Zone 2 Implementation

[Nemo128]

Sig says it all basically.

All the equipment is located in my living room. The bedroom only has a TV and some bookshelves.

What I need to figure out is, is there any way I can use, for example, my XBox 360 in the living room while the woman watches cable TV in the bedroom.

Right now, the cable box is hooked up through component video to the receiver, cuz HDMI handshaking is epic phail.

Ideally, I would be able to use anything in the bedroom while using anything else in the living room.

The Onkyo NR906 only has a composite video Zone 2 out. Right now I'm HDMI1-2 switching, but it won't allow simultaneous output of the HDMI outs.

Any ideas? This is why I wanted to switch to the Emotive XMC-1 + UPA-7 combo, but I'm trying to find a solution with what we have. Maybe another device to add into the overall system? I dunno, I'm at a loss...

 

[adk highlander]

Nemo I've been round and round with these same issues and installed a couple of these types of systems (my own an a couple of friends). I initially started out using my 885's zone 2 for my whole house system. The main drawback is as you know it will only use analog connections for any zone 2/3 source. So you will need ye old red/while/yellow connections. Even though these do have component out for the zone 2 it does not send HD because of the analog only connections.

There are a couple of new models with dual HDMI outs that will play both simultaneously but obviously not different sources.

If you don't mind the SD/analog only you will easily be able to do what you want with an IR reciever in the bedroom and a niles/xantech main system unit (to distribute the incoming IR to the flashers) and flashers.

You could also do RF with an RF to IR converter (URC makes several) and not have to run a wire for IR to the bedroom.

So my questions next would be:

1) what kind of TV is in the bedroom? Is SD a deal breaker?

2) do you want IR control or RF

 

[Nemo128]

Right now, everything is controlled by a Harmony 890 Pro with RF. That includes the bedroom TV. I ran a long IR lead into the bedroom for it, so control is taken care of.

To control both zones, I could add a second 890 Pro and they would maintain the states.

The bedroom is a 37" Pana 1080p LCD. I tried using my Zone 2 composite out, it looked horrid plus it required analog into the receiver. My media streamer and 360 are both HDMI right now.

That's why the Emotiva XMC-1 looked so deliciously good. I honestly considered buying a second media streamer and 360, but renting a second cable box is pointless when we do so little TV watching.

The main thing I really want is to be able to use the 360 in the living room while using the cable box in the bedroom. I still haven't been able to think of a way outside of a whole new receiver, and one that doesn't exist yet.

 

[bandphan]

Can you use a component video distrubition block? Split the signal?

 

[adk highlander]

I feel your pain.

What if you used the 906 for just sound and then run the various video cables to the bedroom? The 906 would still "switch" the audio but you could use the various inputs on the TV to control the video switching.

How far away is the bedroom from the receiver? Is it an option to run an HDMI cable (this is assuming you could use the HDMI from the cable box you said you were using component in the HT) and component from the 360 and media tank. I know it is a ton of cables but outside of some other switch box this would work.

 

[Nemo128]

Can you use a component video distrubition block? Split the signal?

What if you used the 906 for just sound and then run the various video cables to the bedroom? The 906 would still "switch" the audio but you could use the various inputs on the TV to control the video switching.

How far away is the bedroom from the receiver? Is it an option to run an HDMI cable (this is assuming you could use the HDMI from the cable box you said you were using component in the HT) and component from the 360 and media tank. I know it is a ton of cables but outside of some other switch box this would work.

Both great suggestions, I thought about this.

Right now I have an HDMI going from the receiver into both TVs, one to the living room and one into the bedroom, so cabling it all is an option. It's a messy one... but still, you're right, it is an option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the XMC-1 is the only pre that will output different sources over different HDMIs simultaneously.

 

[adk highlander]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the XMC-1 is the only pre that will output different sources over different HDMIs simultaneously.

Scott would know more than me but if the XMC does it is the only one I've heard of. I don't even think warps Anthem D2 will do it.

 

[bandphan]

As a pro pro goes, if the xmc doesnt have hiccips it will be one bad arse unit. We still use key digital and geffen for multi source hdmi distribution which start at 600 per unit and is a pricey solution to a 2 zone setup. If your waiting on the emotiva, id just split the component signal for now and use the audio from the onk.

 

[Nemo128]

I think I may patiently wait for the XMC-1 and see how it turns out. It's not a dire need really, it just means when I want to play 360 and she wants to watch TV... we want to watch TV.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Nemo,

If I was you, I just get another receiver for my bedroom,
like the Onkyo TX-SR606 for only $319

And add a cheap Panny DMP-BD60 Blu-Ray player (if you don't have already an additional Blu-Ray player), and you'll be in your way to bedroom heaven.

* Remember the other member here at Audioholics that has the exact same receiver (906) than your and also has the 606 in his bedroom? His name is Sholling. He's a wise guy.

 

[Adam]

Bob, I often see you suggest for people to PM you with issues instead of airing them out on the open forum. Yet, you confront people on the open forum. Perhaps you could lead by example by PMing Nemo to ask your question.

