help on whole house AV install

[ASC]

Hello folks,

Just been given the task of prewiring a new build house for whole house AV and I am getting confused with so many systems available the owner of the house would like audio in every room that can be controlled via a wall mounted controller that could double up as an intercomm something like the ZON 430 system ZAS-430 Distributed Audio System - ZON Whole House Digital Audio the problem however is that the audio has to reach 16 rooms/zones.

The house is to be prewired for ceiling speakers in every room and also rear speakers for the surround sound in the Theatre room. Should I leave the cables in the voids in ceiling and take pictures pre sheeting or is there a better method. The speakers will not be going in straight away (don't ask budget i think)
Have done loads of cat5/6 installs before but this will be my first whole house AV one bar my own retrofit.

Also need suggestions on video for 11 rooms
thoughts were windows media center or something but i think this is limited to 5 users and sky ,freeview distribution via coax.

Any Ideas would be appreciated.
(Find an installer sadly not an option)

[ash_s3]

For your ceiling speaker cables, run them to the right location, coil them up in the ceiling void and measure where they are from two walls.
Measure to the centre of the joist void so you know your clear when you come to cut them out.

Sky/freeview distribution, i'd run 10x CT100 cables from the loft to an outside location for a TV aerial, FM/DAB aerial and a octo lnb on a sat dish.
Then run 2x CT100 from the loft to each TV point, and 3x CT100 to your main TV location (lounge) for a S+R plate.

This would cover you for Freeview/Freesat in each room, Sky+/HD in the main lounge and SkyRF distribution via a loft box to the rest of the house.

Hope this helps.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by ash_s3

Sky/freeview distribution, i'd run 10x CT100 cables from the loft to an outside location for a TV aerial, FM/DAB aerial and a octo lnb on a sat dish.
Then run 2x CT100 from the loft to each TV point, and 3x CT100 to your main TV location (lounge) for a S+R plate.

10 coax is excessive 5 is fine and can run 32+ Sat PVRS like sky HD I would suggest running 2 Cat5e/6 with every coax point as well

I ahvent used the Zon system but 16 zones isnt an issue.

Nuvo Grand Concerto Bundle w/ T2 AM/FM Twin Turner and M3 Music Server (UK) can do 16 x zones as can Netstreams Digilinx (UK) which has intercom function built in. NetStreams - The Ultimate IP A/V Experience alkso has intercom (not sure if it will run 16 zones tho)

FOr Video http://www.wired-life.co.uk/smarte/prod/538/ and http://www.wired-life.co.uk/avatrix_avx562/prod/543/
Smart-e is configurable as any size from 2input and 2 output up to 128 x 128 (tho 16 x 16 is usual) AVAtrix can only have 6 inputs but can run out to 30+ zones

[ASC]

Thanks for the quick replies both very helpful,

I was looking to use some sort bundled cable 2 cat5e/6 and 2 CT100 has anyone had experiences with this and where would be best to get this from?

Cheers

[hornydragon]

We use the bundled cable of 2 RG6 coax and 2 cat5e or Cat6 for a price contact this link Wired Life Contact Us