I need some advice/tips on wiring up a new build for myself and wanted some advice on hdmi/matrix switching to get my audio/video distribution right.
I have 7 rooms where I want to view HD video
I have 8 rooms where I want to be able listen to distributed audio, but they are not 100% the same as the above list
The Living room has a surround a/v receiver in addition to being a sonos zone
I have 3 video sources I want to distribute
What's the best way to do this?
Here are my specific questions:
Thanks for your tips.
David
I have 7 rooms where I want to view HD video
- Living Room 1
- Living Room 2
- Bedroom (x3)
- Theater Room
- Laundry
I have 8 rooms where I want to be able listen to distributed audio, but they are not 100% the same as the above list
- Living Room 1
- Living Room 2
- Kitchen (also acts as rears for living room 2 via local source interrupt)
- Outdoor Pool area
- Bedroom (x3)
- Master Bathroom
The Living room has a surround a/v receiver in addition to being a sonos zone
I have 3 video sources I want to distribute
- Bluray (hdmi/component)
- 2 x cable STB (hdmi/component)
- Media center PC (hdmi)
- ipod (component out)
- hai omni / doorbell
What's the best way to do this?
Here are my specific questions:
- I assume I should wire 2 x cat5 for each video room + cable for IR distribution + lan to each video destination (is there any need to wire component cables these days if you can just use baluns)?
- To save cost, should I go with a cat5 component switcher initially, and then swap out wall plates/matrix switcher for HDMI later? Anyone have a good recommendation on either a cat 5 hdmi or component matrix switch?
- How do I handle local source interrupt with a matrix switcher? i.e. sonos is running a zone as music, but when the TV comes on in an adjacent zone I want to re purpose those speakers as the surrounds?
How do I wire local sources, for example: - an iPod/iPhone dock in the kitchen (left/right audio channel back to wiring closet?)
- a local xbox360 for playing games/karaoke/watching a DVD (do I run another 2 pairs of Cat5's to feed the local source back to the wiring closet, or do you just run the video to the TV and run the audio back to the wiring closet? The xbox wireless mics and game controllers don't lend themselves to being in a central closet.
Thanks for your tips.
David