[airwolfie]

Hi

I currently have Sky HD in the lounge and want to put this in 3 other rooms ideally so it can be viewed in HD (1080i) in all rooms.

I also have a blu-ray and media server which I would also like to be able to view in these 3 other rooms as well.

Therefore I was looking at this Infinius Matrix 4x4 switch. HDMI over Cat 5 Matrix Switch 4x4

If I run cat 6 cabling around the house, I believe I can see the same and different sources in each room. E.g. watch sky in the lounge whilst watching a bluray in the bedroom etc. Is this correct?

Equally reading the description means I can change the source viewed in another room from within the room from the supplied remote?

Also if I bought a generic remote for each room e.g. harmony etc then I could play, pause, control the sky, blu ray, media server etc from within the other rooms?

I was also recommended the Pro 2 2 splitter so that I could use the 4 Matrix with an AV receiver in the lounge. Any thoughts?

[Joe Fernand]

Hello airwolfie

Distributing HDMI can be fun - its buddies HDCP and EDID can make for a fairly challenging time trying to achieve a working solution.

Setting aside the fun that is HDMI, HDCP and EDID the key points for you to work through are how to control the source devices without creating remote wars around the house and managing the audio signal where you have a mix of multi channel (AV Amp) and stereo (TV's) output devices.

Some HDMI Matrix units offer you the ability to independently select either HDMI (for short cable runs) or CAT6 (for longer cable runs) on each output.

Joe

[airwolfie]

OK thanks Joe.

So by using the box I gave a link too - I can theortically achieve what I am trying to?

In terms of remote wars there is usually only 2 or 3 of us (we are not really the type to fight over channels) so using a harmony or generic remote should solve that? Will Harmony remotes control sky?

In terms of audio devices - the AV receiver will be in the lounge and another will be in another room. The 2 that don't have av amps will just be connecting to the TV's with their own normal speakers. I have been looking at putting in a couple of in-ceiling speakers in those rooms - would that be better?

[Joe Fernand]

Hello airwolfie

Multiple Harmony Remotes will be ideal - just keep in mind you can all change channels on SKY etc; there is no system hierarchy unless you set that up by having some remotes with less functionality than others.

HDMI Matrix - in theory yes it will be the backbone of the system.

HDMI audio - lots to work through. SKY HD is video + 2.0 LPCM 'stereo' audio over HDMI (ideal for TV's) with DD available on its Optical out (ideal for the AV Amp).

The BD (and possibly the Media Server) are different - with a BD player combined with a new AV Amp most folk will want 7.1/5.1 Bitstream or LPCM over HDMI into the AMP. The problem then is you cant deal with that audio stream in all the other room's unless they too have a Bitstream or LPCM capable AV Amp.

You have to decide on a strategy where you either 'limit' all sources to video + 2.0 LPCM over HDMI and DD/DTS via optical to the local AV Amp or be prepared to manually reset the source device depending on what room you want to view listen to it in via the Matrix.

Having stereo Spks in the ceiling makes no difference to the audio management unless they are connected to an HDMI capable AV Amp.

Joe

[cmclean]

I've got a setup not unlike what you're looking for. One thing I've noticed is that although the Harmony Remote has RF built in to be able to control Sky from the various rooms the RF doesn't work in all rooms so what I did was use the coaxial feeds that were in the rooms with SKY remote eyes.

Maplin have a 4 way kit on offer at the moment for £29.99 which comes with all the bits you'll need

[pwoodward]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

Hello airwolfie
HDMI audio - lots to work through. SKY HD is video + 2.0 LPCM 'stereo' audio over HDMI (ideal for TV's) with DD available on its Optical out (ideal for the AV Amp).

The BD (and possibly the Media Server) are different - with a BD player combined with a new AV Amp most folk will want 7.1/5.1 Bitstream or LPCM over HDMI into the AMP. The problem then is you cant deal with that audio stream in all the other room's unless they too have a Bitstream or LPCM capable AV Amp.

You have to decide on a strategy where you either 'limit' all sources to video + 2.0 LPCM over HDMI and DD/DTS via optical to the local AV Amp or be prepared to manually reset the source device depending on what room you want to view listen to it in via the Matrix.

I'm new to this - just planning my new house. I wonder if you could split off the audio using this:
HDMI Converter Units – HDMI Audio Splitter – Free UK Delivery – Shipping Worldwide

And then select this audio source for rooms that only support stereo.

Any thoughts?

Paul

[HDMIHead]

Hello pwoodward,
Do you mean RCA,

You might be looking for this product Octava HDDA11-UK

[pwoodward]

Originally Posted by HDMIHead

Hello pwoodward,
Do you mean RCA,

You might be looking for this product Octava HDDA11-UK

Good point, but that's expensive!

[Joe Fernand]

Hello pwoodward

The units above are designed to work with Video + 2.0 LPCM or Video + DD/DTS - they wont 'down convert' a Video + lossless LPCM or Bitstream signal from a BD player to work with a Stereo or DD/DTS equipped Display or Amp.

Joe