Zyepod.
From what you’ve said, you’re looking to have 3 zones in total? Your main listening environment (audio & video), the patio (audio), and the bedroom (audio & video).
Number 1 point - you cannot extend playback of A DIGITAL SOURCE to Zone 2 or 3. To define further, nothing connected to the receiver via an Optical or Coaxial connection will be playable in Zone 2 or 3. So no DVD audio signal to Zone 2 or 3 if you’ve connected the DVD players audio to the receiver via toslink or coaxial. I’m not sure about if the DVD player is connected to the receiver via the MULTI CHANNEL INPUT - I'd say (just logic telling me as it’s an analog source) it WILL work.
Also keep in mind that outputs for Zone 2&3 are going to be STEREO only. If you want surround sound in your bedroom, using Zone 2 isn’t going to work.
All of this is detailed on pages 78-80 of the 2500's manual.
If the above points are not an issue, where you wire your speakers for Zone 2 depends on if you are using the onboard amp of the receiver to power Zone 2. Zone 3 (your patio) will require either an amp or self powered speakers at the location as once again, Zone 3 output is line level only..
The facts are this - You require two lots of video - There are only two video outputs - Monitor and Zone 2, therefore you will connect your video output for Zone 1 to Monitor, and I assume your bedroom to the S-Video output for Zone 2.
For Zone 2
Picture
Distance to your bedroom from where the receiver is located in your house HAS to be taken into consideration at this point. You can get away with running substantial lengths of audio cable for different zones, though I'd be thinking twice about running an S-Video cable more than 10metres/33 feet.
Any longer run than that (I believe) you’re going to start to lose signal/picture quality for your video. I haven’t looked into if you can get an amplifier for S-video for longer runs - it may be a possibility.
Audio
For Zone 2 you have the option of using the onboard amplifier or having a line level out (meaning you will require self powered speakers or a 2nd amp in Zone 2). If you plan on using the onboard amp for Zone 2, you’re also going to have to decide if you wish to control the receiver (volume etc) from the Zone 2 location. If you do, you will be required to run the wire(s) for the Infra Red pickup back to the receiver. I’m not sure if there is distance/cable length issues with the IR sender/receiver. Some of the installers that frequent this forum may chip in with feedback on this point.
If you are going to NOT use the 2500's amplifier to power Zone 2 (you’ve got self powered speakers or an amp in zone 2) you would connect via RCA plugs to the back of the receiver as detailed on page 11 of the PDF manual to point 12 - just left of centre to the area marked OUTPUT ZONE 2.
If you DO require the 2500 to power the speakers in Zone 2, you'd connect via the PRESENCE/ZONE 2 connectors (marked point 16), and your picture/video output still via the S-Video output over in point 12.
Output settings (powered or line level and volume control) for Zone 2 are done via the GUI on the receiver. The tricky part here is to make sure you enter the code into the remote so you can control Zone 2 and 3 with the remote AT the receiver after you’ve set it all to work. Instructions for this are on page 68 of the manual - By memory the code is 2001 that you have to enter.
Zone 3
The only option is line level output from the receiver. You will require either an amp to power your speakers, or the speakers to be self powered such as a set of decent computer speakers.
Wiring for Zone 3 will connect via RCA plugs at point 12 (bottom of the receiver, just left of centre) on page 11 of the manual on the rear of the amp where it’s marked OUTPUT ZONE 3. If you’ve got an amp in Zone 3, you would connect it to the 2500 via an AUX or "LINE IN" input. For computer speakers you will need to convert the RCA lead to a female 3.5mm plug so the speakers will plug into the lead..
For myself as I haven’t had to take Video into consideration for Zone 2 or 3, I’ve used the Receiver to power speakers in Zone 2 (my patio), and Zone 3 is feeding to a set of self powered computer speakers in my kitchen. I havent bothered running any wiring for remote control use in Zone 2 or 3 either.
Main source for output to Zones 2&3 is MP3 playback from my computer that is connected to the receiver by the stereo (RCA connectors) of in my case - VCR2.
I hope this has made the fog a little clearer!
Regards.
Aaron