EDIT: Well, you deleted your original post, so I'm responding to the post that you have below.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Nemo,

If I was you, I just get another receiver for my bedroom,
like the Onkyo TX-SR606 for only $319

And add a cheap Panny DMP-BD60 Blu-Ray player (if you don't have already an additional Blu-Ray player), and you'll be in your way to bedroom heaven.

* Remember the other member here at Audioholics that has the exact same receiver (906) than your and also has the 606 in his bedroom? His name is Sholling. He's a wise guy.

Hey Nemo, it was just a simple and honest suggestion.
I know what you're looking for, but it is still a viable and valid alternative, isn't it?

So, why did you have to give me a red chicklet for that???

Do I gave you a red chicklet for trying to help me, or suggest me another alternative?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Bob, I often see you suggest for people to PM you with issues instead of airing them out on the open forum. Yet, you confront people on the open forum. Perhaps you could lead by example by PMing Nemo to ask your question.

I see what you mean Adam, and I can appreciate that.
But in this case here, I want to know what my exact post at this moment, have created that Nemo tought of it as a negative meaning.
I think it is positive for people to know what is in his mind, in his own thread and asking us our help.
Would you like to know also if it was you trying to help someone?

We are not talking about Apocalypse here, we're only trying to figure out the truth behind a red chicklet, right?
Let him say what he have to say, and let's get it on with our lifes, quite simple isn't it? After all, he started his own thread.

Regards,

Bob

 

[Nemo128]

I've never given out a red chicklet to anyone bud, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.

I stuck on another to make up for it if I did by accident somehow, but again, I never redded anyone, and I certainly wouldn't you for helping me.

 

[Adam]

I stuck on another to make up for it if I did by accident somehow...

That alone should prove to Bob that you didn't do it. With the rules about giving out rep within 24 hours and the need to spread it around, I don't think it's possible to hand out rep (positive or negative) to the same person within 12 hours. I could be wrong, though.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I've never given out a red chicklet to anyone bud, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.

I stuck on another to make up for it if I did by accident somehow, but again, I never redded anyone, and I certainly wouldn't you for helping me.

Hey, that's fine if you say that you didn't do it. But I occasionally check my User CP box, and right on the post that I indicated, there was a red chicklet!
So, how to explain this? My response was to you and only you directly, how that red chicklet appears exactly there?

That alone should prove to Bob that you didn't do it. With the rules about giving out rep within 24 hours and the need to spread it around, I don't think it's possible to hand out rep (positive or negative) to the same person within 12 hours. I could be wrong, though.

I take his word for it, no big deal. And as I promessed him in another thread, I will rebalance the red for the green, no problem at all.
But man, am I confused here or what? I thought that I'm smart enough to see between red and green and where it's coming from. Beats me.
Maybe someone can enlighten me?

I'll be very honest here, since I'm here at these Forums, I only give very good comments about the members that impress me the most, and I always signed.
That's who I am. But then things get a little hot at one point. and the color red shows her bad face. Ok, I don't put too much attention to it, till it gets more pointed out. All right, time to take action and not see that color anymore. Good again for a while till I found out it was given to me for wrongful judgement. Hmmm... I'm a bit seing red now, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I don't have to go any further, you get the picture.
If I really deserved red (which I never did here at Audioholics or anywhere else), I'll accept it. But I'm fed up with false accusations, misidentities and wrongful judgements, and also judged from a past that is not mine.
So, can you know see where I'm coming from?

I'm a peaceful person in my personality, I took a lot of crap in my life, till I said to myself, Robert you have to defend yourself or people will keep harrassing you.
So, I just want make that clear, any more crap from anyone, and I will report it right away to the mods. Because it's not my say to confront harrassement.
Not here anyway. This is a great place, and I intend to keep it that way, with all my heart and my time, have fun and give recommendation and learn too.
And if anyone has a problem with that, don't blame me for it, but blame yourself if you cannot keep it to yourself. PM is always a good solution to get things straight, if one is willing to make the step.

I'm done. I'm sorry if I made a mistake, I'm at lost here at to what happens.
I will fix it like I said. I know that those green or red chicklets are not a big deal for many people, including myself, but I do admit their influence, in particular the red ones. I explained myself in the past, and if this is not understood well by some people, then it's not my problem, I got nothing to hide, talk to me straight to my face with the respect that I deserve and don't play games, because I surely don't. And when we laugh together, then it's another different matter totally separated.

Sorry to take a bit of space here to express my thoughts, but I hope it helps to get along all of us in here, without any exception.
I don't know, perhaps I'm too sensitive or something, but one thing is for sure, I hate to be taken for someone else.

Now, about Zone 2 Implementation...

Cheers,

Bob

Note: I know that there are quite a few spelling errors, verb tenses mistakes and grammatical faults, please be forgiving, I try hard.

 

[Nemo128]

No harm done, simple misunderstandings have simple resolutions.

 

[Lordoftherings]

^ Absolutely agree with that.