Milestone Bluedelta.....

[Iceblue]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with using this system, http://www.bluedelta.co.uk/milestone_system.htm - I'm looking at the 8 in 1 out system. [I think I'm right, that this system provides video to a main TV, with all the source equipment and also video to a remote TV with access to all the same source equipment (and remote signals)]

Does this actually give a good quality picture at the remote location? I take it that this sends the audio, as well as video, to the remote location?

I'd love to hear peoples opinions on this system please.


Thanks

IB

[Iceblue]

Doh.....I guess nobody has this system (or I'm in the wrong forum).

How do others distribute av around the home then?

Cheers

IB

[hornydragon]

Lots of ways what exactly is it you want to do?

[Iceblue]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

Lots of ways what exactly is it you want to do?

Hi,

What I want to do is be able to view and control my source equipment, (all the stuff I have in the lounge), upstairs in the bedroom in the best quality possible ie. Scart.....[I think]

I have DVD Player, DVD recorder and VCR.

I also have Sky HD, but I'll be running a component video cable for that (and audio)

Cheers

IB

[hornydragon]

There are generally far easier ways to do this what kit is in each location Scart should be avoided use component video where possible as long as the bed room TV accepts component milestone looks like basic composite video over cat5 system cat5 system are really good running 2 cat5 from lounge to bedroom will allow you to carry component stereo and IR there are loads of cat5 systems out there

[Iceblue]

Thanks for taking the time to reply,

If the Milestone system is only composite over cat5, than can you recommend a better system at a reasonable price?

The bedroom has an LCD which will accept component video, which I am running along with stereo audio, from my Sky HD box. (also have magic eye for remote)

I only want to have the TV in the Bedroom, but would like to be able to use my other source equipment that I have in the lounge. Sky box is sorted, as above, but what is the best way to sent good quality video and audio from my DVD player, DVD recorder and VCR up to the bedroom, whilst still maintaining a working set-up in the lounge. (and possibly add more equipment later)

Thanks for any suggestions

IB

[robertchas]

Have a look at this www.avilynx.com it is a lot more flexible than the milestone kit as it is a matrix sever (So it allows upto 8 sources to be controlled and viewed in upto 12 different rooms) It is still composite over cat5 but far better picture quality than the milestone stuff.

It will also let you control most av kit but I personally feel that the Ir is limited and a much better solution is to include a separate IR kit as well.

Either way what you are trying to do is not going to be cheap even with composite based systems you are talking a 300 to 400 pounds just for the equipment, go hd and you can at least treble that figure and then some for multiple sources to multiple rooms.

Cheers

Chas

[jonnyt]

gefen do a range of products which may help?

i beleive Joe Ferdinand (on AV forums) may well be able to advise on appropriate solutions?

i have spoken with him in the past regarding the 'neothings' avalon and borrego (sp?) matrix systems.

the main problem is that to 'bodge' it to do what you want will cost you a hundred quid, but to do it 'properly' with a MUCH higher picture quality (thats the component (coloured red/green/blue)) will cost you about 8 times that, but will allow you a greater deal of flexibility, be able to deal with HD sources (unless HDCP goes crazy) without spending huge amounts of money.

i think i have a 'scart switch box' in the loft, i think i paid 50quid for it a few years ago (its unused now, if you are interested in it, i'll put it in the 'for sale' section!) i suppose you could then use one of those 'digital video sender' things for a similar price... 100quid and it will work - however, picture quality wont be very good (compared to component) and this is a solution that i certainly would never provide a client with - its just a cheap and cheerful way of probably acheiving what you want.

Jonathan

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by robertchas

Have a look at this www.avilynx.com it is a lot more flexible than the milestone kit as it is a matrix sever (So it allows upto 8 sources to be controlled and viewed in upto 12 different rooms) It is still composite over cat5 but far better picture quality than the milestone stuff.

Yeah but its still composite........and SD......

Have a google for Component video Balun and Audio Balun and see what pops up the beauty is the cabling is almost identical 4 sources to 1location isnt expensive (well under £500) and over £100 but it depends on sources etc you have

[Iceblue]

You're all right.....

I think for the cost of setting this up, it is not worth it.
I already have a long component and audio lead to run from Sky HD box to bedroom. The chances of me needed to view anything else is slim, it just would have been nice.
If I do need to watch a DVD upstairs, then I can get a cheap DVD player for around £15 - £20 and plug it in when needed...sorted.

I got my new bracket to hang the TV in the bedroom today , can't wait for the weekend to get everything in their final positions.

Cheers for all your suggestions

IB

[hornydragon]

if you have component lead (what about audio????) you can use other devices to cheaply add DVD from downstairs if necassary

[Iceblue]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

if you have component lead (what about audio????) you can use other devices to cheaply add DVD from downstairs if necassary

I am running a dual phono lead for audio

I already have a long component and audio lead to run from Sky HD box to bedroom

I don't have any other audio receiving equipment upstairs, only the TV, so stereo audio from back of Sky will have to do.

Also, I already had RF lead, so freeview is fine.

What are these "other devices" you talk of ? Have I missed some options

IB

[TTT]

Nobody has yet asked about your requirements in the second room.

What size of image are you trying to display? What is the likelyhood of this increasing? What image quailty is required? ("The best possible" is the expensive answer here ). These will determine the signal type that you need to run. The lowest cost, lowest performing signal will be modulated UHF. You may consider this adequate if you are going to use this connection with a 14" CRT once a month. Then comes composite, then SVHS (only offering a benefit over composite when used over fairly short runs) then component/RGB/VGA/DVI/HDMI.

What inputs does the sink display offer? Smaller CRT units may offer UHF only or UHF and composite. Large flat panels may include all of the above.

What cable is in place? If it is twisted pair, how many runs are present?

What control do you require in the second zone? Control of switching? Control of all source equipment? Model numbers may be needed to give an accurate answer as to what will/won't work.

To give you an idea of how big a question this can become, to offer four high definition outputs on component from four inputs the same (a readily available matrix size), the conversion from native source outputs into YUV colourspace, twisted pair conversion at both ends of one output, RF control via handset offering discrete control of source equipment lacking discrete commands as well as control of matrix, professional programming of control and installation of the hardware, the cost will be in excess of #3k using known-name professional grade hardware.

Conversely, modulation of a DVD player and a new two-output RF amplifier may leave you change from #100

[hornydragon]

What length run are you using?

[Iceblue]

Hi,

I have run a 15m component lead, and a 15m stereo audio lead to my Toshiba 37WLT58 in the bedroom. Both leads give excellent results. Both leads also connect to the Sky HD box.
I already had RF2 connected in a shorter run somewhere in the walls, and a magic eye for remote control of sky box.
I now wanted to consider running some other cable to enable me to connect my DVD player and recorder and VHS recorder to the upstairs bedroom. There are no other cables currently available, apart from the above mentioned. I'd like the quality be be higher than RF and Video, so RGB or higher would be good.

It's looking like it could be quite expensive, so I think I'll have settle for Sky / Freeview only.

Thanks again for all your replies

IB