Newbee cannonball!!!!!
I recently completed a home addition to include a den/HT room and an outdoor pool. I'm looking to create two independently controlled, "surround-sound-esque" viewing/listening environments run through a single 7.1 HT receiver.
My research suggests to me that most 7.1 receivers on the market today have multi-source/multi-zone capabilities. I understand this to mean that such receivers can send (at least) two (2) independent audio source signals to two (2) different zones (Zone 1, Zone 2) - with Zone 1 being supplied with 5 channels of audio from Source 1 and Zone 2 being provided with 2 channels (R, L stereo) from Source 2 (or Source 1).
I also understand that the Source 2 output may also be limited to analog output and something less than 1080p video output. Thus, everything that I've read to date seems to indicate that my Zone 2 ambitions for a second source, 5-channel "surround-sound" experience may be overreaching, especially if I try to run all of my HDMI source cabling through the receiver (with Zone 2 video output being limited to component-video connectors).
I "think" I may have found a work-around that could do the trick and was hoping someone out there much smarter and experienced than I could verify what I'm thinking of trying to pull off.
For starters and because of the Zone 2 component-video output limitations of most receivers, I am looking at running all of my source HDMI cabling directly to (and through) a 4X2 matrix HDMI switcher to handle all of the video switching duties to my 50-inch plasma (inside) and HD-projector (outside) so I can have the same (or different video sources playing at the same time on each display).
For the audio, I was thinking of running standard component/RCA-audio connections from my source outputs (Blu-Ray, Receiver, HD-Satellite, CD) to the receiver. From the receiver’s Zone 2 outputs, I would run a L-R pair of component/RCA-audio connections to a Jaton SC 5.1 Switch Box & 5.1 Audio Converter which, in theory, should separate out 5 channels of “Circle Surround” from the L-R stereo input for my Zone 2 audio.
In effect, I’d have parallel video and audio connectors from my sources to an HDMI matrix switch (for video purposes) and to the receiver (for audio purposes).
Although not ideal, what I envision is being able to select and route my 1080p video source to Zone 1 and/or Zone 2 displays through the HDMI matrix switch, while simultaneously “routing” my audio signals through the receiver and then, ultimately, to either Zone 1 and/or Zone 2 via the receiver’s “multi-source/multi-zone” function.
I know it sounds convoluted, but it’s the only way I can think of where I can obtain 2-zone 1080p video switching AND surround-sound “Circle Surround” for a 5-speaker Zone 2 configuration – all while running things though a single HT receiver (likely Denon 3808CI – but haven’t purchased yet).
Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
