Ok thanks Pugs. I was hoping it wouldn't be like that cos that means having a lot of network points in the HT (or where your sources are) to run back via the patch panel and out to each room. 4 sources with IR control will need 8 points! At least my points will be on an external wall so I can add them easily if required (double-brick house so internal walls are no-go after construction).

I know the media server route is cheaper, however we watch mainly FTA and Foxtel and therefore I need to be able to play from those sources which means going down this route.

you are aware that you will all be watching the same thing and will need multiply foxtel STB (Set Top Boxes) one for each room if you wish to watch different content?

and that is done over RG6 like FTA is

Not true actually, as the matrix allows any source to be displayed on any target at the same time. So I can either watch the same thing in 2 (or 3 or 4)rooms, or watch a different source to whatever is being watched elsewhere, both of which I can live with. And it can all be done in HD. Most of the time I will probably only be watching one source in one location (family room or HT), but this allows me the option to relocate to another room/TV to watch something else when the Mrs is watching one of her shows. It also allows me to keep all the 'gear' in the HT and not have to buy multiple STB's or DVR's.

And there's no way I want to watch stuff coming over RG6 on a 50" plasma...

ok you missed the point but anyways.

My example was about Foxtel not DVD/ Bluerays, which in yes that would work fine as they are purely sources then you would have a secondary Foxtel box aswell in a an equipemtn cabinet and have al the IR repeaters terminate to there aswell.

btw i wasn't saying connect the TV up with RG6 the Foxtal feed from the cable/ sat would come over the RG6.

one other way would to go a HFS router with a 4 tuner card into recording al the FTA stuff then just accessing it via the server. the only thing that wouldn't be able to be done liek that is the Foxtel.

then of ocourse all the new IP TV stuff will relegate the use of foxtel to the Dark ages..

Ah, ok, I thought you meant it wouldn't work or something. Yeah, I know I can't watch multiple Foxtel channels or recordings with just the one source. That's ok for now though as I'm not wanting to pay for another box. And yes, the same outcome I'm after can be achieved for Foxtel using RG6, however since I have other sources that I might want to watch in other rooms then I might as well just use the CAT6 I'm already running there. I'm sure (I hope) there'll be better solutions in future but this is closest to what I need with what I have for now.

Cheers.

Very interesting and informative thread

Got my home theatre set up, now looking into distribution to other areas of the home.

Is this the type of all in system that would work. (refer to link below) Pricey i know but by the time you buy seperate components it might not work out too bad. I have seen it in the states on sale for about $2000.

http://www.avico.com.au/ATLONA-4X4-HDMI ... TH-IR.html

Hey guys

Sorry for not replying sooner - but basically, my setup will be MUCH MUCH simpler and, for my needs, work a lot better. Essentially, I am completely separating AV distribution from the networking aspect of things, as there is no need at all to try to combine them.

SO, the two arrangements will very simply be, for AV:

Source(s) --HDMI--> matrix --HDMI over CAT6-->target(s)

So, up to 4 sources in, up to 4 targets out (using HDMI baluns over Cat6 with nothing else in between).

My sources will, at this stage, be:

Foxtel
Dual tune NMP/PVR
PS3

My targets will be:

55" LCD in family room
AV Receiver (connected directly to projector in HT room)
42" LCD in bedroom

Already had my IR extender setup run, working like clockwork with just little 'barrell' IR transmitters plugged into my wall plates, next to the data points - look nice n neat.

So, this will allow me to watch Fox, stream off the network, watch/record FTA, play PS3/watch blu-rays simultaneously or separately in family room, bedroom and HT and control everything remotely from those points. Because there are only two of us, very rarely would we want to watch different things using the same source at the same time - but simple enough to add/expand if I need to.

For networking, again very basic:

NAS connected to wireless router connected to 8-port gigabit switch, 6 of remaining 7 ports used to 'activate' 6 data points around the house (don't need more than that, but can either 'stack' another switch or get a bigger switch - and of course, WiFi will be available), last port used to connect directly to dual-tuner NMP/PVR which, as mentioned above, outputs directly to the HDMI matrix and will be an available source at any display.

