cat5 av distribution

[leebossman73]

has anyone used/installed a system called 'avi lynx' yet?

i'm looking for something to distribute my sky+, dvd, vcr, freeview. i saw it at a show recently & it looked good.

looking for feedback before i buy.

[Multiroomman]

Dear Bossman,

I install multiroom systems as a living, and have a good knowledge of most CAT5 AV Distribution systems. I have used the likes of Avnex, smart-e, scion and even the mediastar systems in the past. I went to ISE this year and met up with the guys from Global and saw their product. I could not beleive the costs after being very impressed with the build quality and performance of the AviLynx system. The fact that you can get the servers in 3 differant sizes is great to, and also a handset that will control all of your sources :lol: :lol: , the unit will also pass SKY + IR codes for control to! I have installed 7 systems so far, easy to install and easy to use from an end-users point of view. So to answer your question - I reccomend the AviLynx system.

[trevorjdaniel]

Hi Multiroomman,

I read your posting with interest... especially as you have installed both AVILynx and Smart-E.

I have a question about picture quality if I may....

Many of my customers insist on "no picture quality loss". Which means that I tend to install Smart-E panels.

What, in your experience, is the difference in the picture quality when you feed Sky composite into a large plasma/lcd as opposed to feeding in Sky RGB?

Thanks in advance...

Trev

[Multiroomman]

Hi Trev,

We all know that RGB is a better video signal than composite, but what you need to bear in mind is that systems such as AviLynx & Smart -e are price sensitive when it comes to the end user/property developers. When I talk to developers they want to spend very little if no money on a smart home infrastructure. AviLynx opens up so many doors for installers like me beacuse of the cost, I can offer developers/end users a fully networked AV distribution system for 12 zones sub £1500 pounds . This system will allow to centrally locate all source equipment and still have full IR control of sources at the display location. I know this is slightly off topic from your question but these 2 systems are totally differant, one is affordable and one is limited to a small percentage of the smart home market. As I stated in my previous post, the composite output of the AviLynx system on to big plasma displays is far superior to any other CAT5 composite system I have worked with. Just out of curiosity, how do you find the Smart-e system with regards to ease of use and reliablity? I have not used one for some time, but I did find reliability a problem and supply a very big problem to. I look forward to receiving your thoughts to the above.

[vex]

IMHO!

Composite video quality is more down to the quality of the input cards on your screens than the quality of the signal.

I have seen professional 50" plasma's use the AVNex system with amazing results and at the other end I have also seen domestic Sony Bravia 21" LCD's with appauling composite image quality.

The additional problem is the change over from CRT tv's to LCD's and Plasmas. CRT's are a lot more tolerant to poor signal quality (blurring the interference) where as LCDs will show it in all its ugly glory.

[leebossman73]

a friend of mine has tried the avnex system & i thought it sucked. picture quality ok, but the control side of things was laughable. check out the remote control handset ....very fifties.
:lol:

[vex]

a friend of mine has tried the avnex system & i thought it sucked. picture quality ok, but the control side of things was laughable. check out the remote control handset ....very fifties.
:lol:

Remotes are easy to replace, they also have a RS232, touchscreen and web interface now, which make their intergration into home automation even easier.

[Workshy]

Hi, new to all this, and was interested in the comment about being able to supply/install for £1500.

Have just bought a 25 year old brick built house with solid walls and was interested in setting up a system using cat5 orsomething to share AV and internet access among around 6-8 rooms.

Any recommendations or ideas on costs? Want to be able to play mp3/mpeg4 independently in a number of rooms, share sky (inc remote control) plus internet access...

Help! 8O