Nuvo Grand Concerto - 2 Zones 1 Keypad

Jimmyjam

Active Member
Basically I have 2 sets of speakers in the backyard, but want to be able to control each set independently from 1 keypad. Is this possible. If not, is the next best thing going to be putting a separate volume control for each zone?
 
Basically I have 2 sets of speakers in the backyard, but want to be able to control each set independently from 1 keypad. Is this possible. If not, is the next best thing going to be putting a separate volume control for each zone?

if you're talking about two separate zones (with their own output from the GC and with their own speakers), then AIUI the answer is no--you cannot control them using the same keypad. And the procedure to change the keypad assignment from one zone to the other is too inconvenient for casual use.

I have this situation (outside zone without a keypad), and i use my HAI touchscreen or H@me (iphone app that interfaces with my HAI) to control all zones (including this one). Also, if you have NuVo Music Port sw and plug the computer into the NuVo GC's serial port, you can control all zones that way, too.
 
Well, it probably won't be the cheapest solution, but the best would probably be to get the new NV-CTP36 Color LCD Keypad. With that you should be able to do zone roaming to easily control any zone in the system.

See in Gallery...

You can use the existing kpd but as said already it is cumbersome to switch zones (not intended to do on fly). Or, possibly the handheld remote can work for you or of course control from some HA software. Like for example using CQC you can have a screen that runs on your phone (iPhone, WM phone) that can control any part of the system.
 
Bah, I leave for a few months and everybody stops thinking out of the box :-)

I sorta did this by creating a 'ghost zone', AKA one of the unpowered zones, and having CQC monitor the keypad and route the command to the child zones. It's not independent control, they were both set to the same volume/power/source, but this way I could use 2 different amps for those 2 zones.

If you really want to do independent control, it's pretty easy. Use the keypad to put CQC on 'alert' that you're sending a command for zone <x>, then putting in the command. IE, let's pretend your zones are Z5 & Z6. Typing in 555-enter on the keypad will tell CQC that the next command on that keypad should be routed to Z5. Set a global variable called 'next-zone-command'. Once it sees 555-enter, it'll set the next-zone-command to 5. Once the next command is processed, clear out next-zone-command.

Obviously you don't have to do 555-enter, you could do any keycombo that you think is simple to remember.

I would think the whole thing would take less than 30 minutes to setup.
 
Thats certainly good creative thinking but you have to keep in mind the GC keypad is much more limited than regular Concerto. No keys, just the basic function buttons. It would be alot tougher to do on GC kpd like you describe I think.
 
ok..initially i misread your question and though you wanted to control 2 zones from a single keypad and have them act as one. This is easy in the GC configuration software where you can slave one zone to another.

What you're asking though I essentially to have the keypad assignment to a zone be flexible, that doesnt seem to be a basic function and would require some fancy stuff like IVB describes.

Just curious..you want 2 independent zones for the yard? Like in the hot tub listen to Marvin Gay 'Lets get it on' while at the Pool you have something playing to keep the kids entertained? Maybe it's easiest to just have 2 keypads, if you didn't prewire for it i don't think this is an issue since the keypads are all parallel on the NuvoNet so whether you connects them at the EZ Port or at the keypads shouldn't make a difference. I'm sure Nuvo would guarantee performance,etc..but it should work.
 
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