Multi-Room Hardware Questions???

[topdiggy2]

Hello:

I have been monitoring a few forums and i keep seeing people reference to AUTOPATCH.

Is anyone here familiar with these rigs and their application in multi-room HT setups?

The reason I ask is because I am stumped in the planning of my whole house system and I was wondering if AUTOPATCH would be a good solution to my multi-room setup issues.

I have 6 sources x 15 zones in my system. (3) stereo audio only, (5) SD a/v, (5) HD a/v, and (1) homerun SD loop(coax, stereo, yellow) drop in remain 5 rooms.

I have attached a word document that breaks down what i want to do. I am looking for a hardware recommendation for the items in red. I forgot to mention that i want to control back end and front end functions via CQC.

Keep in mind that all wiring is homerun as this is a new construction.

Thanks in advance for your input & help

- Topdiggy2

 

[AnthonyZ]

Yes, Autopatch would indeed be able to meet your needs. You could utilize one large switch to handle all inputs and outputs if using component for HD distribution and scaling any VGA, DVI or HDMI or you could use a series of smaller switches to break up by I/O. Autopatch makes very solid equipment and there are a number of other vendors who can do the same. Switches run the gamut from cheap with lousy traces, bandwidth and design to pricy with excellent build quality, control, features and bandwidth. I would not recommend skimping on the switch if throwing HD in the mix.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hello:

I have been monitoring a few forums and i keep seeing people reference to AUTOPATCH.

Is anyone here familiar with these rigs and their application in multi-room HT setups?

The reason I ask is because I am stumped in the planning of my whole house system and I was wondering if AUTOPATCH would be a good solution to my multi-room setup issues.

I have 6 sources x 15 zones in my system. (3) stereo audio only, (5) SD a/v, (5) HD a/v, and (1) homerun SD loop(coax, stereo, yellow) drop in remain 5 rooms.

I have attached a word document that breaks down what i want to do. I am looking for a hardware recommendation for the items in red. I forgot to mention that i want to control back end and front end functions via CQC.

Keep in mind that all wiring is homerun as this is a new construction.

Thanks in advance for your input & help

- Topdiggy2

That's a really cool setup. My setup is somewhat similar to your drawing but mine is smaller. I also have a central location where all my equipments are including the 2 Autopatch devices. Each location like family room has 6 RG6QS coaxial and 2 CAT5e cables. The 2 cat5e is still unused. It will be used with Buffalo Electronics so I can control my Autopatch in the basement vi wired IR(kinda like ir blaster). Right now, I just wrote a simple vb program which allows me to control the Autopatch. I use my laptop with a wireless pcmcia nic card so I can carry it anywhere in the house. The approach is really simple. Each button on the vb app contains a command that will be sent to my linux server. Oh, the autopatch 1ydm is connected to my linux box via serial cable(RS232). The other Autopatch is cascaded via its IN/OUT RS232 ports.

I can't comment on other products since I have not tried them. Autopatch was my first video distribution equipment. So far, I'm very very happy with it.

I have tried HD both component and RGBHV and Autopatch never disappointed me. The changing of source is really quick like 1 sec or less. Make sure that board you will buy is wideband board.

Here is a screenshot of the vb program I wrote. My kids love it. They didn't even ask how to use it. This will go away once I have installed the buffalo ir devices.

So yeah, you won't be disappointed with Autopatch. The best thing is that, I got each of them for $35 on ebay.

 

[DrunkenLizard]

So yeah, you won't be disappointed with Autopatch. The best thing is that, I got each of them for $35 on ebay.

What models do you use?