upstatemike
Senior Member
I was looking at distributed audio systems in more detail the other day and I began to realize what it would represent in terms of keypads. I have about 27 pairs of speakers in 23 areas which could be served by 18 zones of distributed audio. Without getting into some serious compromises this would mean installing around 20 keypads. If I were to consider using Russound and adding the ComPoint intercom system it would be about 40 keypads. Add to that 8 existing thermostats a few security keypads, about 16 existing RCS KP7 and KP8 automation keypads... I realized this was rapidly approaching the 70 keypad mark. There just isn't enough wall space for this!
I know I could consolidate some of the RCS keypads and thermostats and some distributed audio locations onto a single touchscren controller for the area, but I'm not about to buy 20 touchscreens! Besides, you can't use them in place of intercom stations so you still have at least 2 wall devices at each location.
So my question is how are other people dealing with keypad bloat? Is everybody rich enough to put touchscreens everywhere? Is there a cheaper alternative for consolidating some of this stuff? Do people really get away with hanging a thermostat and a music keypad and an intercom keypad and a security/automation keypad all in a giant cluster?
It seems like whenever I look at any idea too close, it starts to fall apart once I model out a full scale implementation!
I know I could consolidate some of the RCS keypads and thermostats and some distributed audio locations onto a single touchscren controller for the area, but I'm not about to buy 20 touchscreens! Besides, you can't use them in place of intercom stations so you still have at least 2 wall devices at each location.
So my question is how are other people dealing with keypad bloat? Is everybody rich enough to put touchscreens everywhere? Is there a cheaper alternative for consolidating some of this stuff? Do people really get away with hanging a thermostat and a music keypad and an intercom keypad and a security/automation keypad all in a giant cluster?
It seems like whenever I look at any idea too close, it starts to fall apart once I model out a full scale implementation!