pete_c
Guru
MY QUEST:
To build a whole house wired audio system using:
1. windows based laptop to stream music
2. sound cards
3. amplifiers
4. room volume control for 8 zones
5. In ceiling speakers
6. Remote controlled app that I can use to both operate this audio system and to an Omni Pro II that I just finished installing....thank you...thank you! Omni has basic security and UPB lighting
BTW; Dan; who posted above relating to the USB sound cards is considered the USB sound card automation "guru" on the Homeseer forum.
It can be done this way too using one computer; USB hub and multiple USB sound cards.
It comes down to mostly how much time and or knowledge base you have relating to doing a DIY (if you choose too) relating to multiple zoned audio.
HAI offers integration built in to zoned systems; but not everyone that exists today. That said if you want to integrate your HAI panel / consoles to audio; you can do it the HAI way. If you are adventurous and want to write a serial "connection" to the panel; then you can write one for the Monoprice Zoned audio amp.
Relating to your itemized #'s 1,2,3,4 & 5. You can do the individual USB sound card thing as mentioned and DIY your own app (whatever you use). In ceiling / in wall speakers prices have dropped considerably in the last few years; you can though today with good sounding speakers for very little costs these days.
Here over the years did start with one amp, analog zoned speaker switches and analog volume controls. From that I went to digital volume controls (Leviton Chopin) which alleviated the smoke in the wall volume control thing and it was easy to run or use a cat5e cable to the volume control. Then from that went to a zoned audio amplifier (Russound). Today many folks have skipped the wired speaker parts creating a whole house zoned audio system using wireless; AKA Sonos. (which includes a multimedia server that you can remote a few different ways). Some folks have gone to using the Sonos music server and a zoned audio system.
Its really up to you on what you want to do and how much time you want to spend and how much baggage you want to maintain. "Baggage" is a relative term; just coined; knowledge base of hardware and software stuff. It can be good or bad; depending what you personally consider "plugnplay"
You will see folks here on the Cocoontech forum have done it all in every way possible.