PLANS FOR HOME MULTIROOM

[steevo_tabasco]

Hi all,

planning a media centre / multi-room setup for my own home
planned setup consisits of :-

my current gaming pc (windows 7) with DX10 GPU with video+audio over single hdmi cable
V+ box
Blu Ray player (samsung BD P4600)
Xbox 360

connected to hdmi 4x2 matrix switch
all these components located in a ground floor cupboard
separate HDMI cables to both rooms

1st LCD TV (in the living room with blu ray here)
2nd LCD TV (in kitchen)

any comments (or improvements) on setup so far greatly appreciated !!

looking to be able to control pc from either room wirelessly (furthest away is about 7-8m) probably a media centre remote and some sort of htpc keyboard

next requirement is that im a pretty keen gamer so will have a secondary mouse / keyboard for gaming - want to have my keyboard / mouse inputs pretty responsive - will this be possible over such a distance or would it be better to add a usb wallplate in both rooms to improve connection back to pc

any comments greatly appreciated
budget to be @ max £500 (switch + cabling + any input devices)

Thanks,
Steevo

[elootos]

Hello and welcome

Well from the list of kit you have it certainly looks a tidy amount of gear - not too much to go wrong with as some have oodles of the bloody stuff!

I recommend the Gyration remote controls for control through walls.

Also the Keysonic keyboard/mousepad is a good little unit, although not gamer friendly at all.

The Logitech mouse/keyboard combo (EX110) I have in my kitchen is instantly responsive but not rather old so I imagine a newer model/version is about.

Are you just going to be running audio over HDMI to the TV? Not through a separate amp or speaker system?

Otherwise what you plan looks fine. Make sure the HDMI switcher is remote of course! And also get a Keene IR repeater to run into your cupboard as well perhaps.

[steevo_tabasco]

Hi There

Thanks for the quick reply

Yes – was planning to have integrated audio thru HDMI
Got to ask as I don’t know the 1st thing bout hi-fi & amps etc . – would my setup really benefit from an Audio Amp &/or RF distributor – was only really gonna install 2x front speakers & a sub
Recommendation for a cheap amp & cables

Ok think I’ve found my kit I want to use it’s a 4x2 Hdmi Switch/Splitter from Neet (can anyone recommend this brand – was going to get cables from here also as there was some positive reviews from them)

Was looking @ the Gyration remote

Also, thanks for the heads up on the IR Receiver that was going to be my next question

[elootos]

(08-02-2010 09:47 AM)steevo_tabasco Wrote:  Yes – was planning to have integrated audio thru HDMI
Got to ask as I don’t know the 1st thing bout hi-fi & amps etc . – would my setup really benefit from an Audio Amp &/or RF distributor – was only really gonna install 2x front speakers & a sub
Recommendation for a cheap amp & cables

Ok think I’ve found my kit I want to use it’s a 4x2 Hdmi Switch/Splitter from Neet (can anyone recommend this brand – was going to get cables from here also as there was some positive reviews from them)

Was looking @ the Gyration remote

Also, thanks for the heads up on the IR Receiver that was going to be my next question

Well TV speakers aren't exactly renowned for their quality so any seperate speakers you have will be better. Stereo is fine for most people not wanting to add 5.1 to their rooms.

Head to Richer Sounds or Superfi for the easiest way to browse cheap HiFi kit.

Cabling is always cheapest on ebay, but avoid the dirt-cheap stuff.

The Gyration remote is an ace way to control Media Center and your PC at the same time.

[mookydudz]

(08-06-2010 12:31 PM)elootos Wrote:  

(08-02-2010 09:47 AM)steevo_tabasco Wrote:  Yes – was planning to have integrated audio thru HDMI
Got to ask as I don’t know the 1st thing bout hi-fi & amps etc . – would my setup really benefit from an Audio Amp &/or RF distributor – was only really gonna install 2x front speakers & a sub
Recommendation for a cheap amp & cables

Ok think I’ve found my kit I want to use it’s a 4x2 Hdmi Switch/Splitter from Neet (can anyone recommend this brand – was going to get cables from here also as there was some positive reviews from them)

Was looking @ the Gyration remote

Also, thanks for the heads up on the IR Receiver that was going to be my next question

Well TV speakers aren't exactly renowned for their quality so any seperate speakers you have will be better. Stereo is fine for most people not wanting to add 5.1 to their rooms.

Head to Richer Sounds or Superfi for the easiest way to browse cheap HiFi kit.

Cabling is always cheapest on ebay, but avoid the dirt-cheap stuff.

The Gyration remote is an ace way to control Media Center and your PC at the same time.

The biggest headache i had was IR control. I've got some of these that do the job. However there may or maynot be a problem with your V+ box, Keene are up on sending IR or IRDA(which some V boxes use) I use Sky & that uses just IR. All my kit is in the garage & i have an rx in 3 rooms & 1 tx infront of the kit.

You can get a HDMI matrix with IR passback here

[steevo_tabasco]

Hi there,

ok settled for the Neet & the Keene Amp (had already bought the kit by the time last post arrived - probably would have went for an all-in-one soultion as you suggested)

got it all hooked up and quite impressed with results - generally everything works well ...

problem im noticing is the remote input seems to be a bit laggy using the IR kit i bought (KEENE IR DISTRIBUTION AMP KIT (INC STD RECEIVER))

now im using a New Samsung V+ HD box and have the red 'eyes' positioned on the V+ box (cable run is 10m)

problem is takes about 1 sec to register button presses
(changed to new batteries thinking it was that but nae)

any ideas on how to improve input response ?
(would buying the high power receiver help)

thanks...

[elootos]

(08-19-2010 01:02 PM)steevo_tabasco Wrote:  Hi there,

ok settled for the Neet & the Keene Amp (had already bought the kit by the time last post arrived - probably would have went for an all-in-one soultion as you suggested)

got it all hooked up and quite impressed with results - generally everything works well ...

problem im noticing is the remote input seems to be a bit laggy using the IR kit i bought (KEENE IR DISTRIBUTION AMP KIT (INC STD RECEIVER))

now im using a New Samsung V+ HD box and have the red 'eyes' positioned on the V+ box (cable run is 10m)

problem is takes about 1 sec to register button presses
(changed to new batteries thinking it was that but nae)

any ideas on how to improve input response ?
(would buying the high power receiver help)

thanks...

Hmmm sounds a curious problem.

I would think the repeater is instantaneous and maybe there's a discrepancy with the receiver side of the Samsung box. Perhaps there's too much ir signal hitting it and its waiting for it to die down. Try moving the blaster away a bit?