days of puberty. As I'm sure you've already ascertained, you're going to need an XBOX to get anywhere with this natty bit of software. "But Dre ..." I hear you cry, "What is the Xbox Media Player!?" So, given that you're keen to find out more, I'll get on with the review...
After the disappointing performance of the Kiiro audio adaptor I was pointed in the direction of ARKON who make, amongst other things, various devices for using various devices in the car...
After a lot of people asking questions about using the xbox to play DivX and other video and audio over the network, I've taken some pictures of my setup. Hopefully these will give a good impression of the GUI and what you can do with an xbox. Click on the link below to view the pictures...
Submission by Pocketwerks - Vinyl was designed from the ground up to take advantage of your digital music collection. With Vinyl you can remotely navigate and control the playback of your digital media collection from your Pocket PC via a beautiful user interface that features album cover art throughout.
As of earlier today Laser.com have added the AudioTron network MP3 player to their on-line catalogue.
"AudioTron transforms your PC into a powerful jukebox for your entire home. Using your PC to store a digital music library lets you easily manage your music collection, create custom playlists, burn CDs, transfer music to a portable digital player, and find any song you want without having to search through a pile of CDs...
Welcome to the Automated Home guide to multi-room audio. This guide documents some options for spreading music throughout your house. Hopefully this will inspire you to listen to music more, and, if it helps you plan a system, then all the better. Let's start with a couple of simple definitions...
At last a ntl/telewest compatible IrDa remote control extender! - The new innovative way to relay remote control commands from any RC5 or IrDA based device. DigiEye will allow you to control any satellite or cable receiver that uses both RC5 and/or IrDA codes. This includes all Satellite Receivers including EchoStar, Pace etc, European cable receivers for NTL and Telewest services, all VCRs and DVD players/recorders...
It arrived as stated, 3 days after ordering, in a jiffy bag, which contained the board, and a comprehensive set of instructions. I ordered the assembled version, as I didn't imagine that I would have the time (or the inclination!) to assemble a kit myself. (Plus it has been about 12 years since I last picked up soldering iron!) So everything I say about this device refers to the assembled version...
I use the stereo in the car when I'm driving to and from work to listen to the local fm radio, and when I'm travelling any further I tend to have a talkie book on cassette. When I recently changed my car I got a CD player thrown in, but only afterwards realised that I couldn't plug my tape adaptor into the new stereo. I've recently spent ages converting mp3 and cassette audio books onto MDLP, which is much more portable than lugging multiple cassettes (or audio CDs) about. I normally plug the Minidisc player into a cassette adaptor and listen away...
The unit allows you to record your existing CD's into a MP3 format, which are held on an internal 20.4 GB Quantum hard drive. According to the manufacturer, at 160 Kps, you should be able to record approximately 280 hours or 5600 songs. This I have found to be a bit optimistic. Using the 160 Kps, I expect to hold about 4500 songs, still a lot of music...
Lust - As soon as I saw the Dell Digital Audio Receiver I knew it was exactly what I needed! About half as big again as a car hi-fi this small but perfectly formed box of tricks is the answer to a question I've had for sometime - How can I play my music collection on my PC through my system in the AV room (without having a PC in there!)...
Background - As a recent Sky Digital subscriber I had a burning requirement to "deploy" Sky to the master bedroom. Also, I needed a solution that would work with all the other wireless technology already installed in my house (more on this later) and probably most importantly SWMBO doesn't like the idea of more holes in walls. Faced with this seemingly impossible task I decided to buy the DigiSender from AEI Security as one possible solution and crossed my fingers. In this review I'll cover the installation and usage of the device together with my experiences of its compatibility with all my other HA wireless "stuff"...
Ah ha, spent all that time on Napster and Gnutella, downloaded all those songs and now realised that you can only listen to them on your PC, via those little speakers Dell bundle in. Got that lovely stereo you picked up at Richer sounds, matt black components, great looking Mission speakers with those white cones, but now you don't use it as all your music is on your PC.
The Turtle Beach Audiotron, combined with the Intel HPNA (Home Phone network) manages to link your PC in one room to your stereo in another, via your existing telephone extensions, and look good at the same time...
What Are They? - As peoples lifestyles and expectations get ever more sophisticated, consumers expect to be able to do cool things like watch a movie in their bedroom from the DVD player in their lounge . With the advent of the "wired home" for the first time it is possible for people to send high bandwidth signals between their rooms and the goods news is that now the long awaited KAT5 modules are here we can start to do this...
Scottish based Home Media Networks have secured £500,000 additional funding for their ShowShifter software. SS is around £20 and turns a suitably equipped PC into a TiVo like personal video recorder...
The Linn 5125 Class V multi-channel power amplifier is powerful and versatile. With a Linn switch mode power supply, the 5125 provides compact mplificationfor multi-channel home theatre, music and multi-room sound...
Overview of System - The underlying principle of using Ace as a gateway controller can be used for many applications. Here we will describe how to set it up to allow control of WinAMP MP3 Playing PC Software...
With the remarkable IPAQ Music Center, Compaq ushers in an entirely new era of audio entertainment for music lovers. The size of a 17" standard home-audio component...
Kieran Broadfoot has found some interesting info for users keen to run the DDAR on Linux...
Here is some information for hacking on the device. Setting up a Linux machine as a server for the Rio Receiver. o Building a GCC cross-compiler, glibc, and a Linux kernel for the device on an X86 Linux host...
Keith Doxey's first ever batch of KAT5 units are nearing completion! To co-incide with their launch I will be releasing my review. In the meatime here's a quick snippet of it along with a picture.
