asteinmetz
Member
A typical do-it-all system might have A/V signal distribution in the closet and RCA cables and speaker wire running up to the TVs and speakers. Security cameras run analog signals down to the closet and into the multiplexers. IR blasters allow control from each room. Hardwired lighting. So far, no computer is involved.
Now consider the other extreme. PC control of the lighting (It might still be hard wired or maybe Z-Wave). No analog cable runs. Every drop is Cat 5E. Security cams are IP-based. Media server goes to an HTPC at every screen. Even the ceiling speakers are IP-based (polk makes some nice ones for a measly $3k a pair).
Does anyone have an opinion on where the sweet spot is along this spectrum?
I really like the idea IP-cameras, especially with PoE. IP speakers for whole house audio seems to add huge cost w/o benefit.
Distributing video is a question. Do not distribute and have the usual coax run to a cable box (I still have to physically put the netflix movie in the player and why go to the basement to do it?). Distribute everything via IP to HTPCs/media extenders? Distribute via Coax to HTPCs? Distribute analog (or HDMI) straight to the TV? Considerations are integration the security cameras with entertainment video (will a media extender show the sec cams?) and provisioning for HD content.
The new house is almost framed and I have to do some hard thinking about what to drop. I plan on having my installer do terminated drops and stick speakers in the ceilings then I'll connect it all together at my leisure. Thanks for any thoughts.
-- Art
Now consider the other extreme. PC control of the lighting (It might still be hard wired or maybe Z-Wave). No analog cable runs. Every drop is Cat 5E. Security cams are IP-based. Media server goes to an HTPC at every screen. Even the ceiling speakers are IP-based (polk makes some nice ones for a measly $3k a pair).
Does anyone have an opinion on where the sweet spot is along this spectrum?
I really like the idea IP-cameras, especially with PoE. IP speakers for whole house audio seems to add huge cost w/o benefit.
Distributing video is a question. Do not distribute and have the usual coax run to a cable box (I still have to physically put the netflix movie in the player and why go to the basement to do it?). Distribute everything via IP to HTPCs/media extenders? Distribute via Coax to HTPCs? Distribute analog (or HDMI) straight to the TV? Considerations are integration the security cameras with entertainment video (will a media extender show the sec cams?) and provisioning for HD content.
The new house is almost framed and I have to do some hard thinking about what to drop. I plan on having my installer do terminated drops and stick speakers in the ceilings then I'll connect it all together at my leisure. Thanks for any thoughts.
-- Art