Sony Homeshare - Home Theater Setup

[cqwine]

I was "duped" by my home builder into installing a Sony Homeshare system. I have about $30K tied up in the system counting TVs, and unfortunately I don't like it at all. While it was sold as providing four video zones, the installer says that it only works on 2. There are many other faults, most of which I have learned to live with, but there is one issue that really irks me. I added the Sony home theater option to the system. It came with sony ceiling mounted speakers. The receiver is a STRDA5400ES, which should provide great surround sound to the speakers. However, the installers say that they can only feed the receiver with component cables and two channel audio. They cannot use HDMI. It apparently stems from the fact that the second video zone is delivered over CAT5 and can only handle 1080i. The 5400 upconverts to 1080P and cannot downconvert. So in order to allow the second zone to work, they use component cables and RCA for all of the inputs. That really does not sound right to me. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to get digital audio to the receiver?

 

[sila1999]

I take it that your living in the US as the Homeshare products were not sold else where. If you care to send me a PM i will send you all the homeshare documentation on configuring etc. These may be of help for you, if not i can give you a contact number to call in Sony for help.

 

[sinclabs]

I am new to these forums, but came across your thread via google. I am installing a HomeShare system in a house here shortly and would welcome any additional install documentation that you might have. I tried to PM you, but I am not sure how to do it on this site. Sorry bout that... I woud appreciate any help you can provide.

Cheers,
David

 

[sinclabs]

"cqwine"

I am not an expert on these systems but I can tell you that the "Home Theater Option" provides a keypad that leverages the receivers second room option and HD video feed to a second room. In this configuration you only have HD to 2 rooms, not 4. To get the full 4 rooms of HD video you need to add the Sony HSMB1. The HSMB1 enables the HD (1080i) signal to the other rooms. You should check and see if you have the HSMB1 installed. If not, you can search and find them on google.

Cheers,
David

 

[dadr]

I have just installed a Sony Homeshare HD system and cannot figure it out. I have the distribution panel and 2 power sources supplying 4 wallports and 8 keypads, 2 M7S doorbell intercoms. I have a 3500es receiver hooked to the Source 1 Wallport with RS232C and IR connection, component video and RCA audio. I have the Sony TDMip50 in the DMport as well. The intercoms all work including the doorbells, the receiver supplies a 7.1 audio to the main room with a keypad set to HT, the other keypads can only play AM or FM signal from the receiver with no control at all, no station change etc. The DMPORT shows "No Adapter" eventhough it works fine over the 7.1 setup to the main room. The HT keypad in the main room shows no connection to the receiver but carries the IR signal to the receiver in the AV closet to control volume and play, pause, FF, stop but no control over song choice and no graphic connection. I have looked at the provided manuals and everything seems to be connected correctly but obviously not as this "plug and play" system cannot recognize my receiver. Please help as I have no local dealers, nearest is 200 miles away and wanted $5,000 dollars for "travel expenses" and "hook up fees". I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. If anyone has any information or configuring setups I would really like to get some answers. Thank you very much in advance.

 

[sila1999]

Sounds like the receiver has not been set to installer mode in the system settings menu, this needs to have the RS-232 option set to "on" also make sure that the RS-232 cross over cable is connected between the receiver and the HS-WV1 wall port. This must be connected to the wall port that is connected to source 1 inputs of the HS-MB1.
Each of the keypads need to be set to "zone" mode
If that does not work send me a PM with your email address and i will send you some other docs i have from Sony.

 

[dadr]

Thank you Sila1999, I changed the receiver to installer mode and RS232 on the graphic interface works well on the TV monitor, all the data from the DMPORT is available on the TV but still no connection to the keypads, no control thru them, and "no adapter" still shows up on all the keypads for DMPORT. I can control all the functions of the receiver with the receiver remote thru the IR connect on the HT keypad but the keypad itself has no input. What do I set the zones to? Should 2 and 3 be on? Should they be set to source? I would like to PM you but cannot find out how, but would really like to get whatever source material you have. How do I PM... Or if you are ever in Memphis, TN and you want to "fix" this thing I know a great BBQ place

 

[sila1999]

Zone 2 should be set to "ON" and source i think, i don't have a full set up yet as i am still buying the bits. I have just the keypad and the HS-WV1 where the rs232 connects to the receiver and i was able to control that OK. Make sure that the RCA connections for Zone 2 are connected to the inputs on the HS-WV1.
Would take you up on the offer but it takes to long to get there from across the Pacific.
I sent you a msg with my contact details.

 

[kthome]

Please include me in the PM package as well. I do have a few issues to get it to work with all features.

Thanks a lots!

 

[sinclabs]

"Zone 2 should be set to "ON" and source i think"

So the above is correct for all devices that connect to the receiver. To control the DMPORT you have two options. One option for the DMPORT is to connect directly to the switch via the HSWD1 iPod wall port. In this configuration it will work right out of the box. If however you are connecting to the DMPORT on the receiver you must load the GUI on the TV and select "MUSIC" / DMPORT. Next select "OPTIONS", go to "DMPORT Control", and make sure "SYSTEM GUI" is selected. Then hit return... Now your content should show up on the keyapds. It takes a few seconds to show up as the processing power in the receiver is not all that great.

I have a lot of the Sony HomeShare stuff on my website. I went through all this "HomeShare Install Issues" in the last year.

The Connected Home

Cheers,
David