If I want to use multiple NMP's (i.e. to allow independent streaming at multiple targets), i'll either connect them directly to the router or sacrafice one of the data points - in practice, i really only need 3-4 dedicated data points.

At this stage, only computers in use will be my laptop and a media centre PC for the study

Sorry for the long winded response and apologies if it doesn't make a lot of sense...but it really is a very very simple setup and will work perfectly...simply relying on Cat6 to carry everything and separating the "data network" from the AV distribution side of things.

P.s. HDBaseT is the future...and will make HDMI redundant!

Re. Foxtel...yes it could

Just need a CAM built into ur PC along with ur quad-tuner card (with DVB-S obviously)....and the *right* software that can record ALL foxtel channels simultaneously and make the "stream" simultaneously accessible over the network...

But yep, like you said, IPTV will take over before we know it anyway!!

Thanks for the detail on your setup Adam.

A question though - how will your Cat6 for AV distro be separated from the home network? Are you having dedicated runs of Cat6 between the HT and target rooms just for AV?

Hey Westy

No problem - and yep, 2 runs of Cat6 from my 'equipment room' to each display specifically for AV (HDMI balun), in addition to 2 runs of Cat6 for data/IR.

All Cat 6 terminated at equipment room - data runs terminated to switch or router, AV runs to HDMI matrix!

ACT

Good to see you have got it all set up and working. Im still doing alot of head scratching.

If possible could you provide a list of what brand and type of components you used. Mainly the matrix and IR repeaters.

Cheers
Jason

Hey Jason

Yeh, despite having it all setup the way I want, I still scratch my head half the time and have to remind myself how I've got it all working! Haha

As for components, i'm basically using the following:
Netgear WiFi modem
TP Link 8 port gigabit switch
Aten Cat6 to HDMI 1.3 baluns
Octava 4x4 HDMI matrix
Kords IR-30 IR extender kit
DViCo TVIX 6640 media player or Popcorn Hour
Mvix Box 2TB NAS
Foxtel IQ
PS3

cheers
Adam

Hmmm, ok, so you have all data points terminating to a patch panel in a cabinet and that is where you are running the matrix? So are all your sources at that location as well then? And everything is controlled via the IR system?

No patch panel - originally had it set up like that but was an absolute pain and became a complete nightmare with patch leads all over the place, so instead each Cat6 cable will be connected directly to either the switch or to the hdmi matrix (using hdmi balun).

And yep, all sources also stored their along with IR connector block/emitters...and all sources controlled at each display with just the TV/projector on the wall!

Hello all,

If you are looking for a top quality dual cat-6 matrix switcher you cannot go past Intellix controlled via a n-touch genie ( or bitwise box... they are a copy ) the intellix has built in ir routing through the matrix and its baulns
Intellix 4 x 4 ( also have 4 x 2, 8 x 8 )
https://www.ness.com.au/ViewProduct.asp ... er=101-701
Genie
https://www.ness.com.au/ViewProduct.asp ... er=101-542
we use these combined with n-touch genies and have no issues with handshaking, split sound and video or anything else.
but they are not for everyone due to the price..


This allows multi room hd viewing from a central location all controlled via a single ipad/iphone application
the ipad/iphone application will also control the television and source units.. so its a single app controlling everything and fully customizable.. as an example i can program the application to have a single button named ' blue-ray movie time' when i push this button on the ipad it will turn on the television, switch the matrix switcher to the appropriate source and location, start the blue-ray player, turn the tv volume up to your pre-set ' movie ' level etc etc .. can even dim lights..
please note that it isnt as simple as jsut a matrix and n-touch genie to make it all happen, you also need a very reliable wired/wireless network, properly installed cabling etc etc..


Like was mentioned... do not even think about a cheap hd matrix... they simply dont work properly!! you really do get what you pay for in this area and properly set-up quality multi room hd set-ups are very $$$$

i hoped this helped

chris

I am still trying to understand the way that streaming is done

The tv for example should be connected straight to the internet, or iy shiuld be connected to another machine/computer?

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

either...


you can stream from online services.. or form a Home file server/ NAS all depends on your set up

fyi turn off your tapatalk sig