Complete new starter question

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  • Anonymous
    Automated Home Guru
    • Nov 2000
    • 173

    Complete new starter question

    Hi all,

    Well here's my first post. I'll give the background:

    I want to distribute sound from my PC application (HAL2000) through the house. So that I could walk round the house and listen to the same music in various rooms.

    So, first I figure I need to buy a really good sound card for the PC.

    Downstairs I have a Yamaha DSPA1 amp with loads of inputs, coaxial, phono, fibre optic thingy! Upstairs, I have a regular amp with phono inputs. Also I want to distribute the sound to 2 or 3 other rooms which dont have anything - wondered if wireless speakers would work?

    The sound cards I've looked at have 10 or more output channels but I'm not sure if that means I can hook up 10 stereo systems ?!

    I've no idea at all where to start. Do I just need a good sound card and lots of wires (if so, what's CAT5 and can I use it?!) or do I need something really complicated.

    Oh, I'm keen to get top quality sound on the 2 main amps, the wireless (if poss) doesn't matter too much about a slightly lower quality.

    Any advice at all greatly received.

    Thanks for reading.

    Teddy
  • toscal
    Moderator
    • Oct 2005
    • 2061

    #2
    Re: Complete new starter question

    Maybe take a look at the Sonos system. There are many Cat5, Cat7 or specialised UTP solutions that can distribute audio.
    Abitana is one system, this uses a specialised Cat5 cable. 2 pairs have been modified to carry higher frequencies upto 900Mhz
    Other systems to look at are Konnect2.net I think this is Cat7 based. Or the Kat5TV system.
    Kat5 website is at www.kat5.tv
    Sonos website is www.sonos.com
    Abitana website is www.abitana.com
    Konnect2 is www.konnect2.net
    Like all the systems mentioned they can do more than just distribute audio.
    Another system to look at is by QED website is http://musiq.systemline.co.uk/c177/MusiQ_RFS.htm

    Category 5 cable, commonly known as Cat 5, is an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) type cable designed for high signal integrity. The actual standard defines specific electrical properties of the wire, but it is most commonly known as being rated for its Ethernet capability of 100 Mbit/s. Its specific standard designation is EIA/TIA-568. Cat 5 cable typically has three twists per inch of each twisted pair of 24 gauge copper wires within the cable. The twisting of the cable reduces electrical interference and crosstalk. Basically its the cable you use when you network computers together.
    The e in Cat5e stands for enhanced. And Cat5e is capable of carrying 1000Mbits/s. Can't remember if this is only upto a max 100 or 300m distances. No doubt someone will be able to give a correct distance.
    Sorry for the rather lengthy cat5 description.
    But I hope this helps.
    IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
    Renovation Spain Blog

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