Home Audio Network

[rhett]

Greetings, I'm new to Audioholics. I'm a student studying computer engineering, and I'm going to create my vision (classified) over the next three to four years. The system is very complex, but the first phase is multi room audio.
I'd like to be able to play a song in one room of my house, and simultaneously play a different song in another part of the house. All comments, suggestions and tips are appreciated. Thanks for reading!

-rhett

 

[majorloser]

That is actually a very basic function that is now an integral part of many of today's receivers. It's most often referred to as "multiple zones". Many receivers can even distribute audio and video to at least two zones. Some of the more advanced units will handle three or more zones. There are also receivers that have ethernet connections for home networks.

It's only when you start looking at more than two zones and having independent controls in each zone that requires a more intensive infrastructure to be installed. A lot of systems utilize RS232 and some use IP addresses.

 

[rhett]

Reply

I have eight zones.

 

[alcy]

There are various approaches. You need to be specific. Do you want to use receivers and other such equipment or would you like to use computers instead ?

 

[rhett]

Reply

I'd like to use only computers, but I'm not sure if it's possible. At the least, I'd like to be playing playlists in each zone, with playlist controls (volume, pause, skip, back, etc) in each zone.