Distributed Audio Systems
Back in February I bought my first house which I really love. Up until now I've lived in small apartments so I've never put together a serious home entertainment system even though I've always been interested in such things.
A couple weeks ago I finally started researching home entertainment systems and I got a little frustrated. I started by just fishing around on the web, but I couldn't find many good explanations of high level concepts and technologies. The Crutchfield Advisor was the best resource I found, but I was still pretty confused. So then one weekend I wandered into Austin Home Theater and chatted with them for thirty or forty minutes. This got me started. Since I don't have unlimited funds, my plan is to put together a system piece by piece. I'll start with audio and later add video. I know I want audio in more than one room. The first step seems to be to get a big honkin' receiver with speakers for one or more rooms.
Well, I have since learned that this first step is called a "distributed audio system". There are many many different ways to create one at many many different levels of complexity and flexibility. There's a sizable industry in this space (Distributed Audio Alliance) which often includes all sorts of other home automation and control systems.
A relatively recent development is A-BUS, and this looks like the way to go. Surprisingly, the best explanation of it I've been able to find is this short article. A-BUS is a protocol to deliver audio to and control it from multiple rooms. It uses cat-5 wiring to carry everything. Control pads are installed in each room that will have speakers. Few receivers have support for A-BUS currently, but that may change. Austin Home Theater sells Integra receivers which support A-BUS. Based on my current research, Integra receivers seem to be a good combination of features and quality for the price. Too bad their web site has been so unreliable.
That's all for now. There's still a ton to learn, but I feel like the key concepts are starting to come together.
A couple weeks ago I finally started researching home entertainment systems and I got a little frustrated. I started by just fishing around on the web, but I couldn't find many good explanations of high level concepts and technologies. The Crutchfield Advisor was the best resource I found, but I was still pretty confused. So then one weekend I wandered into Austin Home Theater and chatted with them for thirty or forty minutes. This got me started. Since I don't have unlimited funds, my plan is to put together a system piece by piece. I'll start with audio and later add video. I know I want audio in more than one room. The first step seems to be to get a big honkin' receiver with speakers for one or more rooms.
Well, I have since learned that this first step is called a "distributed audio system". There are many many different ways to create one at many many different levels of complexity and flexibility. There's a sizable industry in this space (Distributed Audio Alliance) which often includes all sorts of other home automation and control systems.
A relatively recent development is A-BUS, and this looks like the way to go. Surprisingly, the best explanation of it I've been able to find is this short article. A-BUS is a protocol to deliver audio to and control it from multiple rooms. It uses cat-5 wiring to carry everything. Control pads are installed in each room that will have speakers. Few receivers have support for A-BUS currently, but that may change. Austin Home Theater sells Integra receivers which support A-BUS. Based on my current research, Integra receivers seem to be a good combination of features and quality for the price. Too bad their web site has been so unreliable.
That's all for now. There's still a ton to learn, but I feel like the key concepts are starting to come together.